Rincon de la Vieja: La Leona Waterfall Hike & River Tubing Tour

Summary

Hike wild canyons swim at La Leona Waterfall then float downriver

You’ll hike through lush forest trails near Rincon de la Vieja, scramble up rocks to reach La Leona Waterfall’s hidden cave for a cold swim, then float downriver on a tubing adventure with safety gear provided. Local guides keep things lively—and safe—while you get muddy, soaked, and maybe braver than you expected.

What’s the experience like?

I almost lost my shoe on the first river crossing—should’ve tied it tighter. Our group was already laughing, boots squelching through the mud as we followed Diego, our guide, into the forest near Rincon de la Vieja. He pointed out these tiny blue butterflies flickering over the rocks (I never catch their names). The air smelled green and sharp, like wet leaves and stone. We’d only been hiking maybe twenty minutes but I was already sweating through my shirt—Costa Rica doesn’t mess around with humidity.

The trail got steeper and there were these little ladders bolted into the rock. Not gonna lie, I hesitated before climbing one—felt a bit wobbly, but Diego just grinned and said “pura vida!” like that explained everything. After some scrambling and a rope pull (my arms still felt it later), we reached this cave where you could hear the waterfall thundering before you saw it. It’s loud in there, echoey, with mist on your face and sunlight slicing in from above. Most of us jumped in for a swim—cold enough to make me yelp out loud. I still think about that shock of water sometimes.

Tubing was next—a totally different kind of thrill. The river looked calm at first but then picked up speed, bouncing us off rocks and spinning us around corners. I swallowed half the river laughing too hard when someone flipped over (don’t worry, helmets and life jackets are included). There’s this moment where everything goes quiet between rapids—you just float under the trees, sun flickering through leaves, everyone catching their breath or yelling to each other about what just happened. That part surprised me most—I thought it’d be all adrenaline but there’s space for silence too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rincon de la Vieja and La Leona Waterfall

• Explore Rincon de la Vieja canyons
• Enjoy river tubing adventure
• Hike through forest to waterfall
• Cross streams and climb ladders
• Use rope to reach cave
• Swim and explore waterfall cave

Top questions

How long is the La Leona Waterfall hike?

The waterfall experience takes about 3 hours including hiking and time at the falls.

Is river tubing included in this tour?

Yes, river tubing is part of the tour and lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Do I need to bring my own helmet or life jacket?

No, helmets and life jackets are provided for both hiking and tubing activities.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included; bring snacks if you want extra energy.

How fit do I need to be for this hike?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness—the trail has ladders and requires some scrambling.

Can pregnant travelers join this tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts near Rincon de la Vieja; arrive 15–20 minutes early to get ready.

Is swimming at La Leona Waterfall allowed?

Yes! You can swim inside the cave by the waterfall—it’s cold but worth it.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary helmets, life jackets, paddles for both hiking and river tubing sections—so you don’t have to pack extra gear. There’s time built in for breaks by the river before or after your adventure so you can just chill out or swap stories with your group before heading back out into real life.