Hot Springs in the Jungle: Thermal pools, slides & lunch

Soak in five thermal pools, slide down natural rock chutes, and swim the river in one afternoon

A guided activity in the jungle where you swim five thermal pools fed by natural hot springs, apply clay masks, slide down three rock formations carved by water, and swim a river 2 to 6 feet deep. A bilingual guide drives you through palm plantations and back country for 45 minutes, pointing out wildlife and local history, then walks you 5 minutes to the pools. Lunch and a fruit drink or coffee are served at an open-air rancho at the end. The group stays small to medium size, and hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit thermal springs and enjoy lunch

• Pickup from hotel or rental
• Drive through palm plantations and jungle
• Listen to bilingual guide's explanations
• Arrive and change at bathrooms
• Walk 5 minutes to thermal pools and river
• Relax in thermal pools with clay mask
• Swim in crystal clear river waters
• Enjoy rock slides for family fun
• Walk 5 minutes to open air restaurant
• Eat typical Costa Rican lunch with drink

The experience

The day starts with a 45-minute drive from your hotel through palm plantations and jungle back country. Your bilingual guide narrates the area's history and watches for wildlife along the route. Once you arrive, there are bathrooms to change in, then a 5-minute walk brings you to the thermal pools and river. The pools themselves are fed by natural hot springs and stay warm year-round.

You spend the main part of the afternoon in the water. The five thermal pools let you soak and apply a natural clay mask if you want to. The river where the pools drain is 2 to 6 feet deep and clear enough to swim. Three rock slides carved naturally into the stone let everyone, kids especially, slide down into the water. You move between the pools and river at your own pace, with no fixed schedule for how long to spend in each one.

After time in the water, a 5-minute walk takes you to an open-air rancho-style restaurant where a typical Costa Rican meal is served. A natural fruit drink or coffee is included. Beer and other drinks can be purchased if you want them. The whole outing runs 4 to 5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel or vacation rental pickup and drop-off.
• 45-minute guided drive with bilingual guide (English or Spanish).
• access to five thermal pools, the river, and three natural rock slides.
• a typical Costa Rican lunch and a natural fruit drink or coffee.
• all equipment needed for the activity.
• first aid kit.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by Costa Rica Tropical Adventures

Is this one for you?This is a shared small-group tour with a fixed schedule and a guide leading the day, so it suits anyone who wants the logistics handled and the local knowledge built in. If you prefer to move at your own pace once you reach the pools, you'll have freedom to spend as much time as you want in the water and on the slides: the guide doesn't rush the afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the drive like to get to the hot springs?

The drive takes 45 minutes through palm plantations and jungle back country. Your bilingual guide explains the local history and points out wildlife along the way, so it's not just transit time. It's part of the tour itself.

Can small children go in the thermal pools and river?

Yes, the pools and river are suitable for families with young children. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the drive and the 5-minute walks. The river depth ranges from 2 to 6 feet, so there are shallow areas, and the rock slides are designed for everyone in the family.

What do I need to bring besides a swimsuit?

Bring a change of clothes, water shoes or sneakers (Keens or Tevas work well), sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap, an extra bottle of water, and a camera. A small amount of cash is useful if you want to buy an alcoholic drink at lunch.

Is the thermal pool water always warm?

Yes, the pools are fed by natural hot springs, so they stay warm year-round. The river water is cooler than the pools but still swimmable.

How many people go on this tour?

Groups stay small to medium size: a maximum of 15 people per booking. The company keeps numbers low to keep the experience personal and less crowded at the pools.