After leaving Peace Lodge, we headed to the Arenal region for our stay at The Springs Resort & Spa, one of Costa Rica’s most well-known luxury properties. Tucked into the rainforest with direct views of Arenal Volcano, it’s the kind of place that delivers both excitement and tranquility – often in the same afternoon!
First Impressions: A Grand Welcome
When we arrived, we were greeted with a warm welcome and a full property tour -something I highly recommend. The Springs is beautifully spread out across 165 acres, and having someone guide us helped us get oriented. Here is a link to our property tour to give you an idea. Even though it’s large, there’s always a quiet corner to relax and soak in the scenery.
The main lodge is the heart of the resort, featuring several restaurants, a swim-up bar in one of the thermally heated pools, and even a game room for kids – a lifesaver during those classic Costa Rican afternoon showers. There’s even free putt-putt golf on site, which was a fun bonus for our boys.
Our Room: Spacious and Serene
We stayed in the newer Aracari building in an Alta Vista Double Room, which can comfortably fit a family of six. It was just a short walk or golf cart ride to the main lodge, and our balcony views of Arenal Volcano were simply breathtaking. Here is the Instagram reel link to our room tour.
As soon as we unpacked, the boys took off in search of the hot springs with the water slide – and, no surprise, that quickly became their favorite spot for the rest of our stay.
The Hot Springs: Nature’s Playground
The Springs Resort features 28 mineral hot and cold spring pools spread across four acres. They’re divided into the Las Lagunas, Perdido Springs, and Club Rio Springs areas, each with a unique atmosphere and temperatures ranging from 83°F to 104°F. The variety is amazing; some are quiet and secluded, while others are lively and social. No matter where you end up, you’ll have incredible views and the soothing sound of flowing water.
Spa & Relaxation
Of course, we have to talk about The Sanctuary Spa – after all, spa is in the title, The Springs Resort and Spa!
My spa credit from our stay was the perfect excuse to treat myself to a massage – and it did not disappoint. The therapists were excellent, and the setting was tranquil, with open-air treatment rooms overlooking the rainforest. The spa menu features massages, facials, body wraps, and hydrotherapy experiences designed to restore balance after days filled with adventure.
Club Rio: Adventure on the River
The biggest surprise of our stay was how much we loved Club Rio, located along the river below the main resort. It felt like a world of its own, with its own hot springs, hammocks, and open-air games like corn hole and ping pong. The river rushes right by, creating the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of relaxation.
We loved our river tubing adventure, and our time at Club Rio made it even better. Even though it felt a world away from the resort, it was just a short bus ride from the main area of the resort. One last Instagram video link to share our river tubing experience with you.
Club Rio also offers kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, guided nature walks, and birdwatching. There’s even an animal sanctuary but we skipped it since since we had just visited the one at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. (Fun Fact: Peace Lodge at La Paz Waterfall Gardens and The Springs are sister properties).
We had lunch at the restaurant in this section, which features a different menu from the main resort. The food was delicious, and the laid-back riverside setting was one of our favorite meals of the trip.
Breakfast with a View
Another highlight was the daily breakfast, included with our stay. With strong Costa Rican coffee, fresh smoothies, and incredible views of Arenal Volcano, it was the perfect start to each day before heading out for more exploring. With eight of us traveling together, our server had quite the work out delivering our smoothies each morning!
Why Book with Explore More Travel Co.?
As a Virtuoso affiliated resort, bookings through Explore More Travel Co. include the following exclusive amenities:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily buffet breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $125 USD spa credit per accommodation, per stay
- One complimentary Club Rio Tour per person (for up to two guests per accommodation, per stay)
We work closely with The Springs team and can offer personal recommendations from our own experience. When you book through Explore More Travel Co., we handle every detail from resort coordination to private transfers and adventure planning, so you can simply relax and enjoy Costa Rica.
