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visit la leona waterfall from flamingo beach

La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach

⭐ 5.0 Google Rating (6k+ Reviews)

⭐ 5.0 TripAdvisor (530+ Reviews)

Staying in Playa Flamingo and looking for an unforgettable adventure after a relaxed morning on the beach? La Leona Waterfall in Costa Rica offers one of the best nature day trips near Rincon de La Vieja.

Experience a unique river hike with Costa Rica’s top-rated tour company and choose between a variety of tour options from Flamingo Beach, including private, group, and combo tours, as well as transportation-included experiences.

⚠️ Please note: All tours must be reserved in advance, as walk-ins are not available.

See real reviews from our customers on Google:

Emilio Graciano

May 15, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is such an amazing excursion!! John our tour guide was amazing!!! Very friendly!! I had a blast!! I recommend doing the hike and the river tubing!! Also get the food it’s amazing!!

Source: Google Reviews

Morgan Stewart

May 13, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amazing, amazing experience. Ivan was our guide and he was very nice and down to earth. We had the luxury of seeing wildlife and didn’t feel rushed. All the staff are wonderful and the waterfall is very beautiful.

Source: Google Reviews

Samantha Ewing

May 10, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ivan was the BEST guide- so educational and made sure everyone was safe and having fun. We loved the hike and the waterfall is truly spectacular.

Source: Google Reviews

Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 6k+ reviews

Join us for an adventurous hike through the Costa Rican jungle, climbing over rocks and swimming through turquoise canyon waters to reach La Leona Waterfall, hidden inside a volcanic rock cave.

La Leona Waterfall offers one of the best waterfall hikes in Costa Rica and is a must-visit highlight near Rincon de la Vieja National Park, letting you experience tropical nature from within.

When staying in Flamingo Beach, La Leona Waterfall is the perfect option for a day trip, easily combined with other adventure tours and comfortably reachable by car or with transportation included.

join a hiking tour to la leona waterfall from flamingo beach
Visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Rincon de la Vieja from Flamingo Beach.

La Leona Waterfall Hike

Swim through refreshing canyon waters and climb over volcanic rocks on a scenic jungle hike exploring La Leona Waterfall and its incredible natural surroundings. Choose between group, private, and combo tours with other top-rated activities in Rincon de la Vieja.

visit la leona waterfall from flamingo beach

White Water River Tubing

Splash your way through fast rapids and float in calmer sections, with the chance to spot monkeys along the way. Our guided river tubing adventure down the Colorado River is one of our most popular tours and is available from Playa Flamingo as a group, private or combo tour.

la leona waterfall and river tubing from flamingo beach in costa rica

Zip Lining in Rincon de la Vieja 

This exciting zip lining course offers unique views over the canyons of Rincon de la Vieja and guarantees an adrenaline rush. It’s the perfect add-on to your La Leona Waterfall hike or as part of a full-day combo experience with the One Day Adventure Pass or Buena Vista Mega Combo Tour.

join the la leona waterfall zip lining tour from flamingo beach

To visit La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach in Costa Rica, you can either arrive on your own by car or enjoy a more comfortable experience with hotel pickup and transportation included.

Self-Drive Tour

Meet at Location

Best if you have your own or rental car or prefer to travel independently

Transportation Included

Hotel Pickup Service

⭐ Most convenient option – we take care of everything

⚠️ Note that all tours must be reserved in advance, walk-ins are not available.

Don’t want to worry about driving and planning? Choose a tour with transportation included and simply be ready at your chosen pickup time and location while we take care of the rest.

Your driver will take you to the tour starting point, wait during the hike, and bring you back to your accommodation in Playa Flamingo afterward, with optional stops along the way for food, drinks, or souvenirs.

As a local tour operator specialized in the Rincon de la Vieja region, we provide reliable transportation with experienced drivers and hotel pickup throughout Guanacaste for a comfortable and stress-free tour experience.

🚐 Flexible Transfer Shuttle Option

Add the La Leona Waterfall tour as a stop between two destinations. For example, if you are traveling between La Fortuna and Tamarindo, you can join the tour along the way.

Our driver will pick you up at your location, wait during the tour, and then continue to your next destination afterward.

transportation included to la leona waterfall from flamingo beach
Enjoy comfortable transportation to La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach.

The La Leona Waterfall tour starting point is located in the village of Curubandé near Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Depending on the route you choose, the drive from Playa Flamingo takes approximately 1 hour and 30–45 minutes.

The shorter route covers around 66 kilometers (41 miles), while the slightly longer route through Huacas covers approximately 87 kilometers (54 miles).

💡 Important note: The shorter route requires a 4×4 vehicle, as it includes bumpy terrain and a river crossing. If you prefer a smoother and more comfortable drive, we recommend taking the longer route through Huacas.

🚐 Prefer not to drive? Transportation from Playa Flamingo to La Leona Waterfall is also available for the easiest and most comfortable way to join the tour.

directions to la leona waterfall from flamingo beach
Overview of how to get to La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach in Costa Rica.

Directions to La Leona Waterfall

Follow the directions below for the slightly longer but safer route to La Leona Waterfall.

1️⃣ From Flamingo Beach, drive toward Brasilito and continue to Huacas.

2️⃣ In Huacas, turn left at the intersection onto Route 155.

3️⃣ Upon reaching the village Belén, turn left onto Route 21 toward Liberia.

4️⃣ In Liberia, turn left at the main intersection onto Highway 1 and continue for about 5 km.

5️⃣ Turn right when you see signs pointing toward Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

6️⃣ Reach Curubandé and continue straight until you see the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.

la leona waterfall adventure hike office in curubande from flamingo beach
Entrance to our tour office in Curubandé.

Ready to visit La Leona Waterfall?

⚠️ Tours can fill up quickly – reserve your spot in advance.

Want to discover more of this unique region in Costa Rica? We offer a variety of adventure tours and nature experiences in Rincon de la Vieja, with convenient hotel pickup available across Guanacaste.

volcanic activity hike in rincon de la vieja

Walk along bubbling mud pools, boiling hot springs, and steam vents to experience the powerful forces of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano up close.

View Tour  →

enjoy natural hot springs from playas del coco in costa rica

Enjoy some relaxing hours surrounded by tropical nature while treating your body with natural thermal waters and a volcanic mud bath.

View Tour  →

join the most complete combo tour in rincon de la vieja from avellanas beach

Experience the highlights of Costa Rica on our most complete combo tour, including zip lining, horseback riding, a cultural tour, a huge waterslide, hot springs, and more.

View Tour  →

Read what visitors say about La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike on TripAdvisor.

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Pam H

May 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Extraordinary experience with the most amazing guides!

Right from the start our guides, Ronny, Dillon and Josue were not only engaging but entertaining, so helpful and loads of fun!!! This will definitely be one of our most memorable trips!!!

Source: TripAdvisor Reviews

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Christina Lopez

March 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

JUST DO IT!

Such a nice experience, totally worth it!!! Our guide Andres was so nice and took really good care of us and our safety. The waterfalls are so beautiful!!

Source: TripAdvisor Reviews

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Michelle W.

March 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So much fun

This was an absolute treasure of a find. We were able to see monkeys and learn about some of Costa Rica’s culture during our tour. The guides were so fun, and we had such a gorgeous, life changing experience.

Source: TripAdvisor Reviews

Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 530+ reviews

How long does it take to get to La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach in Costa Rica?

There are two routes leading to La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach. Depending on which route you choose, the drive takes approximately 1 hour and 30–45 minutes.

The shorter route covers around 66 kilometers (41 miles), while the slightly longer route covers approximately 87 kilometers (54 miles). Note that for the shorter route a 4×4 vehicle is required.

Is transportation included to La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach?

Transportation from Playa Flamingo to La Leona Waterfall can be included with your tour booking. Simply let us know your preferred pickup location and time in your reservation, and we will take care of everything to create a comfortable and stress-free journey.

Can I visit La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach without a car?

Yes, you can visit La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach without a car by booking a tour with transportation included. Simply let us know your preferred pickup location and time in the reservation process, and we’ll take care of everything to create a comfortable and relaxed journey to and from the tour.

Can I combine La Leona Waterfall with other tours from Flamingo Beach?

Yes, you can combine the La Leona Waterfall hike with many other adventure tours and nature experiences in Rincon de la Vieja to enjoy a full day in this beautiful region of Costa Rica. Popular combo options from Playa Flamingo include the La Leona Waterfall hike with river tubing, zip lining, hot springs, or the volcanic activity hike in Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Is La Leona Waterfall in Costa Rica worth visiting from Playa Flamingo?

Yes, La Leona Waterfall is definitely worth visiting. With its bright blue pools and exciting hiking experience, it’s one of the best things to do near Playa Flamingo for travelers looking to combine beach relaxation with a tropical jungle adventure.

How do I drive to La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach?

From Flamingo Beach, drive toward Brasilito and continue to Huacas. Turn left at the intersection onto Route 155. Reaching the village Belén turn left onto Route 21 toward Liberia. Turn left at the main intersection onto Highway 1 and continue for about 5 km. Turn right when you see signs pointing toward Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Reach Curubandé and continue straight until you see the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.

Is La Leona Waterfall a good day trip from Playa Flamingo in Costa Rica?

Yes, La Leona Waterfall is a perfect day trip from Playa Flamingo in Costa Rica and a highlight you shouldn’t miss while visiting Guanacaste. If you want to experience even more of the Rincon de la Vieja region in one day, we recommend choosing one of our combo tours.

Can you swim at La Leona Waterfall?

Yes, unlike many other waterfalls in Costa Rica, you can swim in the turquoise river and natural pool below La Leona Waterfall, and it is an essential part and highlight of the tour.

Is the La Leona Waterfall hike suitable for families with kids?

Yes, the La Leona Waterfall hike in Costa Rica is a great adventure for kids over 4 years old and for the whole family.(Please note that the minimum age for group tours is 6 years old, while private tours are available for children from 4 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 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.

How long does the La Leona Waterfall hike take?

The La Leona Waterfall hike takes approximately 2.5–3 hours from start to finish. Including the drive to and from Flamingo Beach, the entire tour usually takes around 6 hours, depending on traffic and if you would like to make stops or enjoy lunch at our on-site restaurant.

How difficult is the La Leona Waterfall hike?

The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Costa Rica is considered moderate.

A basic level of fitness is required, and the tour is not suitable for people with knee, walking, or mobility issues as the terrain is mostly uneven and there are small climbing sections.

Our expert guides will assist you throughout the tour, ensuring that you feel safe, comfortable, and well supported at all times.

What is included in the La Leona Waterfall tour from Flamingo Beach?

Included in your La Leona Waterfall tour from Flamingo Beach are a certified guide for the hike, transportation to the trail entrance, life jackets, and dry bags.

For the most comfortable experience, transportation from Playa Flamingo 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.

Is lunch available at La Leona Waterfall?

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.

Do I need to book in advance to visit La Leona Waterfall from Flamingo Beach?

Yes, booking in advance is required to visit La Leona Waterfall from Playa Flamingo.

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