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1-5 of 6

Hotel Coloso Arenal

  • August 27, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by jmacphail from Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Hotel Coloso Arenal

We left San Jose for a White Water Rafting trip, after which they dropped us off at the Hotel Coloso Arenal. This is an absolutely beautiful hotel with the volcano as a backdrop. Our rooms were clean, air conditioned, and their was a pool situated among the wonderful landscaping. The only drawback was that it is located a few miles out of town but a taxi ride was only a few dollars.

The staff was extremely helpful and booked us a trip to Baldi Springs (a bit flashy but not nearly as expensive as Tabacon and the cost included a lunch buffet), a night hike with wonderful, English speaking guides; topped off with a trip to view the volcano. Luckily it was a clear night so that we could see the volcano and the lava. We then took the jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde (again, arranged for us by the hotel).
Editor Pick

Tabacon Hot Springs and Arenal Volcano Hike

  • March 29, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by RoBoNC from Indianapolis, Indiana
Tabacon Hot Springs and Arenal Volcano Hike

The Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's most active volcano and is located about 90 miles northwest of San Jose, the capital. The volcano has become a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica ever since 1968. The volcano has been dated back to almost 400 years and scientists had classified it as extinct; that was until July 29, 1968. The volcano decided to wake up and a powerful eruption destroyed the town of Arenal, killing 87 people and destroying crops and livestock. The volcano has erupted continuously ever since very much like Mount Kilauea in Hawaii. In 1991, the Costa Rican government established the Arenal Volcano National Park. The park covers 41 square miles that includes the 5,436 ft Arenal Volcano as well as Chato, a second volcano whose crater contains an emerald colored lagoon. The park includes the Arenal Observatory Lodge and the Museum of Vulcanicity. The volcano heats many hot springs nearby leading to many resorts in the area capitalizing on this natural wonder. Visitors can swim in the natural waters, be pampered with massages in the spa, or just relax with a nice meal and a drink. We preferred the latter.

After booking our tour with concierge desk at the Marriott, the tour van picked us up for our ride to the Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort. Although you can stay at the resort, it is very expensive with a basic room starting at $230. It is probably a better idea to stay in San Jose, drive to the resort and purchase a day pass which entitles you to all the luxuries as if you were staying there. Although the rates were cheaper when we went in 2001, the current rate is $60 for an all day pass from 10am to 10pm and with the option to add meals during your visit.

The bus left San Jose for the three hour bus ride to the Arenal Volcano, but not before stopping in the quaint little town of Sarchi, for brunch. Sarchi is about an hour from San Jose, but it seems farther than that. Sarchi is a popular destination for tourists for the countless souvenirs and artisan shops that cover the town, not to mention that it is a nice side trip from the hustle and bustle of San Jose. All of the homemade painted bowls, wooden utensils, furniture, as well as the oxcart. The oxcart was Costa Rica's first vehicle when it gained importance from the coffee trade. Coffee growers needed the oxcart to transport the coffee beans over the mountains and to the coast. It eventually became a status symbol. The oxcart is still used today although trucks have replaced it. They can still be seen around the Costa Rican countryside and they are used in parades. Sarchi is small but vital to Costa Rica because they have two factories that supply the country as well as the rest of the world with handcrafted oxcarts. Unlike most tourists traps where locals try to sell you crafts, which are nothing but cheap knock-offs, most Costa Ricans come to Sarchi to buy furniture for their homes. So if you want to take a piece of Costa Rica back with you, then Sarchi is the place to go. However, our stay here lasted until our meal was over, so my experience of Sarchi was but a fleeting memory.

Although the drive to Tabacon Resort was about three hours, the stop for lunch and the magnificent views of the Costa Rican countryside made it go by quick. We entered the resort and put our clothes in the lockers and then grabbed our towels headed for the hot springs. The resort is filled with flowing rivers emptying into river pools as well as natural waterfalls heated to a comfortable 102 degrees. Swimming in the water was like getting into a Jacuzzi, but only on a larger scale and the water was natural. The resort says that the water is 97% rainwater and 3% magma-based. Hot springs are formed when rainwater enters the earth and is then heated by magma in the earth's core. The water rises to the surface bringing all the natural minerals with it. This water is better than your household water used to fill the Jacuzzi because it provides physical and biological effects. The minerals in the water help to improve oxygen flow in the tissues and it helps to strengthen the skin's defenses.

As with any heated pool, too long of exposure could be unhealthy. To spend my breaks out of the water, I had a few drinks from some of the water bars. The resort has some freshwater pools with bars in them so you can swim up to them and get a drink without ever having to get out of the water. If the water makes you hungry, there are restaurants on site as well as the Grand Spa if you need more relaxation than what the hot springs can provide.

With the hot springs comes the natural beauty of the area. There are nature paths surrounded by tropical gardens with so many colorful flowers that it almost looks unreal. Many people have commented that the pictures I took look like a scene from a postcard. Along with Arenal Volcano towering 5,000 feet in the air, you will be hard pressed to find another place anywhere in the country with this much beauty.

My only regret on this trip was that I was not able to see the fiery demonstration of the Arenal Volcano. There are two departure times, 8am and 3pm. Not realizing this, we missed our opportunity. It just gives me another reason to go back. The tours to the summit last about an hour and half. It is suggested that you take the 3pm tour for it offers the best views of the lava flow when the sun is setting.

For more information go to: www.volcanoarenal.com and www.tabacon.com

From journal Spring Break In Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano

  • September 14, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by am331 from New Jersey, New Jersey
Arenal Volcano

This is an amazing active volcano to visit. There are guide-led hikes that take you up the mountain (intense hikes not for the tired or weary. My mom couldn't make it, so I went alone and my sister stayed with her at the bottom of the volcano.) and wait until sundown so that you can see and hear the lava flowing and popping in the night. The hike was a little demanding and dangerous. There were plenty of times that I felt like I might fall, and it was dark and treacherous, but we were all okay. It is exciting, scary, and truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

From journal Natural Beauty in Costa Rica

Guided Tour of Arenal Volcano Area

  • October 18, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by smokeysf from San Francisco, California
Guided Tour of Arenal Volcano Area

This was my favorite hike of the trip. The guide spoke perfect English and knew many interesting facts to keep the hike interesting.

We left from the main lodge and drove down to the entrance of the park. We hiked about 45 minutes in thick rainforest along a heavily wooded path. The hike was very easy and level except for a couple of places you had to climb. All in all, it was not a strenuous hike.

At places along the route, the guide would point out a tree, bush, insect or other feature and give a detailed description of it. He also carried a spotting scope to point out features in the canopy.

After the 45-minute hike, we got to a clearing where the volcano could be viewed as well as the surrounding lake and landscape.

From journal Costa Rica Road Trip

Editor Pick

Arenal Volcano from the Hot Springs

  • February 3, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Tavia from New York, New York
Arenal Volcano from the Hot Springs

My hotel reserved me a spot in a group tour run by Expediciones Tropicales. For US$75, they took us in a bus up to the Tabacon Resort and Hot Springs. The tour lasted the entire day, and included lunch, dinner, and admission to the Resort. Lunch was a traditional Costa Rican meal, not extravagant but fine. Along the three-hour drive up to the resort, we stopped at a coop store where we were given the chance to purchase local crafts if we so desired (including the much-touted ox carts).

But finally we arrived at Tabacon, where we were given lockers and immediately got into our swimsuits for some relaxation time in the hot springs. The grounds of this resort are lush and perfectly landscaped. There are many quiet corners where you can find a moment along even though there are usually many guests enjoying the hot springs. There are also pools scattered about with deck chairs, and bars tucked away with palm-frond rooftops. We had about three hours to enjoy the springs. I was there by myself, so after a while I wandered over to the bar, which is situated in one of the larger hot springs. At that moment I could not imagine anything better -- sitting on a barstool in a hot spring, drinking a nice cold beer, and eyeing the Arenal Volcano, which was beginning to show its lava as the sun went down. Indeed, the view of the volcano from this resort is near perfect. Then we had a fine and filling buffet dinner in the resort restaurant (you can also stay over night there in the hotel, call Tabacon at 506 228 8269 for more info.), all the while catching glimpses of trickles of lava. All in all, this day was the perfect introduction to Costa Rica and its natural graces.

From journal San Jose for Just a Day

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