Pozas del Cañón (Río Colorado canyon pools)
Swimming spot · Guanacaste · hidden gem
Clear blue-green pools in a pale rock canyon of the Río Colorado, just off the road from the Pan-American Highway to Curubandé. Liberia locals come here on hot days to swim and jump from the rocks.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 9 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 10.67263, -85.46604 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.7 on Google (90)
Before you go
- Entry
- Free
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Swimming
- Yes
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Park before the Río Colorado bridge — the entrance is easy to miss when coming from Liberia.
Be careful
Parts of the pool are up to about 6 m (20 ft) deep; only strong swimmers should go in there, and check the depth before any jump. Stay out after heavy rain upstream.
Getting there
About 1.5 km from Route 1 on the road toward Curubandé; free access.
Places nearby
- Cañón de la Vieja Lodge (adventure center)Tours & AdventureAdventure lodge on the Río Colorado canyon just north of Liberia, running rafting and tubing trips, canopy and rappelling for day visitors.
- Amstar DMC Costa RicaTrip PlannersInternational DMC with a Guanacaste operation providing airport transfers, excursions and on-site assistance for resort guests.
- Restaurante Donde PipeFood & CoffeeBusy, long-standing Liberia restaurant near the center, open from early morning, for Costa Rican and casual plates.
- Restaurante Los ComalesSodas & Local FoodClassic budget eatery for Guanacaste-style typical food in central Liberia, open from early morning.
- Cafetería y Restaurante El AmanecerFood & CoffeeBright, modern café-restaurant in Liberia, 15 minutes from the airport, with Costa Rican breakfasts, a weekday casado lunch and a big pastry and coffee list.
- Casa Liberia – Mercado Gastronómico y CulturalFood & CoffeeA food hall and cultural space in a house in Liberia's old center near Calle Real, with several small kitchens under one roof.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9530496617 · https://vozdeguanacaste.com/las-irresistibles-pozas-azul-turquesa-de-curubande/ · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9530496617