Wildlife in Costa Rica, animals near La Leona Waterfall, fauna Rincón de la Vieja
🌿 Introduction
If you’re planning a hike to La Leona Waterfall in Liberia, Guanacaste, you’re in for more than just a beautiful destination. This tour takes you deep into one of Costa Rica’s richest ecosystems — where the wildlife is just as impressive as the waterfall itself.
As a local guide with years of experience in the area, I’ve seen how every hike brings a new encounter: howler monkeys roaring overhead, colorful toucans swooping from tree to tree, or a basilisk lizard dashing across the river. Nature here is alive, vibrant, and full of surprises.
👉 In this post, I’ll share which animals you’re likely to see, how to spot them, and why this hike is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and families.
📸 Bring your camera — trust me, you’ll want it!
⏱ Tour Overview
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Best time for wildlife: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Difficulty: Moderate adventure
- Great for: Nature lovers, families, couples, wildlife photographers
Common Animals on the Trail
- 🐒 White-faced Capuchin Monkeys – playful and curious
- 🐒 Howler Monkeys – loud and powerful
- 🐒 Spider Monkeys – fast and agile
- 🐦 Toucans – vibrant and photogenic
- 🦜 Motmots – colorful with swinging tail feathers
- 🦋 Blue Morpho Butterflies – bright and majestic
- 🦎 Iguanas & “Jesus Christ” Lizards – sunbathing or running on water
- 🐜 Leafcutter Ants – nature’s tiny workers
- 🐦⬛ Tanagers, Hummingbirds, Hawks – birdwatcher’s paradise
- 🐸 Tree Frogs & Poison Dart Frogs – especially during rainy season
🥾 Listen Before You Look
As soon as you enter the jungle, pause and listen. You might hear:
- The roar of a howler monkey echoing through the trees
- The croaky call of a toucan
- Leaves rustling — possibly from a raccoon or iguana passing by
🎧 Tip: Walk quietly and ask your guide if you hear anything interesting.
🌳 Look Up – The Action Is in the Trees
Many animals hang out in the canopy, not on the ground. Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Capuchins swinging through the treetops
- Toucans searching for fruit
- Colorful motmots perched mid-trail
📸 Tip: Bring binoculars or a zoom lens for close-up shots.
🌟 Closing
The journey to La Leona Waterfall is so much more than a hike — it’s a wildlife encounter like no other. This region of Costa Rica is home to some of the most diverse animals on Earth, and each hike is a chance to see something extraordinary.
🎒 Ready to experience it for yourself?📸 Share your photos with us using #LeonaWildlifeTour and tag us on Instagram!👉 Haven’t booked yet?
