La Leona Waterfall Quick Facts
Location: Curubandé, Liberia
Visit Duration: 3 hours on-site, plus travel time
Open: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM everyday
Experience: Waterfall, hiking, swimming, canyon, river tracing and climbing
Accessibility: Moderate to difficult
Admission: Guided tours only, reservations made through your Travel Consultant. Walk-ins must wait in case a guide is available.
La Leona is a small waterfall flowing into a stunning turquoise lagoon, hidden in the canyons of the gorgeous Colorado River. This experience is a unique and fun adventure: follow the nature paths to the waterfall which include a combo of river tracing, hiking, and some light climbing. This also offers an excellent insight into Curubandé’s history, wildlife, and nature provided by your local guide.
Is La Leona Waterfall Worth Visiting?
La Leona Waterfall is worth visiting for anybody who wants to see the real beauty of Costa Rica’s landscapes and experience an adventure the way locals do. After a scenic drive from your hotel, the journey starts with a hike across the rainforest on an unpaved trail. Immersing yourself in the mountain, you’ll begin to encounter more difficult obstacles that’ll add to the thrill. There are narrow paths, rock formations, and even stairs (4-5 feet tall, about 5 steps) to climb uphill with hands and feet. You’ll also have to cross the Blanco River a couple of times.
During those sections where the current or inclination might be an issue, there are ropes or rails to help you keep your balance. Along the way, you’ll get the chance to spot many plants and animals from the area, as well as other curiosities like a cave with fruit bats you can check out. Because of travel times (and factoring time for lunch, as well as unexpected traffic), the trip usually takes a full day. From the moment you start hiking to the moment you return, a typical tour takes around three hours. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the various sights on this trip.
Turquoise Waters in the Canyon
The highlight of the trip is reaching the turquoise waters that careen down the canyon where the waterfall is hidden. Here it’s where you truly start to swim. Holding onto a rope, the journey takes you into the gorge. The surrounding rock walls are a beautiful sight, as well as the changing terrain that makes you feel like you’re discovering all the secrets of the mountain. Finally, reach the impressive La Leona Waterfall, tucked into the canyon. Swim at its feet in a natural pool or relax in the freshwater. The photo ops are unmissable, so take out your phone! In most cases, you spend around half an hour at the waterfall itself. It truly is the most rewarding experience at the end of your hike. Afterwards, you undo your trip back.
Tips for Visiting La Leona Waterfall from Our Experts
To guarantee your visit goes as well as possible, take the following into consideration:
Tour Guide Necessary
To visit La Leona Waterfall, you must book a tour guide. There are various reputable options, most local, and they’ll always add to your experience. A knowledgeable guide points out all the little details you don’t want to miss, has the best advice, understands the terrain, and helps you throughout your hike. We always make sure to work with the best in the business, so contact us if you’re interested.
Mobility and Accessibility
A visit to La Leona Waterfall requires at least moderate physical condition due to the various activities you have to do. Because of the terrain, it’s not recommended for people with limited mobility, heart disease, or problems with their ankles or knees. There are various trails that lead to the waterfall, and some may be a little easier than others. If you have concerns, mention them when booking your space so you can get personalized advice. Even though this place is great for family time or a group visit, it’s not possible to do it with very young children. Sometimes, a private tour might be required for your family group, to guarantee both kids and grown-ups have a great experience.
Prepare to Swim
La Leona Waterfall is perfect if you love being in the water! Because of the amount of swimming involved, many tour operators require participants to know how to swim. However, life jackets and dry bags are provided for the journey. The entrance to the trails has a parking space and there are lockers available for some of your smaller items. The dry bag will be perfect for your phone or camera. When visiting La Leona Waterfall, it’s best to travel light so you’re not delayed by unnecessary weight in the river!
Best Time to Visit La Leona Waterfall
La Leona Waterfall provides a great adventure at any time of year, but it’s best to visit during the drier months (December through April) since it’s easier to cross the river and the current is tamer. During rainy months, it could also temporarily lose its turquoise coloring, but it’s still worthwhile.
How to Get to La Leona Waterfall
Most tourists stay at hotels on the coast of Guanacaste, which is about an hour-and-a-half drive away from La Leona. However, depending on where you’re staying, it could be a little more or less. The waterfall is around 20 minutes from Liberia downtown, the capital city of Guanacaste.
We recommend you take private transportation (often included in booked tours) since a knowledgeable driver and on-demand car will make the day much more enjoyable and hassle-free for you. The road leading to the parking area is easily accessible, so no worries there. There is a small drive from the parking area to the start of the hiking trail. A 4x4 car is recommended for this, but it is also provided by most tour operators.
Best Places to Stay near La Leona Waterfall
Most hotels in Flamingo, Conchal Beach, Tamarindo, and the Papagayo Peninsula, as well as private rentals in places like Las Catalinas, are all good options if you want to see La Leona during your vacation.
Other Things to Do in Guanacaste
Depending on the tour operator, it’s possible to combine La Leona Waterfall with a river tubing adventure or a canopy zip line experience. Beyond that, Guanacaste has many activities that you can do. For adventure and nature lovers, we recommend:
