Duration: Full Day · Price: From $250 USD per group of 1–4 · Difficulty: Moderate
About this tour
There are waterfalls you look at, and there is La Leona — the waterfall you swim into. Hidden inside a rock canyon near Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, La Leona Waterfall pours through a cave mouth into a pool of improbably turquoise water, and the only way to reach it is the adventure: a guided 4-kilometer round-trip hike along the Blanco River that wades through current, slips between canyon walls, passes caves and smaller cascades, and finishes with a rope-assisted swim through a turquoise corridor to the falls themselves. Many travelers call it the best waterfall experience in Costa Rica, and the reviews back them up.
This private day trip handles everything between your San José hotel and that first jump into the water. Your driver picks you up early for the scenic run northwest to Curubandé, about 20 minutes past Liberia. The hike itself is led by the certified local guides of La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (leonawaterfall.com), the official operator — mandatory life jackets, dry bags for your phone, ropes on every swimming section, and a perfect safety record. You do not need to know how to swim; the guides and ropes do the work on the water crossings.
The hike takes around 2.5 to 3 hours at an unhurried pace, with roughly 40 minutes inside the canyon zone of caves, rock formations and pools. At the waterfall, you swim directly beneath the cascade — a rare privilege in Costa Rica, where most famous falls (Río Celeste among them) are strictly look-but-don't-touch. Afterwards there are changing rooms, lockers and showers at the trailhead, and a relaxed lunch stop in Curubandé or Liberia before the ride home.
The terrain is moderate: river stones, short scrambles, and water sections. Closed-toe shoes with grip are essential, and the hike isn't suited to travelers with knee, ankle or mobility issues. For everyone else — including kids who can handle a 4 km walk — this is the day in Costa Rica you will not stop talking about.
What's included
- Private round-trip transportation from San José (approx. 3.5 hours each way)
- Bilingual driver-guide for the day
- Reservation handling with La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (reservations are mandatory — no walk-ins)
- Bottled water and snacks for the road
Not included
- La Leona guided hike fee — paid directly at the site (includes certified guide, life jacket and dry bag; see leonawaterfall.com for current rates)
- Lunch (local restaurants in Curubandé and Liberia)
- Optional river tubing or zip-line combos (we can arrange them with the operator)
- Gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
Good to know
- Early departure (around 5:30 am) to hike in the morning and return to San José by evening
- Moderate difficulty — not suited for travelers with knee, ankle or mobility issues
- No swimming skills needed: life jackets are mandatory and every swim section has ropes
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip (no flip-flops) and bring a full change of clothes and a towel
- Lockers, changing rooms and showers available at the trailhead
- Also bookable as an add-on day from any of our Guanacaste tours — just ask
- Free cancellation 48 hours prior