How to Get to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

There is a moment on the way to Arenal when everything shifts.

The light softens. The air feels heavier with green. The road begins to curve through hills wrapped in mist. And then, suddenly, the volcano appears. Perfectly conical. Impossibly still. Watching over the rainforest as if it has always been there for you.

Reaching Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is straightforward. What makes it special is not the distance, but the feeling of getting there.

Here is what you need to know before you arrive at the foot of Arenal Volcano.

Where Is Tabacón Located?

Tabacón is located just outside the town of La Fortuna, in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano region.

It is 13 kilometers from town, along the road to Arenal Volcano National Park. Close enough to feel connected to the destination. Far enough to feel immersed in the rainforest and volcanic landscape.

At the base of the volcano, surrounded by nature, the property is home to the area's only naturally flowing thermal river. That setting defines the experience long before you step into the water.

Which Airport Is Best for Arenal?

Travelers typically arrive through one of two international airports:

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José
Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia

From either airport, the drive to Tabacón takes approximately two and a half to three hours.

Both routes are comfortable and scenic. The choice usually depends on flight availability and how you plan to move through Costa Rica.

Driving from San José

From San José, you head north toward San Ramón, gradually leaving the city behind. Coffee fields stretch across the hills. Small towns pass quietly. The landscape opens, then folds back into deeper green.

This is the kind of drive where you might want to stop along the way. You’ll find small roadside sodas where you can pause for a strong Costa Rican coffee and a warm tortilla fresh off the comal. Sit for a few minutes. Look at the mountains. Watch the clouds move slowly over the hills. It is a simple moment, but it feels like the beginning of something.

As you continue past Los Ángeles, Balsa, Bajo Los Rodríguez, Santa Clara, Javillos, and El Tanque, the air begins to change. The rainforest grows taller. The light becomes softer.

And then Arenal rises into view.

To reach Tabacón from SJO:

Take the Inter-American Highway north toward San Ramón.
Exit into San Ramón and drive through town.
Continue past Los Ángeles, Balsa, Bajo Los Rodríguez, Santa Clara, Javillos and El Tanque.
Once in La Fortuna, follow the main road toward Arenal Volcano National Park.
Continue for 13 kilometers until you reach Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa.

Driving from Liberia

The journey from Liberia unfolds differently.

You begin on flatter terrain before turning toward Cañas and climbing gently in the direction of Tilarán. Eventually, the road opens up to Lake Arenal.

On clear days, the lake reflects the sky in wide bands of blue and silver. The wind moves across the surface. The mountains feel expansive and quiet.

This is another moment worth slowing down. There are small viewpoints where you can step out of the car, take in the landscape, and simply breathe. The road curves along the water, and if the sky is clear, you may catch your first distant glimpse of the volcano.

From there, you continue around the lake, pass the Arenal Dam, and within about fifteen minutes, you arrive at Tabacón.

To reach the resort from LIR:

Drive east toward Liberia.
Turn south onto the Inter-American Highway toward Cañas.
Exit at Cañas and follow signs to Tilarán.
Turn left toward Lake Arenal.
Continue around the lake past the Arenal Dam.
Drive approximately fifteen minutes to arrive at the resort.

Domestic Flights to La Fortuna

Daily local flights operate from San José to La Fortuna.

The flight is short and offers beautiful aerial views of volcanoes, rainforest, and Lake Arenal. From the local airstrip, the drive to Tabacón takes about thirty minutes.

For travelers who prefer to minimize time on the road, this option can feel especially seamless.

Private Transportation

Many guests choose to arrange private land transportation in advance.

Air-conditioned vans and luxury SUVs are available through trusted operators. After a long international flight, it can be comforting to settle into the back seat and let the landscape unfold without worrying about navigation.

Costa Rica’s roads are generally well maintained, but mountain curves and changing weather conditions can make local knowledge helpful.

We always recommend coordinating transfers in advance for the smoothest arrival.

Renting a Car or Not?

If you plan to explore Arenal Volcano National Park, Lake Arenal, waterfalls, and surrounding towns, renting a car gives you flexibility.

If your focus is the thermal river, the spa, and simply being present in the rainforest, private transfers may be all you need.

Both options work well. It depends on the rhythm you want for your trip.

The Final Kilometers

The last stretch toward Tabacón feels different.

The rainforest closes in slightly around the road. The silhouette of Arenal becomes more defined. You might notice faint steam rising in the distance.

Arrival here is not dramatic. It is quiet. Grounded. Certain.

The journey is simple. The setting is extraordinary.

And once you arrive, the volcano becomes part of your view, your rhythm, and your memory of Costa Rica.