Laguna Azul & Borbollones
Nature spot · Arenal & La Fortuna
Two quick stops on the Río Celeste trail: a turquoise pool fed by the river, and the borbollones, where volcanic gas bubbles up through the riverbed like a pot on the boil.
- Cost
- about $14
- Time there
- 20 min
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 6 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 5 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 5 / 10
- Location
- 10.70182, -84.99541 — Google Maps
Tip
Notice the faint sulfur smell at the borbollones: that's the volcano breathing under your feet.
Be careful
Stay behind the railings and don't touch the water at the gas vents.
Getting there
Inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, same ticket as the waterfall.
Places nearby
- Tapirus Paradise RestaurantFood & CoffeePopular restaurant 300 m east of the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance, a handy lunch stop right after the Río Celeste hike.
- Laberinto Río CelesteParks & WildlifeA 4,600 m² hibiscus hedge maze 150 m from the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance — find your way to the lookout platform in the middle.
- Kantala Restaurant (Río Celeste Hideaway)Food & CoffeeThe fusion restaurant of the Río Celeste Hideaway hotel, open to the public for lunch or dinner with a reservation — the area's fine-dining option.
- Tilapiera Los Laguitos y Restaurante Río CelesteFood & CoffeeLunch spot 1.4 km from the Tenorio Volcano park entrance where the tilapia comes from its own ponds, with a pretty pond garden and canoe; a handy meal stop after the Río Celeste hike.
- Restaurante La Amistad (Río Celeste)Sodas & Local FoodFamily soda by the Posada La Amistad, east of the Tenorio entrance, serving casados — including a colorful vegetarian one — before or after the hike.
- Tapir Valley Nature ReserveParks & WildlifePrivate reserve at the foot of Tenorio Volcano, reforested around a large lagoon; a sanctuary for the endangered Baird's tapir with 440+ bird species.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/836225767 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/836225767 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/6097118985 · https://www.viajeroscallejeros.com/visitar-rio-celeste-parque-nacional-volcan-tenorio/amp/