Termales del Bosque

A local that we were travelling with suggested this as our last stop on our business trip. It was a great recommendation and as all the previous reviews has said it is a resort for costa ricans. However the staff does speak English. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a great experience at a fair price.

“Relaxation at it's best”

Termales del Bosque

“A great alternative to the gringo experience”

Termales del Bosque

This is a great alternative to the overpriced resorts catering to gringos. Sure, you'll find plenty of gringo guests here -- and enough English speaking staff -- but this is essentially a Tico (locals) resort. Which basically means you'll have an "authentic" Costa Rican experience and not pay the wildly inflated gringo prices of other resorts.

The hot springs here are very impressive. First you walk 400 meters on a well maintained paved trail (lit in the evening) through the rainforest to the jungle baths. The baths are rustic in appearance, but well maintained and very atmospheric. You can find a pool with pretty much any temperature you want, and there's even an aromatherapy steam hut and a cocktail/snack bar. Delightful!

Rooms are very ordinary, but very clean and functional with TVs, hot water and AC. The baths stay open until 9:30 at night, so it's one of the rare spots in the Costa Rican countryside where there's something to do after the early sunset.

Nearby Ciudad Quisada is entirely missable, with the exception of its very good steakhouses (perhaps the best in the country). I ate twice at the Terazzas Restaurant (200 meters north of the northeast corner of the main square) where a delicious grilled 18 ounce "lomo" was about $7. Order some papas fritas and a cerveza and you'll be happy. Breakfast at the hotel was better than I expected, and the staff was universally warm and friendly.

There's also some pleasant horseback riding at the resort. And, once again, no gringo prices. It was something like $14 for adults and $8 for kids for a very nice hour trail ride.

The hotel makes a nice overnight between Sarapiqui and Arenal. You could see Arenal as a day trip from here, but I wouldn't recommend it due to the distance. You probably don't want to spend as much time in Arenal as you think you do, unless you're willing to pay a lot of money for gringo-priced activities. One day there to see the volcano, walk in the national park, due a zipline (consider Ecoglide) is probably enough.

I see a previous reviewer noted the sulfur content of the baths. My wife suffered some minor skin irritation after soaking many hours in the baths (nothing happened to me or my kids), so folks who have such problems might want to "go slow" on their initial exposure. That said, it's very hard to leave their delightful tropical pools!

“Loved the resort”

Termales del Bosque

We found the resort to be relaxing and welcoming. My husband and I traveled with my adult daughter -- we were two couples. Our trek from the airport in San Jose was not easy with bridge construction in Quesada, we did get a little lost. We were very pleased with our accommodation and thought the price we paid was very reasonable. Dinner was delicious and inexpensive. There was also a breakfast buffet that included typical Costa Rican cuisine as well as eggs and toast and lots of fresh fruit. A short hike down the path led us to a series of thermal pools that were uncrowded during President's week. We loved the quiet atmosphere. Most of the people staying there were native Costa Ricans.

“Little gem”

Termales del Bosque

We stayed 2 nights in Thermales del Bosque. The staff is very nice and it still feels authentic . A lot of Tico families come here as well. The rooms are basic, painted concrete floors, bed, little piece of furniture, simple bathrroms but it was clean. The restaurant is great and we got some of the best breakfast here.

The springs are amazing, beautiful location

Our family loved it

The only thing I would do differently is that it is 1hr away from La fortuna. We underestimated the driving distances to playa hermosa. Next time I would stay 1 night here and stop at La fortuna the next day.

“Most Beautiful Thermal Pools & Friendly”

Termales del Bosque

We traveled to Costa Rica a second time and wanted to stay at Tico establishments to get to know the real people of Costa Rica and this was our best find. The rooms are large, spotless but not fancy. Be prepared - the water is luke warm as is the Tico custom. Breakfast is included and meals were very, very reasonable and well prepared at the restaurant. The Thermal Pools are a treasure hidden along a river in the jungle. Messages at the pools were the most relaxing and the price was truely Tico - not inflated. The best time to go to the pools is during the week as weekends see a lot of Tico tour groups. The staff is the shining star here, although English is spoken by only a few, they went out of their way to be helpful. The manager, Roberto, speaks fluent English and is very helpful and friendly. This was a truely Costa Rican establishment - very unimposing, very quiet and very friendly. If you want all the bells and wistles - do not stay here. If you want to experience Cost Rica - this is one of the places to visit.

“Allergy Caution to Sulfur Content”

Termales del Bosque

Caution at the end: The nature and beauty of the area are outstanding. The facilities were clean and well serviced. We saw a sloth up in the trees and many butterfies during our visit to these Thermal Waters. With that said, the warmth of the waters come from the Volcano Poás, which is sulfuric in properties. Unaware of the sulfur content in the water, we leisurely spent 3 hours soaking in the "mineral waters" through the dappled shade of jungle atmosphere. We showered before leaving the park, but the next day I found myself covered in a horrible rash and very ill. I sought a doctor, at a famarcia in Heredia, to get an injection of anti-histamines and began taking oral antihistamines as well. It's been almost a week now, and I'm still trying to recover. The precaution: If you've been told in the USA, that you are allergic to Sulfa Drugs, stay away from the volcanoes and the thermal waters. Breathing the sulfuric air, at the Volcano and then visiting the Thermal Waters almost ruined my entire trip. My lungs are still fighting the allergy and I'm still itching from the rash and it has been over a week, since our visit to the volcano and thermal waters.

“El mejor lugar para relajarse”

Termales del Bosque

Yo soy de Costa Rica y he visitado bastantes hoteles en La Fortuna de San Carlos y puedo decir con toda seguridad que este es el MEJOR hotel en el que he estado hasta el momento.

Mi esposo, mi hija de 3 años y yo necesitábamos alejarnos un rato del bullicio de la cuidad. Y esta fue una excelente elección que de fijo repetiremos.

Es un hotel acogedor que te hace sentir bienvenido desde el principio hasta el final. La propiedad esta rodeada de verdes montañas y el aire que se respira es increíble. Desde que llegamos sentimos una paz indescriptible en el ambiente. Las aguas termales se encuentran en medio del bosque lo que logra un efecto de total relajación. Y al final la cereza en el helado fue un masaje relajante que logra totalmente su cometido. Los precios en general del restaurante, la estadía y el spa son muy accesibles. Si quieren pasar un estadía en un lugar tranquilo y bonito se los recomiendo totalmente.