Nestled in the enchanting rainforest surrounding Costa Rica’s Rincon del la Vieja, you will find Blue River Resort and Hot Springs.
With so many ways to experience the country, it was key to find somewhere that offered the full on jungle experience from adventure and nature to hot springs and relaxation.
Flying into Liberia airport, Blue River Resort made for an easy first drive after a long day of air travel. Once we picked up our rental car from Vamos Rent-a-Car, it was under two hours on a – for the most part – smooth road.
Equipped with a GPS and printed directions we found we didn’t have to rely on them too much. Along the route there were signs in all the right places telling us how to get to the resort.
Pulling into the front entrance we were warmly welcomed by a member of the staff and check in was seamless and quick. In no time at all we were parked near our rooms and moved in. It couldn’t have gone better.
Our personal cabanas were even better than I could have expected. Photos simply do not do them justice. I knew we’d be comfortable as we slept each night and had more than enough space, but more on that below.
Over the next few days we absorbed the peaceful and laid back energy of Blue River and had the full jungle experience.
As the resort is pretty much self contained and a bit of distance from other places, they do a good job of offering a variety of activities for their guests. During our stay we went zip-lining, river tubing and horseback riding with a short hike to a waterfall. 
Throughout our 3 night visit, we spent a lot of time in the numerous hot spring pools, a highlight of Blue River Resort. With a number of different temperatures, the pools receive their water and heat from the nearby natural hot springs. The minerals and warmth of the water feels so incredible on the skin even if you do smell a bit sulphur-ish after. I wouldn’t recommend bringing your favorite bathing suit.
Amongst the botanical gardens and butterfly conservatory you will also find a mud spa and natural sauna. We covered ourselves in the smelly mud and although we looked pretty goofy, the feeling of it drying in the sun was pretty cool. Tip: don’t put it on too thick or will take forever to dry and remove.
Now, before we go any further, how about a video to give you a better look and feel for Blue River Resort and Hot Springs.
Beautiful right? Here is a more detailed breakdown of the specific aspects I suspect you want to know more about:
Rooms: There are two styles of rooms: Cabana’s with one King bed and Cabana’s with two Queen beds. In both styles there is sufficient space to keep your luggage and move around without feeling crowded. The beds are extremely cozy and each room offers air conditioning, a fan, mini refrigerator, satellite television, safe, spacious bathroom and shower, and more. Probably my favourite feature of the cabanas is that you have your very own balcony complete with a hammock to relax in. For more specifics on the rooms, feel free to visit the resort’s website where they will have a detailed breakdown on all room amenities.
Service: All of the staff at the resort, from the guides, to the servers to the receptionist were extremely friendly. Almost everyone in Costa Rica is really. Whenever we needed something or had a question they were quick to help us out and made sure we were comfortable throughout our stay.
Location: If you are flying into Liberia airport on the western peninsula it is just a short drive to the resort taking roughly 2 hours depending on your vehicle. Because it is situated right next to the volcano you have an incredible view and opportunities to hike it if the park is open. One thing to keep in mind is that the resort isn’t close to much else so you will likely spend your time on the property or enjoying tours facilitated by the resort itself. For those looking for an escape from the busy world, this is it!
Dining & Drinks: There is a restaurant located on the property and as the nearest town is quite a distance away, this is where you will have all of your meals. The variety was enough to keep us interested during our three night stay however we would have enjoyed a daily special or unique item that wasn’t offered on the regular menu. Keeps things interesting. While Costa Rica is relatively inexpensive, restaurants, including the one at Blue River, can be a bit pricey depending on what you’re eating. Each room comes with a complimentary breakfast every morning.
Amenities: On the property you will find a number of amenities and actives to keep you occupied throughout your stay. These include: hot spring pools, mud spa, natural sauna, athletic centre, full service spa, and a variety of tours.
Price: At the time of writing room rates started at $94 USD/night for a Cabana with two queen beds and $101 USD/night for a Cabana with one king bed.
Wifi: While there is wifi at the resort, you won’t achieve much with it. The speed is painfully slow and you’ll at best load a few emails or share something on Instagram and only while sitting in the restaurant or at the main office. There is no wifi in the rooms. This of course can be looked at in two ways. If you have business to attend to online while visiting, you may need to think up a backup plan but if you are looking to disconnect for a few days to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature around you and live in the moment than the lack of wifi will help dissolve any temptation to hop on the net.
Final Thoughts: We had a lovely time at Blue River Resort and Hot Springs. It is obvious that a lot of time, thought and investment went into making the property appealing and comfortable for it’s guests. While you are relatively restricted to the ‘jungle’ experience when staying here, it makes it a great jump off point for a road trip like ours where we would be later visiting a beach town for the ocean side experience. The cost of the rooms and tours are reasonable and comparable to other accommodations throughout the country. I do urge you to make use of the many features of the resort to get the full experience and don’t be afraid to pick up snacks and water at a grocery store on your way as there aren’t any near the resort. As mentioned above, don’t bring your favorite bathing suit as it will likely end up with a slight sulphur smell that is difficult to get out and if you think you will be trying some of the tours, bring appropriate clothing. For water tubing, a pair of sneakers you don’t mind throwing away or water shoes are key. Flip flops are not an option.
If you’d like to stay at Blue River Resort you can book them here or to learn more about them, below is the information you need to connect:
Website: http://www.blueriverresort.com
Twitter: @BlueRiverResort
Facebook: Blue River Resort And Hot Springs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (954) 688-3646 (US) or (506) 2206-5000 (CR)
Address: Rincon de la Vieja, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
I’d like to extend a huge thanks to the staff at Blue River Resort for hosting us during our time in Costa Rica. Thank you for making us feel so welcome and kicking off our adventure so wonderfully.