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Paradise Hot Springs

Day Passes & Hot Springs · Arenal & La Fortuna · Hot springs day pass

Paradise Hot Springs is a small thermal resort on Route 142, about 5 km (10 minutes) west of downtown La Fortuna, just past Baldi. Its eight volcano-heated pools and jacuzzis run from 35 to 41 °C (95–104 °F), each with jets or a waterfall, plus a cool pool, all tucked into a jungle garden that backs onto pasture at the foot of Arenal. You book a 5-hour slot (11 am–4 pm or 4–9 pm): most people soak, order at the swim-up bar and take a coffee at the Ficus viewpoint, where the volcano shows when the clouds lift. It feels calmer and more grown-up than the big family resorts, which suits couples and rainy-day plans; kids are welcome, but it's built for soaking, not slides. Honest minus: the two main pools feel open rather than private, some pools are very hot, and the dinner buffet gets mixed reviews.

Pools pause during thunder and lightning; otherwise open daily, holidays included

Start times
11:00, 16:00
Days
Daily
Takes
5 h
Best time
evening
Booking
Book ahead
Ratings
4.5 on Google (1,721)

Highlights

  • Eight volcano-heated pools and jacuzzis, 35–41 °C (95–104 °F), each with jets or a waterfall, plus a cool pool around 27 °C (81 °F)
  • Two big main pools plus small jacuzzis tucked into semi-private garden corners
  • Phoenix swim-up bar with cocktails, smoothies and snacks
  • Ficus coffee bar and viewpoint facing Arenal Volcano across a cattle pasture
  • Adults-only Wellness pass: Cedro infinity pool with a direct volcano view plus a 1-hour sauna
  • Usually calmer than the big hot spring resorts, with color-lit pools after dark

Tips

  • Arrive right at the start of your slot (11 am or 4 pm) to grab loungers near the pools you like
  • For privacy, head for the small jacuzzis in the garden rather than the two big pools
  • Get out every 20–30 minutes, cool off in the cool pool and drink water — the hottest pools reach 41 °C (104 °F)
  • If food matters, add lunch rather than dinner, or take the Classic pass and eat in town
  • Bring cash: deposits are cash only, and some visitors say the card terminal is sometimes down
  • Pick the evening slot for a quieter, more romantic soak in the lit-up pools
  • Evening slot is quieter
  • No refund within 7 days
  • Towel deposit refundable

Good to know

  • Two bookable slots: 11 am–4 pm or 4–9 pm, every day of the year, including Dec 25 and Dec 31
  • Bring your passport or a photo ID (driver's licenses aren't accepted) and the card you paid with — both are checked at the entrance
  • Towel and locker are included against a cash deposit ($10 per towel, $5 per lock on the price page; the FAQ mentions $20 for a towel); lost items are charged
  • Cancellation: 25% is always kept; 75% back 15+ days out, 50% at 8–14 days, nothing within 7 days. If they close for weather, you can rebook or get a full refund
  • House rules: no outside food or drinks, proper swimwear only (no cotton), shower before soaking, no diving, no smoking, no pets
  • Kids 3–11 pay the child rate and must be supervised at all times; Premium and Wellness passes are adults only. Costa Ricans and residents pay less (₡14,500 entry in 2026)

What travelers love

  • The variety of pools and jacuzzis, each with jets or a waterfall
  • Lush gardens and the colorful lighting after dark
  • A calmer, more adult feel than the big resorts; rarely packed
  • Friendly, helpful staff
  • Volcano and pasture views from the Ficus coffee bar on clear days

What some travelers don't like

  • Some pools are too hot to stay in for long
  • The main pools feel open, with loungers packed side by side
  • The dinner buffet is hit-or-miss; lunch gets better marks
  • Cash deposits and charges for lost towels or locks
  • Small changing rooms and occasionally slow service

Prices (as published)

Classic Day Pass, adults — all pools 11 am–9 pm, towel and locker against cash deposit; rate valid until Dec 15, 2026$47
Classic Day Pass, children 3–11 — children must be supervised$33
Day Pass + Meal, adults — lunch 12:30–3:30 pm or dinner 5:30–8:30 pm at Azalia; the Spanish page lists $74 (valid until Dec 31, 2026)$81
Day Pass + Meal, children 3–11 — the Spanish page lists $46$52
Premium Day Pass (adults) — meal + Swedish massage, volcanic mud wrap or antioxidant facial; book the treatment 12 h ahead$170
Wellness Pass (adults only) — meal + Cedro infinity pool + 1 h sauna (book 12 h ahead); shown at $103 in the online shop in Oct 2026$114
Costa Rican / resident adult entry — ₡30,000 with lunch or dinner; weekend promos for nationals Aug 15–Nov 8, 2026₡14,500
Table only, Azalia or Ficus (no day pass) — adults and kids 11+; ₡3,000 ages 5–10, under 5 free; 2 hours, no pool access₡5,000
Swedish massage, 60 min — only with a day pass or hotel stay; request 12 h ahead, pay on site₡66,000
Deposits — cash, refunded on return; the FAQ mentions a $20 towel deposit and $5 for an extra towel$10 towel · $5 lock

Before you go

Entry
$47 for visitors · ₡14,500 for residents · ages 3–11: $33 · all pools 11 am–9 pm, towel and locker (cash deposit)
Payment
online, card, cash
Tickets
Better to book ahead
Parking
Free — Free parking behind the guarded entrance gate
Road
Paved all the way
Swimming
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, showers, lockers, food, shade
Kids
Good for kids
Wheelchair accessible
✓
Dogs
Not allowed
Bring
swimsuit (no cotton), sandals, passport or photo ID, cash for deposits, reusable water bottle, bag for wet swimwear
Fewer people
Weekday mornings at 11 am and rainy days are quietest; weekends and holidays sell out
Season
Best volcano views Dec–Apr; busiest mid-Dec–Apr and mid-Jun–mid-Aug
Checked
2026-10

Questions travelers ask

Is Paradise Hot Springs open when it rains?

Yes. Rain doesn't close the pools; they only pause during thunder and lightning. Many visitors find a misty, rainy soak the most relaxing, and there are fewer people.

Do I need to book ahead, or can I just show up?

Booking online for one of the two slots (11 am–4 pm or 4–9 pm) is recommended, especially for weekends, holidays and December–April, because daily capacity is limited. Guides say passes are also sold at the entrance when there's space.

How much is the day pass and what's included?

The Classic pass is $47 for adults and $33 for kids 3–11 (2026 rates) and covers all pools from 11 am to 9 pm plus a towel and locker against a cash deposit. With lunch or dinner it's $81/$52; the adults-only Premium (meal + spa treatment) is $170 and the Wellness pass (meal, sauna, Cedro infinity pool) is $114.

Is it good for kids?

Kids are welcome — ages 3–11 pay the child rate — and must be supervised at all times. It's a calm, adult-leaning place made for soaking; families who want slides usually pick Baldi or Kalambú nearby. Premium and Wellness passes are adults only.

Paradise, Baldi or Tabacón — which should I choose?

Paradise is the smaller, quieter mid-range pick: eight pools versus about 25 at lively, family-oriented Baldi, and much cheaper than luxury Tabacón. Choose it for a relaxed soak in a garden rather than slides or grand scale.

Can you see Arenal Volcano from the pools?

On clear days the volcano rises right behind the property; the best views are from the Ficus coffee bar viewpoint and the adults-only Cedro infinity pool. Clouds often hide the summit, especially in the rainy season.

How do I get there without a car?

It's on Route 142 about 5 km west of La Fortuna's central park — roughly a 10-minute drive — on the left just past Baldi. The day pass doesn't include a shuttle, so most people take a taxi or drive; parking is free.

Can I just eat or have coffee there without a day pass?

Yes. You can reserve a 2-hour table at Azalia restaurant or the Ficus coffee bar for ₡5,000 per adult (₡3,000 for kids 5–10, under 5 free); it doesn't include the pools or loungers. Outside food and drinks aren't allowed in any case.

Contact & directions

Secret spots nearby

  • Pozas termales de La Palma, La Fortuna (1)Swimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Los Lagos TermalesPark · hidden gemHotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort in La Fortuna features thermal mineral pools, cold-water pools, nature trails, a mirador with Arenal Volcano views, gardens, and wildlife exhibits on a large property.
  • EcotermalesSwimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Termales del ArenalSwimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Volcán ArenalNature spotArenal is a recently active stratovolcano about 90 km northwest of San José, rising to about 1,633 m above La Fortuna.
  • Bogarín Trail (Sloth Trail)Nature spot · about $20A family-run patch of regrown forest a short walk from downtown, famous for its resident sloths, plus herons, basilisk lizards and colorful tanagers around the ponds.

Read more

Sources: https://paradisehotsprings.net · https://paradisehotsprings.net/day-passes-prices/ · 0012_partner_sites.sql · intel-A.json · traveler reviews checked 2026-10-12