La Leona Waterfall from Riu Palace

It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to La Leona Waterfall from Riu Palace, at a distance of approximately 57 kilometers (37 miles), making this hike a perfect day trip option near Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

From Riu Palace, head on Route 911 through Artola toward Sardinal. Before reaching Sardinal, turn right at the T-junction onto Route 151 and continue through the village. Follow Route 151 straight until you reach a T-junction in Comunidad, then turn left toward Liberia. Upon reaching Liberia, turn left at the main intersection onto Highway 1. After about 5 km, look for the right turn onto the road leading to Curubandé (Rincon de la Vieja National Park). Passing straight through Curubandé you’ll find the La Leona Waterfall tour office on your left, clearly marked with large signs.

Yes, you can book a tour with transportation included from Riu Palace to La Leona Waterfall. Just let us know your pickup location during the reservation process, and we will take care of everything for a smooth, comfortable, and stress-free journey.

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

Yes, La Leona Waterfall makes a great day trip from Riu Palace Costa Rica and is a must-see attraction when visiting Guanacaste. The refreshing swim in the cool, turquoise river offers a welcome break from the beach and a unique way to experience Costa Rica’s tropical nature.

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.

Yes, the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Costa Rica is suitable and safe for children. Kids can join private tours from 4 years old and group tours from 6 years old.

Our experienced 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 enjoy the experience.

The hike includes climbing over rocks, caves, and swimming parts, making it an exciting adventure for active kids, as long as they are comfortable with water and walking for 2-3 hours.

The La Leona Waterfall hike itself takes about 2–3 hours. Including the drive to and from Riu Palace Costa Rica, the entire day trip usually takes around 5 hours, depending on if you would like to make stops along the way or enjoy lunch afterward.

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

The trail includes rocky and uneven terrain, as well as sections where you’ll need to climb over rocks and ladders and swim through parts of the river. A basic level of fitness is required, and the tour is not suitable for people with knee, walking, or mobility issues.

Our expert guides will assist you throughout the tour, especially during the climbing sections and while swimming through the waterfall canyon, ensuring that you feel safe, comfortable, and well supported at all times.

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 relaxing at the beach and visiting nearby destinations like Playas del Coco, one of the best things to do is explore the popular Rincon de la Vieja region, offering a refreshing break from the coast. A visitor’s highlight is the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Curubandé, where you follow a rainforest trail and swim through impressive canyon walls to reach a hidden waterfall cave.

Close to La Leona Waterfall, you can also enjoy other exciting adventures and nature experiences such as river tubing, zip lining, hot springs, and horseback riding.

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.

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

For the most comfortable experience, transportation from Riu Palace 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.

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.