Now for the $29 question. Is this place so beautiful or so whatever that it is worth the money? If it is worth the money, suggestions as to the time of day or evening would be appreciated. If it is a must see or a must do,I surely do not want to miss it. If not, I obviously don't want to feel like I have been had. Thanks.

In my opinion, it is a 'must do'. I am not a big hotsprings fan either. I get too hot in that water! But the springs are so scenic. Also the flowers, trees and plants are very lovely. It is cheaper after 7pm ($19), but then you can't see as well. I went around 4-4:30 when people are leaving to get ready for dinner, but I left before the 7pm crowd. It wasn't too crowded around this time. Bring your good camera to take some great photos and then put it in a locker when you get ready to get into the water. I liked it so much, I even bought a Tabacon shirt.

Does anyone know if the hot-springs at Baldi Termae near there are worthwhile?? We just hear about Tabacon but it is expensive. It is cheaper if you stay there, but many don't recommend it.

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else have an opinion?

I'm going to Tabacon hotsprings next week but I haven't been able to find out how much it will cost. Does anyone know?

Tabacon costs $29 for the day or $41 dollars including their buffet dinner. That was what they told me in an email. I have also read on this site that food was not worth it because it was not particularly good.

We will be staying there on Friday. You get unlimited use of the hot springs if you stay there with no addtional cost. I here its incredible! Worth a massage and pedicure too!

We went to the Tabocon hot springs last year and it was part of a tour in the area...They picked us up at our hotel, we spent the afternoon hiking with a naturalist through the rain forest up to Arenal volcano and then at sunset went to the hot springs for a few hours including the buffet dinner. I think the total price was around $50 (not including tip). We liked it at night (very romantic in the less populated pools). I also liked that they had shower gel in the showers! Be prepared to bring cash for deposits on your towels. Dinner there was great!

Oops...meant to say it was $50 per person. (We tipped the naturalist and driver $10 each).

Thanks for info Marion! This message board is great - I just wish I knew about it months ago when I was starting to plan my trip! After reading, I think I wish now that I had not made a reservation at the Observatory Lodge for both nights of my stay! Can anyone tell me if it's possible to see ANY lava flows from that side of the volcano?? AND one other question about Tabacon, if we were to stay there late (I understand non-hotel guests can stay until 10pm) does anyone know how difficult it would be to find a taxi back to the Lodge at that time of night?? Thanks so much for all the great advice!

Can anyone tell me how deep it is? Do you just wade and sit in it or is it deep? I'm going in April and definitely don't want to miss it but can't swim (deathly fear of drowning) so I'm hoping its not more than a 3-4 feet deep.

You will not find it too deep. Most of the pools I was in were mid-leg (I'm 5'3&quot or so. Needed to sit down to be fully in the water. Others were deeper or shallower. There are some falls you can stand/sit under without wading in much water at all. Also many man-made tiled pools to try. You'll love it!

Tabacon Hot Springs are definitely worth the visit! I'm taking a group over in July and that was one of the "must do's" on the list. I visited at night and did find it a little daunting to go into the dark, steaming water, without knowing what lay beneath! All was fine, tho. There is a main tiled pool for the scaredy cats in the group. I'm a part time food critic and I found the food at the buffet to be absolutely fine. The fresh fruit was phenomenal, as it is all over Costa Rica.
The highlight of my trip was sitting at the swim up bar in the main pool, wondering "What the heck is that strange growling, grumbling noise???" I then looked up into the night sky and saw lava pouring down from the Arenal Volcano. A most unbelievable sight, and one I won't soon forget. Definitely do NOT miss going to the springs!

Thank you. Thank you. That did it. We will most definitely go and will report back on the springs as well as the rest of the trip when we return at the beginning of April.