Luxury Hotel · Costa Rica
Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
One of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary resorts, Tabacon sits at the foot of Arenal Volcano where a naturally heated thermal river flows directly through the property.
Tabacon holds a distinction found nowhere else in the region: a genuine volcanic thermal river, mineral-rich and constantly renewed, winding through lush tropical gardens at temperatures between 22 and 38°C. Guests have unlimited access throughout their stay, plus exclusive entry to the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens.
The resort’s open-air spa bungalows sit within the rainforest itself, with couples’ rituals and signature treatments designed around the volcanic landscape. Accommodation ranges from Rainforest Rooms to the flagship Tabacon Suite, complete with a hot spring shower and sweeping canopy views.
At dinner, Tucanes restaurant elevates Costa Rican ingredients through refined tasting menus, while the swim-up Agua Ardiente bar delivers cocktails from within the thermal waters. Out Of Office recommends Tabacon for couples seeking something genuinely unlike anywhere else.
Highlights
- The only natural volcanic thermal river in the region flows through the resort grounds.
- The adults-only Shangri-La Gardens offer an exclusive, private escape within the tropical landscape.
- The Private Pool Suite comes with its own thermal plunge pool and rainforest terrace.
Accommodation
Private Pool Suite
The top adults-only option at Tabacon, this 70 sq m suite’s headline feature is a private plunge pool fed by the resort’s thermal mineral waters. Add a dual rain shower, private terrace with rainforest and Arenal views, and considered Costa Rican design details, and it’s the property’s most compelling room for couples wanting genuine seclusion.
Orchid King Bed
At 35 sq m, the Orchid King Room at Tabacon Thermal Resort is designed for couples seeking rainforest immersion without sacrificing comfort. Expect a plush king bed, natural-light rainforest shower with local stone floors, garden or jungle views, and a living area with sofa bed and coffee service.
Volcano View Suite
Tabacon’s adults-only Volcano View Suite spans 70 sq m and is pitched squarely at couples. A deep soaking tub, dual rain shower, and private balcony with rainforest views are the standout features, making it a solid option for honeymoons or anniversaries where privacy and setting matter most.
Further information
Dining
Dining splits across six venues, with Tucanes leading on refined Costa Rican à la carte and tasting menus. Ave keeps things relaxed for lunches and casual dinners. Bars handle the rest: Caña Brava for tapas, Bosque for rainforest mixology, Shangri-La Gardens for Thai ceviche and wraps, and Agua Ardiente for swim-up drinks. Ephemeral Table adds a private six-course tasting.
Wellness
Tabacon’s spa operates from open-air rainforest bungalows alongside the thermal river, with treatments built around Costa Rican ingredients including volcanic clay, cacao, coffee, and tropical botanicals. The menu spans massages, wraps, facials, Ayurvedic therapies, and couples’ rituals, with all appointments including pre-treatment access to the thermal mineral jacuzzi and relaxation area.
Location
Tabacón sits at the base of Arenal Volcano in northern Costa Rica, just outside the town of La Fortuna. The grounds form a private rainforest reserve, with the only natural thermal river flowing directly from the volcano running through the property. The setting puts guests within easy reach of La Fortuna’s zip-lines, white-water rafting, horseback riding, and rappelling.
Costa Rica
The list of things to do is endless. Costa Rica has beaches, rainforests, ravines to white water raft down and a capital city which has so much culture for you to find out about. The capital city San Jose might not be the first destination you wish to visit on your vacation, but often people are pleasantly surprised.
Our Experts
For me, the beauty of Costa Rica comes from the fact that it's one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world- and certainly in South America.
Costa Rica is one of the few places where you can combine utter luxury with some of the best adventure experiences in the world.
Wolf delivered an amazing journey that got us closer to choosing Costa Rica as our retirement home.
Paul
I've just completed a six-day Pacific coast trip in Costa Rica and I'm extremely impressed with the quality of the experience.
Lewis P.
I couldn't have been more pleased with Maria and, ultimately, my time in Costa Rica.
Nick
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Classic Costa Rica Tour
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of travelling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first enquiry to homecoming. No call centre, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.