La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: Finding Costa Rica’s Hidden Turquoise Gem
Adventure with a combination of hiking, swimming, and pure wilderness? Try the La Leona Waterfall in Curubandé, Guanacaste. This is not your typical waterfall trip. It’s a journey through river canyons, pools, and caves. And they are carved by time. It has a perfect balance of excitement and natural beauty.
Where La Leona Waterfall Is Located
The waterfall in the serene Curubandé town is only 25 minutes from Liberia. Close to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, volcanic summits hide and embrace tropical rain forest. Off the grid location ideal for the adventurer seeking a dose of untamed Costa Rica with no one around to disturb his isolation surrounding him.
The Adventure That Awaits
La Leona Waterfall adventure hike is a hike that will bring you directly to the blue center of Guanacaste. There are surprises around every curve of adventure. You climb and descend riverbanks, diving into glistening turquoise streams. You traverse boulder outcroppings, and swim through small caverns to the secret waterfall. It is a jungle living adventure. With every step, you learn something new.
The tour’s highlight is sliding down into the canyon and being nose to nose with nothing but beautiful scenery of nothing but breathless La Leona Waterfall. The sun is hotly blazing down across the blue green pool that rests at the waterfall’s base, bathing it in some sort of otherworldly light which seems to be of the kind they use in a fantasy movie. You may swim, float over frozen water, or simply sit outside in sunlight on the rocks and hear the water off the sides of the canyon.
Why This Experience Is Worth Remembering
Why La Leona is worth it in Costa Rica waterfalls is you get to do so many other things in the process. It’s not necessarily getting there, however. You’ll hike rain forest terrain, dash through caves, and paddle along serene blue water before you even touch the heights. Guides that join the tour have known every boulder, river bend, and guard path, so the tour is safer by default too.
Visitor Information
- Where: Curubandé, Guanacaste
- How Long: 3 to 4 hours round trip
- Difficulty: Challenging for beginners and thrill seekers
- Best Time to Go: Dry season is ideal. As you can see prettier trails and blue turquoise water in this season. Trails can be hiked in the rainy season too. But it is harder to complete.
What to Bring:
- Water sandals or hiking level flip flops
- Swimwear and lightweight drying out clothing
- Waterproof phone case or dry sack
- Water bottle and snack food
- Sunscreen and bug spray
Safety gear, guidebooks in both languages and a photo or audio version of your trip often start most trips. Take an experienced local guide to take advantage of a well planned and safe trip.
A Must Do for Adventure Travelers
This waterfall is paradise for all travelers seeking endless adventure and nature. The hike has all the adventure this place has to offer. It is a reward and adventure in a package.
This is also one of the best ways to experience the coastlines of Guanacaste. Canyon swimming, finding hidden caves, and searching for a hidden waterfall in the depths of the interior always being your passion, then La Leona is the spot.
Last Thoughts
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike, it’s not just a trip, it’s a dash of magic. Water music against rock walls, coolness of icy turquoise pools on skin, heat of golden sunbeams filtering through rock walls, it’s magic. Solo traveler, couples getaway, group of friends traveling in Costa Rica, this hike’s a must when in Guanacaste.
Pack your swimsuit, water shoe tie on, and your adventurous self for one of Costa Rica’s roller coasters. La Leona is not a waterfall, or a waterfall day trip; it’s a hike to the raw roots of nature.
FAQs
- How long is the La Leona Waterfall tour?
Tour duration is 3 to 4 hours, walk, swim, and occupy space in the waterfall. - Do I visit La Leona Waterfall with a guide?
Recommended. Creek and tunnel cavern exploration is not safe unless you know the ground. - When do I visit La Leona Waterfall?
Hike in April and December during the dry season. More comfortable on trail and water is an amazing turquoise color then. - Is La Leona kid and kids friendly?
Other than children’s swimming and open outdoor play. Both over 10 years, adventurous, can manage. - Is there a facility close to the waterfall?
Toilet facility, park, and lockers facility at Curubandé tour center but no facility on the trail. - Is it allowed to swim in La Leona Waterfall?
Yes, and half of it. The blue pool behind the waterfall is cool and safe under the protection of the guide.
