Río Celeste Free River Pool
Swimming spot · Arenal & La Fortuna
Swimming isn't allowed inside the park, but about a kilometer from the entrance the same sky-blue river runs under a road bridge where you can take a dip for free.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 1 h
- Best time
- midday
- Kids
- 6 / 10
- View
- 6 / 10
- Crowds
- 5 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 10.7094, -84.98048 — Google Maps
Tip
Locals run two small parking areas for about 1,000 colones. Keep your head above water: the mineral water stings the eyes.
Be careful
Cold water and slippery rocks; stay out when the river is high or cloudy after rain, and keep valuables out of sight in the car.
Places nearby
- 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.
- Tapirus Paradise RestaurantFood & CoffeePopular restaurant 300 m east of the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance, a handy lunch stop right after the Río Celeste hike.
- 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.
- 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.
- Soda y Rancho Doña IrmaSodas & Local FoodRustic roadside rancho near the Tenorio park road serving typical Costa Rican food.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/103048536 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/103048536 · https://mytanfeet.com/activities/rio-celeste-free-pool