ttraveler

Does anyone know if Tabacon still offers day passes to persons not staying at the resort? If so do you know how much they are? Thanks

shillmac

There have been varying reports of prices. Guanacaste (frequent poster) says $65, but I think that includes a meal at the buffet, which I would NOT do. Check out their website--seems like it gives pricing info there. $29 for a day pass in December of 2003. . .hopefully it isn't too much more now. . .we were able to go in the a.m. and return at night with the same bracelet.

ttraveler

Yes, I looked on the website but wasn't sure if the information was current. Perhaps I will give them a call to find out. The last time I was there was in 2000 and it sounds like a lot has changed at the resort. We stayed at the resort at that time so we were just able to come and go. Thanks

guanacaste

ive given up on quoting prices at Tabacon, heard so many different rates, as shillimac says avoid the overpriced food and try and keep the drinks to a minimum.

shillmac

http://www.tabacon.com/day-passes

I'm pretty sure these day pass prices are current--more than 2003! Still worth it, I think--if you have time to spend the day. You can always leave like we did and return. Loved it in the a.m. before lunch and again at night. It's nice to see all the beautiful landscaping that isn't obvious at night.

cmerrell

Hi ttraveler,

I visited Tabacon last month. We paid 35$ for the evening pass (after 7:00 p.m.). This did not include the buffet. The day pass (without buffet) was 45$. Shillmac's link has the up-to-date information.

ttraveler

I called Tabacon today to find out the rates and they are as you said..I think I already may be too late though. We are a party of either five or six and the day passes were already sold out. He only had day and night passes with dinner. They day passes were actually five dollars cheaper then the night passes unless I misunderstood him which is possible. He only had five day/dinner passes left. I really would like to go to Tabacon as I have been there twice before and loved it. If this isn't possible which other hot springs would you suggest? Thanks

shillmac

We thought Baldi was okay, but Eco Thermales seems to get better reviews. Haven't been there. I am a little torn because we are taking our daughter, son-in-law, his mom, and our son. Our son has been, but the others haven't. And it is something they've heard us talk about and they really want to see it. I hate paying those prices--ridiculous. $45 should get one in all day--and night. Even then, it's too steep. A little gouging going on. . .

jkheigle

I wish we had gone to one of the hot spas of the area.... but we ran out of time, and yes.... we were there for 2 full days, 3 nights at Lost Iguana.

Tabacon looked very enticing. So did Eco Thermales and Baldi.

CALL the resorts. You should purchase an international calling card for very little monies and call these places directly! They do answer the phone. The calling card is cheap. Your home phone is not. I know this. I just got back from CR and I got my bill. Oooops. Nonetheless, you'll likely have to make a credit card reservation which will require a fax.... and that is another matter. Good luck, have fun.

ttraveler

Yes, It probably is price gouging but I have been there twice before and I loved Tabacon. I haven't been to any of the others so I can't compare it. When we have gone before.. the last in 2000 and sometime in the 90's we stayed at the resort. The prices are way high now to stay even with the springs included.
So, if I can get the passes to go to Tabacon we will go and enjoy.. Who knows if there will be another time??

guanacaste

Baldi is the worst of all the springs!
my fave is Eco Thermales, but if youre a tourist Tabacon is more ´glam´

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/la_for...ngs/index.html

ttraveler

Well we are tourists...and I do love Tabacon but there is a good chance that I won't be able to get passes to Tabacon. If that is the case it's good to hear that you love Eco Thermales. I am going to look at the website. Thanks

guanacaste

CR is a good place to be a tourist
if you cant get a pass to Tabacon then definitely Eco Thermales, i way prefer it!!
you need to book it as they limit numbers!
your hotel will do this for you!

ttraveler

How is the food at eco thermales? Is it worth eating there or should we eat before we go? The website looks nice and it would be something different for me to experience.. Now I just need to find out if we are a party of five or six..

guanacaste

last time i was there they did a great chicken BBQ, not sure about the actual restaurant food.
in la fortuna, el novillo, don rufinos- more dinner place than lunch- las nenes are my fave places to eat:


http://costa.rica.typepad.com/la_for...una/index.html


p.s: make sure you have a fruit shake at the bar right by the pool at Eco- my fave is pineapple- its an honesty bar, so unlike at Tabacon you can leave your wallet in the locker!!

shillmac

ttraveler, I love Tabacon, too. I think it is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever seen. We have been lucky in 2 visits not to experience crowds, though. As I mentioned, it's been 3 years and Costa Rica has been "discovered" by the world. I'm sure we won't be able to resist taking our group there.

About Eco Thermales, my friend Neta Talmor, who used to post on Fodor's and was a great help to many, thought it was an excellent alternative to Tabacon. When she first told me about it, it was virtually undiscovered. That was in early 2004. She thought it was a great little hidden treasure, owned by the Hidalgo family (still is, I think). They are way busy now! Amazing, isn't it?

By the way, for those who know her, Neta and Arbel will soon be moving to Canada. They are doing well and continuing to enjoy life to the fullest as they always do!

ttraveler

We are going to Tabacon!! We were able to get day passes that include dinner.$60 per person. I am excited. Sure hope everyone else enjoys the springs as much as I do.

shillmac

They will. . .enjoy!