Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC

What Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC does

Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC, operated through the Costa Rican corporation Cataratas Aguazul DAKG S.A., is a privately held eco-tourism resort and residential real estate developer located in Dos Rios, Alajuela, Costa Rica. The property sits on the Caribbean (north) side of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, approximately 60 km from Liberia, Guanacaste, at the base of an active volcano. Its core asset is a set of four natural mineral "green" hot springs pools fed by volcanic geothermal activity at 60°C, classified as primary hot springs with 3,840 mg/L dissolved solids and a pH of 7.55. The resort also operates botanical gardens with 800+ plant varietals, an enclosed butterfly farm housing approximately 700 butterflies across 15+ species, a full-service spa, a restaurant/bar, and 12 boutique 720 sq ft cabaña suites.

The company operates a vertically integrated hospitality and real estate business. Revenue is generated across five streams: hotel accommodation ($110–$170/night seasonally), day-visit admissions ($20–$85), spa services, eco-adventure tours ($20–$120/person) including ziplining, tubing, volcano hikes, and horseback excursions, and the sale of 37 residential lots in the adjacent 76-acre Blue River Estate subdivision (priced $54,990–$124,990 with owner financing and construction services). Distribution is primarily direct via website, phone, and email, supplemented by shuttle packages from Guanacaste beach resorts and Liberia International Airport, partnerships with Sansa Airlines, Adobe Rent-A-Car, and Scotia Bank for buyer financing, and tour operator/reseller channels.

The customer base consists of individual eco-tourists, wellness travelers, adventure tourists, and US/Canadian real estate buyers seeking nature-based lifestyle property ownership in Costa Rica. The company is owned by two individual developers — Daniel Apelboim (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Kevin Glassman (Vancouver, BC) — with no institutional investment, private equity, or venture capital backing. The business has been continuously operating since its 2009 founding, with 16 employees reported.

Name

Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC

Legal name

Cataratas Aguazul DAKG S.A.

Website

https://blueriverresorthotel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC is a privately held Costa Rican eco-tourism resort and residential real estate developer operating 12 boutique cabañas, natural volcanic hot springs, botanical and butterfly gardens, a spa, and eco-adventure tours from a 76-acre property at the base of Rincon de la Vieja volcano, serving international leisure travelers and US/Canadian property buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eco-Tourism Resort and Spa

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermal Springs, Hot Springs & Thalassotherapy Resorts (THAGAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Destination Spa Resorts (THAGAMAA), Luxury Wellness & Spa Resorts (THAGACAG), Luxury Eco-Resorts (THAGACAK), Hot Springs & Nature Wellness Lodges (THAAAHAH), Destination Spas & Spa Resorts (HSALAFAC), Resort & Hotel Water Parks (On-Property Guest-Access Parks) (THAAABAC)

Keywords

• Eco-tourism resort
• Mineral hot springs
• Botanical gardens
• Eco-adventure tours
• Boutique hotel accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

Dos Rios

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Hotel Accommodation: Boutique accommodation in 720 sq ft cabañas with 12 suites. Nightly rates range from $110-$170 depending on season. Includes access to pools, botanical gardens, butterfly gardens, mud bath, gym, saunas, and full breakfast.
2. Day Visit/Entrance Fees: Day admission to resort facilities including hot springs pools, botanical gardens, butterfly gardens, mud bath, saunas, and gym. Full day with lunch costs $85 for adults.
3. Spa Services: Full-service spa offering massage, reflexology, body wraps, and facials. Treatments available at 10 AM - 6 PM, 7 days a week.
4. Eco-Adventure Tours: Combo tour packages including ziplining, waterfall tours, horseback riding, tubing, and volcano hikes. Prices range from $20-$120 per person depending on tour type.
5. Real Estate Sales (Blue River Estate): Residential lot sales in 76-acre subdivision with 37 lots approximately 1 acre each. Lot prices range from $54,990 to $124,990. Developer also offers home construction and property management services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC operates a boutique eco-tourism resort in Costa Rica's mountain rainforest along the Caribbean side of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Its core offerings include natural mineral hot springs pools, botanical and butterfly gardens, a full-service spa, restaurant/bar, 12-suite cabaña accommodations, and eco-adventure tours. The company also develops and sells residential lots in the adjacent Blue River Estate subdivision.

Product overview

Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC operates a single unified eco-tourism resort product centered around Blue River Resort & Hot Springs in Costa Rica. The core offering combines natural mineral green hot springs pools, botanical gardens with 800+ varietals, butterfly gardens, a full-service spa, restaurant/bar, and boutique cabaña accommodations (720 sq ft rooms). Adjacent to the resort is Blue River Estate, a residential real estate subdivision with 37 lots offering property ownership with resort membership privileges. The company also provides a portfolio of eco-adventure tours including volcano hikes, blue river/swimming experiences, waterfall adventures, zip lining, tubing, and wildlife tours. The resort opened to day-visitors in December 2009 and as a hotel in February 2010.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blue River Resort & Hot Springs Mountain rainforest resort hotel in Costa Rica featuring natural mineral green hot springs pools, botanical gardens, butterfly gardens, spa, restaurant, and eco-adventure tours. Serves international leisure travelers, wellness seekers, and eco-tourists.
• Natural Mineral Hot Springs Pools Four unique natural mineral green hot springs pools fed by geothermal springs at 60 degrees Celsius, with varying themes and a fresh water pool with bullet waterslide. Therapeutic mineral content (3840 mg/L dissolved solids, pH 7.55).
• Botanical Gardens Over 800 different plant varietals including orchid garden, hummingbird center, frog/fish/turtle ponds, and trails through tropical rainforest. Targets nature enthusiasts and educational visitors.
• Butterfly Gardens Enclosed butterfly farm breeding species including Morpho, Caligo Atreus, Illioneus, Heliconius Sara, with daily populations of approximately 700 butterflies and nearly 15 species.
• Blue River Spa Full-service spa offering massage, reflexology, body wraps, and facials with treatments conducted in the rainforest setting overlooking the volcano. Operates 10 AM - 6 PM, 7 days a week.
• Tiki Bar & Restaurant Restaurant and bar featuring continental and local cuisine, overlooking hot springs pools and Rincon de la Vieja volcano, with cascading waterfall ambiance.
• Cabaña Accommodations 720 sq ft boutique cabaña rooms featuring two queen beds, mini bar, safe, satellite TV, coffee maker, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and large terrace with volcano views. Nightly rates $110-$170 depending on season.
• Blue River Estate Residential real estate development with 37 lots (approximately 1 acre each) within 76 acres, including a 26-28 acre private nature reserve along the Penjamo blue volcanic river. Lots range from $54,990 to $124,990. Owner financing available with resort membership privileges.
• Eco-Adventure Tours Nature-based excursions including Rincon de la Vieja volcano hikes, blue volcanic river/swimming experiences, Penjamos waterfall adventures, zip line canopy tours with Tarzan swing, water tubing, horseback riding, and wildlife refuge tours. Prices range from $20-$120 per person.
• Day Visit Package Full-day access to resort amenities including hot springs pools, botanical gardens, butterfly gardens, mud bath, gym, saunas, and optional lunch and private waterfall tours. Entrance only $20 adult; full day with lunch $85 adult.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water temperature at source: 60°C (140°F)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Adobe Rent-A-CarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial rental rates secured for Blue River Resort hotel guests. Offers car delivery to the resort as part of 'Transportation Package.' Newest fleet in Costa Rica with 24-hour roadside assistance. Rate includes all taxes and mandatory minimum insurance.
• Sansa AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional airline partner offering direct flights to Liberia from throughout Costa Rica. Special discounts available for Blue River Resort clientele. Features newest fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Baldi Hot Springs Resort & Spa: Family-oriented hot springs resort near Arenal Volcano with multiple pools, lodging, and day-visit packages. Comparable mix of thermal pools, lodging, day visitors, and on-site amenities in the Costa Rica hot springs category.
• Arenal Manoa Hotel & Hot Springs: Costa Rica hot springs resort near Arenal with thermal pools, gardens, and lodge-style rooms set on a working farm. Comparable boutique resort offering natural hot springs, gardens, and family-friendly lodging in a rural setting.
• Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa: Long-established luxury hot springs resort near Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, offering natural thermal pools, spa, and lodging. Closest direct competitor in Costa Rica's hot springs resort category with overlapping guest demographics of wellness and eco-tourists.
• The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal: Costa Rica hot springs resort with multiple thermal pools, spa, and adventure activities near Arenal Volcano. Directly comparable boutique resort model combining lodging, mineral hot springs, and eco-adventure tours.
• Nayara Gardens / Nayara Springs: Luxury eco-resort near Arenal Volcano offering boutique suites, hot springs, spa, and adventure tours in a rainforest setting. Comparable luxury eco-resort positioning targeting international wellness and eco-tourists in Costa Rica.
• EcoTermales Hot Springs: Costa Rica boutique hot springs facility near Arenal Volcano offering day-visit packages and lodging with natural thermal pools. Closely comparable operating model focused on wellness, natural mineral pools, and day-pass revenue.
• Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel: Boutique rainforest hotel near Tenorio Volcano in Costa Rica offering lodge-style rooms, natural pools, and nature-based activities. Comparable small-scale Costa Rica eco-lodge focused on nature immersion and adventure tours.

Regional players

• Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort: Historic natural hot springs resort in Colorado, USA, with lodging, pools, spa, and day-visit packages. Comparable business model combining mineral hot springs, lodging, and wellness offerings, but operates in a different geography targeting a North American drive-in market.

Emerging players

• Hotel Rio Celeste Lodge: Smaller Costa Rica eco-lodge near Rio Celeste focusing on nature experiences and volcano tours. Partial overlap as an emerging eco-tourism player serving adventure travelers in Costa Rica's northern rainforest region.

Broad incumbents

• Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo: Luxury international hotel brand operating a high-end Costa Rica beach resort. Competes for the same international luxury traveler segment but on a much larger scale and at the Pacific coast rather than rainforest/hot springs niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue-river-resort-hot-springs-and-spa-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue River Resort Hot Springs and Spa LLC