THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Follow a local guide through river canyons and blue plunge pools to La Leona waterfall, then relax in volcanic mud and hot springs at Rincón de la Vieja. This private day trip pairs active hiking with restorative thermal baths and a homestyle Costa Rican lunch.
Follow a local guide through river canyons and blue plunge pools to La Leona waterfall, then relax in volcanic mud and hot springs at Rincón de la Vieja. This private day trip pairs active hiking with restorative thermal baths and a homestyle Costa Rican lunch.
The trail opens with the smell of wet volcanic earth and a chorus of insects; a local guide checks your waterproof bag and points the 4x4 toward Curubandé, where the road gives way to footpaths through secondary forest.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Leona Waterfall - Rincon De La Vieja · Curubandé, Guanacaste
The trail opens with the smell of wet volcanic earth and a chorus of insects; a local guide checks your waterproof bag and points the 4x4 toward Curubandé, where the road gives way to footpaths through secondary forest.
Hikers cross shallow streams and slip through rocky grottoes, the river daring you into cool blue plunge pools before La Leona reveals itself — a narrow canyon waterfall that drops through ferns and volcanic rock. The landscape here is young geology: andesitic flows, fumaroles higher on the Rincón de la Vieja massif and thermal water that reminds you the volcano is alive beneath your feet. The local community around Curubandé has long combined cattle ranching and small-scale farming with guiding; on this private day tour lunch comes from a family restaurant serving traditional Costa Rican fare.
Expect a mixed route of river canyoning, short swims and uneven trail, about three hours moving time to the waterfall and returns for a total day of roughly seven hours including transfer, lunch and a restorative soak. The hot springs and volcanic mud baths that finish the day offer mineral benefits and easy relaxation — bring a towel and biodegradable soap. Guides provide dry bags; wear grippy shoes and bring sun and insect protection.
Practical rhythms matter: start early to avoid heat, listen to your guide crossing slippery rocks, and leave no trace — the area’s wildlife and waterways depend on it.
moderate.
6–8 hours.
Moderate fitness: able to hike uneven terrain for several hours, handle stream crossings and short swims.
The active hiking and swimming segment is about 3 hours round-trip; total experience including transfers, lunch and hot springs is roughly 6–8 hours.
The route is family-friendly but involves slippery rocks and stream crossings; not recommended for guests with serious joint, spinal, or cardiovascular conditions.
The tour includes a Costa Rican lunch and local transfers if the pickup option is selected; guides provide a dry bag and safety briefing.
Yes — the experience includes time in volcanic mud and hot springs; bring a towel and expect to rinse off afterward using provided or nearby facilities.
Curubandé sits on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja, an active volcanic complex whose geothermal activity has shaped local agriculture and long informed Indigenous and settler use of thermal springs.
Trails run through protected forest; stick to marked paths, carry out all waste and use biodegradable products to minimize impact on waterways and thermal features.
Leona Waterfall - Rincon De La Vieja operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The trail opens with the smell of wet volcanic earth and a chorus of insects; a local guide checks your waterproof bag and points the 4x4 toward Curubandé, where the road gives way to footpaths through secondary forest.
The trail opens with the smell of wet volcanic earth and a chorus of insects; a local guide checks your waterproof bag and points the 4x4 toward Curubandé, where the road gives way to footpaths through secondary forest.
Hikers cross shallow streams and slip through rocky grottoes, the river daring you into cool blue plunge pools before La Leona reveals itself — a narrow canyon waterfall that drops through ferns and volcanic rock. The landscape here is young geology: andesitic flows, fumaroles higher on the Rincón de la Vieja massif and thermal water that reminds you the volcano is alive beneath your feet. The local community around Curubandé has long combined cattle ranching and small-scale farming with guiding; on this private day tour lunch comes from a family restaurant serving traditional Costa Rican fare.
Expect a mixed route of river canyoning, short swims and uneven trail, about three hours moving time to the waterfall and returns for a total day of roughly seven hours including transfer, lunch and a restorative soak. The hot springs and volcanic mud baths that finish the day offer mineral benefits and easy relaxation — bring a towel and biodegradable soap. Guides provide dry bags; wear grippy shoes and bring sun and insect protection.
Practical rhythms matter: start early to avoid heat, listen to your guide crossing slippery rocks, and leave no trace — the area’s wildlife and waterways depend on it.