www.CostaRicaTicas.com

My wingmen and I tried out Baldi Hot Springs last week. Although it does not hold a candle to the world-famous Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, at least it offers a lower priced alternative ($20 entrance fee instead of $45). I counted over a dozen springs ranging in temperature from cool (90 degrees) to superheated (150 degrees).

The operation is continuing to expand...and a separately owned hotel is under construction adjacent to the grounds. It is a nice place to bring the wife and K*ds...but certainly not your novia. IMHO, Baldi has all the ambiance of Six Flags/Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ.

As always, YMMV.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

On my trip to Arenal we also stopped at the hot springs. It was a very nice place. They have a buffet dinner which was O.K. The buffet is included in the tour, but not the entry fee. For those looking to get out of the gulch, a nice day trip although long. A 9 AM pick-up/11PM return to SL, if you take the tour. If I were to do it again, it would be better to find others that wanted to go, rent a van and skip all the other tourist B.S. By doing it this way I would imagine that you could be back by 5-6 PM and be ready to roll that night.

I saw several mongers with their "lady's". After they walked by they got a lot of smiles and rib poking from the non-tico, and non-mongering tourists. I would imagine no more, or no less, than any other area outside the gulch with an old man walking with a hot young lady.

BlueDevil is right, mostly family and couples, but if you don't mind the rib-poking looks, the long ride, and the cost ($79.00 per person) it would make a nice day trip with a lady. Vanessa at the SL booked it for me.

The reason I wouldn't take someone is that it would equate to 2 sessions at an MP, or a TLN with the woman. Let's see, get laid twice or spend money on a woman that is only there for the money anyway. A no brainer for me.

Health & happiness.

Santa Bro

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

The hotel Los Lagos de Arenal has nice rooms, a restaurant and their own hot springs. They are quite a bit cheaper than other venues, and the use of their hot pool in included in their reasonable room rates.

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I have enjoyed Los Lagos and Baldi on 2 trips to The volcano. Anyone making plans should be aware that the whole town of La Fortuna and everything in the vicinity closes down by 10pm. Make sure you are stocked on supplies.

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"With foxes, we must play the fox." ~ Thomas Fuller

Several years ago I spent some time at a hotel with hot pools which included a swim up bar. It was memorable for me in that I shared my first beer with my son who was asked if he wanted one. He was only 14 and he said yes of course. The hotel also had a view of lava pouring down the volcano at night.
Is Los Lagos the hotel or is it a different hotel?
Obscure question considering all the hotels facing the volcano but I was just wondering.
Thanks in advance IF anyone knows of the place.

YO Hot bathers:

Yea, yea, I know this toopic has been repeated much but it's worth it for those who have never been there.

Tabacon Springs is one of my top five places to be whether with a Chica, a friend or by myself. If not for the damn long drive or ride I would hit there everytime in CR. It's really neat when there is a light rain, music playing and a half dozen emptly mini vodka bottles floating around me in the pool while I'm floating on my back with my gut rising out of the water with a large olive in my belly button. Talk about tourists gawking and gringas grabing their K*ds to quickly go back to their bus or room.....Priceless.

As for lodging the Arenal Lodge is my favorite. My best amigo, CRdreamin, introduced me to the place. Great view of the volcano, the jungle, monkeys and birds inhabiting the trees. And, Lord forbid those who are drunk and drive that winding road up to or down from the Lodge. One day I'm going to skateboard that Phucker.....no shit. Don't care for the Tabacon Resort for lodging....too tourist. The Observatory is unique. Just don't go during regular rainy season or you won't see the lava flow at night.

Damn, just thinking about it makes me want to make another trip.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Ok I have to ask- what are your other 4 favorite places?

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

My wingmen and I stayed at Villas Vilma for one night. Not bad...and relatively inexpensive ($60/night) for a nice cottage with 4 beds and a kitchen. The place also has a nice swimming pool and an extra large jacuzzi with an excellent view of the volcano. The cottages are scattered throughout some beautifully landscaped gardens.

We also paid a visit to the Arenal Observatory...it is quite the place! If you are willing to spend the $125 per night, the observatory is definitely the place to stay. Here, you can get an excellent view of a side of the mountain in all its volcanic glory. Several spectacular trails through the tropical rain forest originate from the beautiful gardens that surround the lodge. You will also find a uniquely designed swimming pool...and a hot tub at this part of the observatory.

I have to agree with Circus about the Tabacon resort...an overnight stay is a little too "touristy" and rich for my blood. However, you can't beat the idyllic scene at the hot springs. If you have never been there, the $45/day admission is worth doing at least once.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Travelingman, I believe that you did stay at Los Lagos based on your description of swim up bar and the spectacular close night view of the volcano.

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YO Paco:

In answer to your question. It probably matters little about my other "four places" to stay. I am probably no longer welcomed at two of them. Yea, I over did my welcome with antics that I care not to tell about.....but that was long ago. There is a nice secret little spot but I shall not divulge it's where abouts. At the base of the volcano that was wiped out......it is well documented that a volkswagon along with a couple of ohter vehicles and people are buried under the now standing "cottage" due to the eruption before. Lips are sealed. Too many gringos may get word.

I miss the springs and hope to return again. But I'll be damn if I'm going to drive a volkswagon and park it there.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

I've stayed at Los Lagos (yes, the hot spring mentioned is at the hotel of the same name) and wasn't that impressed by their hot spring fed swimming pool. Yes its hot and yes its fed by natural springs but it is virtually devoid of any ambiance beyond that. Other than the hot water, it is essentially just a big swimming pool surrounded by concrete decking and slopes. It has little in the way of vegetation, either natural or landscaped, surrounding it to soften the scene.

I think nearly all the hotels that line that road to the lake offer views of the volcano (they'd be crazy to build otherwise as what would be the point), but prospective visitors should be aware that recent lava flows have shifted towards the other side. By day you'll see the volcano cone shaped mountain looming to the south. However, by night if you're hoping to see the glowing lava flow from your room, you'll probably be disappointed. More likely you'll have to take a drive to a point that offers a better view.

Tabacon Springs is still the king in my book in terms of the quality of what they offer. With their constant raising of rates their standing in terms of value is much more questionable, but definitely agree with the thers that if you've never been there you owe it to yourself to try it at least once, then you can check out the cheaper alternatives and decide what best suits you. The Los Lagos swimming pool is worth trying out if you're staying there anyway but doesn't fall anywhere near to the same class as the other hot springs that you have to pay extra to get in. Baldi is a good alternative but they have gone up in price too and are now $25 ($15 more if you get the meal). It used to be even less than $20 if you got a discount coupon from one of the area hotels but I'm not sure if they still offer that either. A couple of others that weren't mentioned are Eco-termales, you have to reserve ahead there but they have even fewer visitors than Baldi, and Los Fuentes, directly across the street from Tabacon and also very nice but full of ticos (Gringo price is $10/day)

I just got back from La Fortuna last week. This was my fourth trip to CR and I finally made to arenal volcano. I had great weather no rain clear skies and it was very active and what a show at night. It was well worth the long beautiful ride through the mountains. Here is some of the thing I learned when planning and visiting the La Fortuna area.

1. Interbus on time, good price, comfortable. http://www.interbusonline.com/

2 I stayed at the Arenal Paraiso Hotel http://www.arenal.net/hotel/arenal-paraiso.htm

It is one of the big hotels with a good restaurant (you can see the lava flow right from you table or room on a clear night it is unbelievable), thermal waters, and many pools to choose from, privies is not a problem, they have many activities but I found them to be second rate. $70.00 a night includes a big breakfast buffet

I was considering staying at Los Lagos http://www.hotelloslagos.com/

We had a stop there to pickup some people. And I just got a quick look at the place, I was impressed it is lot closer to the volcano (but I don’t know if you can see the lava flow at night from there) it is $ 99.00 a night


3. Tabacon absolutely fist rate if I ever get married again that is were we will spend our honey moon http://www.tabacon.com/


4. Sky Tram - Sky Trek Arenal Volcano Tour http://www.arenal.net/tour/skytram-skytrek/

Do not do one of the little canopy tours; this is a most do, great view of arenal lake and arenal volcano. The staff is great they make you so comfortable all you can do is enjoy the ride.

There is a lot of other stuff to do if you are in good shape I would recommend a tour to La Fortuna waterfall WARNING you must go up and down a hundred stairs.
http://www.arenal.net/la-fortuna-waterf ... a-rica.htm

If you have not visited the La Fortuna area, I would recommend it but only in February or March

I stayed at Los Lagos in early November and liked it. It is so close to the volcano that you'd think the lava is rolling down on to your veranda at night. Also, I do not think they would have given me a discount because I am a gringo, even though I do speak Spanish. So, I got Patricia, the sweet desk clerk from Castillo to call for me and make my reservation. She got me my discount after arm twisting them a bit on the phone.

Seriously La Fortuna and Arenal is one of CR's premier destinations in my opinion.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.