The 105-room Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa launched a Legacy of Regeneration, an operation-wide commitment to regenerative tourism that builds on its heritage as one of Costa Rica’s original eco resorts.

The commitment demonstrates how the resort’s founding principles of environmental stewardship, proactive community engagement, and wellness for both guests and employees are integrated into every aspect of the resort’s operations to create a model for luxury tourism with purpose.

© Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Among the various activities inviting guests to connect with nature and local culture are two new experiences for 2025 showcasing Tabacón’s unique natural riches: a Balneotherapy Concierge program and the opening of an exclusive hiking trail through the resort’s previously unexplored 900-acre reserve.

Tabacón’s new hiking trail provides guests with the opportunity to wander among the resort’s 900-acre reserve for the very first time. The experience, exclusive to resort guests, is led by a naturalist guide through the rainforest at the base of Arenal Volcano. This land was rewilded from pastureland more than 30 years ago and is now home to 200 species of plant and wildlife including wild pigs; colorful frogs; basilisk lizards; guava trees; and the impressive Kapok tree, known as the Costa Rican Broccoli Tree (said to be the inspiration for the Tree of Souls in the movie Avatar).

© Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

The trail also takes in the thermal springs and source of the Tabacón River, a view of an area that once housed a local village but was reclaimed by nature following Arenal Volcano’s eruption in 1968, and the Green Lagoon named after its lime-green hue and surrounding verdant rainforest. Guests can download the iNaturalist app onto their smartphones before the hike to log any wildlife spots in line with Tabacón’s ongoing nature mapping project. Hiking Trail options start from 1.5 hours, cost from $65 per person and are limited to groups of eight.

Tabacón is home to the largest thermal experience in Costa Rica, with 18 naturally flowing pools varying from 75 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. With the new Balneotherapy Concierge, visitors are provided with information and best practices about how to maximize the benefits of these therapeutic waters. Available to all thermal resort guests via QR download, the program features three suggested Balneotherapy Journeys: Detox & Renew, Skin Care Boost and Calm & Serene, identified based on the specific mineral composition of the water. Each journey includes details of the prescribed route, the optimal time spent in each pool, and advised hot and cold transitions.

© Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

The guide also highlights ways to further customize each journey with suggestions of drinks and dishes on the menu at Ave restaurant and spa treatments available in Spa at Tabacón, which complements the experience. Tabacón will simultaneously launch an immersive three-night Balneotherapy Concierge offer, which incorporates these dining and spa elements as part of a curated stay.

“Our ‘Legacy of Regeneration’ commitment focuses on making sustainable hospitality joyful and rewarding,” said Andrey Gomez, general manager, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. “We are blessed with natural resources and want to share these responsibly in a way that connects the dots — guests can see the source of the Tabacón river on a hike through our rainforest reserve, enjoy a restorative journey in our thermal river, be cocooned in nature at our award-winning spa and learn about Costa Rican traditions through our unique culinary offerings.”

© Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacón is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and one of the founding members of its Considerate Collection of actively sustainable hotels. The resort is an ideal launch pad for nearby adventures like Arenal Volcano National Park, where ecotourists will encounter such wildlife as howler monkeys, toucans and coatis.