We spent three nights at Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, paying $875 total for our stay in January 2026.
The resort delivered the volcano views, peaceful surroundings, and included breakfast every day. It also had on-site hot springs, but were they worth it? Here’s what our stay was actually like, what I thought was worth the money, and who I’d recommend this resort to.
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Arenal Manoa at a Glance
Location: La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Stay: 3 nights
Room: Junior Room, 2 queen beds
What stood out: Volcano views, on-site thermal pools, peaceful property Breakfast: Included with our stay
What we paid: $875 total / about $290 per night
Best for: Travelers who want a relaxing resort experience without staying at one of La Fortuna’s most expensive properties
Why I Chose Arenal Manoa Over La Fortuna’s Famous Resorts
La Fortuna, Costa Rica is known for its hot springs, so that is a must-do when you’re there. In addition to hot springs on the property, I knew we wanted volcano views, a top notch breakfast and a beautiful property to relax in.
Many of the famous hot springs resorts – like Baldi Hot Springs, Tabacon, and The Springs – just couldn’t be justified by their price.
Most of the famous resorts do offer day passes, but I knew getting to enjoy those amenities without even leaving my own resort would be best.
Planning the rest of your trip?
Steal my 7-day Costa Rica itinerary for the full route through La Fortuna, Monteverde and Playa Conchal!
Arenal Manoa Experience: What Our Stay Was Actually Like
We arrived past sunset, checked in and drove to our villa.
Each room is extremely private and has its own paved walkway through lush greenery. It felt like we had splurged on a private villa rather than one of their standard rooms.
Waking up, rolling back the curtains on the wall-size window and seeing the plants and view of Arenal Volcano hiding behind the clouds was the perfect way to wake up.
The resort’s open air dining room also contributes to the calming vibe, where you can, again, sip your coffee and look out at the volcano.
We also happened to see a rarely sighted toucan in the trees, at which everyone dining there ran to the only couple that was carrying binoculars to take a peek.
The entire property felt incredibly peaceful and quiet, and we didn’t even realize we had neighbors just on the other side of the bushes.
Arenal Manoa Hot Springs: Are They Worth It?
Are Arenal Manoa’s hot springs worth it? Absolutely.
I loved having access to the secluded ponds without needing to reserve a time or wait for a spot. However, I’d describe them as warm springs rather than consistently hot springs.
The water ranged from cold to warm. If soaking in genuinely hot water is your priority, keep that distinction in mind before booking.
The hot springs were truly the biggest reason I chose to book this hotel in La Fortuna.
What drew me in was the 8 gorgeous ponds secluded at the back of the property, each lighting up a pink or blue color at night.
What surprised me:
I was shocked at just how available these were; I was a little worried we’d have to be waiting or rushing to find an empty pond to soak in for a bit.
The most relaxing moment was getting to enjoy one of the ponds with the big leaves covering it, listening to and watching the rain fall, all without getting damp from above.
If you want something more temperature regulated, there was a hot tub just outside the entrance to the springs, plus a whole other section near the entrance you could drive to with a pool that had even more volcano views, a bar and food options.
Arenal Manoa Rooms and Breakfast
Our Junior Room at Arenal Manoa
We had an insanely spacious room with two queen beds, A/C, and a mini fridge. Having these room amenities plus a private patio made it a great space to wake up for a slow morning or having a relaxing afternoon there.
Was I tempted to splurge on a Chato Room with a private plunge pool? Yes, but my pockets would not have liked that.
And honestly, with the resort ponds, pool and calming atmosphere, I don’t know that I would have spent much time in my own pool.
Breakfast
Considering the nightly rate included breakfast, the spread included everything we would have needed or wanted.
The morning at Arenal Manoa was more than just breakfast; it was a perfect enhancement to the slow and relaxing pace, removing the need to immediately make a decision regarding breakfast in the morning.
Dining at Arenal Manoa: La Seca Restaurant
This was one of the only things on the resort property that wasn’t worth it.
I would not go out of my way to dine at their in-house restaurant, La Seca, again. Convenience won on our first night and we ate there, but I probably wouldn’t go again.
The food was find, nothing special, and pricier than what you’d get at a local spot.
Final Verdict: Who Should Stay at Arenal Manoa?
For me, Arenal Manoa hit the sweet spot between “beautiful resort” and “I don’t need to spend $500+ a night to enjoy it.”
For us, Arenal Manoa was a great place to stay in La Fortuna if you want on-site hot springs without paying Tabacon prices.”
Would I stay here again?
If I had 3 nights in La Fortuna, I’d choose Arenal Manoa again because I think 3 nights gives you enough time to actually enjoy the property rather than treating it as a place to sleep.
If I only had 1 or 2 nights, I might actually splurge on a higher dollar spot like Tabacon or The Springs if you can find a good deal.
Worth it if you want:
✓ Volcano views
✓ Hot springs on-property
✓ A peaceful resort
✓ Breakfast included
✓ A place where you can slow down
Maybe skip it if you want:
→ Walkability to La Fortuna town
→ A more social atmosphere
→ To spend most of your time away from the hotel
→ The cheapest possible accommodation
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