On your trip to Costa Rica, you wish to visit a gorgeous waterfall with a striking color pool and river. You have seen so many images of those postcard like places and read so much about them that now you are confused which one to visit – La Leona or Rio Celeste.
We have been to both Rio Celeste and La Leona, and can clear your doubt. Our answer is: visit both 🙂
Hey, don’t go away. I know that is not the answer you came looking for. We understand that it may not be possible to fit visits to both the waterfalls on your Costa Rica itinerary. So, let us help make an informed decision to pick one of the two magnificent waterfalls.
We are going to break it it down for you how the experiences of visiting the waterfalls is like, comparing La Leona Waterfall vs. Rio Celeste Waterfall, from various perspectives.
La Leona or Rio Celeste: Comparison Overview
Both Rio Celeste and La Leona stand out in their own rights as gorgeous waterfalls, and must-visit places on your Costa Rica itinerary. For details about the waterfalls, read our complete visit guides to the attractions:
But there are various aspects you need to take into consideration when picking one over the other.
Let the battle begin! (I feel sad to even write this. I am telling you, both the waterfalls are spectacular).
| Parameters | Rio Celeste | La Leona |
|---|---|---|
| Location: Nearest popular town/ airport | La Fortuna | Liberia Airport |
| Guide Required | No | Yes |
| Advance Booking Required | Yes | Yes |
| Public Transport | No | Bus + Uber |
| Cost of Visiting | 12 USD for adult foreigner, 800 CRC for adult Costa Rica resident | Price per adult – 30 USD for group tour, 45 USD for private tour |
| Trail Universal Accessibility | No | No |
| Hike Difficulty Level | Easy-moderate | Easy-moderate + Adventurous |
| Swimming at the Waterfall | No | Yes |
| Other Attractions | Secondary volcanic activities, confluence point where Rio Celeste gets its color | Optional add-ons: River tubing, Zip-lining |
✅ For a wholesome adventurous experience of hike in jungle and swim in blue river to see a waterfall gushing into a turquoise pool, visit La Leona waterfall.
✅ To see a beautiful waterfall with magical blue pool for a lower cost, along with some other mysteries of nature, but with no option of swimming at the waterfall itself, visit Rio Celeste.
For details of each parameter and a comparative view of Rio Celeste and La Leona, keep reading.
La Leona or Rio Celeste: 10 Deciding Factors to Pick ONE Waterfall
Location
Rio Celeste Waterfall: It is located in Tenorio Volcano National Park. The nearest tourist town is La Fortuna, 70 km (43 miles).
La Leona Waterfall: It is located in a private farm in the town of Curubande. The nearest big town is Liberia, 15 km (9 miles) away.
Advantage: La Leona is conveniently located to easily include on a Costa Rica itinerary from Liberia. The most comfortable and fastest way to visit Rio Celeste would be a day trip on your La Fortuna itinerary.
Guide Required
Rio Celeste Waterfall: No, you do not need a guide to visit Rio Celeste waterfall. The trails are well marked.
La Leona Waterfall: Because of the adventures it involves, La Leona Waterfall Hike can only be a guided activity.
Advantage: Points to Rio Celeste if you prefer self-guided hikes. Points to La Leona if you are up for an adventurous guided hike.
Advance Booking Required
Rio Celeste Waterfall: To visit Rio Celeste, you need to reserve national park entrance tickets in advance from the official SINAC portal.
La Leona Waterfall: For Catarata la Leona hike, you need to make prior reservation. Multiple tour companies offer this hike. Click here to book with La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike. Use our coupon code paradise to avail 5% discount on your total booking amount.
Advantage: It’s a tie!
Ease of Commute
Rio Celeste Waterfall:
- The best way to visit is to self drive. Use our Costa Rica Car Rental Deal to get 10% discount and other freebies when renting a car with Adobe Rent A Car.
- The other option is to book a guided tour that includes transportation and pick and drop.
- For public transport, there is none that reaches until the national park entrance of Rio Celeste.
La Leona Waterfall:
- You can select the transportation included option while booking the guided hike (don’t forget our coupon code paradise to avail 5% discount).
- Self-drive is convenient too, the roads are paved and are in good condition. Get our Costa Rica Car Rental Deal.
- For public transport, there is a bus from Liberia to Curubande, but that runs only few times a day. It is easy to get an Uber or a taxi from Liberia to La Leona waterfall hike meeting point. And for getting to Liberia, you can find regular bus running all day from the important towns in Guanacaste.
Advantage: La Leona Waterfall wins.
Cost of Visiting the Waterfalls
Rio Celeste Waterfall: The cost of entrance to visit Rio Celeste Waterfall is 12 USD per adult for foreigners, and 800 colones per adult for Costa Rica residents and citizens.
La Leona Waterfall: Group tour for La Leona waterfall hike costs 30 USD per adult, while private tour costs 45 USD per adult.
Advantage: Rio Celeste scores for being more pocket-friendly.
Trail Universal Accessibility
Rio Celeste Waterfall: The major part of the trail in Tenorio Volcano National Park is not accessible.
La Leona Waterfall: Catarata La Leona trail is not universally accessible.
Advantage: It’s a tie. No one scores.
Waterfall Hike Difficulty Level
Rio Celeste Waterfall: Not a difficult hike, but Rio Celeste waterfall trail requires going down and coming back up hundreds of stairs in a spiraling staircase. The secondary volcanic activity trail has uphill and downhill paths, and uneven terrains. Rains can make all trails muddy and slippery.
La Leona Waterfall: You hike in the jungle, climb ladders and rocks, swim in a blue river inside canyons, and finally tread in the water against the river current, holding on to a rope to get to La Leona waterfall.
Advantage: We found both hikes nice and enjoyable, but some categorize both as moderate hikes. However, La Leona waterfall scores dozens of extra points here for the thrill factor.
Option of Swimming at the Waterfalls
Rio Celeste Waterfall: You cannot swim at Rio Celeste waterfall or anywhere inside Tenorio Volcano National Park. You can, however, outside of the perimeter of the national park, park your vehicle on the side of the road and take a dip in the blue river, in a different stretch. It is the same river by the same name, Rio Celeste, but not anywhere close to the Rio Celeste waterfall.
La Leona Waterfall: You not only can swim at La Leona waterfall, but you have to! To reach the waterfall, you need to swim through certain sections of the river, including the final access to the waterfall. You can also swim in the turquoise pool at the waterfall.
Advantage: If you absolutely want to swim at a waterfall with a gorgeous color pool below, choose La Leona. But if you are scared on being in water, pick Rio Celeste.
Other Attractions
Rio Celeste Waterfall: When you visit Rio Celeste, you can also hike the other trail of Tenorio Volcano National Park. On this one, you get to see secondary volcanic activities like bubbling hot water, a viewpoint with three volcanoes in the horizon, a blue lake, and the exact confluence point where Rio Celeste begins its journey and gets its magical sky blue color.
La Leona Waterfall: To make your La Laeona waterfall adventure hike day more adventurous, you can add another activity and book a combo tour of the waterfall hike and river tubing in Rio Blanco.
Advantage: La Leona scores for adventure, while Rio Celeste gets the points for unique natural mysteries.
Touristy
Rio Celeste Waterfall: There is no denying that Rio Celeste is one of the most popular places in Costa Rica. It has always been. But you know, we always say, touristy places are touristy for a reason. The sight of Rio Celeste is truly spectacular. But you may have to share that experience with hundreds of other people, even after the number of visitors in for each day/ time slot is capped.
La Leona Waterfall: Catarata La Leona is a recent discovery. Once known to the locals only, it is now rising up the charts of popularity pretty fast. Many international visitors include it on their must-visit places in Costa Rica. There are multiple groups visiting the waterfall everyday. But you can still have empty trails and the waterfall all to yourself for at least a few minutes, if you are among the first group to arrive at Catarata La Leona. So, book that early morning first slot, wake up early and experience the magic. While you still can.
Advantage: La Leona waterfall wins for its chances of comparatively secluded experience.
Final Thoughts
Both waterfalls encapsulate the natural beauty and ecological diversity that makes Costa Rica a premier destination for nature lovers. But choosing between Rio Celeste and La Leona depends on what you are looking to get out of your visit, as each offers a unique experience. But, let us assure you, whichever you pick, Rio Celeste or La Leona, it is going to be a memorable visit to one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is blessed with several incredible waterfalls. Check out our waterfall guides:
- Oropendola Waterfall
- La Cangreja Waterfall
- Rio Negro Waterfalls and Hot Springs
- Llanos del Cortes Waterfall
- La Fortuna Waterfall
- El Tigre Waterfalls Hike, Monteverde
- Catarata Del Toro
- Nauyaca Waterfalls, Dominical
- Uvita Waterfall
- Montezuma Waterfalls, Nicoya
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens
- Cascada el Pavon, Ojochal
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