La Fortuna is one of of the top tourism destinations in Costa Rica and for very good reasons. That is why, it is also one of our favorites, even after so many visits over so many years!
When visiting this beautiful place filled with stellar attractions and thrilling activities, we recommend you to dedicate at least half a day to enjoy the natural hot springs fed by the rich minerals coming from the area of the mighty Arenal Volcano.
With options galore, it may be a difficult task to choose which hot springs to visit in La Fortuna and Arenal. But if you are looking for a budget option, this one stands out pretty good: Relax Termalitas Hot Springs.
In this comprehensive guide, we are going to share our experience of visiting this nice spot and everything you need to know about planning your own visit to Relax Termalitas, including the logistics.
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Relax Termalitas Hot Springs: Quick Planning Guide
⏰ Schedule: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, open all days of the week.
💲Pricing: 5000 colones (~10 USD) per person. Towels and locker rentals at an additional cost.
🎟️ Entrance Tickets: Buy at the counter.
📍 How to Get there: 5 minutes taxi ride from downtown or rent a car.
❓ Why Visit Relax Termalitas Hot Springs? It is a budget hot springs option for couples and families staying in a La Fortuna or Arenal hotel without an on-site hot spring.
➡️ Alternative Choices for Budget Hot Springs in La Fortuna:
| El Choyin | Free hot springs |
| Hot Springs Pura Vida | Budget hot springs |
| Stay at San Bosco Inn | Budget hotel with free access to hot springs at their sister property |
This activity features in our list of Budget or Free Things to Do in La Fortuna and Arenal.
Relax Termalitas Hot Springs: What to Expect
At Relax Termalitas Hot Springs, there are 9 water areas where you can get in to: 7 thermal water pools of varying temperatures, 2 cool water pools and 2 jacuzzis.
At night, beautiful colored lights adorn the pools and all alleys and corners of this hot springs site, giving it a dreamy appearance.
Thermal Water Pools
Thermal Pool 1: The first thermal water pool is the largest and has a maximum capacity of 150 people. Although there weren’t that many people when we visited. It was not empty, but neither crowded. This first pool has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.
On a clear weather day, you can see the Arenal Volcano looming in the background, creating for a picturesque view. There is a fun water slide at this pool. Indranil had fun riding the slide a little too many times and I (Pubali) like this thermal pool the best of all the ones.
Thermal Pool 2: Next to the bar, there is a smaller thermal water pool with a maximum capacity of 10 people. This has a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius. If you like the idea of soaking in the hot springs with a continuous supply of cold beverages, then this is your spot.
Thermal Pools 3, 4, 6, 7: From the side of the bar, you can walk to the next few thermal pools, interconnected with each other by passage of stairs and pathways. They are smaller than the large thermal pool, but bigger than the one next to the bar.
Thermal Pool 5: The smallest thermal pool is specifically made for children. It has a much lower depth, and more comfortable temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. The maximum capacity of this pool is 20 children.
Cold Water Pools
There are two cold water pools at Relax Termalitas, one near the reception and the other one, at the furthest end. Both are pretty big, the latter being the largest, where more families with children seemed to be having fun.
For us, we barely spent time in the cold water pools, barring a couple of times. On that rainy day, the warm temperatures of the thermal pools and the massages of the jacuzzi attracted us more.
Jacuzzis
There are two jacuzzis at Relax Termalitas. One is round and big, right inside the big cold water pool. I suppose that is why so many families with children had gathered around here. Within the same area, they had access to alternating between hot and cold water.
However, we chose to go to the other jacuzzi. It is a more private area, hidden on one side of one of the alleys. With stone walls and two lounge chairs of rock next to each other, and multi-colored lighting, this spot seemed like a perfect hideout for couples.
Onsite Amenities at Relax Termalitas
The onsite amenities at the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs are pretty exhaustive for anyone to spend a hassle-free day and have fun.
These amenities are already included in your ticket price:
- Bathrooms, Changing Rooms, Showers
- Onsite vehicle parking
- WiFi
Apart from the ones listed above, you can also rent other essentials like:
- Towel: 2000 CRC for rent + 3000 CRC refundable deposit
- Locker: 2000 CRC for rent + 3000 CRC refundable deposit
Food and Beverage Options at Relax Termalitas
Restaurant and Bar
Next to one of the smaller thermal pools of Relax Termalitas, there is a bar from where you can buy beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
You will also find an onsite restaurant just outside, next to the vehicle parking area. You can buy food and eat it there, or you can also order there and get the food brought to one of the tables next to the hot springs.
We did not eat at this restaurant but checked their menu.
Their offerings are quite varied, from salads and soups to fast food and full plates for main meals, and the pricing is reasonable.
Bring Your Own Food and Beverage
At Relax Termalitas Hot Springs, they also allow you to bring your own food and beverages from outside. This is a great option if you wish to save more bucks and plan the day in your own way.
There are some open air tables next to the big cold water pool, and also there are little ranches next to the bigger thermal pool. These are shaded little huts, each with seating arrangement in a roundtable fashion.
Note that, usage of these ranches/ huts require no reservation, so availability is based on whether other people are already using it.
We found these spots ideal for groups to hang out together. Indranil and I found an empty hut later in the day, but we gave it up when we saw a family with their food arrangements walk around, trying to look for their picnic spot.
Entrance Fees & How to Buy Tickets
Relax Termalitas is one of the few hot springs in La Fortuna that offer standard pricing for everyone, including foreign tourists.
The general entrance ticket is 5000 CRC (~10 USD) per person, for all nationalities and all ages.
This price gets you access to all thermal pools, cold water pools and jacuzzis, as well as other amenities like bathrooms, changing rooms and showers, free onsite vehicle parking and free WiFi.
You can go to the site directly and purchase your entrance at the counter. That is what we did.
How to Get to Relax Termalitas Hot Springs
You can find Relax Termalitas Hot Springs on Google Maps.
It takes 5 minutes by car to reach there from the center of La Fortuna downtown. So, you can call a taxi or Uber to get there.
Else, you can rent a car, not just for going to the hot springs, but for your entire La Fortuna itinerary, or even the whole Costa Rica trip.
Renting A Car in Costa Rica
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Read this: Should you rent a car in Costa Rica?
What to Wear and What to Pack for Relax Termalitas
Swimwear is the main thing you will need to visit Relax Termalitas Hot Springs.
Carry change of dry clothes to change in for when you are done with all the water fun.
For footwear, we wore our flip-flops, easy to get in to and out of. But, if you are planning to visit the hot springs before or after other activities, pick your footwear accordingly. Waterproof hiking sandals are always a great choice.
You can avoid paying extra for renting towels if you bring your own. We always recommend microfiber towels and use them ourselves for all our day outs for water activities. These towels are fast absorbent, quick-dry, lightweight and easy to pack.
If you want to create your own picnic and/or save money on food and drinks, remember to pack your own food and bring your own beverage. Yes, at Relax Termalitas Hot Springs, they do allow outside food and drinks.
The things they do NOT allow are: glass bottles, pets and speakers. So pack and prepare accordingly.
At Relax Termalitas, as recommended at any other hot springs site, before you get inside the thermal water pools, take a shower to wash off sunscreen, lotion or any such thing from your skin.
To summarize, for Relax Termalitas Hot Springs, we recommend bringing:
- Swimsuit
- Towel (a microfiber towel is perfect and saves you from renting one)
- Waterproof sandals or flip-flops for walking around the wet areas
- Dry clothes for after
- Cash (helpful for locker deposit and small purchases)
- Optional: snacks/drinks since outside food is allowed
Our Experience of Visiting Relax Termalitas Hot Springs
We visited Relax Termalitas Hot Springs on a rainy day in July.
The Start
From our place of stay near La Fortuna Waterfall, we booked Uber to get to the hot springs.
Upon arrival, we went to the counter, paid the entrance fees and got our wristbands. When we told the person at the reception that we needed a locker too, he explained us the concept of the refundable deposit and that we needed to pay this part in cash.
We quickly got ready and soon were inside, exploring one pool after the other.
At The Hot Springs
Alternating between being active with walking and water slides and jumping in cold pool, and soaking in the hot springs and relaxing in the small jacuzzi, we had a great time at Relax Termalitas.
It rained quite a bit during our visit, not continuously, but often. And we loved it! It is an unbeatable feeling when part of your body is immersed in the mineral rich hot water of the thermal pool and the rest of it greets cool rain drops on the skin.
Our Visit Timings and Why
We visited Relax Termalitas Hot Springs after lunch and headed out from there before dinner. So we did not get to try any meal from their restaurant. However, this brings me to an important travel tip for planning your visit.
Tip: Plan and time your visit in such a way that you get to experience Relax Termalitas Hot Springs during the day as well as in the evening, when the colorful night lights are on.
As the lights start, the place looks magical with the neon glow of purple, blue, green, red, and steam coming out of the water surface of the thermal pools in the colored atmosphere in the dark.
But do not miss it during the day either. If the weather is clear, you will get to see the Arenal Volcano. Even if you do not, the landscaping with gardens, trees, little waterfalls, stone carvings, stairs and paths have a different look during the day.
To Conclude
After a few hours, we were ready to head back. So, we changed, got ready and got our things from the locker, and called an Uber.
Our skin glowing with the absorption of the rich minerals and our minds and bodies relaxed in the atmosphere of Relax Termalitas Hot Springs, we felt good inside and outside.
We slept very well that night. Next morning, I woke up to a terrific sleep score on my Garmin watch.
We relish the experience of enjoying the hot springs of Arenal area. So, in two days, we went to another one!
Can You Stay at Relax Termalitas?
Yes, you can. They have a full service hotel too, by the same name, Hotel Relax Termalitas – Thermal Water.
❗️ Note that recent reviews of Hotel Relax Termalitas are not nice. So, do your own research before booking a room.
🏨 Check our La Fortuna and Arenal best hotels guide for deciding where to stay.
We have not stayed at Hotel Relax Termalitas, but it is the same drill here as other hot springs resorts and hotels. That is, their USP is that, as a staying guest of the hotel, you will have full access to Relax Termalitas Hot Springs without needing to pay extra for the entrance fees.
Other Budget Hot Springs to Visit in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Staying at a hot springs resort or visiting a hot springs site is one of the top attractions of La Fortuna and Arenal.
Most La Fortuna hotels or resorts with hot springs on site are not budget accommodations, and neither do the day passes come for cheap. That is why, we feel a visit to Relax Termalitas is a steal deal.
However, if you are still looking for other budget options for hot springs in La Fortuna, let us share with you other (open) secrets.
Alternative Budget Hot Springs: Option 1
The first alternative option for a budget-friendly hot springs site is actually FREE! It cannot get more natural than this because here you go directly to the river, fed by the mineral rich hot springs coming from the undergrounds of Arenal Volcano.
Note that, this is not an organized establishment. It is just in the wild.
If you take a taxi or Uber to this spot, match the drop-off location with the pin on Google Maps. Look for El Choyin.
If you are renting a car, you can park on the road, and there are people who look after your cars. However, this parking is unregulated, they can charge you anything between 3000 to 5000 CRC.
We love being at this free hot springs. While the perfectly warm water strokes our bodies, we look up and around, to admire the lush rainforest, see birds and butterflies, and occasionally, spot sloths high up in the canopy!
Sounds so good, right? Then you may be interested to know about more free and budget things to do in La Fortuna.
Alternative Budget Hot Springs: Option 2
The second budget option is the Hot Springs Pura Vida, which is located just opposite the entrance to the free hot springs, El Choyin.
Why do you pay for this hot springs, while you have a free one right there?
They are an organized property that also provides access to the natural hot springs river. Additionally, they have these following amenities included in their cost:
- Parking
- Locker facilities
- Towel
- Bathroom and changing rooms
- Access to the natural hot springs river (different access than El Choyin)
- A large thermal pool to relax
- Nature trails
They have an on-site restaurant with food and drinks at reasonable prices.
If you want a more organized place to enjoy the volcanic hot springs (river and pools), plus safe parking, bathrooms and lockers, choose Hot Springs Pura Vida over the free El Choyin hot springs.
🎟️ You can book a day pass to Hot Springs Pura Vida here.
Alternative Budget Hot Springs: Option 3
The third budget option for hot springs in La Fortuna is actually connected with an accommodation choice.
San Bosco Inn is a budget hotel located in the center of the town. For affordable price points, they offer nice rooms with private bathroom, an outdoor swimming pool and a complimentary breakfast every morning.
If you stay at this San Bosco Inn hotel, you will get free access to the hot springs of their sister property, Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience. Pretty good deal, right?
Looking for the best choices of accommodation options? Check out our guide on where to stay in La Fortuna and Arenal.
FAQs about Relax Termalitas Hot Springs
Is Relax Termalitas good for families with kids?
Yes, it can be a great choice for families. There are multiple pools, including a lower depth pool especially for kids. The overall environment is relaxed and with the options of bringing outside food and an affordable on-site restaurant, planning the time with your families is easier.
Is Relax Termalitas crowded?
It depends on the time of day and season. Since this is a budget-friendly place close to La Fortuna, it can get busy in the late afternoon and evening, especially on weekends, as well as during the holidays and in the high season.
When we visited, on a weekday in the rainy season, there were plenty of people, but with so many pools of different temperatures and lots of places to hang out, we were able to find our own spot.
Is it better at night or during the day?
Both are great, just different environments. Daytime tends to feel more laid-back earlier on. Nighttime is fun because the pools and walkways glow with colorful lights, and the steam makes everything feel extra magical.
We visited in the late afternoon and stayed after dark to enjoy the lights reflecting on the water.
Plan Your La Fortuna Trip
Looking for other things to do in La Fortuna and Arenal? Wondering how to plan an itinerary for visiting the top attractions of the area in a few days? Check out our other articles that can help plan your trip:
- 20+ Things to Do in La Fortuna and Arenal
- Free and Budget Things to Do in La Fortuna
- 3 Days in La Fortuna Itinerary
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Arenal 1968 Trail
- Eco Termales Hot Springs
- Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna
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