In IK Start's first test against a Tippeligaen side, Bolaños received rave reviews from the media after outplaying Norwegian international Trond Erik Bertelsen of Viking, who a few days earlier had controlled Bastian Schweinsteiger during Norway's] win against Germany.

On 30 August 2010, Bolaños signed a three-year contract with the defending champions of Denmark, FC Copenhagen at a cost of €1 million or 7.5 mio.

On 22 August 2012, Bolaños was linked with a £3 million move to English side Wolverhampton Wanderers, which could re-unite him with former Copenhagen manager Ståle Solbakken.

[10] On 20 January 2016, Bolaños signed a multi-year contract with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer for an undisclosed amount.

[13] He made his debut for the Costa Rica senior national team in a May 2005 friendly match against Norway and by November 2016 had collected a total of 71 caps, scoring 6 goals.