La Leona Waterfall from Cañon de la Vieja Lodge

It is only a 10-minute drive from Cañon de la Vieja Lodge to La Leona Waterfall in Curubandé, covering a distance of about 8 kilometers (5 miles).

From the entrance of Cañon de la Vieja Lodge, turn right and continue straight for about 10 minutes. As you get to Curubandé, pass the church on the right side and you will see the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.

Yes, you can book a tour with transportation included from Cañon de la Vieja Lodge to La Leona Waterfall. Simply let us know your preferred pickup location and time in your reservation, and we will take care of everything to guarantee a smooth and relaxed journey.

Yes, there are many other adventure tours and nature experiences available nearby, and we offer various combo tours that combine La Leona Waterfall with other exciting activities. For our river tubing experience, you don’t even have to travel, as the tour starts from the same location as the La Leona Waterfall hike.

Other combo options are available with zip lining, hot springs, and the volcanic activity hike, all located close to La Leona Waterfall and to your accommodation, requiring only short travel distances.

Yes, booking in advance is required to visit La Leona Waterfall and for all of our adventure tours.

Tours often fill up quickly, especially during high season in Costa Rica. If you arrive without a reservation, you may have to wait several hours or may not be able to join a tour that day.

Yes, the La Leona Waterfall hike in Costa Rica is a great adventure for kids over 4 years old and for the whole family. (Note that kids can join private tours from 4 years old and group tours from 6 years old.)

Our expert guides will keep a close eye on your children throughout the tour and assist them whenever needed. Life jackets are provided and mandatory for all participants, so even kids who are not strong swimmers can safely participate in the experience. To fully enjoy this hike with small rock climbing and swimming sections, your children should feel comfortable in the water and with this type of physical activity.

The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Costa Rica is considered moderate and includes uneven terrain, river crossings, swimming, and small climbing sections. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, but a basic level of fitness is required. Please note that the tour is not suitable for visitors with knee, ankle, walking, or mobility issues.

As life jackets are provided and mandatory for all participants, it is not necessary to be a strong swimmer.

Our certified guides assist you throughout the entire experience to ensure you feel safe, comfortable, and well supported at all times.

The La Leona Waterfall hike takes approximately 2.5–3 hours from start to finish. Including the drive to and from Cañon de la Vieja Lodge, the entire tour usually takes around 3-3.5 hours, depending if you would like to enjoy lunch at our on-site restaurant after the tour.

Yes, swimming is an essential part and highlight of the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike. During the tour, you will enter the bright blue river several times and swim along epic volcanic rock formations, offering a welcoming cool down and a unique way to experience nature up close.

Included in your La Leona Waterfall tour from Cañon de la Vieja Lodge are a certified guide for the hike, transportation from the tour office to the trail entrance, life jackets, and dry bags.

For the most comfortable experience, transportation from Cañon de la Vieja Lodge can also be included during the booking process. You can also add Costa Rican lunch at our on-site restaurant in your reservation or choose from the menu on the day of the hike.

For the La Leona Waterfall hike you should bring closed-toe shoes or water shoes with good grip (no flip-flops!), clothes that can get wet, a change of clothes and shoes for after the tour as well as a towel. We also recommend bringing sunscreen, insect repellent, and a bottle of water.

Yes, our on-site La Leona restaurant is located just across from the reception area where the tour starts and ends. You can reserve a table for your group during the booking process and choose from our varied menu including gourmet burgers, premium cuts of beef and fresh fish on the day of the hike. For more information about our restaurant, click here.

Besides the adventure activities available at Cañon de la Vieja Lodge within our One Day Adventure Pass, there are many other tours and nature experiences nearby. Located only 10 minutes from your accommodation, La Leona Waterfall is a must-see highlight, as it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Rincon de la Vieja and includes a unique river hike through the jungle.

If you want to explore even more of the region in a single day, you can combine La Leona Waterfall with the volcanic activity hike in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Rio Negro Hot Springs, and many other nearby experiences.

Both waterfalls are definitely worth visiting, but they offer different experiences. Oropendola Waterfall is easier to reach, with a 15-minute walk that leads over two scenic hanging bridges, while visiting La Leona Waterfall includes a guided jungle hike with river crossings and small climbing sections.

You are allowed to swim in both waterfall pools, each with stunning turquoise waters. However, on the La Leona Waterfall hike, you can also swim through an impressive river canyon, which is a unique highlight of that tour.

If you are looking for a quick and easy waterfall visit, Oropendola is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more active adventure tour and one of the most unique waterfall hikes in Costa Rica, La Leona Waterfall is the better option.