Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa has been a leader in sustainability not only in the Arenal Volcano Region, but in Costa Rica since its inception. Important programs were set in motion during the 2020 pandemic, as documented in our Sustainability Report. By turning the concept of hospitality inwards during this time of global crisis, Tabacón has been able to remain an economically responsible partner to its community, staff and suppliers, while continuing to protect, regenerate, and promote the benefits of natural resources at the core of the Tabacón experience. In addition, the hotel was named as one of the 26 founding members of the SLH Considerate Collection, which recognizes sustainability efforts of hotels worldwide.

2022 started off with important projects in sustainability. The hotel management is happy to report that 836 half cell 400 W solar panels have produced 389,000 kWh since mid-January 2021.  This clean energy production has reduced the hotel’s electricity bill by 50%.  Charging stations for electric vehicles have been installed, adding to the electric route in Costa Rica, with one of the few stations in the Arenal Volcano Region.

Education was one of the hardest hit aspects of the La Fortuna de San Carlos community, becoming one of the primary needs for 2022.  Tabacón rushed to help two local elementary schools donating the construction materials for 6 new study rooms, supporting space for 120 students. In addition, the hotel has donated study desks, chairs and school supplies to two other institutions in the region to help children ages Kindergarten - 6^th grade. 

Ericka Jara, Quality Assurance and Sustainability Expert at Tabacón noted, “Two of Tabacón’s main goals in environmental protection for 2022 include becoming certified in carbon neutrality, and achieving the highest level in the government’s Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST).

Shirley Mora, Tabacón’s Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility added, “The Covid pandemic brought important challenges in the educational infrastructure of the Fortuna community and nearby towns.  As the destination quickly picks up in tourism related activities, local schools and institutions are stretched to accommodate all school age children. Our board has decided to become actively involved in helping schools improve facilities for optimal learning and student experiences.” 

According to a recent study, sixty-eight percent of travelers are likely to base their next trip around improving their mental wellbeing. As part of Tabacón’s corporate social responsibility, the hotel has recently launched a partnership with Harvard Instructor Dr. Natalie Dattilo to create the ESCAPE to Tabacón campaign. The wellness program is unique because it was created for guests and staff alike, acknowledging the entire hotel ecosystem and the importance of a holistic health experience for everyone.

The guest-facing package offers six key mind-body strategies from Dr. Natalie’s science-backed ESCAPE® approach: Exercise, Sleep, Connect, Appreciate, Play, Exhale. The program includes sensory, emotional, and physical experiences unique to Tabacón, proven to increase relaxation and improve overall health. Guests who book the ESCAPE® to Tabacón will also have access to Dr. Natalie’s custom self-care guidebook that offers breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, and gratitude techniques that can be easily incorporated into daily life beyond the stay at Tabacón to maintain lower stress and anxiety when returning home.

It's late at night and you're looking for a place to enjoy a cocktail with your companions, a destination that allows you to get out of the routine and enjoy a menu with a proposal that breaks the traditional patterns ...

Our new service comes to give a twist to the typical bar concept where the menu is integrated with traditional snacks and drinks. Instead, it offers a menu that integrates elegant elements, gourmet and fun styles; with cocktails that offer a line of mixology or the best premium liqueurs according to your preference, in presentations that will leave you surprised. You will not want to simply try a cocktail and go to your room, its exquisite ingredients and beautiful presentations, worthy of a photo to share on your social networks, will make you want to try the whole menu!

All these elements merge in its unique infrastructure that combines modern and elegant components with freshness of the Rainforest at night. Tenuous lights and a bar counter   that will introduce you the ingredients that will be used in your cocktails will receive you as soon as you step inside. All of them fresh and ready to satisfy the most demanding palates.

This new service is available to our hotel guests from six in the afternoon to twelve in the evening. If you are looking for the perfect location to raise your cocktail and to toast for a unique adventure or where to share a cocktail with your travel mates while the night falls slowly in the forest, this is the ideal place for you!

Tabacon just launched the 2019 Hotel Special Packages that has been specially designed to excite any traveler; these packages are available from February 01^st to December 15^th, 2019.

The diverse collection of hotel packages includes the Namaste in Nature Deal created especially for the spa and relaxation lovers that wants to disconnect from daily stress. For adventure seekers Jungle Adrenaline Package offers it all to combine adrenaline in the rainforest and hot springs at Tabacon. If you are travelling with your family Arenal for all ages is the perfect fit to embark all the family members in a memorable trip. For those celebrating a romantic occasion, Natural Passion is a great option to combinate a private dining experience in the heart of the rainforest, a couple´s massage in an open-air bungalow, one in-room breakfast an adventure tour and Costa Rica´s largest natural network of hot springs. 

This year addition is a new package focused on our beautiful traditions, do not miss the Taste of Costa Rica experience including a coffee and chocolate tour per person and one traditional Costa Rican souvenir per stay.

Guests booking the 2019 Tabacon's Room Packages will be entitled to enjoy complimentary breakfast served in the restaurant, access to the award-winning thermal experience, exclusive access to Shangri-La Gardens for hotel guests 18 and older, Wi-Fi and Valet Parking.

The special packages ae subject availability and prior to check in we recommend to book in advance the activities included in the packages.  For reservations or enquiries, please call our toll-free number from USA and Canada 1 (855) Tabacon.  Alternatively, contact our experience planners at reservaciones@tabacon.com.

Last summer, Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa celebrated its 25-year anniversary.  As a recognition of this milestone, the hotel worked with the nearby communities of La Fortuna and Zeta Trece to embark on two vital school projects which were the priority of the local institutions, donating two projects worth over $25,000.

In La Fortuna, Tabacon paid for the complete renovation of the bathrooms and locker rooms in the Colegio Tecnico Profesional CTP High School Gym.  Complete new facilities were upgraded allowing over 1,000 students to comfortably enjoy their physical education classes, as well as for local teams to train and compete.

In Zeta Trece, Tabacon built the first “Eco-recreational and Sports” Park for kindergarten and early elementary school children, opening a space for safe and healthy play to promote wellbeing and recreation areas for this community children. 

As part of the community outreach program, and the participation in the Sustainable Tourism initiative by the Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ICT), this donation helps the children of our communities grow up in a safe and healthy environment, focusing in sports and outdoor activities preserving the environment.  Tabacon is fully committed to the support of the local institutions in La Fortuna de San Carlos and has led important initiatives such as Fortuna in Two Wheels – the local biking path, and the design of a Waste Water Treatment Plant for the town.  We encourage all our visitors, guests and business partners to join us in our efforts to improve San Carlos and its residents every day.

During the slower months of September and October, Tabacon embarked on a number of renovation projects as part of the continuous improvement philosophy.  While focus was placed in Los Tucanes pool and restaurant, there were other important enhancements that will have a positive impact on guest experience.

Los Tucanes: most of the work was done behind the scenes, with new kitchen design and facilities.  New furniture is in place in the pool area, along with new tiles in the pool.  The complete makeover of the restaurant area will enhance guest enjoyment in this part of the hotel offering an even more inviting and intimate environment in one of the region’s top restaurants.

Internal Roads and Parking: the hotel became into a car free area, valet parking is offer for our guest who drive to the property on a complementary basis. The process to convert parking areas into gardens is almost finished, with just a small area left for completion next year.  All previous vehicle areas have been added to the gardens and internal roads converted into roads for golf carts and walking paths. 

“Our commitment to improving our guest experience and increasing the integration of nature into their stay continues every year, always trying to enhance our facilities always in tune with the rainforest and surroundings” expressed Marcel Stittner, the resort’s CEO.  

Our continues renovation process, product innovation and high service standards are part of the reasons why Tabacon continues to be featured in the media’s top lists, including making the list of Top Resorts in Central America by Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.

This year Tabacon has implemented several projects to reduce single use plastics, reinforcing our commitment to the environment and efficient use of resources.

During the previous months, we launched the campaign "No straw, please” in our Restaurants and Bars, with the goal to reduce, and ideally eliminate, the use of plastic straws in our cocktails and drinks.  In the period from February 2017 to date we estimate a reduction of approximately 50% of the use of plastic straws.  This is a direct result of the support of our guests and staff that actively participate and promote this initiative.

Tabacon has extended the campaign to reduce single use plastic in our operation, and we are proud to announce that guestroom bathroom amenities in the format of small throw-away plastic bottles have been replaced by refillable dispensers. We are pleased to confirm that during August 2017 we implemented this policy in all our guest rooms and suites.

“The introduction of refillable bath amenities bottles in the hotel operation is a tangible example of Tabacon Green Program in action. Since the implementation of these initiatives, guest response has been positive and encouraging” states Marcel Stittner, General Manager at Tabacon”.

Other green measures are being planned and will be undertaken as part of the resort’s daily efforts to contribute the improvement and conservation of the environment and natural heritage.

If you are seeking for a range of unique spa experiences in the midst of the tropical rainforest in and exceptional thermal spring ambient The Spa at Tabacon is a great choice for an uncommon day of relaxation.

Normally a spa experience takes place in a four wall environment, Tabacon is not your typical spa experience and this is why it has been recognized as one of the best eco-spas in Latin America.

The day at the spa starts off with a special introduction to Tabacon´s Spa delights including fruit therapy smoothies and an open air relaxation area with a Jacuzzi fed by the hot spring water coming from Tabacon River.

The spa therapies takes place in outdoor bungalows overlooking impressive rainforest views and the steamy hot springs. From volcanic mud massages to body treatments, facials, beauty touches and hot springs enhancements are available to create a customized experience in the heart of Costa Rican rainforest.

Recommend Magazine just publish a detailed feature about Tabacon´s Spa Experience, check out the following link for more details. http://www.recommend.com/magazine/globetrotting-tabacon-thermal-resort-spa/  

Based on the philosophy of continuous improvement, modernization, innovation and due to the great acceptance that the Orchid rooms have had, we are pleased to inform that all of Tabacon’s Superior rooms have undergone full renovation.  The entire inventory of this room category has become Orchid rooms as of November 24th, 2016. For this reason, Superior Rooms have completely disappeared from our inventory and now we offer 75 rooms Orchids, in addition to our suites.

“The Orchid Rooms were designed to offer a destination-focused resort experience that brings the allure of the tropical rainforest inside. Upon entering the Orchid Rooms, guests experience a vast open space complete with unobstructed views of the exterior tropical setting with custom-designed modern interiors and a color palette of rich earth tones reminiscent of the rainforest, Arenal Volcano, Tabacón River and its thermal springs and cascading waterfalls” said, Marcel Stittner, General Manager.

Our reservations and sales team will be glad to assist with any inquiry, please email us to at sales@tabacon.com, or contact us by phone toll free number 1-855-TABACON from USA and Canada or +506 2519-1999 from the rest of the world

Tabacón is pleased to announce the introduction of new meeting space in our unparalleled location in Costa Rica´s rainforest and hot springs.The completion of the meeting space will be unveiled on October 2016, including 1216 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space, as well as outdoor options, including a gastronomic experience feature local cuisine and customized weeding and meeting planner.

With a Modern Rustic design, Tabacon´s meeting space combine the comfort of the indoor space with the beauty of the open-air areas overlooking impressive views of exuberant rainforest and rushing hot springs, preserving the resort philosophy of bringing nature into our guests’ experience. Our meeting space includes a multipurpose room with large windows, providing essential brightness, spectacular views and cutting edge technology. It is ideal for everything from intimate business affairs to social events or destination weddings accommodating up to 120 guests in theater style or 80 guests in banquet style. Our meetings and incentives team is trained to cater to every need and experienced to plan and celebrate any type of event.

WHY YOU´LL LOVE EVENTS AT TABACONMeeting space in the heart of the rainforest surrounded by natural hot springs.

Over 1216 sq. ft. (113 sq. mt.) of stylish, flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space.

Function spaces including private bungalows, open-air restaurants and garden areas.

Banquet staff and menus featuring local cuisine.  MICE professionals offering personalized advice

Complimentary Wi-Fi and valet parking

Audiovisual equipment rental

Additional services on request

Special relaxation exercise created for your event by our spa team

Wellness, spa and sustainable services and initiatives

Packages that include hot springs experiences, spa, outdoor activities and superb hotel

It is with great pleasure that we announce the recent appointment of Marcel Stittner as General Manager of Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. 

Hailing from Germany, Marcel began his hospitality career in 1994. A certified Hotel Expert and graduate of Cornell University’s, he brings 22 years of industry experience to our passionate team at Tabacón. 

Over the last two decades, Marcel has honed his skills in management and food & beverage operations at world-wide hotel chains such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group, managing five-star resort properties in destinations that include Venezuela, Maldives, Germany, the United States, and most recently, Mexico and Costa Rica.  In addition, he speaks German, English and Spanish.

Marcel is a passionate leader who is eager to make a significant contribution to the success of Tabacón, positioning the property as an integral part of nature with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability. In his new role as General Manager, Marcel will oversee daily operations in alignment with the company’s ongoing efforts to create memorable experiences, elevate standards and exceed guest expectations.

Please join us in welcoming Marcel to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa family and wishing him great success in his new role. You may contact him directly at marcel.stittner@tabacon.com or by phone at +506 2479-2051.

The purpose of the agreement is to deliver to the Municipality of San Carlos and ADIFORT the preliminary design and budget needed to develop a bike path that connects La Fortuna to Lake Arenal.
This major road project includes a research proposal to establish a clear vision on how La Fortuna needs to be adapted, to achieve an alternative articulated systems of urban transportation.

La Fortuna de San Carlos – January 28th, 2016. In the presence of Mr. Mauricio Ventura Aragón, Costa Rica Minister of Tourism, Pablo Abarca Heriberto Mora, President of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), and the sponsor companies Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, Anywhere Costa Rica, Restaurant Don Rufino, Jacamar Pure Trek and Wave Expeditions, an agreement of public-private cooperation was signed in order to deliver to the Municipality of San Carlos and the Association for Integral Development of La Fortuna (ADIFORT), an investigation conducted by the consulting firm A-01, where they will present a preliminary design and budget required to develop a bikeway that connects La Fortuna to Lake Arenal.

The study will be handled in stages, and in order to have a better understanding of the city, the flow of its population, needs and potential stakeholders, as well as opportunities for the type and route of bikeway, related services and so on.

In the first stage, the deliverables will include:

A sociocultural mapping from downtown La Fortuna and the surrounding area;
A GIS mapping of La Fortuna downtown and surrounding areas;
A mapping of actors;
A map with potential cycling and recommendations for the type of bikeway (bike-lane, separate or shared via bike path) and possible stages of construction;
A qualitative report descriptions, conclusions and recommendations;
A budget for the construction plans (including soil studies needed) and the construction of the bike path.

"We are very pleased with this initiative, as part of the Strategic Plan of the Association we want support the development and promotion of projects that position the image of La Fortuna de San Carlos as a city of well-being, sustainable and attractive for tourism," said Carlos Quesada , president of Adifort.

The project will begin on February 1st, 2016; two months after a formal ceremony will take place at the to proceed with the official presentation of the results.

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort celebrates the beginning of 2016 with the launch of the new renovation of its Superior Rooms, boasting a jewel of 43 freshly renovated guestrooms within the resort.  The property showcases the skill and ingenuity of interior design featuring a perfect blend of sophisticated, modern cosmopolitan style. These renovated units mirror the bright lush tropical rainforest region that is so well known in Costa Rica and are aptly re-named Orchid Rooms.  

This partial renovation within our award winning resort located in the heart of Costa Rica´s rainforest marks the completion of the second phase of the superior room renovations featuring a new modern twist on luxury accommodations.  This second phase brings the total of Orchid Rooms in the property to 43.  Continuing through 2016, the project will define a room category upgrading our actual Superior Rooms to the newly elegantly appointed Orchid Rooms.

“We believe in reinvention as a continuous way to fulfill our most important goal: to always offer our guests world-class service with high quality standards and facilities”, says Xavi Vega, General Manager of Tabacon.

From the onset the highlight of the renovation was to relate the property to its surroundings to create a unique destination resort experience.  Upon entering the newly renovated rooms, guests experience a vast open space replete with unobstructed views of the exterior tropical setting.  The costumed designed modern interior of the Orchid Rooms compliment the beauty of the rainforest that is woven into the resort´s public spaces, including the unique hot springs that emerge naturally from Arenal Volcano and runs throughout the property forming in-river pools, ponds and cascades of different temperatures and high mineral content for a memorable experience.

Each Orchid Room offers one king or two queen beds topped with luxurious bed linens.  Many of the units are also connecting rooms for those on a family vacation and rooms for people with special needs.

The 35 m2 (approximately 376 square feet) consists of elegantly designed, modern spacious studios with an invitingly contemporary bedroom; bathroom featuring a natural rainforest shower and  shower floors meticulously pieced together with local stones to create an exhilarating rainforest atmosphere.  Additionally a separate intimate living area enhances relaxation.

Each room features Flat Screen 42” TV, air conditioner, mini bar, coffee and tea selection, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, safe deposit box, bathroom amenities and free Wi-Fi Internet.

We look forward to welcoming our guests and continue to offer first class luxury service and the best hospitality option in Costa Rica.

This commitment to personal guest achievement infuses all decisions about products, activities and amenities, and is underscored by the belief that travel can and should be transformative.  Each unique Tabacon guestroom and suite was designed to reflect the sense of place of its location.  

Upon returning home one of the participants wrote “the fam trip was excellent and very educational. I truly appreciate the opportunity to experience not only the fine hotels that were included, but the activities in each area. My passion for Costa Rica has been rekindled, and I am excited to share my experiences with clients and fellow agents. I see all of the hotels visited in a new light and will sell them with confidence. I loved each of them - even more than I expected to. The included activities were fabulous (including the spa experience at Tabacon) and it really helps to experience them so we can urge the clients to include them in their trip and let them know what to expect. Thank you for this opportunity”.

The trip started with two nights in the Hotel Presidente in San Jose, with a tour of the capital and a choice of white water rafting or a rainforest Sarapiqui day tour.  The next two nights were in Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort in Arenal, where agents experienced the thermal resort, the spa, and their choice of waterfall rappelling, hiking in the rainforest, or visiting the Fortuna Waterfalls on horseback.  A last minute shopping outing was added in the town of Fortuna for agents to buy local products and gifts to bring back home.

The third stop was Rio Perdido in Bagaces, Guanacaste.  Again, the thermal experience was the highlight, but the in-resort adventures gave participants the opportunity to enjoy the canyon zip line experience, tubing in Rio Blanco and even mountain biking.  Finally, agents got to unwind with time for surf and sand at the luxurious JW Marriott Guanacaste.  All participants even enjoyed the Costa Rican cooking lessons on the last full day.

“I loved every region we visited in Costa Rica especially Arenal and Guanacaste.  To me Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I love the people, the food, the adventure, the beach. One word to sum it up ....AMAZING” wrote a Virtuoso agent. 

The next opportunity for a Costa Rica exclusive FAM will be in May.  For more information please write to meni@PreferredCostaRicaHotels.com.

La Fortuna, Arenal, COSTA RICA (September 18, 2015) The Costa Rican Board of Tourism – ICT – released the ratings of the re-evaluation of 43 tourism related companies that applied to the CST Program (Certification for Sustainable Tourism).  For the first time, Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort was recognized with 5 leaves out of 5, awarding the hotel with the highest level, thus joining an elite, exclusive and prestigious group in Costa Rica.

The CST program reviews and recognizes the country’s industry-leading tourism companies that observe and excel in sustainable actions and best practices.  The five pillars of this program include community outreach, managing the use of natural resources, reduction, reuse and recycling of packaging materials, guest involvement in sustainability practices and preservation of the environment. 

Some of the highlights of Tabacon’s sustainable practices include:

-  Working with the community leaders in La Fortuna de San Carlos to improve schools and education.

Recycling programs and protection of the parks and reserves
-  Donating the feasibility study for a water treatment plant for La Fortuna de San Carlos

-  Preserving over 80% of the property as primary and secondary rainforest
-  Organizing and working with local farmers on a farm-to-table program
-  Working with suppliers to reduce packaging materials and providing bio-friendly products
-  Heating water for guest use relying on the hot springs source
-  Complimentary Plant a Tree Program for guests

“Tabacón has demonstrated its ongoing commitment not only in quality and service but also in the resort’s philosophy to safeguarding the natural and cultural heritage for future generations, trying to make a difference in La Fortuna and the surroundings. We actively encourage both our staff members and our guests to become involved in sustainability and protection of our wildlife, as well as in social responsibility programs” said Xavi Vega, Tabacon’s General Manager.

We welcome staff and guest involvement at all levels.  We ask all the travel agencies and wholesalers that work with Tabacon to join us in promoting and practicing sustainable policies and actions, and in particular, asking their clients and travelers to participate in this effort.  

About Costa Rica Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)

The CST's fundamental purpose is to make sustainability a practical and necessary reality within the context of the country's competitiveness in tourism, while looking to improve the way that natural and social resources are used, encourage the active participation of local communities and provide a new source of competitiveness within the business sector.

About Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Nestled at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano in the northern region of Costa Rica, Tabacon is a five-star resort in the heart of the rainforest. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Tabacon provides luxurious accommodations, services and amenities in a picture-perfect natural setting. The resort’s unique thermal springs emerge naturally from the volcanic earth, cascading to form waterfalls, streams, tranquil pools and ponds surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Inside the gardens you can find The Grand Spa, which combines a beautiful location with a singular spa experience. Tabacon’s Shangri-La Gardens is a relaxing guests and adults-only hideaway.  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tabacon  -  Twitter: @TabaconResort  

Tel:  ++506-2479-2099 or toll free from US and Canada 1-855-TABACON