La Fortuna Guide
Free hot springs in La Fortuna: El Choyín
The best-known free hot springs in La Fortuna are at El Choyín, a natural warm river next to the Tabacón resort, on the road from La Fortuna toward Lake Arenal. Access to the river is free, but there are no facilities or lifeguards, and unofficial parking attendants usually ask for a fee. Our afternoon volcano hikes end here with a volcanic mud mask.
- River accessFree
- LocationNext to Tabacón
- FacilitiesNone
- Best timeWeekday mornings
What is El Choyín?
El Choyín is a stretch of a naturally warm river heated by the volcano, the same river that feeds the hot springs of the Tabacón resort. It runs through the rainforest, with small pools and cascades between the rocks where people sit in the warm water.
Where it is and how to get there
El Choyín is on the road from La Fortuna toward Lake Arenal, across from the Tabacón resort. There is no parking lot: people park by the roadside, and unofficial attendants usually ask for a fee. A short trail leads down to the river in a couple of minutes.
What to expect
It is a natural river, not a spa: there are no bathrooms, changing rooms, lockers or lifeguards. Weekends, and especially weekend evenings, are much busier, and tour groups arrive in the afternoon.
Safety tips
- Wear water shoes: the path can be muddy and the river rocks are sharp and slippery
- Do not leave valuables on the rocks or in the car; bring only what you need in a dry bag
- Avoid going after dark
- Stay out of the river if the water is high or muddy after heavy rain
- Watch children at all times; there are no lifeguards
When to go
Weekday mornings are the quietest time. After a hike, the warm water is a good way to rest your legs, and it is a good plan for a rainy afternoon, as long as the river is not swollen.
Visit it on a tour
Our Afternoon Volcano Hike and our Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River both end at El Choyín, with a volcanic mud mask and round-trip transport from La Fortuna, so you do not have to deal with parking. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Free river or paid hot springs?
The area around La Fortuna also has hot spring resorts with pools, changing rooms, food and lifeguards, for an entrance fee. Choose El Choyín for a free, natural experience in the river, and a resort if you want comfort and facilities.
Tours for this trip
Tours that end in a hot river
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Questions
Hot river questions
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Contact usAccess to the river is free. There is no parking lot, and unofficial parking attendants by the road usually ask for a fee.
On the road from La Fortuna toward Lake Arenal, across from the Tabacón resort. A short trail leads down to the river.
Go in daylight, wear water shoes, keep valuables with you in a dry bag and stay out of the water if the river is high after heavy rain. There are no lifeguards.
No. El Choyín is a natural river with no facilities, so come in your swimsuit and bring a towel.
Yes. Our Afternoon Volcano Hike and Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River both end at El Choyín, with a volcanic mud mask and round-trip transport included.
More in the La Fortuna guide
La Fortuna · Arenal Volcano
Your day in the rainforest starts here
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