Free Hot Springs — Attraction in La Fortuna

Out of all the places I’ve seen in Costa Rica this has been the only dirty and unkept one. Definitely don’t come on a Sunday or holiday. We saw several people including adults changing right by the water so if you come with children be aware they’ll see a lot. There were people smoking and drinking in the water and discarding their cigarette butts right in there next to everyone else trying to enjoy the springs. There were food wrappers on the mud and beer cans EVERYWHERE. You could hardly walk without seeing some trash or stepping on it. The parking is alongside the road and they will try and scam you. We had someone trying to charge us $12 to park on the side of the road and someone further down charging $4, this is supposed to be free public parking, it’s the ROAD. They tell you they “watch” your car if you pay, so if you don’t pay don’t leave anything inside your vehicle. If you have the means, pay for a more private place or definitely come in a slow day where everyone is a work and school. Such a shame to see the place so trashed. There is a fenced parking that has a different cost and offers bathrooms and stairs down to the water across from Tabacón. We didn’t ask for the price as we had paid to park and then upon getting to the area left as soon...

Beautiful and lovely afternoon!

Don't spend the $40+ per person the surrounding hotels will happily charge you. This is completely free, something quite rare in Costa Rica. If you arrive by car an "official" in Hi Vis will ask for $10 for parking, you don't have to pay this but if you would rather avoid the awkwardness of saying no, then it's a small charge comparable.

Follow a trail by the side of the road, walk through the dodgy looking cut out wire fence and you've arrived. Water is beautiful and warm. Arrived at lunch time and was quite quiet, picked up as we left around 1pm. Seen a rather large iguana but they didn't get in the water....

We were considering going to Baldi or one of the other expensive commercial hot springs. Eventually, we ended up here. And this was great. We initially only wanted to have a short dip into the hot water. But stayed then for three hours. Kids had fun as well building a dam in the water. There were tiny fishes in the quiter area of the water. They nibble on your skin. In some countries you can pay for a commercial fish spa and put your feet into a water tank. It reminded me on it. I have to say that we were in Costa Rica in September and there were not too many people here. Not sure how it feels in high season. Bring your...