Vandara Hot Springs: zip line, horseback riding, mud bath

Five activities in one morning and afternoon: you ride, slide, soak and learn instead of choosing one.

Vandara Hot Springs combines zip lining on 10 cables, horseback jungle riding, a 400-meter waterslide, volcanic mud baths and a sugarmill-and-coffee demonstration into a single full day with private transport, a guide in English or Spanish, and a typical Costa Rican lunch buffet. The minimum group is four adults; children are welcome from age 2. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns, or those without moderate physical fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Adventure and relaxation activities

• Horseback jungle tour
• Zip line canopy tour
• Waterslide ride
• Sugarmill and coffee demonstration
• Hot springs and volcanic mud bath
• Enjoy organic lunch

The Experience

The day runs eight to nine hours and includes private air-conditioned transport to and from Vandara. You start with a 20-minute horseback ride through the jungle on quiet horses, then move to the canopy zip line: 10 cables strung between 11 platforms at different heights, a one-hour activity built for people who want the adrenaline without the technical climbing. After that comes the waterslide—a 400-meter run straight down into a pool, over in about 20 minutes.

The sugarmill and coffee demonstration sits in the middle of the day. A guide walks you through the history of the plantation, the process of growing and harvesting sugar cane and coffee, and then you taste the syrup, Costa Rican rum, fresh coffee and corn bread made on site. It is the cultural pause in an otherwise high-energy itinerary, and it is where you eat the typical lunch buffet. Bottled water and WiFi on board are included throughout.

The afternoon finishes at the hot springs. You soak in mineral-rich volcanic water or wade into the mud baths—the operator positions this as the wind-down after the zip line and the slide, a chance to let the muscles settle. Bring long pants, a swimsuit, extra clothes, sneakers, a camera, bug spray and sunblock; cash for extras (drinks, souvenirs) is useful. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport.
• a guide in English or Spanish.
• horseback jungle ride.
• zip line on 10 cables.
• 400-meter waterslide.
• hot springs and volcanic mud bath access.
• sugarmill and coffee plantation demonstration.
• typical Costa Rican lunch buffet.
• coffee, corn bread and sugarcane juice.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Guanacaste Adventure & Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if your group is at least four adults and you want to pack multiple activities into one full day without stopping to decide between them. The fixed itinerary and private transport mean the morning and afternoon flow without gaps or negotiation—you move from one activity to the next with everything arranged.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What is the zip line like at Vandara?

The canopy tour has 10 cables and 11 platforms at varying heights, and the whole activity takes about an hour. It is designed for people who want high adrenaline and is included in the day's activities.

How long is the waterslide?

The waterslide is 400 meters long and drops straight into a pool; the ride takes about 20 minutes from top to bottom.

What do you learn on the sugarmill tour?

The guide explains the history of the coffee plantation and sugar cane farming, then you taste fresh sugar cane syrup, Costa Rican rum, coffee and corn bread made on site as part of the cultural demonstration.

Is this tour good for kids?

Children are welcome from age 2, though the zip line and waterslide have physical demands; families with very young children should consider whether the full day and the activities suit their pace.

What should I bring?

Pack long pants, a swimsuit, extra clothes, sneakers or tennis shoes, a camera, bug spray and sunblock. Cash for extras like drinks or souvenirs is also useful.

Does the price include lunch?

Yes, a typical Costa Rican lunch buffet is included, along with coffee, corn bread and sugarcane juice. Bottled water is provided throughout the day; alcoholic beverages and sodas are not included.