Baldi Hot Springs Resort, Hotel & Spa, Arenal/La Fortuna

3.7 (3 reviews) · Comfort
Family-friendly hot springs resort in the Costa Rican rainforest with 25 thermal pools, kids' play areas, and swim-up bars

Overview

Opened in 2000, Baldi Hot Springs Resort, Hotel & Spa is a family-friendly resort with a lively atmosphere. The main attraction is a series of 25 thermal pools, each with a different theme, and the property also features 8 acres (3 hectares) of tropical gardens, an a la carte restaurant, a full-service spa, and kids' play areas with waterslides. The hotel's 32 guest rooms are housed in a pair of four-story buildings—while the resort is popular, recent visitors say the rooms are dated and need updates.

Pros
  • The large property features 25 thermal mineral pools (one 24/7 pool reserved for hotel guests only), ranging from 93 to 152ºF.
  • The pools have designated themes (quiet, Roman baths, swim-up sports bar, etc.), and you can choose between indoor and outdoor options.
  • This is an excellent property for families with kids: it has many kid-friendly areas, including playgrounds and waterslides.
  • The property's common spaces and some rooms have views of Arenal Volcano.
  • Guests can enjoy two on-site restaurants, one Italian restaurant with an extensive menu and another with elevated Costa Rican fare and volcano views.
  • A full-service spa offers treatments using local products, including coffee, white clay, thermal water, and fresh fruit.
Cons
  • Guest rooms feel dated, and past guests say the hotel is due for renovations.
  • The place offers more of a theme park experience than an authentic hot springs retreat in the rainforest.
  • The on-site restaurants aren't well-reviewed, and some said the drinks are overpriced at the resort's five bars.
  • According to past travelers, staff isn't always present or available to guests.
  • Many day-use guests visit the pools, so the property can feel busy.
  • The property isn't walkable to area sites or restaurants, and you'll need a car or taxi for self-guided offsite explorations.

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, March 2022 (Learn more)

Authenticity

You'll find typical Costa Rican wood and stone accents at Baldi Hot Springs Resort, Hotel & Spa, but keep in mind that it's a lively property geared toward families and groups. With so many different pools, amenities, and expansive grounds, it can feel more like an attraction than a Costa Rican hotel. However, you can still find a pocket of quiet by walking along the winding paths and choosing a pool with a more mellow vibe. 

Location

The resort is on Route 142, just under three miles (4.7 km) from downtown La Fortuna. The main road can get busy, and you'll need a car to venture off the property to eat offsite or visit the town or national park on your own.  

Rooms & Bathrooms

At Baldi Hot Springs Resort, Hotel & Spa, there are three categories of rooms, but all feel a little outdated, especially the "standard" rooms. If your budget allows, we recommend upgrading to a Junior Suite, which is much larger and more comfortable and will better let you enjoy the essence of the property. All rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, and minibars. Deluxe and superior rooms and suites have outdoor terraces or balconies. 

Wildlife

Baldi Hot Springs Resort, Hotel & Spa is located in the Costa Rican rainforest, a natural habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. It's common to see tropical birds, and guests might get lucky and spot a sloth, howler monkey, or toucan.

Amenities

Baldi is one of the largest hot springs resorts in the area, with 25 themed mineral pools ranging from 93 to 152ºF and water certified by the National Water Laboratory. There are quiet, relaxing pools with islands and waterfalls, swim-up bars and colorfully lit pools, accessible pools with ramps, and two waterparks perfect for kids. The hot springs are open from 10 am to 10 pm, with one pool available 24/7 for hotel guests only. There's also a large Jacuzzi (capacity of 60 people), several swim-up bars, and lots of outdoor lounge space, plus a spa that's only for hotel guests. There are some accessible rooms available, but the grounds are extensive, and the hotel doesn't offer transport around the property—potentially an issue for those with limited mobility. 

Family-Friendliness

The hotel has a family-friendly environment. There are dedicated children's areas, like the colorful Kid Zone and pools, and children's menus in the hotel restaurants. The best room option for those traveling with children is the junior family suite, with two king beds. Extra beds aren't available, and rooms only accommodate up to 2 or 3 children. The paved paths around the property are stroller-friendly. 

Other Highlights

There are two restaurants at the hotel. The included buffet breakfast is served at Virgita; the same venue serves Italian food for lunch and dinner. Pyramid, the other restaurant, serves lunch and dinner buffets. The resort also has five bars: three are swim-up and two are above-ground. 

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 24792190
Hotel address icon La Fortuna San Carlos

Traveler Reviews

3 total ratings, 3 with reviews
3.7
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.3
Location
4.3
Staff
4.7
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.3
Gay
Gay R.
Portugal | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023
The pools are amazing. Read more

The pools are amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2023
Lauren
Lauren A.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023
We loved the hot springs. We had a nice room On the fourth floor but the first floor rooms my relatives had weren’t as nice. The hotel was very stingy with towels and the shower had no water pressure. It took forever to bathe and the water was never warm. If you lost your room key (a plastic card), they charged $10. Toiletries were cheap. The food at breakfast was decent but we ate dinner in the restaurant one night and it wasn’t great. I wouldn’t stay at this hotel again. Read more

We loved the hot springs. We had a nice room On the fourth floor but the first floor rooms my relatives had weren’t as nice. The hotel was very stingy with towels and the shower had no water pressure. It took forever to bathe and the water was never warm. If you lost your room key (a plastic card), they charged $10. Toiletries were cheap. The food at breakfast was decent but we ate dinner in the restaurant one night and it wasn’t great. I wouldn’t stay at this hotel again.

Authenticity & Character
The hot springs were awesome! Our room was great but room quality is uneven.
Location
The location was fine. It wasn’t in the middle of town but wasn’t far either.
Staff
Staff was friendly but the hotel rules were not. They were very stingy with towels.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The beds weren’t that comfortable, the showers had no water pressure and were never hot enough and the toiletries were cheap. It felt like we were roughing it.
Stayed in July 2023
W
Wei S.
Bellevue, WA | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2022
I like the hot spring pools and the location of the hotel. The staff is great here too. The rooms are very nice as well. The thing we don't like about this hotel is the food is not great. Breakfast was included and it was pretty good. Lunch and dinner here in their restaurants are not great. We especially didn't like their Italian restaurant food. The dinner buffet was ok ($20/person, kids has a discount) for up to two times there. Then it gets pretty boring. Read more

I like the hot spring pools and the location of the hotel. The staff is great here too. The rooms are very nice as well. The thing we don't like about this hotel is the food is not great. Breakfast was included and it was pretty good. Lunch and dinner here in their restaurants are not great. We especially didn't like their Italian restaurant food. The dinner buffet was ok ($20/person, kids has a discount) for up to two times there. Then it gets pretty boring.

Authenticity & Character
pools are pretty nice
Location
close to hotsprings
Staff
very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
very clean
Stayed in June 2022

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 24792190
Hotel address icon La Fortuna San Carlos