El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
Aguas Zarcas Alajuela, San Carlos 21004 Costa Rica
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El Tucano Hotel’s main guest is Mother Nature. The hotel has 87 rooms, including two luxury suites, though the real luxury is the chance to take a bath in its thermal waters. Featuring a 500 people capacity restaurant and conference halls for 200 people, both areas are surrounded by the primary forest housing a countless variety of flora and fauna. El Tucano Hotel has one of the most complete spas in Latin America where all the visitors renew their body and soul thanks to the communion received by the gifts of nature. In its extension of almost 7 acres of land and 9000 m2 of construction are produced 80 liters of water per second flowing from the 7 springs of thermal waters. The hotel has three hot springs pools recently remodeled and a hot water river with wonderful waterfalls and natural pools (surrounded the whole property), guests can swim in and let the river take all its problems while they get renew with its powerful energy. There is also a tennis field, several trails through the forest and mini golf area, though the best activity to practice at El Tucano is relaxation while contemplating the great masterpiece that surrounds it.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Sauna
Free breakfast
Hiking
Mini golf
Babysitting
Public wifi
Hot bath
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Poolside bar
Entertainment staff
Car hire
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Hammam
Hot spring bath
Massage
Salon
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Sun terrace
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Safe
Telephone
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Aguas Zarcas Alajuela, San Carlos 21004 Costa Rica
Getting there
Car HireSee all San Carlos car hire
471Reviews24Q+A33Room tips
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I always had a good image of this hotel, over the decades people always commented how good their stay was, and how premium everything was there. That seems to be all in the past. This hotel lived better days, and those are gone. I decided to visit this hotel after a stay in La Fortuna on my way back to the central valley. Maybe the quaility of accomodations in Fortuna has increased a lot over the years, but the contrast was huge. * The room: * The room was ok-ish. Beds not terribly uncomfortable, but I certainly did not have the best sleep. I had to ask for a room change, as the first one only had one bed (I specifically asked for a two bedroom place, I was visiting with my mom, but it seems they just don't read what you type in when you reserve). The clerk gave me the keys to another room to see if I liked it. The keyhole required a tricky twist to be opened (another sign of poor maintenance), but I decided to keep the room as I was tired and I felt I had mastered the art of opening poorly maintained locks. * The pools: * This is where the hotel starts to show its decadency. The pools were built decades ago... and it shows. It's clear that they lack maintenance. While the color of the water can be attributed to the rich minerals from the river, everything else can be attributed to poor maintenace. Outdoor facilites around the pool (such as bathrooms and changing rooms) are aweful and way too small. These have not seen maintenance in years. * The natural spa: * I enjoyed this one. You actually see the stones under the ground heating up the river and producing this lovely hot mist. It is however, as all the other things in this hotel, poorly maintained, and I began to wonder if those flimsy looking and ever wet wooden planks were about to break under my weight. * The food: * I only had the "pleasure" of having breakfast. Food was ok, but nothing to write home about. The restaurant though, looked terrible. This is where the lack of maintenance is more evident. Being a single floor building with high rise ceiling, the upper half of all the walls, and the entire ceiling, was horribly dirty. This gave me the sensation that the entire place lacked hygiene. * The patrons: * This is probably not the fault of the hotel, but some dude was trying to steal my backpack! I think their entire family were thiefs, and there' s no security within the hotel to watch out for your anything, you're on your own. Once I prevented my personal belongings from being stolen, I really felt that this was no vacation, I was in self-protect mode. Is this hotel so low in perception that thiefs are now their regular visitors? * The price: * I payed $110 for a small two-bed room for one night, with a tiny TV and an unremarkable bathroom. Given the poor maintenace, the regular quality of food everything else in this review, I find it expensive. TL;DR - dated, poorly maintained, low reputation visitors that almost ruined my vacation. Not recommended, there are way too many better places out there.…
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Date of stay: December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Place was ok, comfortable however, it seemed like the facilities saw better days in the past, in my experience this is easily overlooked as you want to spend most of the time in the pool / enjoying the nature, HOWEVER, just getting into the room that I booked which was the most expensive one available, the first thing we noticed was that the bathroom was dirty (and not the usual dirty, as it was like someone used the WC but forgot to flush it), I proceeded to inform the receptionist about it and her answer was "oooh, that's so bad" which is a reply that I didn't expect, however, she told us that the manager of the place was going to contact us on monday (yesterday) but at 11:30 pm of Tuesday there is no email from them, neither a phone call, the least I expected was an apology, as for me, it is a MAJOR issue, as it was almost the first thing I saw in the most expensive room…
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
•We arrived after dark, and were placed in a upgraded “junior suite” which is basically a big empty room with 2 beds, a tiny desk and chair and TV. No place to sit or any other amenities. The bathroom was very basic. •The next morning as we headed to the pools, we were intercepted by the receptionist who asked us to change rooms. “The hotel wishes to do maintenance on our room.” I know, why we were assigned the room initially is a mystery. So we turned around, moved our things into a “better room” which at least had a tiny patio with chairs to sit in, and painters immediately started working in our old room. •We had one full day of vacation, spent traveling to nearby towns in search of meals, as the hotel restaurant does not offer many options nor is the food delicious. •The next morning as we were preparing to head to the pools, there came a knock at the door. A manager asked us to change rooms yet again, for more planned maintenance and who knows what else. The enticement was to move us to their top of the line suite, but we were done with the hotel. •Our visit was not a relaxing vacation but an exercise in moving from spartan room to spartan room, driving around seeking good food, and deciding we will not return.…
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This hotel was the last leg of a birthday celebration. My friend and I had stayed in 3 other hotels in an effort to see the lay of the land. It was atrocious!!!!!!!! And if it wasn’t the last night before our scheduled flight we would have moved to another place. The first room they put us in was filthy and the second one was just plain old dirty. There was mold in the bathroom, soap residue on the sink, filth in the lamp shades and the sauna smelled like mildew. This is the worst place I’ve ever stayed in my entire 50 years. It needs a deep cleaning and upgrades. Choose another location. The pictures are definitely photo shopped!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The property needs a refresh and there were several small projects underway during my stay. Rocks were being laid beside the hot pool and contaminated the water and walkway with mud. There was a tree blocking the nature trail near the spa the whole time I was there. Handymen were working all over the property fixing things - most of one day there was a noisy plumbing repair in the room beside me. The food is just ok - it needs more flavour, and more variety for breakfast. This resort has the potential to be a five star resort with some TLC. The location by the hot springs river is beautiful and there is a path on the opposite side of the river that leads you to quieter swimming spots. The hotel tour guide is amazing - Five stars for Frank tours - he personalizes your tour and you never feel rushed. You can tell he loves what he does, is knowledgeable on interesting facts, and will even take pics of you on the tour. The massage therapist is good too and there are several different massages to choose from. I recommend this place for peace and quiet - but it’s rustic.…
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Don’t book a room near the water drainage areas - the rooms are musty.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Stayed at this resort 29+ yrs ago on our honeymoon. Visited today for the day while in the area. Brought back many memories, though was very sad with the poor condition of this resort. No towels are provided with a day pass, wobbly plastic furniture around the pools, clogged toilet, cracked concrete everywhere, paint in poor condition everywhere in the pool areas, natural sauna did not appear safe to enter, all wood trims needing repair, soffets falling, plants growing in gutters, bee nests everywhere, no caution signs posted where hot spring water is piped into pool or markings on stairs and steps in mineral pools and no longer has a safe/easy access into the natural river behind the restaurant. Very disappointing and sad to see such a beautiful place fall into such disrepair.…
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Date of stay: July 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Rafael Chaves wrote a review Apr 2022
Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica19 contributions8 helpful votes
Shocked to see any hotel rent a room as dirty as ours upon arrival. You had to see the amount of dirt that Room Service removed to believe this. Also, the bathroom was not clean. The toilet's flapper would not fall, and it would take forever to fill the water reservoir. I had an open sore in my ankle and it became infected after using the jacuzzi (the water was very dirty here). The SPA did a credible job of removing our aches & pains. The Internet worked well during our stay. Breakfast was similarly a little above average (fruits were delicious, ripe, and the plaintains were excellent as they were also in season). We chose not to eat lunch/dinner at the hotel. If you choose the SPA, you can use their jacuzzi, sauna, pool, and it is more private. The pool was packed during our weekend stay.…
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Date of stay: April 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
It might be because it's the first time we left the house all year, but we loved this place. the rooms are confortable and clean, the hot springs pools were soooo relaxing and the food in the restaurant was really good.
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Date of stay: September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Really nice place with a sort of Olde Colonial vibe. A series of hot springs pools and a unique hot spring sauna. Don't overlook the trails along the river through the jungle. Very good resaurant for breakfast (included) and dinner.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We used Frank’s Tours for two of our three days at El Toucana. We visited La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Volcan Poas. He made sure we saw birds, sloths, flora, fauna, and waterfalls along the route. He took many pictures of my husband and myself to help chronicle the days. Frank also ensured we experienced true Costa Rican cuisine and coffee. We will definitely use him again during our next trip to Costa Rica.
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
US$114 - US$120 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
el tucano resort & thermal hotel san carlos, el tucano resort and thermal spa, occidental el tucano hotel, occidental el tucano resort
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Occidental El Tucano & Spa
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of San JoseSan Carlos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
87
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Claim Your ListingEL TUCANO RESORT & THERMAL SPA: UPDATED 2023 Reviews, Price Comparison and 537 Photos (San Carlos, Costa Rica) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
Which popular attractions are close to El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
Nearby attractions include Termales Agua hermosa (7.0 km), Mariposario Berakah (6.2 km), and Plaza San Carlos (6.8 km).
What are some of the property amenities at El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
Conveniently located restaurants include Italianissimo, Restaurante Steak House Coca Loca, and Yippo Cafe - Gelato.
Are there opportunities to exercise at El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a sauna during their stay.
Does El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Does El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.