The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal

Verdict

If you're visiting Arenal for the first time and want a resort that puts the volcano front and centre, The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal is the most complete package in the immediate area. The design does the heavy lifting here: rooms, pools, and dining terraces are oriented to frame Arenal Volcano directly, so the landscape is a constant presence rather than a backdrop you have to seek out. Book it if the visual experience of the resort itself matters as much as the adventure activities outside it.

The Resort

The Springs is built into a hillside above La Fortuna, and that elevation is the key to understanding why it works. Rather than a flat all-inclusive spread, the property cascades across the terrain, meaning sightlines to the volcano open from almost every vantage point. For a first-time visitor to the Arenal region, that spatial drama is genuinely arresting: you feel the scale of the volcano in a way that lower-elevation properties don't deliver. The thermal hot springs on-site are fed by the same volcanic geology that makes this corner of Costa Rica worth visiting in the first place, creating a sensory connection between the setting and the amenity that feels cohesive rather than contrived. The surrounding gardens carry the earthy, humid scent of the rainforest, which filters through open-air corridors and poolside areas throughout the day.

The resort's size means it can feel busy during peak season (December through April), when the dry weather draws the largest crowds to the Arenal region. If crowd management matters to you, plan to use the pools and thermal springs early morning or late evening. Booking well in advance for the dry season is advisable; the La Fortuna area sees consistent demand from both international visitors and domestic Costa Rican travellers during school holidays.

For context within the region, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is the closest direct competitor, also offering volcanic hot springs near La Fortuna. The Springs tends to have a larger and more varied pool system, while Tabacón leans into naturalistic river-fed thermal channels. Your preference between the two comes down to whether you want a more resort-structured experience or a wilder, garden-immersed thermal setting.

See our full San Carlos hotels guide for how The Springs sits within the broader area accommodation options, and our San Carlos experiences guide for what to plan around your stay.

Practical Details

Reservations: Easy to book directly; advance booking of 4–8 weeks recommended for dry season (Dec–Apr), 2–3 weeks sufficient for green season. Location: 9 km west and 4 km north of central La Fortuna, Alajuela: a short drive from town, not walkable. Leading for: Couples and families visiting Arenal for the first time who want a self-contained resort with on-site thermal pools and volcano views. Consider elsewhere if: You want a more intimate, lodge-style experience, El Silencio Lodge & Spa or Pacuare Lodge offer a smaller-scale alternative with different ecosystems.