Eco Thermales vs. Tabacon Hot Springs
 

Us: A couple in our late 20s, looking for a relaxing evening visit to some hot springs after a day of hiking and zip-lining around Arenal in mid-March.

Help us decide which hot springs to visit: Tabacon or Eco Thermales!

From what I've heard and read, Tabacon's surroundings seems more natural than Eco's, but Tabacon is much more touristy. Eco looks more like a man-made Roman bath than a natural hot springs, but because they restrict the number of guests it might be more intimate and relaxing. Although multiple reviewers have made clear that Tabacon's buffet is disgusting, I haven't heard anything about the dinner they offer at Eco -- is it any good? And finally, the view: I know you can see the volcano from Tabacon, but what about at Eco? Is there anything else we should consider?

Muchas gracias, amigos!

Tabacon has so many pools that when we were there on a crowded night years ago we did find places back away from the crowd in the cooler, darker, jungle pools. Across the road from Tabacon are more pools that may be open also but the place was closed when we were there.

We are going to Tabacon in Feb. I have been there twice before and loved it.. Although I have eaten dinner at the resort I can't remember it being disgusting.. Maybe I had too many drinks at the swim up bar? Is it really that horrible? I was only able to get a pass that includes dinner so maybe I better plan on eating before I go... or visiting the swimup bar again. he he..

I can't comment on Tabacon because when we were in CR (June 2005), we chose to go to Eco Thermales. The dinner at Eco was really good and we really enjoyed the more intimate setting. The drinks at the pool bar were excellent too!!

You were not able to see the volcano from Eco Thermales, but when we were there, the lava was not flowing on the Tabacon side, so I don't think the view was any better there. We stayed at the Lost Iguana Resort and could see the lava flow from our hotel room at night.

Have fun!!

Melissa

you've got it the wrong way round!
Eco Thermales is definitely more 'natural' than Tabacon:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...lafortuna.html

But, you dont get a volcano view, but you only get it Tabacon if its clear- 50% of the time- and not from all the pools!
you can get a great view- and photo- of the volcano from the car park at Eco:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...taricajpg.html


Tabacon is kitschy, Disneyland vibe but fun!!
Eco has better food, but eat somewhere else.
El Novillo, Las Nenes, Don Rufino.

Hi

<b> How is Baldi hot Springs and SPA? </b>

some criticism of Tabacon can be found at http://www.arenal.net/tabacon/hot-springs.htm

aby

Baldi lacks the beauty and the ambience. Cheaper for a reason. I'd choose Eco Thermales or Tabacon. Tabacon is gorgeous, but SO darned $$! The spa is excellent--absolutely excellent. Worth an appt! By the way, you can use the spa without paying the sky high price of admission to the hot springs. We had a great time there doing both, though.

I liked Eco better than Tabacon for the following reasons:
1) The staff was very - very nice at Eco
2) Eco was not crowded.
3) I thought the water at Tabacon was too hot
4) The food was better at Eco (Food was terrible and expensive at Tabacon)
5) Eco was less touristy

I had fun at Tabacon also but I would always choose Eco.

6) Eco is not in the lava flow zone and Tabacon is.

I just got back from CR, we chose Tabacon and I am glad I did. Cant compare with Eco because we did not visit it, but there were plenty of pools that were uncrowded at Tabacon many we were in by ourselves. It was beautiful, we went at night so volcano view didn't matter anyways. Eco looks very nice too, if money isnt an issue I would choose to return to Tabacon ($40 for an evening pass).

gps/luis/eduardo - I don't think people's religion or nationality makes them any less 'human' as you say. All of the hot springs have their own plus's &amp; minus's but I don't think that needs to be brought into the equation (especially considering you've been banned before for attacks on others).

Thank you, tully, for what you said. Personally, I think his post should have been taken down for its anti-Semetic overtones... this was totally offensive.

thanks everybody for the replies

MRand
according to the latest lava-flows map i've found (Anybody knows of a better/updated site?) all are out of the lava-watching angle:
http://www.arenal.net/arenal-costa-rica-map.htm

GPSCOSTARICA
i'm somewhat shocked...
look up the term &quot;racism&quot;

aby

I'm late chiming in, but I think everyone should see Tabacon once if money is not a concern. Having been to Tabacon, I'm going to try EcoTermales next time.

Tully, you beat me with your reply.

It's reprehensible to adjudge somebody's motives or morals based on their religion, place of origin, or ethnicity.

GPSCostaRica, I respectfully request that you cease and desist with your bigoted posts.

Sincerely,
A Colombian, Tico, and Jewish Corporation :)