Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano and Waterfalls Tour La Fortuna

Mistico Hanging Bridges Park

Mistico Park is a private nature reserve where a network of trails and bridges lets you walk through and above the forest. Some of the bridges hang high over ravines and give a view into the canopy, where birds, hummingbirds and, with luck, monkeys move through the trees. This is the tour that answers the common search for a hanging bridges tour near Arenal, with the entrance fee already included.

The walk is on well-built paths with rails, and your guide points out orchids, ferns and animals that most visitors would miss alone. Bring insect repellent, closed shoes and a light rain jacket. When asking how long to spend at the hanging bridges, most groups take around two to three hours, which is the time set aside on this day.

Arenal Volcano National Park

After the bridges, the tour heads to Arenal Volcano National Park, where the almost perfectly shaped cone rises about 1,633 metres above the plain. The trails cross forest and old lava fields from the eruption of 1968, which was the start of a long period of activity that finished in 2010. Your guide explains the geology and the wildlife, and if the clouds allow, the summit is the star of your photos.

The park is one of the most visited places in the country, and going with a guide makes a difference because he or she knows which viewpoints and lava fields are worth the time. For the best time to visit Arenal Volcano, remember that mornings are usually the clearest, and the tour is scheduled with that in mind.

Waterfall views and the rainforest trails

The name of this tour promises waterfalls, and they are a beautiful part of the route: streams drop through the greenery around the hanging bridges and in the trails of the region, and the guide leads you to the best viewpoints. A small waterfall against the deep green of the forest is one of the most photographed scenes of Costa Rica.

Paths can be slippery after rain, so take your time and hold the rails on steep sections. If you would like to see the biggest waterfall in the valley, ask us about our La Fortuna Waterfall tour or entry ticket, which can be booked separately.

Hot springs resort

The last stop is a hot springs resort at the foot of the volcano, where geothermal water fills several pools among gardens. After a long day of walking, this is where the tour turns into a rest, and the resort entry fee is included in the default option.

You can move between pools of different temperatures, and the warm water helps sore legs recover. Bring swimwear and a towel, and leave valuables in the vehicle or at your hotel. After your soak the driver takes you back to your accommodation in La Fortuna.