La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath
$70.00
Upon booking you will receive a detailed booking confirmation via email with information on where to arrive (Google Maps and Waze Link Included) what to bring and photos of the parking lot or the main entrance.
Fresh food. Cold drinks. Good vibes after your adventure.
Guests who select “Reserve a Table” will receive a follow-up message from our team with the option to pre-order meals and drinks in advance.
This allows our kitchen to begin preparing your order before the tour ends, helping provide faster service and a smoother experience upon arrival to the restaurant.
🍽 Food Menu
Costa Rican casados, burgers, pasta, vegetarian options, snacks, and more.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath
Explore epic volcanic river canyons on the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike, then relax in natural hot springs, surrounded by tropical forest. Enjoy a rejuvenating mud bath and cool off in the refreshing Rio Negro River between the thermal pools.
This La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs combo package lets you experience two of the most popular Rincon de la Vieja attractions in one day and offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
See what our La Leona Waterfall and Hot Springs tour is like and secure your spot today!
Why Combine La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs?
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 26
✔️ Adventure & Relaxation
Hike along jungle trails, climb over rocks and swim to the La Leona Waterfall cave on a unique adventure hike, then relax in natural thermal pools afterward.
✔️ Best Value
Save time and money by combining two popular Rincon de la Vieja activities in one combo package.
✔️ Experience Nature up Close
Explore impressive volcanic river canyons on the La Leona Waterfall hike, then enjoy natural hot springs and a volcanic mud bath surrounded by tropical forest.
✔️ Perfect Day Trip from Liberia
Close to Liberia and Guanacaste Airport (LIR), this combo is an easy way to experience two popular Rincon de la Vieja attractions in one day.
La Leona Waterfall and Hot Springs – Location
The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike starts at our tour base in the small village of Curubandé, just 20 minutes from Liberia in Guanacaste. After the hike, you can have lunch at our on-site La Leona Restaurant and take some time to refresh before continuing to the hot springs. Showers, changing rooms, shoe-washing stations and bathrooms are available at our tour base.
The Rio Negro Hot Springs are located about 20 minutes from our reception, near Rincon de la Vieja National Park. If you booked a self-drive tour, you can get there in your own vehicle. If you booked the tour with transportation, your driver will take you there, wait for you, and drive you back to your hotel afterward. No guide is required at the hot springs and you can stay as long as you like during opening hours (9am – 5pm).
La Leona Waterfall Adventure HikeLocation
Entrance to La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 27
La Leona Waterfall and Hot Springs – Booking Options
Book La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs as a self-drive trip or with transportation included.
💡Please note: The La Leona Waterfall hike included in this combo package is offered as a group tour with other travelers.
🚗
Self-Drive Tour
Meet at Tour Starting Point
Best if you have your own car or prefer to travel independently
Free and secure parking is available at our tour office in Curubandé and at Rio Negro Hot Springs.
⭐ Most convenient option – we take care of everything
Our driver will pick you up at your hotel, Airbnb, or preferred location, take you to our tour office and the hot springs, wait for you, and drive you back afterward.
⚠️ All tours have to be reserved in advance. If you arrive without a reservation, you may have to wait several hours for a guide or may not be able to join a tour that day.
La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs – Itinerary
See what to expect on your La Leona Waterfall Hot Springs tour in Rincon de la Vieja.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike
⏱ About 2.5-3 Hrs
🚶4 km (2.5 mi)
📍Río BlancoRiver
Meet your guide and get ready with a life jacket and dry bag. A fun 5-minute 4×4 ride will take you to the trailhead.
Begin the hike along jungle trails, over volcanic rocks and ladders, cross rivers and, with a little luck, spot local wildlife.
To reach the hidden waterfall cave, you’ll swim through an epic canyon in the bright blue river, with your guide always close to assist you when needed.
Enjoy the breathtaking La Leona Waterfall, surrounded by volcanic formations, and the natural pool, before making your way back through the forest.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 28
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 29
💡As you’ll get completely wet during the hike, we highly recommend bringing a towel. Towels are provided at Rio Negro Hot Springs, but not for the La Leona Waterfall hike.
Short Break
After the hike, you’ll have time to refresh and get ready for the Rio Negro Hot Springs.
Optional: Enjoy lunch, a snack or a refreshing drink at our on-site ➡️La Leona Restaurant.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 30
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 31
Rio Negro Hot Springs and Mud Bath
⏱ About 1.5-2 Hrs
♨️ 10 Hot Spring Pools
🌋 Volcanic Mud Bath
Pick up your towels at the reception and cross the first hanging bridge. A short walk through the forest takes you to the hot springs, with changing rooms available along the way.
Soon you’ll reach 10 natural hot spring pools with different temperatures(35°C–45°C / 95°F–113°F) on both sides of the Rio Negro River, connected by two hanging bridges with scenic views.
Choose the pools with the best temperature for you, enjoy the tropical surroundings, and cool off in the Rio Negro River between the thermal pools.
For the volcanic mud bath, apply the mud to your skin, let it dry, and then rinse it off in the river or under the showers.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 32
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 33
Ready for La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs?
La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs Reviews
See why our guests recommend visiting La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs in Rincon de la Vieja.
—
Melanie Graybill · Google Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We had an amazing experience on our Rincón de la Vieja tour, and our guide Andrey was absolutely fantastic! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire day so much fun. The tour included everything we were hoping for — a beautiful waterfall, relaxing hot springs, and a super fun mud bath. Lunch was good. Transportation was included as well, which made the whole experience easy and stress-free. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide or a better day. Highly recommend this tour and especially Andrey!”
“My group and I did the guided hike to Leona falls and it was amazing! The hike is beautiful. We got to swim and do a little bit of cliff jumping as well. We saw bats and a monkey! After the hike, we went and had a delicious buffet style lunch and then relaxed with a mud bath, cool dip in the river, and then hot springs. So amazing, highly recommend! Our tour guide, Bernie, was with us all day and made the day even better. Bernie, PURA VIDA MAE! Thanks so much“
The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike is beginner-friendly and a great adventure for families with kids, but may not be ideal for everyone.
Who is the La Leona Waterfall Hike NOT suitable for?
❌ Not suitable for people with knee, ankle, walking or mobility limitations
❌ Children under 6 are not allowed
❌ Not suitable during pregnancy
🏊 Don’t know how to swim? No problem!
Life jackets are mandatory, so you can simply float during the swimming sections and move along the ropes set up across the river.
🛡️ Safety on the La Leona Waterfall Hike
✔️ Life jackets are mandatory for the waterfall hike
✔️ Close assistance from experienced guides
✔️ River conditions are monitored closely and tours only operate when water levels are safe
✔️ All guides carry emergency equipment & radios
✔️ Extra attention for young kids
ℹ️ No prior hiking experience is needed, but a basic level of fitness is required.
⚠️ Use caution at the hot springs if you have high blood pressure or heart conditions. Don’t put your head under the water in the thermal pools.
Practical Information
📍 How to Get to the Tour
You can get to our La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office and to the Rio Negro Hot Springs with your own or a rental car or by choosing the option with transportation included.
💡 You don’t need a4×4 vehicle to get to the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office and Rio Negro Hot Springs, but drive carefully as parts of the road may have potholes.
1️⃣ From Liberia, drive about 5 km north on Highway 1.
2️⃣ Turn right when you see signs pointing to Rincon de la Vieja National Park and continue for about 15 minutes.
3️⃣ Reach the village of Curubandé and continue straight, passing by the church.
4️⃣ After about 300 m you will find our tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.
After completing the hike, our reception staff will give you exact directions from La Leona Waterfall to Rio Negro Hot Springs.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 34
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike Entrance and parking.
If you don’t have a car available, or simply prefer the most convenient option, you can book the La Leona Waterfall and Hot Springs tour with transportation included.
🚐 Why Choose Transportation Included?
✔️ Hotel Pickup throughout Guanacaste
✔️ Flexible transfers: include the tour as a stop between two destinations
✔️ Get the best price by booking transportation together with your tour
✔️ Optional stops along the way for food or souvenirs
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 35
Enjoy convenient shuttle service throughout Guanacaste.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 36
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike + Hot Springs and Mud Bath 37
⬆️ Click to open Overview
💡 At Rio Negro Hot Springs, you’ll also find free parking, bathrooms and changing rooms.
La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs – FAQ
Can children visit La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs?
Yes, the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike and Rio Negro Hot Springs are great activities for active families with kids ages 6 and older.
On the La Leona Waterfall hike, kids usually enjoy climbing over rocks and ladders, crossing rivers, looking for wildlife and swimming to the waterfall cave. Children should be comfortable with these activities and with walking for 2.5–3 hours. Our experienced guides will be there to assist them whenever needed.
At Rio Negro Hot Springs, kids usually enjoy crossing the hanging bridges, exploring the surrounding trails, and applying the volcanic mud. Most pools are shallow and suitable for younger children when accompanied by their parents.
Is lunch included in the La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs Tour?
Lunch is not included in the tour price, but during the break between the La Leona Waterfall hike and Rio Negro Hot Springs, you can choose to enjoy a meal, snack or refreshing drink from the varied menu at our on-site ➡️ La Leona Restaurant. We recommend reserving a table in advance during booking.
Is transportation included to La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs?
Transportation from your accommodation to our tour office and from our tour office to Rio Negro Hot Springs is not included in the tour price. You can add it during booking for an additional cost by choosing the option ➡️ with transportation.
4×4 transportation from our tour reception to the La Leona Waterfall hike starting point is included and takes about 5 minutes.
How difficult is the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike?
The La Leona Waterfall tour is rated as moderate. You’ll hike on uneven and rocky forest trails, cross rivers, climb over small rocks and ladders, and swim through short sections of the river. You don’t need any previous hiking experience, but a basic level of fitness is required. Swimming skills are not necessary, as you’ll wear a life jacket and can use ropes to move through the swimming sections. Your guide will assist you along the trail whenever needed.
What should I wear for La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs?
For the La Leona Waterfall hike, we recommend light, fast-drying sports clothes and closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps. Flip-flops are not allowed on the waterfall hike, but they are useful afterward at the hot springs. After the hike, you can shower and change before having lunch or continuing to Rio Negro Hot Springs.
At the hot springs, wear a swimsuit and remove any silver jewelry, as the volcanic minerals may change its color. Towels are provided at Rio Negro Hot Springs.
How far is the drive from La Leona Waterfall to Rio Negro Hot Springs?
The drive from La Leona Waterfall to Rio Negro Hot Springs takes about 20 minutes. Both attractions are easy to reach and make a perfect Rincon de la Vieja day trip from Liberia.
Are Rio Negro Hot Springs tickets included in the tour?
Yes, the Rio Negro Hot Springs entrance fee is included in the price of the La Leona Waterfall and Hot Springs combo tour. When you enter Hacienda Guachipelín on the way to the hot springs, simply show your reservation and pick up your wristbands at the Adventure Tour Desk.
How long does the La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs Tour take?
The whole combo tour typically takes about 4.5–5.5 hours, depending on how long you’d like to stay at the hot springs. The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike takes about 2.5–3 hours, depending on the group size and pace. After a short break at our tour base, where you can have lunch, you’ll drive about 20 minutes to Rio Negro Hot Springs, where most guests spend around 1.5–2 hours.
What are the Rio Negro Hot Springs opening hours?
Rio Negro Hot Springs are open daily from 9am to 5pm. Our La Leona Waterfall and Hot Springs combo tours start at 8am or 9am, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the thermal pools after the La Leona Waterfall hike.
Is La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs a good day trip from Liberia?
Yes, La Leona Waterfall and Rio Negro Hot Springs make a perfect Rincon de la Vieja day trip from Liberia, combining the adventurous La Leona Waterfall hike with relaxing in natural hot springs and enjoying a rejuvenating volcanic mud bath. Both attractions are close to Liberia and let you experience two popular things to do in Rincon de la Vieja in one day.
Where can I visit hot springs near La Leona Waterfall?
Some of the best hot springs near La Leona Waterfall are Rio Negro Hot Springs, located close to Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
Enjoy 10 natural thermal pools with different temperatures overlooking the Rio Negro River, cross scenic hanging bridges and try a volcanic mud bath. Surrounded by tropical forest, the hot springs are a beautiful place to relax for a few hours after your La Leona Waterfall hike.
The drive from La Leona Waterfall to Rio Negro Hot Springs takes about 20 minutes.
