Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, Costa Rica’s premier five-star resort and proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™, announces the launch of its new Arrival Experience – part of a long-term investment strategy designed to elevate the guest journey at every touchpoint.
This new gateway to the Thermal Resort marks the latest milestone in Tabacón’s broader vision to enhance every aspect of the experience through luxury, wellness, and sustainability. More than an architectural feature, it redefines how guests begin their connection with the natural world and Costa Rica’s only natural thermal river born at the base of the Arenal Volcano. This is where the signature Tabacón experience begins: a living river surrounded by tropical gardens, rainforest beauty, open-air spaces inspired by local artistry, and the sensory invitation to slow down and reconnect in these thermal waters.
Designed by Taller KEN, the new facilities connect the architecture with nature, and spaces flow with the forest’s topography. Key elements are crafted from river and volcanic stone from San Ramón, as well as fallen Guanacaste, teak, and cenizaro woods – each embodying the textures of the surrounding landscape. The project celebrates Costa Rican artistry through collaborations with Oldemar Rodríguez, who carved volcanic and river stones; Freddy Pérez, a third-generation woodworker blending wood and stone; Bernardo Urbina, whose contemporary furniture bridges design and nature; and Jonathan Barrantes, known for his intricate wood sculptures inspired by local flora and fauna. Together, their work transforms the space into a living expression of Tabacón’s inimitable beauty.
“Tabacón offers what no other resort can — a living thermal river and a sense of place that is entirely Costa Rican,” says Andrey Gomez, General Manager of Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa.
Since 2022, Tabacón has invested $7 million USD in a series of strategic enhancements that strengthen the resort’s leadership in sustainable luxury. These include the complete redesign of all guest rooms and suites, the construction of a new culinary production kitchen dedicated to preparing every dish entirely in-house ensuring full control over flavor, freshness, and artisanal quality upgrades to the thermal pool areas, and the completion of the Arrival Experience with 2,253m2 (24,251ft2) of new infrastructure on the site of the former conference facilities. This investment strategy will continue into 2026, further elevating the guest journey in alignment with evolving expectations and the brand’s core pillars of luxury, wellness, and sustainability.
Nestled at the base of Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano, Tabacón offers one of the world’s most authentic and naturally immersive luxury experiences. With 105 rooms and suites, the resort features mineral-rich thermal pools fed by a river that flows directly from the volcano itself. Guests enjoy open-air wellness experiences, rainforest surroundings, and cuisine crafted entirely in-house with local ingredients. Tabacón’s philosophy is rooted in authenticity: the luxury of being in a place where nature is not only present, but alive and flowing.
The resort’s Legacy of Regeneration guides every decision — from low-impact construction to reforestation programs and biodiversity protection. Through this philosophy, Tabacón also supports the local community with initiatives that include partnerships with nearby schools, cultural education programs, and job creation that prioritizes local talent. Sustainability is not just a value, but an operating principle that shapes every detail of the guest experience.
For more information and to book, visit www.tabacon.com.
