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El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa – reviews, photos

3.0 of 5
Aguas Zarcas, San Carlos, Costa Rica (Formerly Occidental El Tucano & Spa)
Hotel amenities
El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
Ranked #1 of 4 hotels in San Carlos
3.5 of 5 stars 84 Reviews
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84 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    26
    34
    12
    6
    6
Date Rating
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Nice place with friendly service.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 December 2011

My husband and I stayed three nights at the hotel. This was too long as you are quite isolated here. The restaurant has a limited selection of menu choices. We longed for a local restaurant and a market to get less expensive water, wine, and beer as well as snacks. We did use the spa, which was very nice. We did not rent a car, which might have helped the feeling of isolation. This is not a bad place, probably the nicest around this area, but would only recommend a one or two night stay.

  • Stayed December 2011
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Timshel2011 about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
San Jose, Costa Rica
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Great spa experience at healing environs...”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 November 2011
1
person found this review helpful

I returned after over 15 years to spend a weekend at HotelTucano. The Hotel is not anymore part of the Occidental chain, it is independent and ran by owners, who I met. There are visible improvements in infrastructure and service. The Thermae Spa is now very professional with top therapists & treatments and food at restaurant is great. Our welcome gift on the bed, was healing volcanic mud for personal face masks. After being pampered with warm and friendly service during a delicious lunch (my choice was buttered lemon marlin with almonds' crust and funghi rissotto) overlooking the thermal river, I was ready for a relaxing massage at Equilibrium Spa. My Therapist couldn't be better and then we plunge into the thermal pool of the spa surrounded by a lush rainforest. The thermal river flowing through the property provokes permanently a healing sensation. I loved this spa destination!

  • Stayed November 2011, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Danigeil about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
New Jersey
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
“Good for the rate!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 October 2011

The rate was good and most of the staff was very friendly. We were there for a whole week to attend a wedding. For the entire week, we had one great waiter that went above and beyond and really understood customer service. Shamefully, I forgot his name but I will upload a picture. Some of the other staff there were a bit more intense and typical. There was one broad-shouldered cleaning lady that was rude to me the entire time with dirty looks and mumbling under her breath every time we crossed paths. Asking for extra bath towels seemed to be an annoyance to her.

The included breakfast is a great feature especially if you can order it off the menu. The bacon and the pork products in general were a standout for the entire area. The buffet breakfast gets old quick but the fresh fruit is a nice touch. Don't be fooled if they have the lunch or dinner buffet out, if you ask to order off the menu for a sandwich or something, do it! The entire week we were there, we drank the tap water with no fear. The water is very tasty and refreshing so don't be afraid. The nature trail attached to the hotel is not much to write home about but worth a visit. The room itself is decent and the rates vary between a room with AC or without. I believe the rooms with AC units are nicer in general. There is definitely a lack of power outlets so be warned. Bring power extensions if you pack heavy on the electronics. There is free wifi but they do not mention it is only strong in the common areas such as the restaurant, poolside, and lobby.

For a developing country, the majority of the people there are genuinely helpful and trustworthy. With that said, I left a portable speaker and my favorite hawaiian shirt by the pool overnight and it was never found. The pools were actually quite nice and our group used them a bunch. The temperatures can be a bit inconsistent at times but still a good scene. I recommend the steam room after a night of boozing!

Frank of Frank Tours has his shop set-up in the hotel. He is very good but it does come with a premium. If you can speak Spanish, I would recommend doing the tours a la carte. If you know the where the tour is, the admission and the shared taxi would be cheaper than Frank. Frank provides comfort for those who only speak English. He communicates well and gives you nice tidbits of information regarding the area and culture.

Overall, if you're planning on the excursions by the volcano and hanging out in Fortuna, this is a good location since the taxi vans are very reasonable.

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask jf100k25 about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Oslo, Norway
1 review
“Nice staff”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 October 2011

+
*Very nice staff
*Lovely hot spring pool and hot tub
*Beautiful area
*Nice spa
*The house keeping did a great job (they left fresh flowers in my room!)
*Balcony in each room

-
*Very difficult wheelchair- and baby stroller access
*No internet on the room, have to go to the lobby area
*Food was mediocre

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Cecilie A about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Cell phone & charger stolen from hotel room”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2011
3
people found this review helpful

My Blackberry cell phone and charger were stolen out of my room the day before I left. I talked with the hotel manager and because housekeeping denies any wrong-doings, they are unable to help me out. We spent a lot of money at this hotel throughout our stay and I was very disappointed they wouldn't do the right thing and help me out. We will not be going back to this hotel in the future.

  • Stayed February 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask cort025 about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Additional Information about El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa

  • Occidental El Tucano Hotel
  • Occidental El Tucano Resort
Address: Aguas Zarcas, San Carlos, Costa Rica (Formerly Occidental El Tucano & Spa)
Price range (per night):* INR3,567 - 4,180

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