Costa Rica Hot Springs with the kids?

We are two weeks into Costa Rica and it has been a magical experience. Vanesa had to return to the US to continue working after being with us for 2 weeks. It is now up to me to figure out how to keep my kids going with their homeschooling, Nico with his online special needs classes, day trips, adventure, applying sunscreen, feeding them breakfast, lunch, dinner, making sure they are taking their vitamins and making sure they are bathed and clean before going to bed. Thankfully she will only be gone for 10 days.

After taking my family ziplining, white water rafting, a jungle tour, and to one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio, this morning I took my kids to some hot springs in the Dominical area. It was a 25 minute trek up the main road and on a very bumpy road filled with dips, rocks, creek beds, and dust. Before we decided to take the drive up this windy road, we read from a wimpy reviewer that it was a very scary drive up and that they had to turn back because they were scared for their lives. They were in a sedan and also decided to make the trip during the rainy season. This did not stop us- one, it wasn’t rainy season, two, we have a little SUV and three, we were up for an adventure. My two boys and I downloaded the Indiana Jones theme song, cranked it up in our rented little “engine that could” Toyota Vitara and hauled ass up that mountain like it was a race against the Nazis to find the Lost Ark. After 25 minutes of turning our stomachs into milkshakes, we finally made it.  Can you believe it only cost 3000 colones ($4.90 usd) to get in and 10 and under are free?? We happily paid and made the short walk to the first set of hot springs. We were disappointed to find out the water was actually luke warm and not hot at all. The pool at the airbnb (https://www.vrbo.com/380646) we are staying is warmer than these hot springs. After feeling a little disappointed, we made our way down to the creek that was underneath the hot springs. This is where we spent the majority of our time and we loved it.

Since it was a pretty warm and beautiful Costa Rican day, the cool temperature of the water was extremely refreshing and welcoming. What really made our time a lot more enjoyable was a nature made rock slide that sent my kids soaring downstream, no doubts without any bumps and bruises we will soon all see the following morning. A little pounding to the body for my two boys is well worth the joy they got from sliding down the slippery rock formation over and over again. Trust me, every time they got out at the bottom of the creek to eagerly make their way back up the slippery rocks to do it all over again, it went thru my head, “please don’t slip, fall, and crack your head open.” I felt like a lifeguard constantly telling my fearless boys to slow down before something bad happens. Nevertheless, we escaped without any open wounds and a good story to tell.

Do we recommend this, yes. Do not expect jacuzzi like temperatures in the “hot springs” and expect to spend more time in the creek bed.  You can bring food, water, and beverages if you want.

Eco Termales Quepos is the name of the place. They have serve food there just in case you do not want to bring anything to eat. They only accept cash.  If you plan to go, do NOT use the google maps suggestion. Download WAZE and use those directions. Do not ask why, Eco Termales Quepos told me to do exactly that.

https://bit.ly/2GzvxWm (castbox)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yjz2h6yfwnZ6CDlvJdyd4 (Spotify)

Youtube