You’ve seen the photos. Those steaming, turquoise pools framed by emerald-green jungle with the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano looming in the background like a movie set. It looks too good to be true. Honestly, in a place like Costa Rica where every second hotel claims to be "world-class," it’s hard to know if The Springs Resort and Spa La Fortuna is a genuine masterpiece or just a really clever marketing campaign.
I’ve spent enough time in the Alajuela province to tell you that La Fortuna is crowded. Like, really crowded. But when you turn off the main road and start the winding climb up to The Springs, the noise of the tour buses and the "Soda" restaurants fades away. It’s a 165-acre estate that feels less like a hotel and more like a private kingdom.
The Reality of that Arenal View
Let's talk about the volcano. Most hotels in the area have a "view," but usually, you’re looking at it from the side or through a gap in the trees. Because of the way this resort is perched 1,000 feet above the Arenal Valley, the perspective is different. It’s panoramic. On a clear day—which, let's be real, are hit-or-miss in the rainforest—it feels like you can reach out and touch the lava fields.
Most people don't realize that the resort was actually designed so that every single room has a direct view of the volcano. It's a bold architectural choice. They used a lot of local stone and dark woods to keep things feeling "authentic," though some might find the heavy, rustic decor a bit dated compared to the ultra-modern minimalism of places like Nayara. It's chunky. It's grand. It's very "Jurassic Park" chic.
Natural Springs or Fancy Swimming Pools?
This is where things get interesting. The Springs Resort and Spa La Fortuna isn't just one big pool. It’s a sprawling collection of 28 hot spring pools.
The temperature ranges are wild. You can dip into a cool 83°F pool if the humidity is killing you, or you can go full lobster in the 104°F Las Lagunas. The water is tested constantly, and it’s high in mineral content—bicarbonate, magnesium, and chlorides. If you’ve ever wondered why your skin feels like silk after a soak here, it’s the minerals, not just the fancy lotion in the bathroom.
💡 You might also like: Why the Newport Back Bay Science Center is the Best Kept Secret in Orange County
The Perdido Springs Experience
If you walk down a jungle trail away from the main building, you hit Perdido Springs. It's a maze of interconnected pools and waterfalls. There’s a water slide called the Monkey Slide. It's fast. It's a bit chaotic. It's exactly what you want when you're tired of being a "refined adult" for five minutes.
What sets this place apart from nearby competitors like Tabacon is the sheer volume of space. Tabacon is iconic because of its natural river, but it can feel like human soup when the day-pass crowds arrive. The Springs is so spread out that even when they’re at 90% capacity, you can usually find a corner where it’s just you and a motley crew of hummingbirds.
Club Rio: Not Just for Kids
Basically, most people stay at the resort and never leave the property. Why would you? Down by the Arenal River—which borders the estate—they have their own adventure center called Club Rio.
- Inflatable river tubing (the rapids are Class II, so it’s splashy but won't terrify you).
- In-house wildlife sanctuary with rescued pumas, ocelots, and those grumpy-looking toucans.
- Kayaking in the swifter sections of the river.
- Horseback riding through the primary forest.
The wildlife sanctuary is legit. They work with the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE). These aren't pets; they are animals that were confiscated from the illegal pet trade or found injured. Seeing a jaguarundi up close is a sobering reminder of why Costa Rica fights so hard for conservation.
The Celebrity Factor and the "Bachelor" Effect
We have to address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the reality TV crew. This resort became a household name after being featured on The Bachelor. Ever since, it’s been the go-to for celebrities like the Kardashians or Beyoncé.
📖 Related: Flights from San Diego to New Jersey: What Most People Get Wrong
Does that make it better? Not necessarily. It does mean the service is tuned to a very high frequency. The staff-to-guest ratio is high. They’ll remember your name. They’ll remember that you prefer your Guaro Sour with extra lime. But it also means the prices reflect that "A-list" status. You aren't paying for just a bed; you're paying for the security, the privacy, and the fact that you might see a famous face at the Ginger Sushi bar.
Food, Drinks, and the 14,000-Square-Foot Spa
There are five restaurants here. Honestly, the food is good, but it's expensive. You're in a bit of a "captured market" situation because the resort is a 20-minute drive from the actual town of La Fortuna.
The Sanctuary Spa is where things get truly indulgent. They use volcanic clay for wraps and coffee beans for scrubs. It sounds cliché, but when you're lying on a massage table with the sound of a real waterfall in the background, the "pura vida" thing starts to make a lot of sense.
What Nobody Tells You
The humidity is a beast. Your hair will be three times its normal size within an hour of arrival. Also, the resort is built on a massive incline. While they have golf carts buzzing around to pick you up, you're going to do a lot of walking. Your calves will feel it.
If you’re a budget traveler, this place will hurt your soul. A burger is going to cost you way more than it would in town. But if you’re celebrating a honeymoon or a milestone anniversary, the "wow factor" of the architecture and the volcano proximity is hard to beat anywhere else in Central America.
👉 See also: Woman on a Plane: What the Viral Trends and Real Travel Stats Actually Tell Us
Navigating the Logistics
Getting to The Springs Resort and Spa La Fortuna is a journey. It’s about a three-hour drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. The roads are paved, but they are windy.
- Rent a 4x4. You don’t strictly need it for the main roads, but if you want to explore any side roads near the volcano, you'll be glad you have the clearance.
- Book the "Two-Day Pass" if you aren't staying. If the $600+ per night room rate makes you wince, they sell multi-day passes for the hot springs and Club Rio. It's the best way to see the property without the mortgage-level commitment.
- Check the weather patterns. September and October are the rainiest months. You might not see the volcano at all. February and March are your best bets for clear skies, but that’s also when the crowds are thickest.
Making the Most of Your Stay
To really get the value out of this place, you have to treat it like a destination, not a base camp. If you spend all your time taking tours off-site to the La Fortuna Waterfall or the Hanging Bridges (which are great, don't get me wrong), you're wasting the premium you paid for the resort's private amenities.
Plan for at least one "Resort Day." Wake up early—the birds are loudest at 5:30 AM—and grab a coffee on your balcony. Watch the mist lift off Arenal. Hit the hot springs before breakfast when the air is still cool. Then, head down to Club Rio for the animal sanctuary tour.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Request a room on a higher floor. While all rooms have views, the higher elevation suites offer a better vantage point over the forest canopy, reducing the chance of trees obstructing your volcano selfie.
- Pack more than one swimsuit. The humidity means nothing ever truly dries. Putting on a damp bikini is a vibe killer.
- Visit the "Secret" pools. Ask the staff where the newest pools are located. They are constantly adding small, tucked-away soaking tubs that aren't on the main maps yet.
- Don't skip the night walk. The jungle changes completely after dark. The resort offers guided night tours where you can see red-eyed tree frogs and nesting birds that you'd never spot on your own.
- Budget for the 13% tax. Costa Rica has a mandatory 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) on top of the listed prices for food and services. It adds up fast, so keep that in mind when looking at the menu prices.
This isn't just a hotel; it's a massive, complex ecosystem of luxury and nature. Whether you're there for the hot springs, the wildlife, or just to say you stayed where the celebrities do, it delivers an experience that is uniquely Costa Rican. Just remember to bring your rain jacket—even in the dry season, the cloud forest has a mind of its own.