La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Costa Rica
Experience the breathtaking La Leona Waterfall and enjoy exciting river tubing in one epic combo tour
📍 Curubandé • 20 min from Liberia
🧒 Minimum Age: 6+
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
🛡️ Local Expert Guides
⭐ 5.0 Rating (6k+ Reviews)
📹 La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Experience
See exactly what awaits you on the two Rincon de la Vieja adventure tours and how we take care of children during both activities.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike
La Leona Waterfall with Kids
White Water River Tubing
River Tubing with Kids
What is the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo Tour?
The La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo Tour in Rincon de la Vieja combines the popular La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike with an exciting river tubing adventure down the Colorado River, surrounded by the wild landscapes of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
First, you’ll hike along jungle trails, cross rivers and swim through a spectacular canyon to one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. Then, you’ll splash through exciting Class I, II, and III rapids surrounded by impressive volcanic rock formations and tropical forest.
See what the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing combo tour is like and secure your spot today!
Why Travelers Choose This Combo Tour
✔️ No need to travel between tours
Both tours begin at our reception.
✔️ Best value
Save money by booking both tours together.
✔️ Make the Most of Your Day
Experience two of the most popular Rincon de la Vieja adventure tours in one half-day trip.
✔️ Easy to reach
One of the best things to do near Liberia, located just 20 minutes from the city and around 1–2 hours from Guanacaste’s popular beaches.
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Booking Options
💡 Please note that La Leona Waterfall and Tubing doesn’t mean you’ll be tubing down the river directly from the waterfall! This Costa Rica combo tour includes two separate activities on two different rivers. After finishing the La Leona Waterfall tour on the Río Blanco, you’ll return to our reception for a short break before heading to the Colorado River for the tubing adventure.
ℹ️ The order of the activities may vary and is decided by our reception team on the day of your tour, depending on daily operations.
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo Tour
1️⃣ La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike |📍 Río Blanco | ⏱ 2.5–3 hrs | 🥾 4 km
🍽️ Little break at the tour base + optional lunch at La Leona Restaurant
2️⃣ White Water River Tubing |📍 Colorado River | ⏱ ~ 1.5 hrs | 🌊 3 km Raft
🕥 Total Duration: About 4.5-5 hrs
✅ Available as group and private tour
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Prices & Schedule
TOUR TIMES & COST
ℹ️ Our tours operate every day year-round. During the rainy season (September & October), in some cases tours may be cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. Feel free to contact us to check current availability.
PRIVATE TOURS
⏱️ 7am – 12:30pm every 30min
Adult (13+) ………………………………… $ 90
Children (6-12) ………………………… $ 75
✔ Best for families with young kids and travelers who prefer a more personalized experience.
GROUP TOURS
⏱️ 9am and 12pm only
Adult (13+) ………………………………… $ 75
Children (6-12) ………………………… $ 65
✔ Perfect if you’d like to save money and meet other travelers.
→ Payment Methods: Book your La Leona Waterfall and Tubing tickets online with Credit/Debit Card or PayPal
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing – What to Expect
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike
⏱ 2.5-3 Hours
🥾 4 km Hike
📍 Río Blanco
Meet your guide at our reception and get ready with a life jacket and dry bag. Your adventure begins with a fun 5-minute 4×4 ride to the trailhead.
Start hiking through light forest until you reach the refreshing Río Blanco, where you’ll cross the river for the first time.
On the other side, the trail becomes more adventurous. Walk through denser forest beneath huge trees and climb over volcanic rocks and ladders, always with the support of your guides.
Swimming Through the Canyon to La Leona Waterfall
After following the jungle trail for a while, you’ll reach an amazing natural setting, where the bright blue river flows gently beneath impressive triangular shaped rock formations. Time for your first swim to follow the trail on the other side!
The forest path then leads to one of the highlights of the tour. You’ll swim through this epic canyon in turquoise waters to the cave where La Leona Waterfall is hidden. Your guides will be there to assist you any time.
As you make your way over the last few rocks, a spectacular view opens up before you. Admire the impressive volcanic cave walls, enjoy the crystal-clear natural pool, and the rushing waterfall before heading back.
After the hike, we’ll take a short break at our tour base to get ready for the river tubing expedition on the Colorado River. If you’d like to recharge between the two tours, you can enjoy lunch, a snack, or a refreshing drink at our on-site ➡️ La Leona Restaurant.
River Tubing in Rincon de la Vieja
⏱ ~ 1.5 Hours
🌊 3 km Tubing
📍 Colorado River
For this part of the tour, you’ll get equipped with a life jacket and helmet. Another 5-minute 4×4 ride and a short walk will take you to the Colorado River, where the tubing expedition begins.
Before getting into the water, your guides will give you a brief safety introduction and explain the do’s and don’ts of river tubing.
The first section of the Colorado River is still calm, giving you time to get comfortable with your equipment before reaching the first rapids.
Ride the Rapids & Enjoy the Scenery
Splash and bounce through the exciting Class I, II & III rapids of the Colorado River as you make your way through the scenic canyons of Rincon de la Vieja.
Your experienced guides will accompany you throughout the tour and position themselves at every larger rapid to help you navigate through safely.
Between the rapids, you’ll float through calmer sections, giving you time to relax and enjoy the tropical forest, volcanic rock formations, and, with a little luck, spot monkeys in the trees.
After the River Tubing
After returning to the tour base, you’ll find everything you need to refresh before continuing your day. Clean your shoes at our shoe washing stations, enjoy a shower, and change into dry clothes in the changing rooms.
If you didn’t have lunch between the two tours, you can end your adventurous trip with a delicious meal from our varied menu or relax with a freshly mixed cocktail or coffee at La Leona Restaurant.
➡️ Check out our new Visitor Facilities
🍽️ See Food & Drinks at La Leona Restaurant
Ready to experience La Leona Waterfall and Tubing yourself?
⚠️ Tours fill up quickly, reserve your spot now!
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Reviews
See why our guests recommend the La Leona Waterfall Tubing tour in Rincon de la Vieja.
Tracy Thiessen · Google Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What a great day!! The river tubing was a blast!! The hike was wonderful.. from swimming in the waterfall, to jumping from the rocks, it was adventurous! Victor was a fantastic guide. He remembered all our names, showed us fun things along the way and took tons of pictures for us!! Loved it!!!”
Kim Nguyen · Google Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Jeremy and Diego were amazing guides! My girlfriends and I had so much fun. They make sure you’re having a great time, laughing, take all the photos and videos you want for you and your group. I felt safe and in good hands the whole time! We did the waterfall hike and river tubing. Lunch was also delicious! They also take such great care of their equipment and we saw them cleaning stuff too. Their facilities are clean and accessible. Loved this experience- it was the highlight of our trip!”
Is This Tour Right for You?
The La Leona Waterfall Tubing tour in Rincon de la Vieja is suitable for most visitors 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
❌ Not suitable during pregnancy
✔️ You don’t need any hiking or tubing experience, but a basic level of fitness is required
Not sure if this tour is suitable for you?
➡️ Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you decide.
🏊♀️ Don’t Know How to Swim? No Problem!
You don’t have to know how to swim to join the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo Tour. With your life jacket you can comfortably float in the swimming sections of the hike and move along the safety ropes set up across the river. If you fall out of your tube during the river tubing adventure, you can just float and one of our guides will get to you within seconds to help you get back into your tube.
What to Bring to Your La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Tour
We recommend bringing the following items for a safe and comfortable hiking and tubing experience.
What to Bring
✔️ Closed-toe shoes (that can get wet), water shoes, or sandals with straps (NO flip flops !)
✔️ Light sports clothes that can get wet and dry fast or a swimsuit
✔️ A towel
✔️ Water bottle
✔️ Change of clothes and shoes for after the tour
✔️ Sunscreen & Bug spray
✔️ Waterproof phone case if you have one (also available for purchase at our reception)
What’s Provided
🦺 Life Jackets & Helmets
🛟 Tubes & Paddles
💧 Dry bags
🚙 Transportation from the reception to the start of the tour
🛡️ Experienced guides
🅿️ Free & monitored parking
🔐 Lockers to store valuables
🚿 Visitor facilities
ℹ️ Everything you don’t need during your tour can be safely left in your car, your driver’s vehicle if you booked transportation, or in our lockers. Between the two activities, we’ll return to our tour base, giving you the chance to grab anything you may need before the second tour.
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Age Requirements
Minimum Age Group Tours
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: 6 years
River Tubing: 6 years
Minimum Age Private Tours
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: 4 years*
River Tubing: 6 years
* Kids aged 4 and 5 are only allowed on the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike if you book a private tour, as they need a slower pace and more attention from our guides. The group tour is available for kids aged 6 and above.
🥾 On the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike, our experienced guides provide extra support whenever kids need it. If they don’t feel comfortable swimming on their own, they can hold onto the guide’s safety rope while being gently pulled across the river, floating comfortably in their life jacket.
🛟 For the river tubing, young children will be assigned a dedicated guide for the entire tour. The guide will hold onto their tube throughout the activity and safely navigate them through the rapids, so they can’t flip or fall out and just can enjoy the ride with confidence.
If you want to learn more about how we keep your kids safe during both tours, we recommend reading our blog posts about ➡️ La Leona Waterfall with Kids and ➡️ River Tubing with Kids.
How to Get to La Leona Waterfall and Tubing
Your Costa Rica combo tour starts at the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike reception in Curubandé, a small village just 20 minutes from Liberia in Guanacaste and close to Rincon de la Vieja National Park. You can get there by your own or rental car or with transportation included in your tour for the easiest and most stress-free version.
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike Location on Google Maps
Driving Directions from Liberia
💡 You don’t need a 4×4 vehicle to get to Curubandé, 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 300m you will find the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.
🅿️ At La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike you will find free and monitored parking.
Tour with Transportation Included
If you don’t have a car available or just prefer the most comfortable option, you can book a La Leona Waterfall Tubing tour with 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
More Rincon de la Vieja Tours
Explore more of our La Leona Waterfall tours or discover the most complete Guanacaste day trip if you want to experience the best of the region in just one day.
La Leona Waterfall & Zip Lining
Enjoy a unique view of the river canyons and forests of Rincon de la Vieja from high above with an adrenaline rush guaranteed.
La Leona Waterfall & Hot Springs
Relax in natural hot springs overlooking the Río Negro River, surrounded by tropical forest, with a volcanic mud bath included.
Buena Vista Mega Combo Tour
Everything Costa Rica is known for in one day: Zip lining, horseback riding, hanging bridges, a cultural food tour, hot springs, traditional lunch and more.
Why Choose La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike?
We are proud to be one of the highest-rated tour companies in Rincon de la Vieja, with more than 6,800 Google reviews, known for our high safety standards, experienced guides, and local expertise. Our dedicated team is passionate about sharing their knowledge of Costa Rica and creating fun, educational, and safe experiences every day.
We are the only tour company in Rincon de la Vieja offering modern visitor facilities, including a monitored parking lot, bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, lockers, and an on-site restaurant for the most comfortable tour experience.
See why thousands of visitors rate our tours 5 stars.
TripAdvisor
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5.0 of 5, based on 540+ Reviews
See what awaits on our tours
La Leona Waterfall and Tubing – FAQ
How difficult is the hike to La Leona Waterfall?
The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike is considered as moderate. Along the way, you’ll cross rivers, walk over uneven terrain with rocks and roots, and swim through a canyon while wearing a life jacket and using safety ropes. You don’t need any previous hiking experience and you don’t need to know how to swim, but a basic level of fitness is required and you shouldn’t have any walking issues. Our experienced guides will support you throughout the entire tour.
How long does the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo Tour take?
The complete La Leona Waterfall Tubing Combo Tour takes about 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on your group’s pace and if you choose to have lunch between tours.
Can you hike La Leona Waterfall without a guide?
No, you can’t hike to La Leona Waterfall in Costa Rica without a guide. The access road, trail, and waterfall are located on private property and can only be accessed as part of an official guided La Leona Waterfall tour. This is also for safety reasons, as the hike includes challenging parts that require professional guidance.
Can you swim in La Leona Waterfall?
Yes, absolutely! Swimming is allowed at La Leona Waterfall in Costa Rica and is one of the highlights of this tour. To reach the waterfall, you even have to swim through a spectacular river canyon before enjoying the refreshing natural pool.
Is La Leona Waterfall and Tubing safe?
Yes, the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing tour in Rincon de la Vieja is operated under high safety standards with certified equipment and experienced guides. During the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike, your guides know exactly when and where to assist you through the more challenging sections, and life jackets are mandatory for all participants.
On the river tubing tour, multiple guides accompany the group and position themselves at every larger rapid to help you navigate through safely. Safety ropes are set up across the river before the faster rapids, where guests wait before passing through one by one, so there are never too many people in a rapid at the same time. Young children are accompanied by a dedicated guide who holds onto their tube and helps them navigate through the river.
In addition, we check river conditions every day to ensure water levels are safe, and all guides carry radios to communicate immediately about any changes.
Is La Leona Waterfall and Tubing suitable for kids?
Yes, La Leona Waterfall Tubing in Rincon de la Vieja is a great adventure for children aged 6 and above. We have several safety measures in place for young kids, for example, during the river tubing tour, they are accompanied by a dedicated guide just for them. Children between 4 and 6 years old can join the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike by booking a private tour.
What is the best time to do the La Leona Waterfall Tubing?
There is no bad time to do the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo Tour, but your experience may vary depending on the season. Unlike many other parts of Costa Rica, Guanacaste and the Rincon de la Vieja region have a longer dry season. From late November to late August, you can usually expect sunny weather every day with little to no rainfall. Water levels in the rivers are usually stable, creating ideal conditions for both the La Leona Waterfall Tour and river tubing.
September and October are the rainiest months in the Rincon de la Vieja region: It usually rains for a few hours every day, mostly in the afternoon. Heavy rainfall can occasionally cause rising river levels and flash floods, which is why we monitor river conditions multiple times a day to ensure it is always safe to operate our tours. One of the best things about the rainy season is that the landscapes become even greener, the temperatures are a bit cooler, and the stronger river current often creates faster rapids, making river tubing even more fun.
Can I do just one of the activities?
Yes, you can choose to book the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike or the River Tubing tour seperately. However, most visitors choose the combo to make the most of their day and enjoy the best value by experiencing both adventure tours together.
Is La Leona Waterfall and Tubing worth it?
Yes, the La Leona Waterfall and Tubing Combo is definitely worth it, as it combines two of the most popular adventure tours in Rincon de la Vieja. The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike takes you along jungle trails and through a spectacular canyon to a hidden waterfall cave, while the Rincon de la Vieja tubing expedition lets you ride exciting rapids on the scenic Colorado River. It’s the perfect mix of adventure and nature, allowing you to experience the stunning landscapes shaped by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in just one day. Our tour office is located close to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, making it one of the best things to do near Liberia and the perfect day trip from the popular Guanacaste beaches.