sumi

I was advised by our hotel in Arenal to book the hot springs in advance for our trip next week. Sure enough, Eco Termales was sold out 2 out of the 3 nights we will be in Arenal. (I was told the weekend nights were sold out a month in advance.)

I also want to visit Tabacon so I thought I'd reserve in advance as well. (I know it's way overpriced but I just have to experience it once!) Their all-day price is $60 for adults and $20 for kids. Their evening rate (from 6PM) is $45 for adults.

Here's my question. I think I read a recommendation to go before dark to really appreciate the grounds -- would you agree? Are there areas, maybe away from the main action, that aren't really accessible after dark?

I guess I'm thinking that, for $30 extra, we might get the full-day passes and perhaps go once in the morning, explore, take pictures, etc. and then go again after dinner. But then, I think about the $140 price tag and start to wonder...

hipvirgochick

I haven't been to Tabacon, but Eco-Thermales. For me, I enjoy the ambience at night, when it's also a bit cooler. Just seems more pleasant and calm than during the day with the sun beating down.

flycatcher06

I would take the day pass - we went when they opened, stayed for a few hours and then returned in the evening for a little while. It is so beautiful during the day and at night also but if i had my choice i would rather see it during the day.

TravelRocks

Yes, do take advantage of all-day passes there--we went there and LOVED it! It was just great.

volcanogirl

We did the evening discounted rate at Tabacon, and I was happy doing that. We liked going in the evening when it's cooler, and there's a lot fewer activities going on; our days were packed with things like Cano Negro, Hanging Bridges, etc. All the areas seemed accessible to us in the evening.

I liked it, but I did think it was overpriced; next time we're going to check out Eco Termales.

rampup82

I went at night because of the price difference, but if you're ok with spending a little more, then going during the daytime is definitely better. The lighting isn't that great at night, so it's hard to see the foliage and the rocks in the water. Geez, you have no idea how many times I slipped in the water because I couldn't see where I was going!! Tabacon is beautiful, fun and relaxing nonetheless - even at night. Not sure I would buy a day pass...I say 3-4 hours would be ok. Any more than that, you might turn into a prune.

shillmac

We think morning is the best time to go and have found it less crowded usually. Being able to leave and come back and enjoy it at night is nice. Worth the price, my opinion. The spa there is excellent and you may want to book an appt. We've been there a couple of times just for the spa. Enjoy!

OnVacation

Does anyone know if Baldi hot springs sells out in advance, too? We are going to Arenal next week (all weeknights) and want to go to one of the hot springs at night. Would like to play it by ear, but will make a reservation if it is likely that all three of the major springs will be sold out.

Mary_Crawford

We went to Tabacon at night and I wished we had gone during the day. It was kind of disorienting at night. You really can't see the grounds in the dark; it seemed like we spent a lot of time wandering on the paths with no sense of direction. Maybe if we'd been there before and knew where things were, it would have been better.

Also, the buffet dinner was truly dreadful. Tabacon was the one thing in Costa Rica that I would skip if we did it all again. It's nice to sit in the warm water but otherwise it wasn't a great experience.

volcanogirl

The food at Tabacon is notorious for being pretty bad. Eco Termales has a rep. for much better food.

OnVacation, Baldi is not really very popular. Most people either go with the glitz of Tabacon or the good food and comfortable atmosphere of Eco Termales. If you go to Baldi, please let us know what you thought.

joangk

We loved Tabacon at night. First of all, I'd rather get into hot springs when it's cooler outside. Also, there's so much we wanted to do during the day. The hot springs at night were sort of our reward for doing all those strenuous physical activities during the day. Just another opinion...

shillmac

We've been to Baldi--okay, but definitely doesn't have the ambience of Tabacon. Haven't visited Eco yet.