Glass-front barrel sauna by a lake

90°

Barrel sauna

Traditional dry heat, wood-fired. A barrel-shaped cabin in thermally modified wood that heats up in about an hour and needs no electrical hookup.

90°CMaximum temperature
45to75minTo heat up
2to8People, depending on length
0WNo electrical hookup
Pine barrel sauna with a shingle roof on a patio

Why a barrel

A shape made for heat

The round shape cuts the volume of air to heat, so the sauna reaches temperature faster and burns less wood. The staves are held by steel bands and the cabin rests on cradles.

  • 2 to 8 people depending on length.
  • With a changing room or a covered porch.
  • Glass front or half-moon window.
  • Temperatures up to 90 °C (194 °F).

Heating up

From firewood to steam in an hour

The wood stove heats the cabin and the stones. Ladle water on the stones and you get the steam that defines a traditional sauna, known as löyly.

Reference curve. Actual time depends on size, firewood and weather.

Inside

Wide benches and a wood stove

Wood-fired saunas use stoves built for rooms of 6 to 13 m³, such as the Harvia M3. The stones sit on top of the stove; the rest is wood, heat and quiet.

Inside a barrel sauna with benches and a lake view

4-metre model

Reference specs for the model most requested for homes and cabins.

Length4 m, with changing room
Diameter1.97 to 2.05 m
Capacity4 to 6 people
WoodThermally modified, 42 to 46 mm
StoveWood-fired, Harvia M3 type (16.5 kW)
RoofAsphalt shingles
Heat-up45 to 75 minutes
Maximum temperature90 °C

Reference dimensions and specs. They may vary by model.

Care for the Costa Rican climate

Three habits that keep the wood going for years in the tropics.

01Raised footingsThe sauna sits on raised footings to keep it away from ground moisture.
02UV oilThermally modified wood handles humidity well, but the sun turns it grey. A UV-protective oil keeps it looking new.
03Yearly checkNo wood is immune to termites. A yearly inspection protects your investment.

Models and finishes

With a porch, with a glass door, in pine or in cedar.

Cedar barrel sauna with a porch in the forest
Barrel sauna with a covered porch and chimney in a garden
Barrel sauna with a glass door in a garden
Inside a barrel sauna with wooden benches and a window
Cedar barrel sauna in a garden with ferns

Complete the circuit

After the heat, the cold plunge. Or the hot tub for cool nights.

Galvanized stock tank hot tub with a wood-fired coil by a river

40 °C

Wood-fired hot tub

A galvanized stock tank with a stainless steel coil. The fire heats the water and circulates it on its own.

See hot tubs

Cedar cold plunge tub in a garden

4 °C

Cold plunge

A plunge tank with ice or with a chiller, clad in wood.

See cold plunges

Barrel sauna and cedar tub side by side on a patio

4 to 90 °C

Contrast circuit

Sauna, hot tub and cold plunge in one spot. We help you plan it around the climate at your property.

Get a quote for a circuit

Dark barrel sauna with stacked firewood in a meadow

Ready to light the sauna?

Message us on WhatsApp and tell us where your property is and how many people it is for.