The Tucano Casita is one of 3 charming cottages and 3 tree houses at our Bio Thermales Hot Springs natural resort organically integrated into our 35 acre rainforest preserve with 12 natural hot and 2 cool springs pools in the north-central Costa Rican heartland. Guests enjoy free access from 9 am to 10 pm to the hot and cool springs pools and rainforest trails. The space The Tucano (Toucan) casita is a masonry block cottage with many artistically handcrafted wood work and furniture and hand carved exterior and interior doors. The kitchen is small but well equipped for cooking. The bathroom is tiled, some tiles are hand carved with local animals, and it has a flash on-demand water heater for the shower. Please message us before booking if we will be either your first or last destination in Costa Rica to before booking if you wish to drive directly from the airport to us, so we can determine if this is safe and feasible. All roads from the SJO airport pass through cloud forests, which can be foggy even in the day, causing poor visibility on narrow, curving mountain roads, especially after sunset 5:30 and night driving is highly discouraged until drivers have quite some experience on Costa Rican roads. We highly recommend booking on weekdays for more privacy and tranquility, as we have more day visitors from 9 am to 6 pm to our hot springs on the weekends, especially Sundays. If your reservation includes a Sunday, we highly recommend planning a day outing to the many wonderful nearby activities. We cannot guarantee our usual tranquil conditions on Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm. Our hot springs are ancient “deep Earth” sources that bubble up through the rainforest floor, bringing mineral-rich waters that have been in the Earth for at least 10,000 years. Our waters are rich in bicarbonates, calcium and magnesium, low in sulfur, and slightly acidic, qualities shared by many of the world's best hot springs. Tucano Casita features (see floor-plan for all details): • Air-conditioning (but you probably won't need it) • All onsite hot springs and recreation activities included • Queen sized bed with orthopedic mattress and hypoallergenic bedding • Twin-sized bed/settee with thick foam mattress and hypoallergenic bedding • Hand-crafted rustic furniture from naturally harvested trees on the land • Kitchen with refrigerator, micro-wave, coffee maker, electric skillet and basic kitchenware • Tiled bathroom with real hot-water heater • Porch with handmade rocking chair, swing, hammock • Maid service every 3 days included • Laundry service at extra charge per load • Short walk to rainforest and hot springs pools • No telephone or television • Hosts Kathy and Bernie live onsite • Languages: English, Spanish, German, limited French Note on wifi -- we have a fiber optic cable to the main office that is about 98% reliable, but had to install repeaters to bring wifi signal to the casitas and tree houses. The repeaters are not as reliable, especially in bad weather. However, we can help you send or receive email one way or another via the fiber optic cable. One time $10 cleaning fee; thereafter housecleaning services every 3 days are free. Bio Thermales Hot Springs features: • Our hot springs pools are all-natural mineral water just as it flows from the Earth • Rainforest Pools from 90° - 102°F (31° - 40°C) • Grotto Pools in meadow flow from the 104°F/42°C source pool onward into two larger and progressively cooler pools which are handicap-accessible and suitable for small children. The smallest has a small water slide for young children. • Two cool Thermal Pools in meadow is 90°F/31°C mineral water flowing from the thermal creek • 2 Fresh Spring Water swimming pools (all natural, continuous water flow) from a forest spring. Both cool spring pools have water slides. • Two Bathhouses in meadow (one of which is wheel chair accessible) and one in the rain forest with changing rooms, bathrooms and showers • “Ranchos” – roofed tables with concrete floors and grills for picnics Other Activities on our 35 acre rainforest reserve: • Bird-watching: many types of toucans, oropendulas, parrots, hummingbirds, and the rare green macaw • Rainforest: enjoy it from the casita porch or hot springs pools, take easy walks on paths or more adventurous hikes • Fossils – enjoy our collection or hunt (gently) for your own • Wildlife: two-toed sloths, iguanas, capuchin and mantled howler monkeys, tree frogs, birds, butterflies, even a jaguarundi if you are lucky and quiet. We are a 45 minute drive from the many activities in Fortuna and Volcano Arenal -- such as ziplines, hanging bridges, white water rafting, slow river floats or kayaking through wildlife sanctuaries -- or a 1.5 hour drive from La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Catarata del Toro or Volcano Poas National Park. We are happy to help guests arrange activities through trustworthy tour guides and companies. Bio Thermales Hot Springs is open to the public for day use of the hot springs, and most of our day visitors are Costa Ricans, so you may also meet new Tico friends. Bio Thermales is generally not crowded, however, except on major holidays and Sundays. Food/Meals: The casita has a kitchen. There are many restaurants and a good supermarket within a 15 minute drive. Traditional Costa Rican meals can be delivered from a local caterer for very reasonable prices (Costa Rican food is tasty but not spicy). Otherwise, we can call a taxi or driver. Driving from SJO airport: We highly recommend at least a small 4 wheel drive car. All roads to/from us are paved. Three hours of daylight are needed to safely drive here from the SJO airport before sunset at 5:30 pm. The drive through mountainous cloud forests is splendid in daylight, but prone to fog and rain, especially at night, creating hazardous visibility conditions after dark. Finding our countryside location will also be far easier if you arrive the first time before sunset. If your plane lands in the morning or mid-day, you can drive here directly from the airport. Otherwise, it is safer to book a room near the airport on your first night or we can help you arrange a private professional driver. Last night in Costa Rica: To drive directly to the SJO airport on the same day as your departing flight, you will need an afternoon or evening departing flight. For early morning departing flights, it is necessary to stay your last night near the airport. Guest access Guests enjoy free access to the hot springs, swimming pools and rainforest trails from 9 am to 10 pm. We do not recommend entering the rainforest after dark, but the meadow hot and cool springs (including water slides) may be used day or night because there are lights and wildlife normally do not enter this area because of the cut grass. Laundry: we have a full laundry facility and we will do laundry for $5 per load (wash, dry and fold). Other things to note Day visitors and groups are permitted entrance to use the hot springs and cool springs pools from 9 am to 6 pm. There are usually more day visitors on weekends, especially Sundays, and we recommend booking week days for more tranquility and privacy. If guests book a longer reservation that includes a Sunday, we recommend planning a day tour in the many nearby activities on Sundays. Day visitors must leave by 6 pm, and only casita and Tree House guests may use the pools after 6 pm and enjoy unlimited access to the pools, with the exception of no nighttime use of the forest pools, and cleaning schedule as noted above. We recommend for buying and bringing groceries to cook your first evening and/or next morning breakfast, because we are 4 km from the main paved road and driving after dark is highly discouraged until drivers have quite some experience on Costa Rican roads. Also, most guests prefer to settle in upon arrival and not to have to get back in the car and drive out to dinner. We do not have a liquor license and guests must bring their own beer/wine/rum etc. The tap water is safe to drink, and we sell soft drinks, fruit juices, and other non-alcohol beverages, snacks and ice cream. The large pool with 2 cold water slides is closed for cleaning every Monday and Friday from 2 pm onwards Si necesitas mosquitero por favor informar . La secadora de cabello se solicita en recepción.

## Overview

The Tucano Casita is one of three charming cottages and three tree houses located at Bio Thermales Hot Springs, a natural resort seamlessly integrated into a 35-acre rainforest preserve in north-central Costa Rica. The property features 12 natural hot springs pools and 2 cool springs pools. Guests have complimentary access to the hot and cool springs pools and rainforest trails daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

## The Space

The Tucano (Toucan) Casita is a masonry block cottage showcasing artistically handcrafted woodwork and furniture, including hand-carved exterior and interior doors. The kitchen is compact but well-equipped for cooking needs. The bathroom is tiled, with some tiles hand-carved featuring local animals, and includes a flash on-demand water heater for the shower.

Please contact us before booking if this will be your first or last destination in Costa Rica and you plan to drive directly from the airport. This allows us to assess if the journey is safe and feasible. Roads from San José International Airport (SJO) pass through cloud forests that can be foggy during the day, resulting in poor visibility on narrow, winding mountain roads. Night driving after 5:30 pm is strongly discouraged unless you have significant experience driving on Costa Rican roads.

We recommend booking stays during weekdays for greater privacy and tranquility, as weekends—especially Sundays—tend to have more day visitors from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. If your reservation includes a Sunday, consider planning a day trip to nearby attractions since the usual peaceful atmosphere cannot be guaranteed during peak visiting hours.

Our hot springs are ancient deep-earth sources that emerge through the rainforest floor, delivering mineral-rich waters that have been underground for at least 10,000 years. The waters contain bicarbonates, calcium, and magnesium, are low in sulfur, and slightly acidic—qualities shared by many of the world’s finest hot springs.

## Tucano Casita Features

(Refer to the floor plan for complete details)

- Air conditioning (typically not necessary)
- Complimentary access to all onsite hot springs and recreational activities
- Queen-sized bed with orthopedic mattress and hypoallergenic bedding
- Twin-sized bed/settee with thick foam mattress and hypoallergenic bedding
- Handcrafted rustic furniture made from naturally harvested trees on the property
- Kitchen equipped with refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, electric skillet, and basic kitchenware
- Tiled bathroom with real hot-water heater
- Porch furnished with a handmade rocking chair, swing, and hammock
- Maid service every three days included
- Laundry service available at an additional charge per load
- Short walk to the rainforest and hot springs pools
- No telephone or television
- Hosts Kathy and Bernie live onsite
- Languages spoken: English, Spanish, German, and limited French

### Wi-Fi Information

The main office is connected via fiber optic cable with approximately 98% reliability. Wi-Fi signal is extended to the casitas and tree houses using repeaters, which may be less reliable, especially during bad weather. We can assist guests in sending or receiving emails through the fiber optic connection.

### Cleaning Fee

A one-time cleaning fee of $10 applies; thereafter, housecleaning every three days is complimentary.

## Bio Thermales Hot Springs Amenities

- All-natural mineral water pools sourced directly from the Earth
- Rainforest pools with temperatures ranging from 90°F to 102°F (31°C to 40°C)
- Grotto pools located in the meadow, starting at 104°F (42°C) and flowing into two larger, progressively cooler pools; these are wheelchair accessible and suitable for small children. The smallest pool includes a small water slide for young kids.
- Two cool thermal pools in the meadow at 90°F (31°C), fed by thermal creek mineral water
- Two fresh spring water swimming pools with continuous natural flow from a forest spring; both have water slides
- Three bathhouses with changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers—two in the meadow (one wheelchair accessible) and one in the rainforest
- “Ranchos” — roofed picnic tables with concrete floors and grills

## Additional Activities on the Rainforest Reserve

- Birdwatching featuring toucans, oropendolas, parrots, hummingbirds, and the rare green macaw
- Rainforest exploration from the casita porch or hot springs pools, with options for easy walks or more challenging hikes
- Fossil collection on-site and opportunities for gentle fossil hunting
- Wildlife sightings including two-toed sloths, iguanas, capuchin and mantled howler monkeys, tree frogs, birds, butterflies, and occasionally a jaguarundi

## Nearby Attractions

The resort is a 45-minute drive from Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, where guests can enjoy ziplining, hanging bridges, white-water rafting, slow river floats, and kayaking through wildlife sanctuaries. It is also 1.5 hours from La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Catarata del Toro, and Poás Volcano National Park. We are happy to assist with arranging activities through reputable tour guides and companies.

## Public Access and Visitor Information

Bio Thermales Hot Springs welcomes day visitors to use the hot springs. Most day visitors are Costa Rican locals, offering a chance to meet new friends. The resort is generally uncrowded except on major holidays and Sundays.

## Food and Meals

The casita includes a kitchen for self-catering. Numerous restaurants and a well-stocked supermarket are within a 15-minute drive. Traditional Costa Rican meals can be delivered from a local caterer at reasonable prices. Costa Rican cuisine is flavorful but not spicy. We can also arrange taxis or drivers if needed.

## Driving from San José International Airport (SJO)

We strongly recommend renting at least a small four-wheel-drive vehicle. All roads to and from the resort are paved. To drive safely from SJO before sunset (5:30 pm), allow at least three hours of daylight. The route passes through mountainous cloud forests, which are beautiful during the day but prone to fog and rain at night, reducing visibility. Arriving before sunset makes locating the countryside property easier.

If your flight arrives in the morning or early afternoon, driving directly from the airport is feasible. Otherwise, consider staying near the airport the first night or let us help you arrange a private professional driver.

For departures, if your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can drive directly to the airport on the same day. Early morning flights require spending the previous night near the airport.

## Guest Access

Guests have free access to the hot springs, swimming pools, and rainforest trails from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. We advise against entering the rainforest after dark. However, the meadow hot and cool springs, including water slides, are accessible day or night as the area is lit and wildlife typically avoids the mowed grass.

## Laundry Services

A full laundry facility is available. Laundry is done for $5 per load, including washing, drying, and folding.

## Additional Notes

- Day visitors and groups may use the hot springs and cool springs pools from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Weekends, especially Sundays, tend to be busier with day visitors.
- For longer stays including Sundays, we suggest planning day trips to nearby attractions.
- Day visitors must leave by 6:00 pm. Only casita and tree house guests have unlimited pool access after 6:00 pm, except for no nighttime use of the forest pools.
- We recommend purchasing groceries for your first evening and breakfast, as the casita is 4 km from the main paved road, and driving after dark is discouraged unless you have significant local driving experience.
- Most guests prefer settling in upon arrival rather than driving out for dinner.
- The property does not have a liquor license; guests should bring their own alcoholic beverages.
- Tap water is safe to drink. We sell soft drinks, fruit juices, snacks, and ice cream.
- The large pool with two cold water slides is closed for cleaning every Monday and Friday from 2:00 pm onward.
- If you require a mosquito net, please inform us in advance.
- Hair dryers are available upon request at reception.

Kathy & Bernie

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

Studio in La Palmera

Tucano Rainforest Casita with Hot Springs. - Bungalows for Rent in La Palmera, Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica

Great stay. Would stay again. Remember you are in the rainforest so lots of critters and sounds all day and especially night. They sometimes like to hang with you at night. The pools are great and the masseuse was amazing. Highly recommend. Just know that you are staying in a rustic type place.

This was such a special place to stay. It’s immediately clear that this property is deeply loved by its owners and caretaker. Every space is thoughtfully maintained and filled with meaningful personal touches. Take some time to explore the grounds, and if you have the opportunity, ask Bernie and Kathy to share the stories behind the property—they’ve created something truly unique. We especially loved the beautiful stained glass throughout and the way the artwork tells the story of the property’s history and spirit. Although the thermal pools attract local visitors on weekends, we never felt crowded. There was plenty of space to relax, and everyone was respectful of the property and other guests. If you’re looking for a peaceful alternative to the larger, more touristy hot springs, this is an excellent choice. The kitchen is well stocked and had everything we needed for preparing simple meals. The property offers snacks and can arrange meal delivery, but that’s about it. We loved it!

It was very nice. The bungalow was well equipped, and Kathy was wonderful! She showed us all that there are fresh fish to buy right on site, homemade chocolate, and the pools are fun. You have to be aware that the pools are also open to day visitors. We were there from Monday to Thursday, and it was never too crowded for us. It can probably get a bit crowded on the weekend. There is also a hiking trail that has some informative signs. We will probably stop again on the way back to get to know Bernie as well.

Es war sehr schön, der Bungalow war gut ausgestattet, Kathy war wundervoll! Sie hat uns allen gezeigt, es gibt frische Fische direkt vor Ort zu kaufen, selbst gemachte Schokolade und die Pools machen Spaß. Man muss sich bewusst sein, dass die Pools auch für Tagesbesucher geöffnet sind, wir waren von Montag bis Donnerstag dort und es war nie zu voll für uns. Am Wochenende kann es wahrscheinlich etwas voll werden. Es gibt auch einen Wanderweg, der mit einigen informativen Schildern ausgestattet ist. Wir werden wahrscheinlich auf dem Rückweg noch mal halt machen, um auch Bernie noch kennen zu lernen.

Wonderful place! Kathy and Bernie are very helpful. The hot springs and grounds are beautiful. Great, well appointed accommodations! This was my second stay and I can't wait to go back!

Wow, a beautiful place full of love, impeccably clean! Thank you for sharing your corner of the country.

woow un endroit magnifique plein d'amour,  une propreté impeccable ! mercii de partager votre coin de pays

Nice warm hot spring pools at a reasonable price in a beautiful setting.

Definitely our favourite stop on our two week trip. The casita was very comfortable and had everything needed to cook if you like as there is no restaurant on site. They do have a local soda that delivers, and the food was delicious and affordable for sure. Hot springs were from 42* to 32* and clean, as well as the large cool pool. Needed as the temp was over 30* ! Bernie showed us a few things including a ghost bird ! Apparently a rare sighting in Costa Rica. Great spot to relax for a couple days if your in the area.

Beautiful stay in a perfect setting! Enjoying the hot springs surrounded by howler monkeys, waterslides for our son and the visit of a peacock on our balcony in the morning. Great service from hosts who do everything to make you feel good. We loved our little casita! Thanks again for everything!

Magnifique séjour dans un cadre parfait! Profiter Des Sources chaudes entourés de singes hurleurs, glissades d’eau pour notre fils et la visite d’un paon sur notre balcon le matin. Superbe service des hôtes qui font tout pour qu’on se sente bien. On a adoré notre petite casita! Encore merci pour tout!

Kathy and Bernie were great. They have built an amazing paradise to stay in. It is well maintained.  Bernie was kind enough to take time from his day to show us his chocolate making and fish farm. Highly recommended!

We had the most magical stay at Kathy and Bernie’s place. It was tranquil, relaxing, and so peaceful. We loved laying in bed hearing the rain in the rainforest, the wild birds chirping. The hot springs were so secluded in the jungle and not very many people, it was just what we needed after hiking to waterfalls all day. There are several drivable hikes to beautiful waterfalls within an hour away and La fortuna was about 45 minutes so that was nice. We saw a peacock right on our front porch and a monkey swinging in the trees above the hot springs on the property. It was an amazing stay and we would have to definitely recommend this place!

I can't say enough about how wonderful this place is. We were there for almost a month and kept saying that we should do something touristy, but we never wanted to leave. We soaked in hot springs and swam in the pools (the slide is amazing) every day. There are pools with different temperatures, so we'd be in a hot pool with our baby floating right next to us in a cooler pool. We saw SO many animals. Howler and capuchin monkeys, toucans, oropendulas, Jesus lizards, macaws, humming birds, and on and on. All the time a new amazing creature would just walk by our front porch. I cannot recommend this place enough.

Great stay with nice hot springs on-site.

Our third visit to this magical place, and as always- the amount of wildlife and natural beauty is incredible. The hosts and staff are wonderful, as is their recommended guide, Frank, who takes care of shuttles to the airport and offers tours. The best place in Costa Rica, can't wait to return!!

The stay in Bio Thermales is fantastic. In the middle of the rainforest, wonderful natural hot water baths of different temperatures. A wonderful relaxing place. Also a lot of flora and fauna on the complex.

Het verblijf in Bio Thermales is fantastisch. Midden in het regenwoud heerlijke natuurlijke warmwaterbaden van verschillende temperaturen. een heerlijke relax plek. Ook veel flora en fauna op het complex.

It was the last stop on our Costa Rican vacation and was the best! Incredible grounds. Beautiful hot springs. Amazing birds and monkeys. Clean, well equipped, friendly host and staff.

My wife and I spent a night here in the original rental cabin. It was a really nice little cabin with lots of details that are handmade, like the front and interior doors. Or the little stained glass window, and the carved wood door frame and handmade chairs. Very beautiful. We went on a Sunday, so the pools were a little busy for the day with day pass holders. But still good atmosphere. Approaching 6 when the day pass holders leave it was very quiet and tranquil. So many birds around as well. Bernie and Kathy brought us down and showed us a Potoo bird in a tree, which you would have never seen unless you knew it was there. Overall a great stay and good chats with Bernie and Kathy.

Such a wonderful family friendly environment. We used the hot springs daily. We hope to visit again soon. Thanks for everything Kathy and Bernie. The girls are still talking about our stay.

Super cute cabin. Great waters and beautiful nature around. I loved it

Beautiful cabin with lots of birds to see and a super friendly peacock 😍 Hot springs very nice and clean.

Well maintained, beautiful property. Friendly staff and amazing chocolate! Thanks to all the staff! Pura Vida!

Everything was great! Great value, super clean, hot springs were great, cool place to stay while road tripping through Costa Rica

What an amazing place, the cottage was absolutely beautifully furnished and clean and had everything you need it. The team was helpful, friendly and went out of their way to make it a memorable stay.

We had a great time. Last night in the hot springs at night, the best!!! and this morning, pure happiness. we were able to observe toucans, a monkey, a peacock plus hummingbirds and lots of other birds. A joy. Thank you very much. 🥰

nous avons passé un super moment . hier soir dans les sources d eau chaude de nuit, le top !!! et ce matin , un bonheur. nous avons pu observer des toucans, un singe , le paon plus des colibris et pleins d'autres oiseaux . un bonheur. milles merci 🥰

Kathy and Bernie’s place was great. Just as described and clean. The amenities were great. I never really communicated with Kathy and Bernie but Johan (the property manager I think) was GREAT! We had a late check in and he was very accommodating. We also had a night tour that he was very flexible with allowing us in the property after the portón closed. Overall a great stay.

My husband and I first time in Costa Rica and this place is absolutely beautiful. I was so grateful to stay here for 4 days. Johnah responded promptly and help us with our late check in because of the traffic from the airport. Cute and friendly pets Pepe and Capacito they’re so sweet. The entire peoprty is a getaway dream and I am so thankful I spent my CR trip here ! My favorite was the thermal pools! Everything do was clean and the staff was very friendly !

Hands down the best place we stayed at while in Costa Rica. We will absolutely be coming back.

Cute place in an open to the public park.  Front gates get locked at night and open in the morning.  We left at 8 am and couldn’t find anyone to let us out so we left the key on the counter and opened the front gate.  My only complaints were the springs were barely warm. The ones they said were hot were cold. All were the same temp and most were very muddy. Can’t say I would do it again.

Wonderful! Don’t hesitate to book this place! You will not regret the peaceful atmosphere and the beauty of the surrounding nature! This was my second time back and already looking forward to returning again.

Very clean and unique place to stay, the hot pools were great to just relax after a long day or in the morning. Would love to come back!

Really cute cabin. The hot springs in nature were really cool. We saw monkeys and lizards while relaxing in the hot spring all day. Only stayed one night but woke up the next day at 8am and spent hours in the hot spring before checking out. Good experience.

This was our second time here. We loved it. One of the highlights for us is all the animals you can see while you're here. It's amazing! Thank you again for hosting us!

This was a very unique stay and well worth the visit. We have two young children, (2 & 3) and we all loved it!

we loved this place and hope to come back!

Wow!! I feel like I was in a dream. Funky, cool paradise. The casitas are so nice the grounds are beautiful and the thermal pools amazing. I want to live there. Costa Rica at it’s best. The owners have developed an amazing retreat.

this place is magical, we were seduced by this environment in the heart of the rainforest. the hot springs and the care provided by francina were moments out of time for us. thanks Kathy and Bernie

cet endroit est magique, nous avons été séduit par cet environnement au cœur de la forêt tropicale. les sources chaudes et les soins prodigués par francina ont été pour nous des moments hors du temps. merci Kathy et Bernie

We had a wonderful stay! Every detail was well done. Very efficient and not fussy. The pools were so varied. We had a fun walk up the hill. Enjoyed the birds even the visiting pet peacock!!

It's really nice place! Hot springs are great! Great value for the money I recommend

L'endroit est vraiment sympa ! Les sources chaudes c'est top ! Très bon rapport qualité /prix Je recommande

What an amazing place! We loved it. It's such a family friendly place and me and my son had a wonderful relaxing time there. Everything was perfect! We will definitely be back.

i have stayed at other accomodations on the property and each time it was great.  the hot springs being so close and numerous is a definite advantage..... having the option of having food delivered is definitely a plus... i'll be going again

It was beautiful to go bathing in the thermal springs at night

Es war wunderschön nachts in den den Thermalquellen baden zu gehen

This Is our second time here and we love it! The Hot Springs are beautiful and nature is everywhere! The price is great for all the amenities you can bring your own food there’s tons of grills and a full kitchen! Loved it, will definitely be back ❤️❤️

Just an amazing location and super friendly host. The surroundings are beautiful with lots of wildlife. The hot pools are relaxing. Get the massage if you can!

We stayed two nights in a treehouse and one night in a bungalow. There are so many wonderful things to say, it's hard to know where to begin. When we arrived, there was a sloth 6 ft off our balcony. It had moved on by the next morning, but that's how immersed into the jungle the location is set. The details put into the treehouse, the bungalow, and all the surrounding structures is mesmerizing with little lizards sculpted into lampposts, no detail went unthought out in how to make this location truly unique. Johan, the manager, helped us to understand the different sounds of the jungle and how to spot blue jean frogs. The hot springs were well cared for, clean, and diverse. The slides were fast and fun. The hike was well marked and the volcanic mud massages were heavenly bliss. I could not recommend this location more!

Stunning setting. Amazing drive to get there. Close to everything. Beautiful campus and kind people. The temperature of hot springs was perfect. Cannot recommend more.

Unique and quaint.  Hot spring pools were excellent.  Johan was so helpful and available.  Would recommend this to anyone  that likes to be away from the touristy atmosphere of La Fortuna.

Very cute! The location was a little off the beaten track, but with a rental car, it was no problem. We did not get a chance to try out the pools. The actual unit was great and very spacious.

A wonderful place to stay with lovely hot springs to relax in.  There were so many birds and things to enjoy on the hike on the property.  The casita had everything we needed.  I wish we had stayed in one of the treehouses for the better view and breeze but the casita was still a great option.

We really enjoyed our stay at Bio Thermales. Beautiful surroundings and very peaceful. Johan and his wife were very helpfully and friendly. We also love Pepe and enjoyed having a visit from her every morning and night. We enjoyed our time here very much. Would highly recommend and we will be returning! Thank you so much!

Kathy and Bernie have developed a peaceful getaway. Their staff was as kind and responsive as Kathy and Bernie. They sell snacks and water in the reception which is helpful when you travel with ittle ones. The pools are treated and cleaned. The pool slides are exciting for the little ones. You can see local fauna and you can hear the monkeys in the morning. Francina does extremely relaxing massages for a reasonable price. It was just a wonderful experience and I definitely plan to come again.

A unique find however the facilities are needing a good update.

AMAZING! I don't think we knew how beautiful & peaceful our very first stay in Costa Rica could be. Johan, Bernie, Kathy, staff and family were very laid back and welcoming, and offered so many magical tidbits about the land and animals. It's rare, but WE SAW A SLOTH 5 meters away! Various birds & monkeys & frogs were visible from our cabin/hotsprings. We got a taste of Bernie's side-project: chocolate from their own cacao trees. We stayed just over a week in their handcrafted bungalow, and cooked our meals in the kitchen. We didn't have a car, so Frank (hosts' contact) picked us up from the airport, offering to stop for photos at vistas, waterfall, and also at the grocery store so we could stock up. Every morning we'd hike the 30min hike (quite steep in places), and then spend the rest of the day alternating between cooking/eating, doing remote work, and mostly lounging in the various hotsprings which have different temps to suit our mood. The whole place feels like a project of love.

The accommodation is pleasant and access to the thermal baths and pools is really nice:)) Perfect for nature lovers. Throughout our stay, we were able to see several animals (toucans, howler monkeys, fireflies, iguanas) and more. 😍

Le logement est agréable et l'accès aux thermes et piscines est vraiment appréciable :)) Parfait pour les amoureux de la nature. Nous avons pu voir tout au long de notre séjour plusieurs animaux (toucans, singes hurleur, lucioles, iguanes) et plus encore. 😍

Great! Nice and nice place. We were able to spot a lot of animals. Definitely book a massage too, which is great!

Geweldig! Mooie en fijne plek. Wij hebben  heel veel dieren kunnen spotten. Boek ook zeker een massage, die is super!

The hot springs were the perfect way to relax after a long travel day. Hosts were so helpful with local recommendations and transportation.

My son and I greatly enjoyed our stay!  Johan was really really helpful and responsive.  The hot springs were amazing.  And we had a wonderful time on our tours with Frank, we was wonderful and accommodating !  Looking forward to next time!

Perfect little paradise in the jungle! One of our favorite places to visit. We will be back!

We wish we could have stayed longer. Bio Thermales is a gem of a place. So much to do for kids and adults alike. We absolutely loved the concept of having local Tico mingling with tourists! Submerge yourself in the local culture!

We learned a lot about nature and enjoyed the hot springs.Definitely recommend this stay . The staff is amazing !Easy going restful time .

We were on our second visit to Kathy and Bernie's and we once again loved our experience The hot baths booked in the evening, exclusively for the tenant, is simply extraordinary. I also want to stress that they were very understanding of us as we had to postpone our trip and they agreed to change our reservation.

Nous étions à notre deuxième visite chez Kathy et Bernie et nous avons encore une fois adorer notre expérience Les bains chaud réservés en soirée, exclusivement au locataires est tout simplement extraordinaire. Je tiens également à souligner qu'ils ont été d'une grande compréhension envers nous car nous avons du reporter notre voyage et ceux ci ont accepté de modifier notre réservation.

very nice place for a quiet stay, on the other hand there are people from outside who come to spend the day there. It didn't really bother us since we went exploring all day . All the houses are beautiful, but the one we chose ( Tucan) is next to an unloaded enclosure which was inconvenient for the beauty of the place and the bedroom that's what we saw. On the grounds you can see a lot of animals and birds , the hot springs are very pleasant. The place is about 1h30-2h away from the tours of Poas and Arenal but the road is worth it. In summary, I still recommend this place, but for the view we had of our bedroom, I can't put 5 stars.

très bel endroit pour un séjour tranquille, par contre il y a des gens de l'extérieurqui viennent y passer la journée. cela ne nous a pas vraiment déranger puisque nous partions en exploration tout la journée . Toutes les maisons sont magnifique, mais celle que nous avions choisi ( Tucan) est à côté d'un enclos à débarras ce qui gênait pour la beauté de l'endroit et de la chambre c'est ce qu'on voyait. Sur le terrain on voit beaucoup d'animaux et d'oiseaux , les sources thermales sont bien agréable. L'endroit est à environ 1h30-2h des visites de Poas et Arenal, mais la route en vaut la peine. En résumé je recommande quand même cet endroit, mais pour la vue que nous avions de notre chambre à couché je ne peux pas mettre 5 étoiles.

Great place to stay. It was nice using the hot springs at night!

Very nice little cabin. There were very few ppl around on Monday, so we could enjoy the hot springs in private. We saw quite a few iguanas. We were very well taken care.  I was impressed with the service we received.

Bernie greeted us when we arrived and showed us around the cabin and grounds. We only stayed one night and wish it was longer.  One of the most relaxing days ever! Lots of extra little touches that make the place special. We will definitely go back and highly recommend!!

This place was pretty easy to find on Waze. The scenery just getting up there is amazing! We loved the hot springs and pool. It was a great relaxing time for our last days in Costa Rica. Definitely recommend.

In the middle of nature in the heart of the forest. The accommodation is original and comfortable. We stayed one night and work half a day, the quality of wifi is perfect! In addition, access to the pools is included. Recommended!

En pleine nature au cœur de la forêt. L’hebergement est originale et confortable. Nous avons passé une nuit et travailler une demi-journée la qualité de wifi est parfaite ! En plus l’accès aux piscines est inclut. Je recommande !

Biothermales was an excellent place to be. We loved the detail in Tucano especially the carvings on the doors. It would have been nice to have a table to eat on inside. The pools were wonderful. We appreciated being told that it was in a remote location and that Sundays are busy days.

This place was above and beyond. The property is clean, adorable and full of activities. We only spent one night here and wish we would have been able to stay longer. The beds were comfy, the space was big, the wifi was strong, the hot springs had slides and were rad (and included in the price), there were monkeys and all sorts of wild life right outside my door/window always. The staff was wonderful and accommodating. They did our laundry for cheap and even folded it! The owner gave us a tour and is very environmentally conscious. They had snacks and things you could buy at the front area. Can’t say enough good things about this Airbnb.

A natural theme in the middle of the animal-rich forest full of iguanas in all forums and sizes. Lots of birds all around. The pools all have different temperatures cleaned daily and they refill. A large swimming pool and slides delight the swimmers and kids. Specially creative and artistically designed grounds and surroundings. Casitas with everything you could need. There are also treehouses and a new tower house with portholes. In 12 km distance, good shopping and restaurants, even a Chinese restaurant. (Agua Zarcas). Horseback riding.

Eine Naturterme mitten im tierreichen Wald voller Leguane in allen Fornmen und Grössen. Rundum viele Vögel. Die Pools haben alle verschiedene Temperaturen und werden täglich gereinigt und sie füllen sich neu auf. Ein grosses Schwimmbecken und Rutschen erfreuen die Schwimmer und die Kinder. Speziell kreativ und künstlerisch gestaltete Anlage und Umgebuing. Casitas mit Allem was man so braucht. Es gibt auch Baumhäuser und ein neues Turmhaus mit Bullaugen.. In 12 km Entfernujng gute Einkaufsmöglichkeiten und Restaurants, sogar ein Chinarestaurant. (Agua Zarcas). Reitmöglichkeit.

Kathy and Bernie's place is such a magical hidden gem. We made this our first stop after a long day of travel, and we're so glad we did. The Casita had everything we needed, and we loved being able to open the windows and sleep with the jungle sounds. The hot springs were the best way to welcome us to Costa Rica, the staff was wonderful, and we'd definitely stay here again!

Cannot recommend this place higher.  Very pleasant weekdays.  Recommend avoiding weekends.

The Hot Springs are amazing and the accommodations are both homey and appealing.  The waterslides are lots of fun, And the wildlife was very interesting.

Great place to explore! Beautiful, off the beaten path, low key vacation destination. Hot Springs were very enjoyable day and night. Bungalows were private, with above averagely set up. Not far from a number of day excursions, La Fortuna and Lake Arenal. Very family friendly or private enough for couples looking to unwind.

We’ve been here several times before. As always, it’s been a great stay!

This place was magical, the architecture of the little houses on the property and the access to multiple hot spring pools were so relaxing and beautiful also a cute little hike on the property was a bonus!

A cool place and unique experience! We loved using the hot pools in the evenings and cool pools in the morning before they opened to the public. Very clean place and saw cool wildlife around the grounds too

WOW! It is a truly magical experience to stay here. The houses are comfy and clean and well stocked with everything you need. It is incredible that these structures have been created one by one, all handmade, while sourcing lots of the material on the property. You’ll be astounded. Johan took the time to show us around, and give us insight into the mission of this beautiful property. What fantastic hosts! The Hot Springs themselves are magical, and well constructed. They thought of everything! I am so glad we just brought all our food to cook for ourselves for a couple days- So we could really just take in the magic of this place and not need to go anywhere else. It is peaceful and beautiful - do it!

We were not as impressed as others were. The location was good for us right in between La Fortuna and Sarapiqui.  This place was not horrible but not quite what we had expected after reading the reviews.   If you want peace and quiet stay away during the weekends! We were there Fri-Mon and it was an ongoing party with loud music persisting until around 6pm.  It was suggested that we find something to do away from the property on the weekend. Overall it was a rustic place with lots of potential.

We stayed here for 3 nights. For us, it was one of the most beautiful accommodations of our 3 week trip. The complex is nicely decorated. Even though it is artificially laid out, a lot of emphasis has been placed on making it look natural and fit into the landscape. In total, there are 9 pools with temperatures between 28 and 42 degrees. Also very suitable for families. Our one and a half year old son enjoyed the hot springs for splashing. The manager Johann speaks fluent English and is always helpful no matter what it is. For any question, he is available and also organizes typical Tico breakfast or dinner on request. He is also the first contact person for excursions. The facility works with Frank. Frank is a very friendly, likeable man who organizes and performs everything at a reasonable price from horseback riding to excursions to the Arenal volcano to ziplining. He creates a good vibe, knows the area very well and makes sure that you lack nothing. We felt very comfortable and in good hands. Both the complex and Frank (native Tico) are highly recommended. Thank you for this lovely experience to both of you

Wir waren hier drei Nächte. Für uns war es eine der schönsten Unterkünfte unserer 3 wöchigen Reise. Die Anlage ist schön eingerichtet. Auch wenn sie künstlich angelegt ist, ist sehr viel Wert darauf gelegt worden, dass es natürlich aussieht und ins Landschaftsbild passt. Insgesamt sind es 9 Pools mit Temperaturen zwischen 28 und 42 Grad. Auch sehr gut für Familien geeignet. Unser anderthalb jähriger Sohn hat die heißen Quellen zum planschen sehr genossen. Der Manager Johann spricht fließend Englisch und ist stets hilfsbereit egal um was es geht. Für jede Frage steht er bereit und organisiert auf Wunsch auch typisches Tico Frühstück oder Abendessen. Auch für Ausflüge ist er der erste Ansprechpartner. Die Anlage arbeitet mit Frank zusammen. Frank ist ein sehr freundlicher, sympathischer Mann, der von Pferdereiten über Ausflüge zum Vulkan Arenal bis hin zu Ziplining Alles zu angemessenen Preis organisiert und durchführt. Er sorgt für gute Stimmung, kennt die Gegend sehr gut und sorgt dafür, dass es einem an nichts mangelt. Wir haben uns sehr wohl und gut aufgehoben gefühlt. Sowohl die Anlage als auch Frank (gebürtiger Tico) sind wärmstens zu empfehlen. Danke für dieses schöne Erlebnis an beide

Very nice. The water at night as it is only for guests it becomes very private. And the ones on the mountain, being sheltered by the trees, there's no problem with the midday sun if you want.

Muy bonito. Las aguas en la noche al ser solo para los huespedes se vuelve muy privado. Y las de la montaña al estar abrigadas por los arboles no hay problema con el sol de medio dia si quiciera.

We highly recommend this experience! The pools and hot springs were very empty before and after public hours and the pools and cabin were clean and delightful. Definitely recommended!

Great spot! Pools are so nice. They're varied temperatures so you can switch between them for refreshing cool downs that aren't too cold.

Perfect place! It’s a really hidden gem. Value for money in best possible way. Just beautiful.

for the second time we were allowed to be Katy and Bernie's guests! Everything was perfect as expected, we could even order and have food delivered.. the nature trail in the grounds took us to bluejean poison frogs and white-school capuchin monkeys😁.. we could enjoy the bathroom almost alone for us! Thank you!

bereits zum 2.mal durften wir Katy und Bernies Gäste sein! alles war perfekt wie erwartet, wir könnten sogar Essen bestellen u.liefern lassen.. der Naturpfad im Gelände hat uns zu bluejeans-Pfeilgiftfröschen und Weissschulterkapuzineraffen gebracht 😁..das Bad konnten wir fast allein für uns geniessen! vielen Dank!

This is our second time staying here and are looking forward to our next time while in Costa Rica.  The pools were cleans and it was nice to have a variety of pools to chose from.  Our cabina was very clean and close walking distance to all the pools.  Johann, the manager, was a great host!

This was a nice brief little retreat. It was a great way to get away for a little and enjoy nature and the hot springs / pool. Very relaxing stay kind of in a tucked away area. So many different bird species on the property, and saw many iguanas as well. It was relaxing to sit in the hot springs and enjoy it. Met my expectations for a brief nature getaway, and Kathy/Bernie were helpful with any needs or questions I had.

Bio Termales is a magical place where you can both relax and explore. The pools are fabulous - they are a variety of temperatures, depths and shapes - and the hiking trails allow you to hike through the surrounding forest with ease. Our five-year-old daughter loved it just as much as we did. And the hosts and staff are wonderful in answering any questions you may have.

My husband and I stayed here on our way to Limon from Rio Celeste. Wow! What a hidden gem this is. One night is not enough here, I wish we could’ve stayed longer and enjoyed this beautiful property. The structures are so unique and beautiful. The treehouses looked very cool. We stayed in the toucan bungalow. Bernie was so nice and gave us a wonderful grand tour with lots of information. Hope we can come back some day to enjoy the beauty.

Very tranquil lovely place. The pools are amazing and a perfect stop after a long day of travel. Will definitely return!

Kathy and Bernie's place is amazing. The casita has all you need (for cooking and just enjoying), and outside you will find trails into the jungle as well as hot springs of different temperatures (depending on your mood) and a swimming pool. Youll be surrounded by wild life also: we saw many birds, 2 kinds of monkeys, frogs, and more. Highly recommended.

Beautiful location, pools were super, catered meal was yummy! Johan was very kind & helpful! Thank you for a great stay!