La Leona Waterfall Tour from Liberia: Private Jungle Hike

Hike to a deep blue waterfall hidden between two canyons, swim in water colored by volcanic minerals.

A private La Leona Waterfall tour from Liberia combines jungle hiking, river exploration and swimming at a unique deep blue waterfall rooted between two canyons. The water's striking blue-turquoise color comes from sulfur in Rio Blanco, which originates at Volcano Rincon de la Vieja. Transportation, lunch and a waterproof bag are included. The tour runs four hours and suits children from age six with at least moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

La Leona Waterfall tour and hike

• Transportation and safety briefing
• Hike through jungle and river
• Swim at La Leona Waterfall

The experience

You start with a safety briefing and transportation from your hotel in Liberia, then head into dense tropical forest on foot. The hike follows Rio Blanco through the jungle, moving between river exploration and trail sections as the guide navigates toward La Leona. The waterfall itself sits rooted between two canyons, a rare formation in Costa Rica, and the water arrives in shades of blue and turquoise, a visual result of sulfur deposits in the river as it flows down from the volcanic slopes of Rincon de la Vieja.

Once you reach the falls, you swim in the pool beneath the cascade. The tour includes lunch and bottled water, so you eat after the swim and hike back out. An air-conditioned vehicle returns you to your hotel at the end of the four-hour outing. A waterproof bag keeps your belongings dry during river sections, and the operator carries insurance for the activity.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Liberia hotel.
• safety briefing and guide in English or Spanish.
• jungle hike and river exploration.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• waterproof bag for your belongings.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by The Best Day Ever! | Costa Rica Tour Operator & DMC

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want the waterfall and jungle to yourself rather than joining a group, and if you have a free afternoon and moderate fitness for hiking and swimming in a river setting.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes La Leona Waterfall different from other waterfalls in Costa Rica?

La Leona is one of the few, if not the only, waterfall in Costa Rica that sits rooted between two canyons. Its water flows from Rio Blanco, which originates at Volcano Rincon de la Vieja, and the sulfur in the river gives the water its distinctive deep blue and turquoise color.

What happens if I'm not comfortable swimming?

The tour includes a swim at the waterfall pool, but the guide can advise on water depth and conditions when you arrive. You control how much time you spend in the water.

How long does the hike take, and how difficult is it?

The entire tour runs four hours from pickup to return. The hike itself moves through dense jungle and along the river. The operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness, and the activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.