There are no hot springs on the beach in Tamarindo. The warm water and the mineral mud are inland, on the slopes of the volcanoes you can see on a clear day along the northeastern horizon. The good news: three of our day trips include them, each with a different style.
Where the heat comes from
The Guanacaste volcanic range, with volcanoes such as Orosí, Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles and Tenorio, runs across the north of the province. Deep below it, magma heats the rock. Rainwater seeps down through cracks, warms up as it goes deeper and comes back to the surface in several forms:
- Hot springs: heated groundwater that flows out and fills natural pools or is channeled into baths.
- Fumaroles: vents that release steam and volcanic gases, often with the rotten-egg smell of sulfur.
- Mud pots: places where steam and gas bubble up through wet clay and make it boil.
This underground heat is so steady that Costa Rica uses it to generate electricity in this same region. For travelers, it means warm water and soft clay you can actually enjoy.
What a volcanic mud bath is
The mud is fine clay mixed with water and minerals from the volcanic ground. The routine is simple: you spread a layer over your skin, let it dry in the sun until it tightens and turns pale, then rinse it off and slide into warm water. People love it for the soft feeling on the skin and, honestly, for the fun of looking like a statue for ten minutes. We do not promise medical benefits; enjoy it as a relaxing end to an active day.
Which Conchita tours include them
None of these is a spa day. They are adventure days that finish with something warm, which is the best possible way to end hours of activity.
Cañón de la Vieja combo: volcanic mud baths
The Cañón de la Vieja adventure combo packs canopy, tubing, rafting and horseback riding into one day near Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, then ends with volcanic mud baths. Lunch is included. Price: $220 per person.
Guachipelín combo: natural hot springs
The Guachipelín adventure combo also takes place at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja: canopy, horseback riding and tubing, then time to relax in natural hot springs. The price depends on availability, so it is quoted on request.
Miravalles and Las Hornillas: fumaroles and thermal mud
The Miravalles Volcano and Las Hornillas tour is the most volcanic of the three. You walk near steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, visit waterfalls and finish in thermal mud baths. Price on request.
| Cañón de la Vieja | Guachipelín | Miravalles / Las Hornillas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm part | Volcanic mud baths | Natural hot springs | Thermal mud baths |
| Also includes | Canopy, tubing, rafting, horseback riding, lunch | Canopy, horseback riding, tubing | Fumaroles, mud pots, waterfalls |
| Price | $220 per person | On request | On request |
| Best for | Active travelers who want everything in one day | Those who mainly want a long warm soak after the action | Curious travelers who want to see volcanic activity up close |
Torn between the two Rincón de la Vieja combos? Read Cañón de la Vieja vs Guachipelín. For a wider look at the volcanoes you can visit, see volcano tours from Tamarindo. Ask us about pickup from your hotel when you book any of these trips.
Tips to enjoy the warm water safely
- Drink water before, during and after. Heat and sun dehydrate you faster than you think, especially after a morning of activity.
- Take off silver jewelry. The sulfur in the water and mud can darken silver quickly. Leave rings, chains and earrings at your hotel.
- Keep sessions short. Soak for a while, get out, cool down and go back in. Staying too long in hot water can make you dizzy or lightheaded.
- Ask your doctor first if you are pregnant or have heart problems or high blood pressure. Hot water is not for everyone.
- Wear an old swimsuit. The mud can stain light fabric for good. Dark colors are your friend.
- Bring a towel and a change of clothes, plus sandals for wet floors.
- Keep the mud away from your eyes and rinse well before you get into the pools.
- Stay on marked paths near fumaroles and mud pots: the ground can be extremely hot and the steam can burn.
- Save the beer for later. Alcohol and heat together make dizziness more likely.
When to go
Any time of year works. In the dry season, roughly December to April, a warm soak at the end of a dusty day feels great; in the green season, an afternoon shower over a hot pool is its own kind of pleasure. The North Pacific climate summary from the IMN explains the seasons, and information on the national parks around these volcanoes is published by SINAC. If you also want to see Río Celeste on the other side of the range, read why Río Celeste is blue.
Rest your legs in the estuary the next day
A volcano day is long and tiring in a good way. On the next day, keep it simple near town: the two-hour Tamarindo Estuary boat tour ($35 per person) is shaded and seated, perfect for tired legs, with crocodiles, howler monkeys and herons along the way. If your arms still have energy, paddle the mangroves on the kayak tour ($60 per person). Need help choosing between the three warm-water trips? Tell us what your group enjoys on the contact page and we recommend one, or send your date through booking to get a quote.
Updated November 10, 2026 · Written with the Conchita Tours guides.
Questions
Are there hot springs in Tamarindo?
Not in town. The closest hot springs and mud baths are on the slopes of the Guanacaste volcanoes, and you reach them on a full-day trip.
Which Conchita Tours trips include mud baths?
The Cañón de la Vieja combo ($220 per person) ends with volcanic mud baths, and the Miravalles and Las Hornillas tour includes thermal mud baths. The Guachipelín combo includes natural hot springs.
Why should I take off silver jewelry?
The sulfur in volcanic water and mud can darken silver. Leave your silver at the hotel.
Can I use the hot springs if I am pregnant?
Ask your doctor first. Hot water is not recommended for everyone, including people with heart problems or high blood pressure.
Does the volcanic mud stain clothes?
It can, especially light fabrics. Wear an old or dark swimsuit.
