La Leona Waterfall from Playa Hermosa

The drive from Playa Hermosa to La Leona Waterfall in Curubandé takes about 1 hour at a distance of approximately 49 kilometers (30 miles), making it an easy-to-reach highlight near Rincon de la Vieja in Costa Rica.

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

Yes, you can combine the La Leona Waterfall hike with a variety of adventure tours and nature experiences in Rincon de la Vieja to make the most of your day trip. Popular combo options from Playa Hermosa 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.

We offer comfortable hotel pickup and flexible shuttle service throughout Guanacaste, including areas such as Tamarindo, Las Catalinas, Liberia, La Fortuna, and hotels like Four Seasons Costa Rica and Occidental Papagayo.

During the booking process, you can choose your pickup location from a list of popular destinations. If your location is not listed, you can add it in an extra field.

If you are unsure whether your accommodation in Costa Rica is within our transportation area, feel free to contact us before booking.

Exit Playa Hermosa and turn left onto Route 159, continuing toward Playa Panamá. From there, turn right onto Route 254 and continue uphill. After about 10 minutes, you will reach a T-junction. Turn left onto Route 21 and continue toward Liberia. Turn left at the main intersection onto Highway 1 and continue for about 5 km. Turn right when you see a sign 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.

Yes, La Leona Waterfall makes a perfect day trip and is one of the best things to do from Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste. If you want to explore even more of Rincon de la Vieja in one day, we recommend choosing one of our combo tours, with zip lining, river tubing, hot springs and more.

Yes, unlike many other waterfalls in Costa Rica, you can swim through the river and in the crystal-clear pool beneath the waterfall as an essential part of the experience.

Yes, the La Leona Waterfall hike in Costa Rica is safe and suitable for kids over 4 years old. (Please note: minimum age for group tours: 6 years, minimum age for private tours: 4 years.)

Our experienced guides will keep a close eye on your kids throughout the tour and assist them whenever needed. Life jackets are provided and mandatory for all participants, so even children 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 walking for 2-3 hours.

The La Leona Waterfall hike takes approximately 2.5–3 hours from start to finish. Including the drive to and from Playa Hermosa, the entire tour usually takes around 5 hours, depending on traffic and if you would like to make stops or enjoy lunch at our on-site restaurant.

The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Costa Rica is considered moderate and includes small climbing sections, river crossings, and uneven terrain, which is why it is not suitable for people with knee, walking, or mobility issues. You don’t need previous hiking experience, but a basic level of fitness is required.

As life jackets are provided and ropes are set up across the river, you don’t need to know how to swim. You can simply float and use the ropes to move through the water.

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

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.

Included in the tour are certified guides, transportation from our office to the trailhead, life jackets, and dry bags to safely store valuable items during the hike.

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.

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

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.