pura vida passENES

La Leona Waterfall

Waterfall · Guanacaste · hidden gem

La Leona is a small turquoise waterfall hidden at the end of a narrow rock canyon on the Río Blanco, just outside Curubandé and 20–30 minutes from Liberia. It sits on private land and is visited only with a guide: after a short 4x4 ride from the village you hike about 2 km each way through forest, wade the river several times, climb wooden ladders and boulders, pass small caves, and finish with a rope-assisted swim into the gorge where the falls drop into a deep blue pool. Tours take 2.5–3 hours and suit couples, friends and families with kids about 6 and up who are comfortable in water. The color comes from volcanic minerals of Rincón de la Vieja and is brightest in the dry season. The honest catch: no going on your own, prices start around $35, the fall itself is modest, and after heavy rain the water turns murky and tours may be called off.

tours are suspended when the river is high after heavy rain, mostly September–November

Time there
2 h
Best time
midday
Kids
4 / 10
View
7 / 10
Crowds
2 / 10
Swimming
6 / 10
Effort
4 / 10
Location
10.72813, -85.40621 — Google Maps
Ratings
5.0 on Airbnb (1,437) · 5.0 on Tripadvisor (644)
How long
2.5–3 hours for the tour (about 2 hours of hiking, wading and swimming plus ~30 minutes at the falls); about 5 hours with a tubing or hot-springs combo. Add 20–30 minutes' drive each way from Liberia.

Before you go

Entry
$35 for visitors · ₡10,000 for residents · $30 on group tours (operator pages differ on ages: 4–12, 6–12 or 8–12) · guide, entrance, life jacket, dry bag, fruit snack; lunch +$10
Payment
online
Tickets
Better to book ahead
Parking
Free — free monitored parking at the operator's office in Curubandé
Road
Paved all the way
Walk
2,000 m
Swimming
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, showers, lockers, food
Kids
Good for kids
Bring
closed-toe water shoes or old sneakers, swimsuit under quick-dry clothes, towel and a change of clothes, drinking water, insect repellent, sunscreen
Fewer people
the first departure (8–9 am) on a weekday is the quietest at the falls
Season
dry season (Dec–Apr): lower, calmer, bluer river; green season (May–Nov): bigger falls, stronger current, mud and afternoon rain
Checked
2026-10

Highlights

  • Swim through a narrow canyon, pulling along a rope, to reach the falls and its deep turquoise pool
  • Hike beside the blue Río Blanco, which flows down from Rincón de la Vieja volcano
  • A real mini-adventure: several river crossings, wooden ladders, boulder scrambles and small caves with bats
  • Some tours add a second small cascade upstream, a natural rock slide or river tubing on the way back
  • Close to Liberia and its airport, so it fits on an arrival or departure day

Tip

Book the first morning tour in the dry season and wear closed-toe water shoes, with your swimsuit under quick-dry clothes.

Be careful

There's a short swim in deep water: wear the life jacket provided and follow the guide's rope. Rocks are slippery, and after heavy rain the river rises fast; tours are suspended when the water is high.

Getting there

Guided tours only (private land). Tours meet in the center of Curubandé, about 20 minutes from Liberia on a paved road, and cover the last stretch to the trailhead in a 4x4. A direct group tour costs about $35 per adult (2026); book ahead.

Tips

  • Take the first departure (8–9 am): it's cooler, quieter at the falls and less likely to rain.
  • Wear your swimsuit under quick-dry clothes (a one-piece is easier for the swim) and bring a towel and a full change of clothes.
  • Phones go in the dry bag for the swim; a waterproof case or action camera is the only way to shoot at the falls.
  • Eat a solid breakfast first; Curubandé has a soda and a small market by the meeting point.
  • Unsure in water? Wear the life jacket and tell your guide before the canyon swim.
  • Pair it with the Las Pailas trail or the Río Negro hot springs nearby for a full day.

Good to know

  • Guided tours only: the falls are on private land and the entrance is included in the tour price. Book ahead; the main operator takes reservations only.
  • Direct group tours run about $35 per adult and $30 per child, private tours about $45 (operator's site, 2026). Booking platforms charge more; combos add tubing, zip lining, Las Pailas or the Río Negro hot springs.
  • Life jackets and dry bags are provided; the meeting point has lockers, changing rooms, outdoor showers and free monitored parking.
  • No flip-flops or loose sandals: closed-toe water shoes or sneakers you don't mind soaking are required.
  • Minimum age is about 4–8 depending on the tour. Not recommended with bad knees or ankles, heart problems, pregnancy or a fear of deep water.
  • Several companies run tours to the same falls from different entrances in Curubandé, so check the exact meeting point of the one you booked.

What travelers love

  • Friendly, patient guides who explain plants and wildlife and help nervous swimmers through
  • The variety: river crossings, caves, ladders and a swim feel like a real adventure, not just a walk
  • The turquoise water and the hidden canyon setting
  • A mostly shaded trail, with water crossings that keep you cool
  • Well-organized tours that leave on time

What some travelers don't like

  • The water isn't always as blue as in online photos, especially after rain
  • Some found the pace quick or the hike harder than expected (others found it easy)
  • A few felt it isn't worth a long drive just for this
  • Prices differ a lot between booking sites and companies

Questions travelers ask

Can you visit La Leona Waterfall without a guide?

No. The falls are on private land and are open only on guided tours, which include the entrance fee. Guides handle the river crossings, ladders and the rope through the canyon.

Do I need to know how to swim?

There's a short swim (around 25 m) into the canyon, pulling along a rope. Life jackets are provided, and non-swimmers do it with a jacket and a guide alongside.

How hard is the hike and how long does it take?

Moderate: about 4 km round trip with river crossings, ladders and boulders, 2.5–3 hours in total. It's not recommended for people with knee, ankle or mobility problems.

How much does the La Leona tour cost?

Booked directly with the main operator, about $35 per adult and $30 per child for a group tour, or $45 private (2026); booking sites charge more. In 2024 a local farm charged Costa Ricans ₡10,000.

What shoes should I wear?

Closed-toe water shoes or old sneakers with good grip; you'll be in the water the whole time. Flip-flops and loose sandals aren't allowed.

Can kids do the La Leona hike?

Yes, usually from about 6 to 8 years old on group tours, and younger on a private tour. Families say it works best for kids already comfortable wading and swimming.

Is it open in the rainy season?

Tours run all year, but from May to November the river is higher and faster. After heavy rain, especially in September and October, tours can be suspended, so morning slots are the safest bet.

How do I get there without a car?

Many tours include pickup from Liberia, Playas del Coco or Tamarindo. A local bus runs from Liberia to Curubandé early in the morning with one early-afternoon return, but times and weekend service vary, so confirm with the operator.

Places nearby

  • La Leona Waterfall Adventure HikeTours & AdventureLocal Curubandé operator next to La Leona Restaurant that guides the river hike — wading, swimming and rope sections — to the La Leona waterfall in its slot canyon.
  • Soda CurubandéSodas & Local FoodThe one restaurant in the center of Curubandé, the farming village at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja: casados, rice dishes and bocas, cooked the traditional way.
  • Hacienda GuachipelínTours & Adventure · takes 1.5 h–8.5 h · from $35A working cattle ranch at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja volcano that packs a week of adventure into one day: horseback with local sabanero guides, whitewater tubing on the Río Negro, a canyon zipline with rappels and a Tarzan swing, then hot springs and a volcanic mud bath.
  • Rincon Thermals & AdventuresTours & Adventure · from $50Big activity park on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja that mixes hot-spring pools and mud with zipline, horses and a jungle waterslide.
  • Cañón de la Vieja Lodge (adventure center)Tours & AdventureAdventure lodge on the Río Colorado canyon just north of Liberia, running rafting and tubing trips, canopy and rappelling for day visitors.
  • Hotel Buena Vista del RincónDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 4 h–9 h · from $75A big ranch-style adventure park on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja volcano where one day pass covers ziplines, hanging bridges, a record-long jungle waterslide, a horse ride to a waterfall, volcanic mud baths and hot springs, plus a buffet lunch.

Read more

Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9165211119 · https://mytanfeet.com/