Our Volcano Hot Springs Adventure in Costa Rica was nothing short of magical. After exploring Monteverde’s misty cloud forests, we were thrilled to discover this volcanic paradise with its therapeutic hot springs, breathtaking volcano views, and perfect combination of adventure and relaxation opportunities.
If you haven checked out Part 1 of this Blog Series, i highly recommend to do that first: A Magical Costa Rica Journey: Monteverde Cloud Forest Adventure (Part 1/3)
Traveling from Monteverde to Arenal Springs Resort
Despite a restless night at the Amalu Lodge (those tropical insects had quite the party at our expense!), we woke up energized for our journey to Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica. The lodge provided a satisfying breakfast of milk, orange juice, bagels with cream cheese and jam, and cereals—simple but perfect fuel for our travel day.
At 11 AM sharp, our driver arrived to transport us to Arenal Springs Resort. As we bid farewell to Monteverde’s lush landscapes, I felt that bittersweet mix of excitement for new adventures alongside a slight reluctance to leave a place we’d barely begun to discover.
The 3-4 hour drive offered constantly changing scenery that kept us glued to our windows.
Travel tip for your Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica visit: If you’re prone to motion sickness, don’t forget medication! The winding mountain roads down from Monteverde challenged even my normally iron stomach, but the spectacular panoramas justified every hairpin turn.
Beautiful Lake Views over Lake Arenal
Halfway through our journey to Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica, we stopped alongside Lake Arenal for photos. Standing there with the majestic volcano dominating the horizon, I was struck by the incredible natural soundtrack—the surrounding insects created such a powerful symphony that we had to raise our voices just to hear each other. It’s one of those sensory experiences that simply can’t be captured in photographs.
Needing to recharge before completing our trip to Arenal Springs Resort, we visited the renowned Café Macadamia. The moment we stepped onto the terrace, I immediately understood its popularity. The sweeping views of Lake Arenal with the volcano rising dramatically behind it were absolutely mesmerizing.
I loved the charming touch of macadamia shells crunching underfoot on the outdoor terrace—a unique detail connecting visitors to local agriculture. We savored what might have been the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever tasted, perfectly complemented by fresh, tart lemonade.
First Impressions of Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica
Important booking tip for your Volcano Hot Springs Adventure: Reserve your accommodation well in advance! This region is consistently popular year-round, and the best properties fill up months ahead.
The final 45-minute drive had me pressed against the window like an excited child. We arrived at Arenal Springs Resort 15 minutes before the official 3:00 PM check-in time and were warmly welcomed with refreshing tropical welcome drinks. The perfect antidote to the tropical heat.
I’ll never forget when staff drove us to our room via golf cart. As we rounded the corner, I literally gasped. We had somehow scored the most perfectly positioned accommodation in the entire Arenal Springs Resort property, with direct volcano views from our private balcony. My wife squeezed my hand in that silent communication that comes from shared joy.
Hot Springs with perfect Volcano view
After quickly dropping our bags, we couldn’t wait to explore what our Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica experience had to offer. The pool complex exceeded all expectations. A series of interconnected thermal pools at varying temperatures. Some were refreshingly cool, while others were mineral-rich hot springs that immediately dissolved any lingering travel tension.
The resort’s impressive dining scene includes:
- A sophisticated Italian restaurant serving authentic pasta dishes
- A traditional Costa Rican restaurant showcasing local flavors
- And most uniquely, a Japanese restaurant situated directly in the pool area
I still chuckle remembering our reaction to seeing people eating sushi while partially submerged in water, dressed only in swimwear. It seemed so strange to us, but also quintessentially vacation like. While we opted for the Japanese cuisine, we chose a conventional table. Some cultural norms are hard to break!
Relaxation on our Volcano Hot Springs Adventure
The afternoon unfolded in a perfect rhythm of exploration and relaxation. We moved between different thermal pools, finding our favorites (mine was a secluded hot spring partially hidden by tropical plants). Despite the resort’s popularity, it never felt crowded, a pleasant surprise during peak travel season.
If you’re planning your own Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica personal experience, note that these pools are designed for relaxation, not exercise. If you’re hoping to swim laps, you might be disappointed. But if your goal is to float peacefully while gazing at a volcano, you’ve found your paradise.
Planning Activities Near Arenal Springs Resort
As the day progressed, both my wife and I noticed our travel-weary backs crying out for attention. We stopped by the spa and reserved massages for the following evening. Sometimes selfcare is the best souvenir you can give yourself while traveling.
Over refreshing pool drinks, we debated activities for our full day ahead at Arenal Springs Resort. I initially pushed for a volcano hike, but had to acknowledge that our still-sensitive stomachs (we’d been battling minor digestive issues since a few days ago) might not appreciate a three hour trek with limited bathroom access.
My wife suggested horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall instead. I felt that familiar mix of excitement and anxiety. At 28 years old, I’d somehow never ridden a horse before! But isn’t that what travel is for? Pushing beyond comfort zones and trying new things?
Evening at Arenal Springs Resort
Though our late sushi lunch had filled us up, we couldn’t resist stopping by one of the Arenal Springs Resort restaurants for dessert as the sun began to set. I ordered cheesecake—perhaps not the wisest choice given my sensitive stomach, but I’ve always believed that dessert has its own separate stomach compartment!
As I savored each creamy bite, watching the volcano silhouetted against the darkening sky, I felt profound gratitude for this moment at Arenal Springs Resort. Even with the slight worry about how my stomach might react (thankfully, my trusty medication came to the rescue), I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything.
We fell asleep that night to the distant sounds of the rainforest, our balcony door cracked open to let in the fresh air, the silhouette of Arenal Volcano the last thing I saw before drifting off. Our Arenal Springs Resort Costa Rica personal experience had only just begun. Tomorrow would bring horses and waterfalls, but that’s a story for another day.
What’s next on our Volcano Hot Springs Adventure?
This was not the end of our Volcano Hot Springs Adventure. There is more to come in the 3rd Part of this blog series. In the next and last part we will discover the area around La Fortuna Waterfall on a horse ride.
