La Leona Waterfall from Rancho Villa Real

La Leona Waterfall is located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Rancho Villa Real near Tamarindo, with a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a great day trip option to Rincon de la Vieja in Costa Rica.

From Rancho Villa Real turn right onto Route 152/155 and continue straight. Follow Route 155 for about 40 min, passing through Huacas until reaching a T-junction in Belén. Turn left onto Route 21 and continue toward Liberia, turn left at the main crossroads to enter Highway 1. After about 5 km, turn right at an intersection pointing toward Rincon de la Vieja National Park and the village Curubandé. Passing straight through Curubandé you’ll find the La Leona Waterfall tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.

Yes, transportation from Rancho Villa Real can be included in your tour booking. Simply choose your preferred pickup time and location, and we will take care of everything for a smooth and stress-free experience.

Yes, you can ask your driver for brief stops along the way for food, facilities, or souvenirs, and they will be happy to fit your requests into the schedule whenever possible. If you are planning a longer stop during your journey, simply contact us in advance so we can help arrange it.

Close to Rancho Villa Real are some of the most popular beaches in Guanacaste, and especially Tamarindo has much to offer. If you’d like a refreshing break from the beach, the Rincon de la Vieja region, located only two hours away, offers a variety of exciting adventure tours and nature experiences, including zip lining, river tubing, rainforest hikes, and waterfall tours. The most iconic waterfall near Rincon de la Vieja National Park is La Leona Waterfall, including a unique jungle hike where you cross rivers and swim through turquoise waters in a canyon to reach an epic waterfall cave.

Popular La Leona Waterfall combo tours from Rancho Villa Real include river tubing, zip lining, hot springs, and the volcanic activity hike in Rincon de la Vieja National Park. When booking a full day adventure tour, many visitors also choose to add a traditional Costa Rican lunch at our on-site restaurant to recharge between or after the activities.

We offer comfortable hotel pickup and flexible shuttle transportation throughout Guanacaste, including areas such as Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Liberia, Playa Flamingo, and hotels like Four Seasons Costa Rica and Secrets 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.

Yes, La Leona Waterfall makes a perfect day trip from Rancho Villa Real and is a must-visit highlight when visiting Guanacaste. Enjoy walking beneath huge tropical trees through the rainforest and swimming in cool river waters, with the chance to spot monkeys and tropical birds along the way.

If you want to experience even more of Rincon de la Vieja in one day, we recommend one of our combo tours with river tubing, zip lining, hot springs, or a volcanic activity hike.

The La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Costa Rica is considered moderate and includes small climbing sections, river crossings, uneven terrain, and swimming parts.

No previous hiking experience is required, but participants should have a basic level of fitness. The hike is not suitable for guests with walking, knee, ankle, or mobility limitations. Life jackets are provided and mandatory for all participants, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to join the tour. Our experienced guides will assist you whenever needed and make sure you can safely enjoy the experience.

Yes, La Leona Waterfall is suitable for beginners and families with children over 4 years old. The hike is rated as moderate and includes small climbing sections and swimming parts, but you do not need to be an experienced hiker to complete the trail, as our expert guides will assist you throughout the entire experience.

Don’t worry if you are not a strong swimmer, life jackets are provided and mandatory for all participants so you can simply float through the water sections. However, participants should have a basic level of fitness and should not have walking, knee, or mobility limitations.

The La Leona Waterfall hike takes approximately 2.5–3 hours from start to finish. Including the drive to and from Rancho Villa Real by car or with transportation, the entire day trip usually takes around 6-7 hours, depending on traffic and if you would like to make stops or enjoy lunch at our on-site restaurant.

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 Rancho Villa Real in Costa Rica.

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.

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.

No, it is not possible to visit La Leona Waterfall without a tour. The trail and access road are located on private property, and guided tours are required to enter the area.

Parts of the hike include small rock climbing sections, river crossings, and swimming areas with strong currents, which require a professional guide to help guarantee your safety.