La Leona Waterfall tour: Tubing, cliff jumps & hot springs

Tube down the Lazy River, hike to a hidden waterfall, then soak in volcanic springs

This full-day tour in Guanacaste combines four distinct stops: lazy river tubing and cliff jumping at Poza Los Coyotes, a hike to La Leona Waterfall through the tropical forest, a traditional Costa Rican lunch in the village of Curubandé, and a soak in the natural hot springs and mud bath at Cañón de la Vieja Lodge. A bilingual guide leads the group through each activity, with private transportation and all entry fees included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Adventure, nature, food, and relaxation

• Walk to Poza Los Coyotes canyon
• Tube down the lazy river
• Cliff jump and rope swing
• Lunch in Curubandé village
• Hike to La Leona Waterfall
• Swim at the waterfall
• Relax in Cañón de la Vieja hot springs
• Enjoy volcanic mud bath

The experience

The day starts at Poza Los Coyotes with a short walk through the forest to reach a canyon, then you float down the river on a tube through clear water surrounded by tropical vegetation. After the float, the main natural pool opens up for optional cliff jumps and a rope swing: the adrenaline part of the morning. The contrast between the relaxing float and the optional jumps means families and couples can calibrate their own pace through this first stop.

From there, the route moves to La Leona Waterfall, where a hike along the Blanco River takes you past rock formations and small canyons. You'll swim and navigate natural obstacles along the way before reaching the waterfall itself, where you can swim in the pool beneath it. The hike is the centerpiece of the day (a real forest experience, not a short walk), and it connects the morning's water play to the afternoon's wind-down. Lunch happens in Curubandé, a local village, where you eat a traditional casado (a plate of rice, beans, salad, plantains and your choice of protein) made with fresh local ingredients.

The day ends at Cañón de la Vieja Lodge at the foot of the volcano. The natural hot springs there are warm year-round from geothermal activity, and you can apply the mineral-rich volcanic mud to your skin, let it dry in the heat, and then rinse off in the springs. This final stop is pure relaxation after the morning's activity and the afternoon's hike. The whole experience runs about six hours from pickup to return, with roughly 90 minutes of travel time from your hotel each way.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel with an air-conditioned vehicle and bilingual guide.
• entry to La Leona Waterfall and Cañón de la Vieja hot springs.
• a life jacket if needed for tubing.
• a traditional Costa Rican casado lunch with your choice of protein.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Hiking Guanacaste

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language your group is comfortable with. The tour runs six hours total, which fits a full day of activity without eating up two days of your itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

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 is the Lazy River tubing like at Poza Los Coyotes?

Poza Los Coyotes starts with a short walk through the forest to a canyon, then you float down the river on a tube through clear water surrounded by tropical vegetation. After the float, you reach the main natural pool where cliff jumping and a rope swing are optional. You can jump or stay in the water, depending on your comfort level.

How difficult is the hike to La Leona Waterfall?

The hike follows the Blanco River and passes through rock formations and small canyons. You'll swim and navigate natural obstacles along the way, so it is a real forest experience with some scrambling, not a flat trail. The waterfall itself sits at the end, where you can swim in the pool beneath it.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

Lunch is a traditional Costa Rican casado, a plate that includes rice, beans, salad, plantains and your choice of protein, made with fresh local ingredients in the village of Curubandé.

What happens at the hot springs at Cañón de la Vieja Lodge?

Cañón de la Vieja Lodge sits at the foot of the volcano and has natural thermal waters heated by geothermal activity. You can soak in the hot springs and apply the mineral-rich volcanic mud to your skin, let it dry in the warmth, and then rinse off in the water.