Overview
Part hike, part swim. From the village of Curubandé you follow the Río Blanco upstream into a narrow canyon — wading, swimming short stretches in a life jacket and pulling yourself up rope-assisted rock sections — until the walls close in and La Leona pours into a turquoise pool inside a cave-like chamber. Around 4 km round trip with a guide, then a proper lunch before the drive home.
- 7:30 am
Pickup in Tamarindo
Your guide collects you from your hotel for the drive north past Liberia to the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja.
- 9:15 am
Curubandé trailhead
Safety briefing, life jackets on, valuables into the dry bag. Lockers are available for anything you leave behind.
- 9:45 am
Into the canyon
Follow the Río Blanco upstream: river crossings, short swims, boulder scrambles with fixed ropes, and canyon walls that keep closing in.
- 11:00 am
La Leona Waterfall
The canyon ends in an enclosed chamber where the waterfall drops into a turquoise pool. Time to swim under it and take photos before turning back.
- 1:00 pm
Lunch stop
Showers and dry clothes at the trailhead, then lunch at a local restaurant (not included).
- 2:30 pm
Back in Tamarindo
Dropped back at your hotel door with the afternoon free.
What's included
- Round-trip transport from your Tamarindo hotel
- Local bilingual guide (mandatory on this trail)
- Entrance to the La Leona trail
- Life jacket and a dry bag for your valuables
- Lockers, changing rooms and showers at the trailhead
- Bottled water and fruit
Not included
- Lunch at the restaurant stop (bring cash)
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Personal expenses
What to bring
- Closed-toe shoes with grip that can get wet — no flip-flops
- Swimsuit worn under quick-dry clothes
- Towel and a full change of clothes for after
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Waterproof case if you want your phone in the canyon
- Cash for lunch and tips
- You must be comfortable in water: a few stretches are too deep to wade and are swum in a life jacket.
- Moderate fitness needed — expect slippery rocks, rope sections and about three hours on the move.
- In heavy rain (mostly September–October) the river can rise and the canyon closes; we will move your date at no cost.
- Pairs well with Poza Los Coyotes on the same river — ask us about doing both.
- Children under 12 receive a 20% discount; under 3 travel free.
- Cancellations 24+ hours before departure carry a 50% fee. Inside 24 hours there is no refund.