Costa Rica Hot Springs and Volcanoes
Tabacón Hot Springs and Arenal Volcano
The Tabacón River originates in Arenal volcano, coming to the surface with bubbling clear water in several places. A dozen commercial pools use the thermal waters to provide entertainment for tourists. The most famous of these is the Tabacón Resort, but there are other smaller options that are highly appreciated by Serendipity’s clients for being a lot less crowded.
Serendipity will visit the Arenal area, and hot springs, but we are resistant to sleeping in hotels around the base of the volcano, mainly because it is a “touristy” area that tends to get crowded in high season. There are also other hotels more conveniently located where our activities take place.
Arenal is the newest in the chain of active volcanoes forming the main spine of Costa Rica. Arenal was constructed by successive eruptions of the older Chato volcano, which now has a beautiful lake filling its calderas (the cone at the top of an extinct volcano). This is a popular, albeit very rugged, hiking place, with great views of active Arenal nearby.
No lava has been seen from Arenal since October 2010 and there is no prediction on when or if lava will start to flow again. The earliest eruptions of Arenal took place about 7,000 years ago, with a cyclic period of eruption and dormancy. Arenal’s current eruptive period began with major explosive eruption in 1968 which took everyone by surprise.
Serendipity’s staff have a very healthy respect for all volcanoes’ power. Large volcanic eruptions are truly huge explosions that create a very high-speed, hot gas “river” which races more than 60 miles/hour down the mountainside. This pyroclastic flow, rather than lava itself, is the real danger of being near an active volcano. The most recent fatalities, in 2001, were from pyroclastic flow.
There are a few volcanoes in different parts of Costa Rica that we can visit to learn more about volcanology. The Turrialba volcano has been more active since 2010, spewing gases, and also ashes on various occasions. Therefore, access to the crater is sometimes limited, but during the day you can see from a distance how the peak is emitting visible steam.
Other Costa Rica hot spring locations
There are many other hot springs around Costa Rica too, near both active and dormant volcanoes. Springs create tourism centers in Cartago, Rincon de La Vieja, and even near San Jose and Manuel Antonio.
The most famous springs are linked with health spas like El Tucano on Platanar volcano, or Borinquen Resort on Rincon de la Vieja volcano, with mud baths, massage, yoga, and lots of relaxation.
One of Serendipity’s favorites is also a “locals” favorite, and the natural setting makes up for the lack of ‘swim-up bar’. The hot springs are on the side of an inactive volcano. We like to arrive before nightfall, descend the long trail next to the river to the baths, and leave after dark. The change in the forest — the sounds of the critters — is truly amazing.