Sendero Las Sorpresas (swim in Río Celeste, El Pilón)
Swimming spot · Arenal & La Fortuna · hidden gem
A family-run private trail in El Pilón, about a kilometer from the Tenorio park entrance, that leads in 20 minutes through forest to a spot where you can actually swim in the sky-blue Río Celeste — not allowed inside the park.
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 6 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 9 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 10.7162, -84.97753 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.9 on Tripadvisor (9) · 5.0 on Facebook (8)
Before you go
- Entry
- under 5 free
- Tickets
- Pay at the entrance
- Walk
- 20 min
- Swimming
- Yes
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Do the park waterfall first, then cool off here; you can also go on horseback.
Be careful
After heavy rain the river turns milky and stronger — skip the swim then.
Places nearby
- 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.
- Tapirus Paradise RestaurantFood & CoffeePopular restaurant 300 m east of the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance, a handy lunch stop right after the Río Celeste hike.
- 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.
- 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 node/13078972542 · https://www.glartent.com/ · https://www.instagram.com/sorpresasrioceleste/ · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/13078972542