FAMILY GUIDE
La Leona Waterfall with Kids: Is It Safe?
Everything parents need to know before joining one of Costa Rica’s most adventurous waterfall hikes with children
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Recommended by Hundreds of Families • Rated 5.0 on Google (6700+ Reviews)
Wondering if La Leona Waterfall is Suitable for Kids?
La Leona Waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s best waterfall hikes and a great adventure for active families!
As one of the highest-rated tour companies in the Rincon de la Vieja region, we’re known for our experienced guides and high safety standards, making the La Leona Waterfall hike a safe and fun experience for travelers of all ages.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know before visiting La Leona Waterfall with kids: how we keep children safe throughout the hike, what to expect on the tour, what to pack, and which tour option fits best for your family.
LA LEONA WATERFALL – QUICK FACTS
👦 Age:
Group tours: 6, Private tours: 4
🚶♂️➡️ Distance:
4 km round trip (3 miles)
🕥 Duration:
2.5 – 3 hours
⛰️ Difficulty:
Moderate
🌊 Swimming:
Yes (Life jackets provided)
🛡️ Guided:
Yes (Included in the tour)
📍 Location:
Curubandé, Rincon de la Vieja, Guanacaste
We Visited La Leona Waterfall with Kids Video
See what the experience is like and follow along as five young adventurers between 4 and 8 years hike to La Leona Waterfall, climbing over rocks, crossing rivers, and discovering the fascinating nature along the way.
How We Keep Your Kids Safe on the La Leona Waterfall Hike
We have a variety of safety measures in place to ensure your safety while visiting La Leona Waterfall with kids.
Life Jackets
Provided by us and mandatory for everyone, with adult and children’s sizes available for a secure and comfortable fit. All equipment is cleaned and maintained daily.
Trained Guides
All of our guides are trained in first aid and carry emergency kits, extra safety ropes as well as radios. The trail and river conditions are checked every day.
Personal Assistance
Our guides are there to support you and your children during the entire hike, helping through every part that might feel challenging.
Additional Support
If your group is large or includes several young children, additional guides join the tour to ensure everyone stays safe and gets the assistance they need.
ℹ️ Swimming Sections
Your Child Can’t Swim? No Problem!
As life jackets are provided for adults and children, you don’t need to be a strong swimmer. During the swimming parts, you can simply float while moving along the ropes set up across the river.
If younger children need extra help, our guides carry additional safety ropes that they can hold onto while being gently pulled through the water.
What to Expect on the La Leona Waterfall Hike with Kids
STEP 1
4×4 RIDE & TRAIL START
The adventure begins with a fun 5-minute 4×4 ride through the forest to the trailhead, where your hike to La Leona Waterfall starts.
You can choose to sit inside the vehicle or enjoy the ride from the back for a more adventurous start.
If you choose to go in the back, there are bars to hold onto, and our experienced staff will drive carefully to take you safely to the trail.
STEP 2
FIRST RIVER CROSSING
Upon arrival, your guide will give a short introduction before you begin the tour walking through light forest towards the river.
Soon you’ll reach the first of several river crossings, a welcoming cool-down between the hiking sections. At this point, the Río Blanco is shallow, and ropes are set up to help you keep your balance.
Our guides keep a close eye on your kids during every river crossing and accompany them to the other side if they need extra support.
Natural Paint from the Volcano
Along the river you may find stones with a rusty-looking surface: This is oxidized iron, a volcanic mineral traditionally used by indigenous people as a natural paint for decorating pottery.
During the tour, your guide will show you how to mix the mineral with a little water to create the paint yourself. You can then use it as natural face paint and continue the hike looking like a real jungle explorer 😉.
STEP 3
INTO THE JUNGLE
Continuing on the trail, the forest becomes denser and greener. The path gets covered with roots, and you’ll walk past fascinating trees and impressive rock formations, while your guide shares interesting facts about the forest, local wildlife and volcanic landscape.
Along the way, you’ll also pass a small cave where, with a little luck, you may spot tiny bats resting on the ceiling.
You may also see other animals like monkeys or tropical birds, but keep in mind that we cannot guarantee to see wildlife, as this is a natural environment.
Worried About Dangerous Animals? Here’s the Truth
There are no crocodiles or other large aquatic animals in the river, only a few tiny fish. The chance of encountering potentially dangerous wildlife along the trail is extremely low, as wild animals generally prefer to avoid humans. Our guides know the local wildlife extremely well and are experienced in spotting animals, so if there were ever a potentially dangerous animal nearby, they would take the appropriate action immediately.
STEP 4
BOULDERS & LADDERS
Do your kids think hiking is boring? Not on this trail!
In the next step, you’ll climb over volcanic rocks and a few short ladders, often a fun part for children that keeps the hike exciting and varied.
Ropes are set up at every climbing section for extra support. Your guide will assist you whenever needed, making sure everyone gets through each section safely while enjoying the small challenges along the way.
STEP 5
FIRST SWIM
Following the jungle trail, you’ll arrive at a stunning natural setting: Impressive volcanic rocks create a cave-like formation, with the bright turquoise river gently flowing below. Here you’ll finally have the chance to get fully into the refreshing water and swim through the rocks to reach the trail on the other side.
There are no ropes in this section, but the current is usually very slow. With your life jacket, you can comfortably float and paddle to the other side.
If younger children need extra support, they can hold onto our guides’ backpacks or the additional safety ropes they carry. Kids can also go piggyback with their parents if they feel more comfortable.
STEP 6
RIVER CANYON
Almost there! This is probably the most iconic and adventurous part of the hike.
You’ll swim through an epic river canyon into the cave where La Leona Waterfall is hidden, a unique opportunity to experience Costa Rica’s wild nature up close.
To enter the waterfall cave, you’ll pull yourself hand over hand along the rope. A guide is positioned inside the canyon to help you through the final section, where the current is strongest. Younger children are accompanied by a guide all the way to the waterfall.
STEP 7
LA LEONA WATERFALL
As you climb over the last few rocks, La Leona Waterfall suddenly appears before you, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Take a moment to enjoy floating in the natural pool and capture some unforgettable photos in front of the waterfall.
After spending some time at the waterfall, the adventure isn’t over yet: You’ll hike back on the same trail, with the chance to enjoy some optional river jumps. The 4×4 vehicle will take you back to the tour base, marking the end of your trip.
After the Hike
After returning to the tour base, you’ll find everything you need to refresh before continuing your day. Clean your shoes at our shoe washing stations, enjoy a shower, and change into dry clothes in the changing rooms.
Got hungry after your adventure? We offer snacks and drinks at the reception and a wide variety of delicious high quality meals at our La Leona Restaurant.
➡️ Check out our new Visitor Facilites
🍽️ See Food & Drinks at La Leona Restaurant
WHAT FAMILIES SAY
Harmik Derohanes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Recently went to La Leona Waterfall with the family and it was absolutely beautiful. The entire experience was incredible from start to finish. Our tour guide, Jeremy, was extremely professional, made sure everyone stayed safe throughout the tour, and truly set the gold standard for what a tour guide should be. The kids loved every minute of it, and we always felt comfortable and well taken care of. The scenery was amazing, the adventure was unforgettable, and the overall experience exceeded expectations. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Costa Rica!”
Tours to La Leona Waterfall with Kids
Ready to experience one of Costa Rica’s best waterfall tours for families? We offer a variety of tour options for every travel style: group tours, private tours for smaller children, tours with hotel pickup included and full-day combo adventures. Explore the options below to find the perfect fit for your trip.
LA LEONA WATERFALL TOURS
La Leona Waterfall GROUP TOUR
👦 Minimum Age: 6 years
🕥 Tours: 8am – 2pm (every hour)
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Group Size: Up to 20 participants
✅ Great option if you want to enjoy the hike with other travelers
The group moves at the same pace with a guide focused on the group as a whole rather than individual participants.
La Leona Waterfall PRIVATE TOUR
👦 Minimum Age: 4 years
🕥 Tours: 7am – 2pm (every 30 minutes)
🛡️ Private guide just for your group
✅ Ideal if you’re traveling with small children
Enjoy the hike at your own pace with a personal guide who can provide individual support whenever your little ones need it.
Tours with Transportation
If you don’t have a car available, you can choose to include transportation in your booking for the most stress-free way to get to La Leona Waterfall. Just let us know your pickup point during booking and we will take care of everything.
We offer reliable hotel pickup throughout Guanacaste and flexible transfer shuttles, where you can include the hike between two destinations.
MOST POPULAR COMBO TOURS
La Leona Waterfall & River Tubing GROUP TOUR
👦 Minimum Age: 6 years
🕥 Tours: 9am • 12pm
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Group Size: 20+ participants
✅ Adult and children’s sizes available for tubes, helmets, and life vests
Ready for more adventure? Splash through fun rapids on a tubing tour down the Colorado River, just next door to La Leona Waterfall.
La Leona Waterfall & River Tubing PRIVATE TOUR
👦 Minimum Age: 6 years
🕥 Tours: 7am – 12:30pm (every 30 minutes)
🛡️ Private guide just for your group
✅ Adult and children’s sizes available for tubes, helmets, and life vests
With younger children, a private tour may be more comfortable, as your guide can provide individual support just for your family.
La Leona Waterfall & Zip Lining Tour
👦 Minimum Age: 6 years
🛡️ Waterfall hike available as private tour
✅ Extra attention for young kids
✅ Adult and children’s sizes available for harnesses and helmets
Fly high above the treetops and across the river canyons of Rincon de la Vieja, with fantastic views and an adrenaline rush guaranteed.
Wondering where to get lunch between tours?
Our on-site La Leona Restaurant is located just across from the tour reception and offers a wide variety of delicious meals.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why choose La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike?
We are proud to be one of the highest-rated tour companies in Rincon de la Vieja, with more than 6700 Google reviews and a 5.0 rating, known for our high safety standards, experienced guides, and local expertise. Our dedicated team is passionate about sharing their knowledge of Costa Rica and creating fun, educational, and safe experiences every day.
We are the only tour company in Curubandé offering modern visitor facilities, including a monitored parking lot, bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, lockers, and an on-site restaurant for the most comfortable tour experience.
Where to find us ⬇️
Entrance to our tour office in Curubandé
WHAT FAMILIES SAY
Brad Williams
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The whole guide team was so amazing!! Our family of 5 did the waterfall hike and the white water tubing. Our 11 and 9 year old boys were able to navigate the hike and tubing pretty independently, but our 7 year old daughter got tired and cold at times and the team was so sweet and helpful with her. For difficult stretches of the hike they literally carried her and for the tubing part they had a guide just for her. Allen and the guide team are the reason our kids had so much fun and didn’t get frustrated with any parts that were difficult. Highly recommended for any family looking to add some adventure to their Costa Rica trip.”
Packing List for Families
Here are a few things we recommend bringing for a safe and comfortable hike to La Leona Waterfall with kids.
What to Take to the Hike
✔️ Closed-toe shoes (that can get wet), water shoes, or sandals with straps (NO flip flops !)
✔️ Light sports clothes that can get wet – we recommend synthetic fabric that dries fast
✔️ A small towel for younger children – they can sometimes get cold after the swimming sections
✔️ Water bottle
What to Leave in the Car
✔️ Extra pair of shoes for after the tour
✔️ Change of clothes for after the tour
✔️ Towels
💡 Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and bug spray before the hike
What’s Provided
🦺 Life Jackets for Adults and Children | 💧 Dry Bags to store Valuables and Phones | 🛡️ Experienced Guides | 🚙 Transportation to the Trailhead
Best Time to Visit La Leona Waterfall with Kids
You can visit La Leona Waterfall year-round! However, both the dry and rainy seasons have their own characteristics and advantages that are good to know before your visit.
First of all, it’s important to know that the Rincon de la Vieja region is one of the driest areas in Costa Rica. While many travel blogs claim that the dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November across the entire country, this isn’t the case in the region where La Leona Waterfall is located.
☀️ DRY SEASON
Late November – Late August
✔️ Little to no rainfall, you can expect sunny skies almost every day
✔️ As there is less water in the river, the current is slower, making the swimming sections easier
✔️ As this is the most popular time of the year you can expect to see more visitors at the waterfall
✔️ This is high season in Costa Rica – make sure to book in advance because tours fill up quickly
🌦️ RAINY SEASON
September & October
✔️ It almost rains every day for a few hours, mostly in the afternoon, while the sun often comes out in the morning
✔️ Water levels in the river are higher, the current is stronger, but it is still possible to visit the waterfall
✔️ The tropical forest is greener and denser
✔️ There are fewer people at the waterfall
✔️ In some cases, tours may be canceled due to weather conditions (100% refund)
⚠️ SAFETY MEASURES
IN RAINY SEASON
After heavy rainfall, river levels can rise significantly and the risk of flash floods increases.
We carefully monitor river conditions every day. If it is not safe, tours will not be offered that day.
You can check our social media channels or contact us directly for the latest information.
WHAT FAMILIES SAY
Melisa Bolaños
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Francisco was our guide on the waterfall hike. He was beyond amazing keeping our group safe while having fun. We had a group with small children (4 and 7 yo) and even some adults in their 80s. Would HIGHLY recommend.
Then we also did tubing ans we had a team of 6 guys, 2 (Elias and Luis) of which floated down one with each kid, to keep all of us super safe. The kids LOVED it the whole time and had huge smiles! It was hands down the BEST experience!!! You do not want to miss it! Or use any other company but this one! Thanks!!”
La Leona Waterfall with Kids – FAQ
What is the minimum age for La Leona Waterfall?
The minimum age to visit La Leona Waterfall in a group tour is 6 years old and for a private tour 4 years old. This hike is not suitable for children under the age of 4.
Why do young children need a private tour?
Younger children usually need more individual support from the guides and prefer to go at a slower pace. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, children between 4 and 6 years old can only participate in a private tour, where a dedicated guide can provide personal assistance.
Do you need to know how to swim to visit La Leona Waterfall?
As life jackets are provided and mandatory for everyone, you don’t need to know how to swim. You can simply float during the swimming sections and move hand over hand along the ropes set up across the river. If you or your children need extra support, our guides carry extra safety ropes that you can hold on to be gently pulled through the water.
Who cannot visit La Leona Waterfall?
The hike is not suitable for children under 4 years old, during pregnancy and for visitors with knee, ankle, walking or mobility issues. If you are unsure if you can do the La Leona Waterfall Hike, contact us directly and we can help you decide if it is suitable for you.
Are there bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms at La Leona Waterfall?
Yes, clean bathrooms, showers and changing rooms are available at our La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour base, located directly across from the reception area.
How difficult is the La Leona Waterfall hike for kids?
The La Leona Waterfall hike is generally rated as moderate and includes uneven terrain, small climbing sections over rocks and ladders, river crossings, and swimming sections. It’s a great adventure for active kids who are comfortable with water and walking for 2–3 hours.
A trained guide will be there to support you and your children whenever needed. At every more challenging section, ropes are set up to provide extra support, and our experienced guides know exactly where and how to assist you best.
Where can we eat after the La Leona Waterfall hike?
You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a delicious lunch after the hike – our La Leona Restaurant is located directly across from the reception where your tour starts and ends. We offer a wide variety of high-quality dishes, including burgers, tacos, premium cuts of beef, pasta, traditional Costa Rican cuisine, tasty snacks, and fresh tropical juices.
You can add a traditional Costa Rican lunch with a refreshing fruit drink for $15 when booking your tour, or simply choose from our menu on the day of your visit. If you’ve booked a combo tour, you can enjoy lunch between activities to recharge before your next adventure.
Want to know more about our restaurant? Continue reading here.
Where can I park my car?
You can park your car in our private parking lot at La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike. The parking area is monitored 24/7 by security cameras and is visible from the reception and restaurant, making it safe to leave your belongings in your car during the tour. If you prefer to store valuables in a locker, they are available just across from the reception.
What should my child wear for the hike?
For the La Leona Waterfall hike, we recommend wearing light sports clothing made from a fast-drying fabric, and closed-toe shoes, water shoes, or sandals with straps that can get wet (NO flip flops !).
As the hike includes some swimming sections, you’ll get completely wet on this tour. Especially younger children may feel cold at some point, so you can bring a small towel or an extra shirt in the provided dry bags in case they need it during the hike.
Is there a maximum age to visit La Leona Waterfall?
No, there is no maximum age for the La Leona Waterfall hike. As long as you don’t have knee, ankle, walking, or mobility issues and have a basic level of fitness, you can visit La Leona Waterfall no matter how old you are. If you are unsure if you can do the La Leona Waterfall Hike, contact us directly and we can help you decide if it is suitable for you.
Where is La Leona Waterfall located?
La Leona Waterfall is located in Curubandé, Guanacaste, near Rincon de la Vieja National Park and just 20 minutes from Liberia. To find our La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike tour office, continue about 300 meters uphill from the church in Curubandé and look for the large signs on the left that lead to our parking lot. ➡️ See Google Maps location
Is La Leona Waterfall Family-Friendly?
Yes, La Leona Waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s best waterfall tours for families looking for a fun, adventurous, and safe trip. With experienced guides, mandatory life jackets, safety ropes, personal assistance, and additional guides for larger groups, you can enjoy the hike knowing that your kids are in good hands.
The hike through the jungle, over rocks, across rivers, and through a spectacular canyon never gets boring for children, and for many visitors, the La Leona Waterfall hike becomes one of the highlights of their family adventure in Costa Rica. If you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Costa Rica with kids, the La Leona Waterfall hike is an excellent choice.