Book the Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa with VIP Benefits

The Tabacon Story - The Spirit of a True Nature Lover Lives On - The story is about a nature lover that became a legend in Arenal. Costa Rican-born Jaime Mikowski was a trained and board-certified architect involved in projects that ranged from low-income housing developments to single-family luxury homes. Mr. Mikowski had a knack for thinking outside the box. His hobbies and life interests led him to distinctive personal goals that included running coffee farms, starting Costa Rica's first vineyard, launching a solar water heating company, and designing hotels all over the country.

In the late 1980s, Jaime fell in love with a property at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano, where a stream of hot springs ran through a marsh and grasslands. He convinced the local owners to sell him a share of the company that owned the land and spent the next few months persuading friends to invest with him in a wellness spa concept developed around the idea of a natural encounter. In January 1991, the original Tabacon pools and restaurant complex closed for a complete make-over, which took over two years. Mr. Mikowski's project aimed to reforest the existing pastures that surrounded the pools and restaurants.

Awards & Accolades

Tabacon has been recognized over the years by some of the most reputable industry groups and respected publications focused on luxury hospitality and experiential travel. Constantly receiving accolades based on guest-originated recognition. This is a direct reflection of the commitment to deliver world-class service.

Rooms & Suites

A luxury Arenal Home Amidst the Breathtaking Beauty of the Rainforest and Natural Hotel Springs. While visiting the Arenal Volcano Region, Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa offers a rainforest escape, unlike any other. The pursuit of a unique experience is wondrously satisfied the moment you step into Tabacon, where you become a witness to the luscious scenery that unfolds before you. The beautiful Costa Rican rainforest journey starts in the rooms and suites, where a comfortable balance between architecture and nature is respected. Striving to bring the great outdoors into your room by showcasing the lush landscape that characterizes these fertile lands flank the Arenal Volcano. The inspired new room designs assimilate local culture by including artwork and furnishings designed by Costa Rican artisans. These visual details are complemented by an authentic service philosophy that relies on elevated hospitality standards.

Tabacon is a luxury Arenal hotel with an increased proportion of the open-air common area. The goal is to allow the guests to comfortably immerse themselves within the overpowering scenery, leisurely enjoy the outdoors, and achieve the desired state of peace and relaxation. At Tabacon, all hotel guests receive complimentary and unlimited access to the thermal experience and exclusive access to the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens for their stay. The hot springs resort is open to hotel guests from 8 am to 10 pm. The extended hour's access and admittance to Shangri-La are not available to one-day visitors. Discover Costa Rica´s largest network of naturally flowing hot springs and the spectacular panoramic rainforest lookouts during your Costa Rica vacations at Tabacon Resort. All the hotel guests have unlimited access to the thermal experience, including dozens of hot, mineralized river pools from 8 am to 10 pm and exclusive access to the adults-only hideaway, the Shangri-La Gardens. The gardens and thermal river pools are located within walking distance or via a free shuttle ride from the hotel.

Restaurants & Bars

A Culinary Experience Deeply connected to Costa Rica's Natural Environment. Tabacon offers a memorable dining experience surrounded by the untouched tropical rainforest of the Arenal Volcano Region. There are two open-air, full-service restaurants and four bars. The region's top chefs masterfully blend flavors and create new gastronomic experiences that evoke the most beloved local culinary concepts and utilize regional ingredients. The restaurants at Tabacon, Ave del Paraíso, and Los Tucanes specialize in Costa Rican cuisine and creative international fare. The Caña Brava Lobby Bar is a perfect spot for a snack.

Couples seeking an intimate dining experience can indulge in a private dining experience with the Ephemeral Table – a Tabacon Signature Service – featuring a customized 6-course menu with the best and freshest ingredients that you will discover at that moment, prepared by a dedicated chef in a romantic, candlelit, open-air rainforest bungalow. Guests can also enjoy snacks and beverages al fresco at the Arenal Pool Bar and Shangri-La Gardens Bar. In-room dining is available 24 hours.

Spa & Wellness

The Spa Philosophy - Connection with Undisturbed Nature - The Spa at Tabacon is not your typical hotel spa. Memorable spa treatments are rendered in outdoor bungalows tucked away among the trees, gardens, and natural hot springs. The setting offers complete privacy, which is key to achieving the desired state of peace and balance. The rainforest setting helps the spa guests recall the splendor and serenity of the natural surroundings. Each treatment is preceded by Tabacon's signature spa ritual, which starts in the beautifully designed, award-winning open-air resting area. Your pre-treatment preparation includes a dip in the hot spring-fed Hot Tub…remember: none of the water at Tabacon is artificially heated, chemically treated, or recirculated.

Tabacon's open-air spa bungalows are designed for individual or couple therapies. You are sheltered by a palm-fetched roof and caña brava in these cozy bungalows, a local wild shrub similar to bamboo. The structure and floor are made of exceptional local hardwoods. They are designed to allow the fresh air and scents of the rainforest to become an essential part of each treatment. And even more significant are the hot springs' spectacular sounds, blending perfectly with the ubiquitous sounds of wildlife. The spa experience at Tabacon offers what is truly a perfect match between spa design and nature. All bungalows have a thermal spring-fed tub for two that allow you to soak in river-fed thermal mineral water, alfresco, in the heart of the rainforest. Hence, many guests choose to extend their treatment to enjoy outdoor balneotherapy.