El Salto swimming hole (Fortuna River)
Also known as: El Salto · Poza El Salto · el mecate de El Salto
A cold-water pool under the Fortuna River bridge, known for its rope swing. It is free and public, but two people died here in 2026. Read the precautions before you go.
We don't have a freely licensed photo of this place yet.
What you can do for free
- Cool off in the riverCool off in the pool only if the river is low and clear, within the permitted hours, and without jumping in blind.
- Relax and watch local lifeTake a break on the riverbank, away from the current.
El Salto is a natural pool in the Fortuna River, next to the bridge on national road 702, south of town. There is no formal entrance and no fee. According to the president of ADIFORT, the riverbed is public domain, and local media describe it as a public space. It became famous for a rope swing that people use to jump into the water. The water is cold, not thermal.
The pool is more dangerous than it looks. National and local media report at least four drownings: a young man in 2021, a teenager in 2024 and two people in 2026, on 19 July and 10 August. In 2018 a flash flood swept away 15 people at this same pool. After the 2026 deaths, authorities and local organisations agreed to improve signage, install buoys in risk areas and increase police presence. The police reminded the public that entry is only allowed between 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
If you go, treat it like a mountain river. Do not go in if it is raining or if it rained heavily in the previous days. Get out immediately if the water changes colour or starts to rise. And do not jump where you do not know the depth or the current.
How to get there
From downtown, take road 702 south (towards Chachagua and San Ramón). Past the turn-off to the waterfall, the bridge signed "Río Fortuna" marks the spot. In Waze it appears as "Poza El Salto". It is less than 100 metres on foot from where people leave their vehicles.
Permitted access
Free access from the roadside; there is no formal entrance. Next to the pool there is private property belonging to an adventure company, with its own trail for customers. That is not the public access.
Terrain and conditions
A short, rocky scramble down from the road. The pool is about 8 metres deep, with rocks, whirlpools and hollows where people jump in.
What to bring
- Water shoes. The rocks are slippery.
- A bag to take your rubbish home.
Precautions
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Documented deaths: two in 2026 (19 July and 10 August), one in 2024 and one in 2021.
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Do not go in if it is raining or if it rained heavily in the previous days.
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Get out immediately if the water changes colour, rises or carries leaves and debris. A flash flood may be coming. The Red Cross warns that sometimes there are no signs and the flow rises in one or two minutes.
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Do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs, do not go alone, watch children at all times and never go in at night.
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There are no lifeguards. Because of its financial crisis, the Red Cross is considering scenarios that could suspend water rescues (October 2026).
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Do not leave valuables in the car. Break-ins have been reported in parking spots in the area.
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In an emergency, call 9-1-1. The call is free from any phone.
What we don't know yet
- Whether the signs and buoys agreed in August 2026 have been installed.
- The official rule that sets the 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours.
- Whether any parts of the pool have been declared off-limits.
- Whether the development association's rubbish bin that a guide mentioned in 2020 is still there.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these sources. The date is when we checked them.
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La Teja (publicado en nacion.com)
National media
Entry is free and open to everyone; there is no parking.
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Vamos a Turistear (ICT)
Official
Free entry according to the ICT domestic-tourism site; safety advice.
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San Carlos Digital
Local media
The riverbed is public domain according to ADIFORT; two deaths in 2026.
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San Carlos Digital
Local media
Permitted hours according to the police; agreements on signage, buoys and police presence (August 2026).
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The Costa Rica Travel Blog
Travel guide
Public space; unofficial parking; vehicle break-ins; neighbouring private property.
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San Carlos Digital
Local media
Location south of town, depth, the 2024 death and safety advice.
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La Nación
National media
Death of a tourist on 19 July 2026.
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TVN Noticias (Canal 14)
Local media
The group went in with the river swollen; warning signs exist.
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Teletica
National media
Death on 10 August 2026.
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Diario Extra
National media
Details of the 10 August 2026 victim.
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La Teja
National media
History of rescues and earlier deaths at the pool.
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La Teja
National media
Flash flood that swept away 15 people in 2018.
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CRHoy
National media
Red Cross warning about floods with no prior signs.
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La Nación
National media
Possible suspension of Red Cross water rescues (scenario under consideration).
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OpenStreetMap — Poza El Salto, Río Fortuna (vía 1092742236)
Map
Location of the pool.
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Enrutador FOSSGIS/OSRM sobre datos de OpenStreetMap (routing.openstreetmap.de)
Map
Estimated driving distance from the central park.
Nearby
La Fortuna Central Park
Downtown La Fortuna
The heart of town, with benches and gardens. On clear days Arenal Volcano rises behind the church, and that photo costs nothing.