The Complete List of Lakes in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s freshwater bodies pepper the map from volcanic highlands to lowland wetlands, shaping habitats and local livelihoods. Lakes and lagoons here vary in size and origin, reflecting the country’s mix of volcanic craters, reservoirs, and coastal systems that attract birdwatchers, anglers, and researchers alike.

There are 38 Lakes in Costa Rica, ranging from Angostura Reservoir to Tortuguero Lagoon. The list below groups each entry for clarity — Province,Type,Area (km2) — so you can quickly scan where a lake sits, what kind it is, and how large it is. For quick reference and planning, you’ll find those details laid out below.

How current and reliable is the information in this list?

The list compiles official maps, government registers, and recognized geographic databases, but lake names and measured areas can change with new surveys or water-level shifts; treat the table as a strong starting point and check local sources or recent hydrographic data for the latest specifics.

Which lakes are easiest to visit and what activities can I expect?

Accessibility depends on province and infrastructure: reservoirs and lakes near towns often allow boating, fishing, and short hikes, while coastal lagoons like Tortuguero are reached by boat and focus on wildlife viewing; check access rules, required permits, and seasonal conditions before planning a visit.

Lakes in Costa Rica

Images and Descriptions

Arenal Lake

Large reservoir in northern Costa Rica at the base of Arenal Volcano. Formed by a hydroelectric dam, it is one of the country’s largest lakes. Offer windsurfing, boating and fishing. Include it because it is a major lake and visitor destination.

Caño Negro Lagoon

Shallow wetland lagoon in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands near the Nicaraguan border. Host rich bird life and seasonal floods. Access mainly by boat from nearby towns. Include it for its wildlife and eco-tourism value.

Reventazón Reservoir

Hydroelectric reservoir on the Reventazón River in eastern Costa Rica. Serve power generation and river recreation. Offer boat trips and fishing in regulated areas. Include it as an important engineered lake in the national river system.

Tortuguero Lagoon

Series of coastal lagoons and canals on the Caribbean coast inside Tortuguero National Park. Form a maze used for boat wildlife tours and turtle nesting access. Reachable only by boat or small plane. Include it for its famous wildlife corridors.

Sierpe Lagoon

Large mangrove lagoon on the southern Pacific coast near Sierpe and the Osa Peninsula. Act as a gateway to mangrove forests and boat tours. Support fishing and birding. Include it for coastal wetland ecosystems and access to the Osa region.

Cachí Lake

Hydroelectric reservoir in the Cartago highlands, also called Lake Cachí. Sit in a valley near small towns and coffee farms. Offer scenic views, fishing and short drives from Cartago. Include it as a popular Central Valley lake and dam reservoir.

Pirrís Reservoir

Man-made lake in southern Costa Rica created for hydroelectric power. Sit in the highlands near Pérez Zeledón. Support local fishing and limited shore access. Include it as a major southern reservoir.

Angostura Reservoir

Hydroelectric reservoir in central Costa Rica serving power and irrigation. Feature calm waters and limited developed recreation. Accessible from regional roads and local towns. Include it as part of the country’s built lake network.

Gandoca Lagoon

Coastal lagoon in the Gandoca-Manzanillo area on the southern Caribbean coast. Form part of a protected refuge with rich coastal wildlife. Access by local trails and guided boat trips. Include it for its protected status and coastal habitat.

Lake Cote

Small freshwater lake in northern Costa Rica. Serve local fishing and bird watching. Often sit near agricultural land and small towns. Include it as one of the named natural lakes of the country.

Bonilla Lagoon

Shallow lagoon in Costa Rica that supports wetland plants and wildlife. Offer quiet shorelines for local visitors and birders. Access varies by season and road conditions. Include it as a named lagoon used by nearby communities.

Sandillal Reservoir

Man-made reservoir used for water storage and local uses. Sit in a regional watershed with seasonal water level changes. Provide limited recreation and fishing where allowed. Include it as part of Costa Rica’s reservoir system.

Madre de Dios Lagoon

Freshwater lagoon with wetland edges and wildlife habitat. Often found near riparian forests or protected areas. Support local fishing and birding. Include it as a named wetland feature in national inventories.

Chocuaco Lagoon

Coastal or lowland lagoon that provides habitat for waterbirds and aquatic plants. Experience seasonal water changes and access by local roads. Include it as one of the country’s named lagoons.

Hule Lagoon

Small forested lagoon in the highland region of Costa Rica. Form in volcanic terrain and support native vegetation and birds. Accessible by local trails in protected forest areas. Include it among volcanic and highland lakes.

Corcovado Lagoon

Lagoon associated with Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. Provide important wetland habitat in a primary forest area. Access typically requires park entry and guided travel. Include it for its link to one of Costa Rica’s richest parks.

Río Cuarto Lagoon

Lagoon in the Río Cuarto area of northern Costa Rica. Form part of a landscape of small lakes and wetlands. Support local agriculture and wildlife. Include it as a regional lake in the Río Cuarto canton.

Laguna Caliente

Volcanic crater lake known for hot, acidic water in some volcanoes of Costa Rica. Appear in active volcanic craters and often have restricted access. Include it as a volcanic lake type that demands caution.

Palo Verde Lagoon

Large wetland lagoon inside Palo Verde National Park in northwest Costa Rica. Host waterbirds, crocodiles and seasonal floods. Offer guided boat tours and strong birding opportunities. Include it for its national-park wetland importance.

Danta Lagoon

Coastal or lowland lagoon that supports local wildlife and mangrove edges in some regions. Offer seasonal access and local fishing. Include it as one of several named coastal lagoons.

Congo Lagoon

Wetland lagoon found in Costa Rica’s coastal or river lowlands. Act as habitat for birds and aquatic life. Access and size vary by location and season. Include it among named lagoon features.

Barreal Lagoon

Small lagoon or pond often found in lowland or coastal plains. Support local wildlife and seasonal recreation. Access depends on nearby roads. Include it as a named local wetland.

Botos Lagoon

Cold crater lake inside Poás Volcano National Park in central Costa Rica. Form in a volcanic crater and sit in protected forest. Offer short, managed trails and viewing from park paths. Include it as a well-known volcanic lake in a major park.

Diego de la Haya Lagoon

Named lagoon that provides wetland habitat in Costa Rica. Support local biodiversity and seasonal water levels. Access varies with roads and property. Include it as a recorded lagoon in national lists.

La Palma Lagoon

Coastal or inland lagoon carrying the La Palma name in Costa Rica. Support fish, birds and wetland plants. Offer local access points in surrounding communities. Include it as one of several locally named lagoons.

Brava Lagoon

Turbulent or dynamic lagoon often located on the coast or near river mouths. Host coastal bird life and changing water levels. Access is usually by local tracks or boat. Include it as a coastal lagoon entry.

Misterio Lagoon

Small, named lagoon that appears in regional maps of Costa Rica. Provide habitat for local plants and birds. Access and facilities are limited. Include it as a local natural feature.

Cerro Chato Lagoon

Small green crater lake inside the dormant Cerro Chato volcano near Arenal. Sit in a forested crater and collect rainwater. Hike access is steep and sometimes closed. Include it as a volcanic crater lake linked to the Arenal area.

Fraijanes Lagoon

Highland or volcanic lagoon found on forested slopes in central Costa Rica. Support native plants and cool water. Often sit inside protected zones or reserves. Include it among high-elevation lake features.

Laguna de las Morrenas

Lagoon formed by glacial or volcanic moraine action or named for nearby terrain. Support wetland plants and seasonal wildlife. Access is often on rural roads or trails. Include it as a named physical feature.

Ojo de Agua Lagoon

Commonly named spring-fed lagoon in Costa Rica. Form from natural springs and offer clear water and local wildlife. Access varies by site; many are near communities. Include it as a frequent local lake name.

Dabagri Lagoon

Named lagoon that contributes to Costa Rica’s wetland inventory. Provide local habitat for birds and fish. Access and size depend on region and season. Include it as a recorded lagoon.

Don Manuel Lagoon

Local lagoon named in regional maps and records. Serve as small wildlife wetlands and community water features. Access typically by local roads. Include it as part of the country’s list of lagoons.

Martillete Lagoon

Shallow lagoon that supports marsh plants and seasonal bird life. Appear in lowland or coastal areas with fluctuating water. Access is site-specific. Include it as one of Costa Rica’s many lagoons.

Laguna de los Jilgueros

Lagoon named for songbirds (jilgueros) that use the habitat. Support birding and wetland plants. Appear near rural communities or protected areas. Include it for its bird habitat value.

Kamakuk Lagoon

Named coastal or inland lagoon in Costa Rica with local ecological value. Provide habitat for fish and birds and show seasonal changes. Access is usually local. Include it among named lagoons in the national record.

Barva Lagoon

Crater lake on Barva Volcano inside Braulio Carrillo and Barva Volcano protected areas. Sit at high elevation in cloud forest. Offer limited trail access and strong birding. Include it as an important highland volcanic lake.

Copey Lagoon

Freshwater lagoon found in highland or central mountain areas of Costa Rica. Support native plants, birds and cool water conditions. Access depends on mountain roads and trails. Include it as a named mountain lake.

Lakes in Other Countries