📍20 min from Liberia, Rincon de la Vieja
🧒 Minimum Age: 6+
⭐ 5.0 Google Reviews
⬇️ See What Awaits on the La Leona Waterfall Hike
⬇️ La Leona Waterfall with Kids
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike – Group Tour
Experience La Leona Waterfall in Costa Rica on a guided group adventure hike through the tropical forest of Rincon de la Vieja. Cross rivers, climb over rocks and ladders, swim through the canyon and make your way into the waterfall cave with an experienced local guide.
See what a group tour to La Leona Waterfall is like and find out if this is the right option for you.
What is the La Leona Waterfall Group Tour Like?
✔️ Meet Other Travelers
Enjoy a fun and social La Leona Waterfall hike and meet travelers from around the world.
✔️ Up to 20 Participants
Group tours can have up to 20 participants. Your guide will lead the group and assist everyone through the challenging sections of the hike.
✔️ Most Budget Friendly
The group tour is our standard La Leona Waterfall tour and the most affordable option.
✔️ Minimum Age 6
The minimum age for the group tour is 6. Children ages 4 and 5 can join a private tour, where the guide can provide more individual assistance.
ℹ️ Please note: The group hikes at a shared pace, and your guide focuses on the group as a whole rather than on individual participants.
Traveling solo? Feel free to ➡️ contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you join a La Leona Waterfall group tour!
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike – Location
The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike starts at our tour office in the small village of Curubandé, just 20 minutes from Liberia and near Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike on Google Maps
Entrance to La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike
La Leona Waterfall Group Tour – Booking Options
Book your La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike as a self-drive trip or with transportation included.
🚗
Self-Drive Tour
Meet at Tour Starting Point
Best if you have your own car or prefer to travel independently
Free and monitored parking is available at our tour office in Curubandé. You can also get there by public bus.
🚐
Transportation Included
Hotel Pickup Service throughout Guanacaste
⭐ Most convenient option – we take care of everything
Our driver will pick you up at your hotel, Airbnb, or preferred location, take you to the tour, wait for you during the hike, and drive you back afterward.
⚠️ Note that 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.
⭐ Looking for a Full-Day Adventure?
Make the most of your day by combining your La Leona Waterfall hike with other top-rated Rincon de la Vieja tours.
We offer La Leona Waterfall combo tours with zip lining, river tubing, hot springs or Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike – What to Expect
Follow along as we show you what to expect on a hiking tour to La Leona Waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja.
⏱️ DURATION
About 2.5-3 hours
Depending on group size and pace
🚶 DISTANCE
2 km each way
(1.5 miles each way)
🪨 TERRAIN
Uneven terrain, small climbing & swimming sections
🥾 DIFFICULTY
Moderate
Basic level of fitness required
🏊♂️ SWIMMING
NO swimming skills required. Life jackets are mandatory.
4×4 Ride
Meet your guide and get ready with a life jacket and dry bag. A fun 4×4 ride will take you to the trailhead, you can choose to go in the car or ride in the back for the more adventurous version.
River Crossing
The hike begins with a 10-minute walk through light forest to reach Río Blanco. Here comes the first of five river crossings along the trail, with a rope to hold onto for balance.
Into the Jungle
On the other side the forest gets denser and you walk beneath huge trees along a rocky jungle trail. Keep an eye out for wildlife, you may spot monkeys and tropical birds!
Volcanic Rocks & Ladders
Further along the path, the hike gets more adventurous as you climb over volcanic rocks and ladders. Your guide will be by your side to help whenever needed.
First Swim
Time to get in the water! Enjoy a refreshing swim through the bright turquoise Río Blanco beneath an epic triangular rock formation to continue the trail on the other side.
River Canyon
You’ve almost reached La Leona Waterfall! Move hand by hand along a rope as you swim through a volcanic river canyon to the waterfall cave. Definitely a highlight of the hike!
La Leona Waterfall
Your guide will help you through the final part, where the current is strongest, until you finally enter the waterfall cave.
This is the moment you’ll understand why La Leona Waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica.
The rushing waterfall flows into a crystal-clear natural pool, surrounded by impressive volcanic rock formations.
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and refreshing water before making your way back through the jungle.
Ready for the La Leona Waterfall Hike?
⚠️ Tours fill up quickly, reserve your spot now!
La Leona Waterfall Hike – Reviews
See what our guests say about their experience at La Leona Waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja.
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Stacey Rowe · Google Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We had the most amazing visit today! We can’t say enough about our tour guide, Victor, and the rest of your staff. We loved both the tubing and the waterfall tour. It was the perfect challenge for our party of 10, and we enjoyed every beautiful moment. We can’t wait to visit again!“
—
Mark Hinton · Google Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We had a fantastic time on the waterfall hike and river tubing with Wil. It was a good amount of adventure for our family with teenagers. The waterfall was more impressive than how it looks in the photos. Wil was a lot of fun, and taught us about the trees in the forest. In the river tubing, guides help you stay on course and free you when you get stuck. They also carry the tubes to and from the water for you!”
⚠️ Important Information
The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike is rated moderate and includes uneven terrain, river crossings, climbing over ladders and swimming through sections of the river. It is beginner-friendly and a great adventure for kids, but may not be ideal for everyone.
Who is this tour NOT suitable for?
❌ Not suitable for people with knee, ankle, walking or mobility limitations
❌ Children under 6 are not allowed on the group tour
❌ Not suitable during pregnancy
🏊 Don’t know how to swim? No problem!
You can just float with your life jacket and move through the swimming sections using the safety ropes set up across the river. Your guide will assist you whenever needed.
🛡️ Safety on the La Leona Waterfall Hike
✔️ Life jackets are mandatory
✔️ Experienced & certified guides
✔️ Personal assistance throughout the hike
✔️ All guides carry emergency equipment & radios
✔️ River conditions are monitored closely and tours only operate when water levels are safe
ℹ️ No prior hiking experience is needed, but a basic level of fitness is required.
Practical Information
📍 How to Get to La Leona Waterfall
Located just 20 minutes from Liberia, 40 minutes from Guanacaste Airport (LIR) and only about 1-2 hours from the region’s most popular beaches, the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Rincon de la Vieja makes a perfect day trip.
You can get to the tour starting point in Curubandé with your own or a rental car, by bus, or by choosing the option with transportation included.
La Leona Waterfall Directions
💡 You don’t need a 4×4 vehicle to get to La Leona Waterfall, 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.
🅿️ At our tour office you will find free and monitored parking.
Entrance to our tour office.
Tour with Transportation Included
If you don’t have a car available, or simply prefer the most convenient option, you can book the La Leona Waterfall 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
Enjoy convenient shuttle service throughout Guanacaste.
La Leona Waterfall
by Bus
Taking the bus to get to La Leona Waterfall is the most budget-friendly option, but it is also less flexible, as there is only one bus connection available for both the journey to Curubandé and the return trip.
💡 Keep in mind that each bus ride must be paid for in cash directly to the driver. It’s best to bring small bills with you, as drivers may not always have change for larger notes.
Getting there (Liberia → Curubandé)
- Departure from: Parada Municipal (Liberia)
- Bus time: 6:45am
✔ Allows you to join the tour at 8am or 9am
❌ Does NOT run on weekends
Returning (Curubandé → Liberia)
- Departure from: Bus station close to the church
- Bus time: 1:15pm
✔ Fits after completing the morning hike
⚠️ Only bus available to get back
What to Bring & What’s Included
See what to bring to the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike for a comfortable tour experience.
🎒 What to Bring
✔️ Closed-toe shoes, water shoes or sandals with straps (NO flip-flops!)
✔️ Light sports clothes that can get wet
✔️ Change of clothes and shoes for after the tour & a towel
✔️ Water bottle
✔️ Sunscreen & bug spray
🪖 What’s Provided
✔️ Experienced & certified tour guide
✔️ Life jackets (mandatory for everyone)
✔️ Dry bags to store small belongings during the hike
✔️ Transportation between our office and the trailhead
Facilities at La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike
At our La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour base, you’ll find everything you need before and after the tour.
✔️ Free & monitored parking
✔️ Lockers
✔️ Bathrooms
✔️ Changing rooms
✔️ Showers
✔️ Shoe-washing stations
✔️ On-site ➡️ La Leona Restaurant
⬆️ Click to open Overview
La Leona Waterfall Group Tour – FAQ
How many participants are on the La Leona Waterfall group tour?
There can be up to 20 participants on a La Leona Waterfall group tour. Your guide leads the group and assists every visitor through the more challenging sections of the hike. The group stays together and moves at a shared pace.
Is the La Leona Waterfall private tour better than the La Leona Waterfall group tour?
Both tour options follow the same jungle trail to La Leona Waterfall and are fully guided experiences. Depending on your travel style, one option may be a better fit for you.
On a private tour, your group has a dedicated guide and will not be combined with other guests, while our group tours can have up to 20 participants.
On the private tour, your guide is focused exclusively on your group, giving you more flexibility to move at your own pace and receive more individual assistance along the trail. This is also why children can join the private tour from age 4, while the minimum age for the group tour is 6.
If you want to save money and enjoy the hike with other travelers, the group tour is a great choice. If you prefer a more personalized experience at your own pace, or you are traveling with young children, the private tour is the better option.
Can children join the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike?
Yes, La Leona Waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja is a great adventure for active kids. Children ages 4 and 5 can join a private tour, while children ages 6 and older can join a private or group tour.
Kids usually enjoy climbing over rocks and ladders, crossing the river, looking for wildlife, and swimming toward the waterfall cave. Children should be comfortable with these activities and with walking for 2.5–3 hours.
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.
Do I need to know how to swim for the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike?
No, you don’t need to know how to swim for the La Leona Waterfall tour. Life jackets are mandatory, so you can just float and move along the safety ropes set up across the river. Your guide will assist you throughout the hike whenever needed.
What should I wear for the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike?
We recommend wearing light, fast-drying sports clothes and closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps for the La Leona Waterfall tour. Flip-flops are not allowed on the tour.
Remember to bring a towel, a change of clothes, and an extra pair of shoes for after the hike, as you’ll get completely wet in the river.
How long does the La Leona Waterfall tour take?
The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike takes about 2.5–3 hours, depending on the group size and pace.
Can you hike La Leona Waterfall without a guide?
No, you cannot hike La Leona Waterfall without a guide. La Leona Waterfall in Rincon de la Vieja can only be visited with a certified guide as part of an official tour because the waterfall, hiking trail, and access road are located on private property. The hike also includes more challenging sections where professional guidance is necessary for safety reasons.