La Leona Waterfall from Tamarindo

It takes about 2 hours to get to La Leona Waterfall from Tamarindo, at a distance of approximately 94 kilometers (58 miles), making this hike a perfect day trip option near Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Yes, transportation from Tamarindo to La Leona Waterfall is available and can be included in your tour reservation. Simply let us know your preferred pickup location and time, and we will take care of everything to create a comfortable and relaxed journey.

Exit Tamarindo toward Villarreal and turn left onto Route 155. Continue 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. Continue to the village of Curubandé, pass by the church on the right side, and you will find the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour base on your left, clearly marked with large signs.

The drive from Tamarindo to La Leona Waterfall takes about 2 hours at a distance of approximately 94 kilometers (58 miles).

Yes, La Leona Waterfall is one of the best adventure day trips and things to do near Tamarindo. This unique jungle hike lets you experience the wild nature of Rincon de la Vieja from within, including a refreshing swim through the turquoise river and beneath the waterfall.

Popular La Leona Waterfall combo tours from Tamarindo 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.

No, you can easily visit La Leona Waterfall from Tamarindo without a car by booking a tour with transportation included.

Our driver will pick you up in Tamarindo, take you to the tour, wait during the hike, and bring you back afterward, creating a smooth and stress-free day trip. Simply let us know your pickup location in your reservation, we’ll take care of the rest and send you all necessary information after booking.

Yes, La Leona Waterfall makes a perfect day trip from Tamarindo and is a refreshing alternative to the beach. 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 hike takes approximately 2.5–3 hours from start to finish. Including the drive to and from Tamarindo 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.

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.

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 Tamarindo 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, 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 impressive volcanic rock formations, offering a welcoming cool down and a unique way to experience nature up close.

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.