Hidden Oasis in Arenal: Exploring Baldi Hot Springs & La Fortuna

In Costa Rica, road frontage can be completely deceiving. From the roadside, Baldi Hot Springs looks like a modest entrance with minimal frontage tucked against the main strip outside La Fortuna. We parked across the street, walked through the gate, and stepped into an entirely different world.

Getting there was an adventure in itself. On paper, it was less than 10 km from where we were staying, but navigating the winding mountain road past packed local swimming holes and other thermal resorts stretched the drive to around 35 minutes. Once you step inside, the scale of the property blows all expectations out of the water.

The Thermal Maze: 109°F Heat to 70°F Cold Plunges

The construction and landscaping across Baldi are incredible. The property winds through lush tropical greenery with over 20 naturally heated thermal pools, cascading waterfalls, swim-up bars, and dedicated splash areas for the kids.

Most of the primary thermal pools sit right around 109°F, fed by subterranean volcanic mineral water. When the heat ramps up, they have cold plunge pools sitting around 70°F to reset your system. We spent hours doing contrast therapy—soaking in the steaming waterfalls before ducking into the cold water to cool off.

The kids had a blast. The older girls wandered from pool to pool exploring the different rock caves and temperatures, while our youngest quickly made friends in the shallow play zones.

Poolside Casados, Ceviche, and Ron Zacapa

When lunchtime arrived, the main buffet line was wrapped around the entrance, so we opted to keep swimming and wait out the rush. By the time we walked back, the primary restaurant was wrapping up service, so we pivoted over to one of the poolside bar kitchens—and it turned out to be a great move.

We ordered a full spread:

• Fresh fish ceviche
• Traditional Costa Rican Casado (hearty rice, black beans, plantains, and protein)
• Burgers & pizza for the kids
• A pour of Ron Zacapa Solera Gran Reserva rum to sip by the rock ledges

The Sweet Finish in La Fortuna

After lunch, we jumped right back into the thermal baths for another couple of hours of soaking under the falls until we were completely relaxed.

We packed up, dried off, and made the drive into downtown La Fortuna for the classic Costa Rican post-swim tradition: stopping at POPS for ice cream before heading back up the mountain.

If you're visiting the Arenal volcano region with family, Baldi strikes the right balance between kid-friendly water features and genuine relaxation for parents.