Resort Comparison Guide

Tabacón Thermal vs The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal

Choosing between Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa and The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort suits your next getaway.

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

All-Ages • Thermal Pools • Arenal Volcano

Best for travelers who want a rainforest thermal-pool experience at the foot of Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, with facilities for children and a spa on site.

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal

Thermal Pools • Arenal Volcano • Spa

Better for guests who want a resort built around volcanic hot springs near Arenal, with spa services and a relaxed, pool-focused thermal experience.

Quick Verdict: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa vs The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal

If you want an all-ages thermal resort with a rainforest pool setting, facilities for children, and a spa on site near Arenal Volcano, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is usually the stronger pick.

If your priority is a resort centered on volcanic hot springs and spa time with a more relaxed, pool-focused pace, The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal is a strong fit.

Bottom line: choose Tabacón for a family-friendly thermal-river experience with kids' facilities, and choose The Springs for a spa-and-hot-springs resort stay at Arenal. Tabacón rates do not include meals and drinks, so plan your food and beverage budget before you book.

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa vs The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal – At a Glance

Category	Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa	The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal
Overall Vibe	All-ages thermal resort in a rainforest setting, with river-style hot-spring pools and an active, outdoor feel. Best for All Ages	Resort stay built around volcanic hot springs, spa time, and a relaxed, pool-focused pace near Arenal Volcano. Best for Spa Relaxation
Location	In La Fortuna at the foot of Arenal Volcano, surrounded by rainforest.	In the Arenal area near La Fortuna, with a resort setting centered on its thermal pools.
Rooms & Suites	Rooms designed around the tropical setting; check current room categories for layouts and views.	Rooms and suites with a resort design that complements the volcano landscape.
Dining	On-site dining options. Rates do not include meals and drinks, so factor food and beverage costs into your budget.	On-site dining options; confirm meal plan details when booking.
Pools & Thermal Waters	Rainforest thermal pools and a river-style hot-spring circuit set among lush landscaping.	Volcanic hot-spring pools integrated into the resort grounds.
Kids & Family	Facilities for children are available, making it suited to guests of all ages.	Family-friendly grounds; confirm children's facilities directly when booking.
Price & Value	Best value for a full day of thermal soaking and rainforest scenery, with meals and drinks billed separately.	Best value for spa-focused guests who want hot springs as the centerpiece of the stay.

Rooms & Suites: Rainforest Setting vs Volcano Resort Comfort

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – Room Style

Rooms at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa are designed around its tropical, rainforest setting, placing guests close to the thermal pools and the Arenal Volcano landscape.

Accommodations suited to a nature-focused, all-ages stay
Convenient access to the thermal pool circuit
Good fit for families who want to be near the pools

Tabacón is the better pick if you want your room to sit inside a rainforest thermal setting with facilities for children.

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal – Room Style

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal offers resort-style rooms and suites designed to complement its volcano landscape and its focus on hot-spring relaxation.

Resort-style accommodations built around a relaxed stay
Suited to guests who plan to spend time at the spa and hot springs
A calm base for unwinding between thermal sessions

If you want a resort-style room base for spa time and hot-spring relaxation near Arenal, The Springs is a strong match.

Dining & Drinks: Budget Your Meals vs On-Site Resort Dining

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is available on site, but rates do not include meals and drinks, so food and beverage costs are separate from your room rate.

Expect:

On-site dining options charged separately from the room rate
Flexibility to plan meals around a day of thermal pool time
Budget for food and drinks when comparing total trip cost

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal – Restaurants & Bars

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal offers on-site dining alongside its spa and hot-spring facilities, suited to guests who want to eat without leaving the property.

On-site dining as part of the resort stay
Convenient for guests spending full days at the spa and pools
Confirm meal plan details when booking to compare total cost

If on-site convenience matters most, check The Springs' current dining and meal plan options before you book.

Pools & Thermal Waters: Rainforest River Pools vs Volcanic Resort Pools

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – Pool & Thermal Scene

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is built around a rainforest thermal pool circuit, with river-style hot-spring pools set among lush landscaping at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Thermal pools designed to be explored over a full day
Lush, jungle-style surroundings throughout the pool area
Best for guests who want an immersive, nature-focused thermal experience

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal – Pool & Thermal Scene

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal integrates volcanic hot-spring pools into its resort grounds, with a focus on relaxed soaking alongside spa services.

Hot-spring pools woven into the resort grounds
A relaxed, pool-focused pace for soaking and unwinding
Better for guests who want thermal pools paired with spa time

If you want a resort where hot springs and spa time form the core of your stay, The Springs is the stronger fit.

Kids & Family: All-Ages Facilities vs Family-Friendly Resort Grounds

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – Family Programming

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is an all-ages resort with facilities for children, making it a practical choice for families travelling together.

Facilities for children on property
Suitable for multi-generational and mixed-age groups
Thermal pools and rainforest scenery that appeal to all ages

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal – Family Programming

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal offers family-friendly grounds with its thermal pools and spa, with a relaxed atmosphere that suits guests travelling with children.

Family-friendly resort grounds and thermal pools
Relaxed, spa-oriented atmosphere for guests of all ages
Confirm the availability of children's facilities directly when booking

For families who want facilities for children confirmed as part of the property, Tabacón offers the clearer answer.

Price & Value: Which Arenal Thermal Resort Feels More Worth It?

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – Value Snapshot

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa offers strong value when you plan to spend full days in the thermal pools and rainforest setting, keeping in mind that meals and drinks are billed separately.

Best for all-ages groups who want a day-long thermal experience
Facilities for children make it practical for families
Budget separately for meals and drinks when comparing total cost

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal – Value Snapshot

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal is a good value for guests whose trip centers on spa services and volcanic hot springs.

Best for spa-focused guests who want hot springs as the main draw
A resort stay built around relaxation near Arenal Volcano
Compare current meal plan options to estimate your total trip cost

Who Wins? Best Arenal Thermal Resort by Travel Style

Best for Families with Children

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Choose Tabacón if you're travelling with children and want facilities for kids alongside thermal pools and rainforest scenery at the foot of Arenal Volcano.

Best for Spa & Hot-Spring Focus