A Guide to Visiting Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges La Fortuna

How to visit La Fortuna hanging bridges at Mistico Arenal Park, plus our honest review.

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Long suspension bridges that cross canyons at the height of the rainforest canopy, walking across hanging bridges is a great way to see more of Costa Rica’s wildlife. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is one of the most popular and easily accessible hanging bridges parks in Costa Rica. Located near Arenal Volcano with the closest town being La Fortuna, you can see why it goes by many names, including La Fortuna Hanging Bridges, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and Mistico Hanging Bridges. In this article, we’ve put together a full overview of everything you need to know before you go, plus our honest review of the park, and how to make the most of your visit.

La Fortuna Hanging Bridges

There are only two main parks in La Fortuna where you can explore suspended bridges:

It can be kind of confusing as there are several names that are used interchangeably for these parks: La Fortuna Hanging Bridges and Arenal Hanging Bridges are used to refer to both or either park. Arenal Bridges can also be used to refer to the bridges inside Mistico Park. While Sky Walk is another name that is used to refer to the bridges inside Sky Adventures.

There are several more hanging bridges adventure parks that are accessible from La Fortuna as a day trip. These include Selvatura Park, 100% Aventura, and even in some places in Monteverde. We think Mistico is the best La Fortuna hanging bridges park as you get to cross more bridges and have a higher chance of seeing wildlife.

About Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is a 600-acre private nature reserve near Arenal Volcano National Park. A family-owned company, the park was founded by a husband and wife who were born and raised in La Fortuna. The development of the forest sanctuary is overlooked by an ecotourism project called Los Puentes Colgantes del Arenal (The Arenal Hanging Bridges).

The park exists to conserve and protect important plants and animals, giving tourists a unique way to experience Costa Rica’s biodiversity. It is home to long suspension bridges that allow you to get high up into the canopy, which is great for wildlife watching, and super fun too. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in La Fortuna if you love wildlife or are looking for adventure.

Where is Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park?

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is located west of La Fortuna, near Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. It is 9.3 miles (15 km) from the town and takes about 20 minutes to drive. From San José, the journey would be 81 miles (130 km) and take between 3 to 4 hours.

Mistico Hanging Bridges Map

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is located to the west of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, a stone’s throw from Lake Arenal.

Our Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Review

We had the best time at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. It was one of the first places we visited before embarking on our Costa Rica Pacific Coast Road Trip and was a really good introduction to the country and the amazing wildlife you can find here.

We visited just at the beginning of wet season in June but were lucky with a clear day and no rain. This meant we got stunning views of Arenal Volcano and the rainforest. We took a guided tour and saw a lot of wildlife, including white-faced capuchin monkeys, bats, red-eyed and strawberry poison dart frogs, a viper, a blue morpho butterfly, motmots, and florescent lichen.

We’d definitely recommend Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park if you’re visiting La Fortuna. It might not be as high-octane as some of the Monteverde adventure parks which offer ziplining and other adrenaline activities, or have as much wildlife as some of the other national parks in the country, but it’s a really fun day out.

The 16 Mistico Arenal Park Bridges

There are many picturesque bridges located throughout Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. We’ve listed all of the suspension bridges below.

How many Mistico Hanging Bridges are there?

There are 6 suspended bridges in Mistico Arenal and a further 10 fixed bridges, as well as a waterfall walkway, concreted hiking trails and a garden. Here is a fact file of each one so you know what to expect:

1) Great Curassow Bridge (Puente El Pavon)

2) Collared Peccary Bridge (Puente El Saino)

3) Jacamar Bridge (Puente El Jacamar)

4) Arenal Viewpoint Suspension Bridge (Puente Vista Arenal)

5) Monkey Ladder Bridge (Puente Escalera de Mono)

6) Bully Tree Bridge/Pilon Suspension Bridge (Puente El Pilon)

7) Waterfall Suspension Bridge (Puente La Catarata)

8) Rainbow Beak Toucan Bridge (Puente Tucan Pico Arcoiris)

9) Mystic Bridge (Puente Mistico)

Bonus: Blue Morpho Waterfall Bridge (Catarata Morpho Azul)

10) Anthill Suspension Bridge (Puerto Hormiguero)

11) Heart of Palm Bridge (Puente El Palmito)

12) Fer-de-lance Suspension Bridge (Puente Terciopelo)

13) Olingo Bridge (Puente El Olingo)

14) Guan Bridge (Puente La Pava)

15) Tarantula Bridge (Puente La Tarantula)

16) Tayra Suspension Bridge (Puente El Tolomuco)

Mistico Hanging Bridges Hiking Trails

There are three options for hiking in Mistico Arenal Park. The main route is 2 miles (3.2km) long and can be done as one path, looping throughout the reserve. The trial is mainly non-slip concrete and packed dirt so is easy to navigate but can be hilly in places.

While the main trail is stroller-friendly, there’s also a 1-mile (1.5 km) trail that is accessibility-friendly. This path visits 6 fixed bridges with the option to visit 2 more hanging bridges. This trail is flatter and suitable for wheelchairs and electric scooters, which can be rented from reception.

A third birdwatching trail passes two of the 6 suspension bridges and can be done as part of the main route or alone if you have limited time.

Mistico Hanging Bridges Wildlife

La Fortuna’s hanging bridges are special as they lie between the flat plains of the Caribbean Lowlands and the Tilaran mountain range. This means species that would usually be found at higher elevations can be seen here at 600 metres (1968 ft) above sea level alongside lowland species. This biological corridor at the junction of two types of ecosystems is really unique and you have a good chance of seeing some very cool animals.

La Fortuna is not the best place for wildlife in Costa Rica as it’s slightly more developed than other areas, but you’ll still be able to see a lot of wildlife from the suspended bridges.

Animals you might see in Mistico Park include:

There are more than 300 species of bird in Costa Rica and both highland and lowland species can be seen in the reserve, as well as migratory species like raptors between November and February each year. Over 700 species of flora can also be found within Mistico Park.

Do you need a guide for Mistico Hanging Bridges?

There are pros and cons to hiring a guide in Mistico Arenal Park. Guides can be really useful for spotting wildlife that you would otherwise miss. They also provide really interesting commentary on species you see, as well as general information about the area. They usually carry scopes that they position to allow you to better see far away or small animals.

A lot of the wildlife we saw on our visit, like the strawberry poison dart frog, we wouldn’t have seen without a guide. There was a group of bats on a tree trunk and they were so well camouflaged so well we’d have walked right past them. Many times when visitors say they didn’t see much wildlife in Mistico Park, it’s because they didn’t hire a guide.

A disadvantage of taking a guided tour is that many start between 8:00-10:00 which is when the park starts to get busy. By the time you finish your tour, it will be heaving within the park. It’s probably not worth going on an afternoon tour unless this is your one chance to see wildlife in Costa Rica as this is when the reserve is busiest.

You may also not need a guide if you’ve been on other wildlife tours in Costa Rica, have learned what to look out for and are pro at spotting tiny, hidden creatures.

To summarise, you do not need a guide for Mistico Hanging Bridges Park, but you might like one. You can walk the trails on a self-guided visit but you may spot more wildlife with a guide.

Can you do Mistico Hanging Bridges without a guide?

Yes, it’s totally possible to walk the self-guided interpretive trail around Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park by yourself. There are plenty of informative signs that will teach you about plants and animals in the park.

An advantage of doing Mistico Park without a guide is that you can arrive as soon as the park opens and you’ll have it to yourself for a few hours. Once there are a few groups in the park, you can look for the tour groups and wherever they’re pointing their telescopes, you can be sure to see an interesting animal. This is a great tip to try to avoid missing wildlife if you choose not to go on a guided tour.

When to go to Mistico Hanging Bridges

The whole park is outdoors so when to go to Mistico is something to factor into your trip planning.

The dry season in La Fortuna runs between December to April with the best time of year to visit the hanging bridges being February to April when it is driest. Visiting on a sunny day has the benefit of sweeping clear views of Arenal Volcano and the canopy.

Visiting in shoulder season or off-season can have the advantage of fewer crowds, but it also comes with wetter weather. However, some visitors actually prefer the hanging bridges on a rainy day as the views are even moodier with low clouds clinging to layers of dense rainforest.

What is the best time of day to visit Mistico Hanging Bridges?

The best time to visit Mistico Hanging Bridges is as early as possible, preferably the first entry slot of the day.

As one of the most popular day trips in Costa Rica, the hanging bridges get very busy. It’s common to find queues forming to cross the bridges by the afternoon. Large hordes of people can scare off any wildlife you might wish to see too.

Between 06:00-09:00 is the best time to enter Mistico Park and you’ll likely be rewarded for arriving early by finding you have the trails all to yourself.

How much time do you need at Mistico Hanging Bridges?

Mistico Park is a lot more than just its hanging bridges. There’s also the Rufus Hummingbird Garden (Jardin de Colibries Rufus) and waterfall to see. We’d recommend budgeting 3 to 4 hours in total for your visit, which is plenty of time to walk the trails, cross the bridges and spot wildlife.

If you visit later in the day, you might need to budget more time as the entrance will be busier and there will likely be queues to cross the suspended bridges.

How long does it take to walk the Mistico Hanging Bridges?

It takes about 1.5 hours to walk the main trail in Mistico Hanging Bridges Park without a guide at a comfortable pace. We wouldn’t recommend you just speed your way through though, as you won’t see much wildlife.

It’s best to walk slowly, stopping to listen for sounds in the trees and looking out over the canopy. A self-guided walk where you really stop to experience the wildlife within will typically take you between 1.5 to 3 hours.

How long is the Mistico Hanging Bridges tour?

Guided tours of Mistico Hanging Bridges take around 2.5 hours. If you see a really exciting animal, you may linger in one spot for longer. Due to the capacity of 15 people per suspension bridge, queues can form and this can make your tour time longer too.

Mistico Hanging Bridges Entrance Fee

The 2024 Mistico Hanging Bridges entrance fee is $32 USD per adult. while tickets for foreigners are priced in US dollars, it’s also possible to pay in Costa Rican colones.

There is limited capacity within the park to protect the flora and fauna, so you must secure your tickets before you go. If you leave it too last minute, you may find all the tickets are sold out.

How much is the Mistico Hanging Bridges?

The full list of prices for Mistico Hanging Bridges tickets is:

Do I need a reservation for Mistico Hanging Bridges?

It is very important to have a reservation for Mistico Hanging Bridges as you must pre-book your tickets online in advance. The only exception to this would be if you’re going on a guided tour that includes your entry ticket. La Fortuna’s hanging bridges tickets are very popular so we’d recommend booking at least a day in advance and a few days in advance in peak season.

When you buy your Mistico Hanging Bridges entrance ticket, you can choose to add on lunch and transportation too.

Mistico Hanging Bridges Opening Hours

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is open Monday to Sunday between 06:00 to 17:00, with the last entry between 15:30 and 15:50. There are time slots you can enter the park within and you choose your slot when you pre-book your ticket. The current Mistico Park entry time slots are:

We’d recommend you book the first slot of the day and arrive before everyone else to make the most of your visit.

How to get to Mistico Hanging Bridges Park

There are a variety of ways to get to Mistico Hanging Bridges Park but some methods of transportation are easier to take and cheaper than others.

By car

The easiest way to get to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is to rent a car during your time in Costa Rica and drive. The entrance is a 30-minute drive from downtown La Fortuna. It is a 3-hour drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport and a 2-hour drive from Daniel Oduber International Airport.

Can you drive to Mistico Hanging Bridges?

Driving to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is easy. Take Route 142 west from La Fortuna town towards Lake Arenal. Turn right down the hill after the dam and then drive up a steep road to the entrance. You don’t need a 4×4 to get there as the roads leading there are smooth.

By bus and shuttle

It may be possible to take a bus from La Fortuna bus station to Mistico but they are slow and unreliable (although they are super cheap). Instead, we’d recommend taking the Easy Hop Shuttle Service which can be booked one-way or provide round-trip transportation to and from your accommodation in La Fortuna. It’s a shared shuttle and an affordable option.

By taxi and uber

Taxis are available from La Fortuna but are relatively expensive at around $30 USD one way. You can flag one from the main square in La Fortuna or order one from any accommodation in the town. Uber is also available in La Fortuna and may take you to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges too.

Can you see Arenal Volcano from Mistico Hanging Bridges?

On a clear day, you’ll be met with a stunning view of Arenal Volcano from the entrance to Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. There’s a structure located here that perfectly frames the volcano and makes for a great photo opportunity. You’ll also be able to see the volcano from one of the long suspension bridges. The rainforest in the park has been affected by acid rain and ash fall from Arenal Volcano for thousands of years, so it’s great to be able to see the geological feature that’s had such an impact on the area.

What to wear to Mistico Hanging Bridges Park

Most of the hanging bridge hikes we’ve mentioned in this article aren’t too difficult and don’t require walking boots. However, rainforest floors can be uneven, especially if muddy, so it’s a smart idea to wear a good pair of walking shoes, rather than risking it in flip-flops.

Depending on the time of year you visit, and the elevation you climb to, temperatures can vary throughout the day. Wearing layers you can take off as the day heats up will keep you the most comfortable.

It’s not uncommon to see rain showers in the afternoons in shoulder seasons, or even just downpours in wet season. A raincoat can help keep you comfortable on your hike. The hanging bridges in Monteverde are particularly likely to be wet as the cloud forest sees more rain than other parts of the country.

Rainforests in Costa Rica can be humid so wearing breathable clothing, like those made of microfibre, can help you feel cool when the air gets hot and sticky.

Maybe an obvious one, but Costa Rica does typically see a lot of sunshine, so don’t forget to pack your sunnies.

A cap or hat can help keep you cool by shading you from the strength of the sun, and it can also help you avoid sunburn on your head and face.

What to pack for Mistico Hanging Bridges

You’re going to want to pack your camera as crossing Costa Rica’s hanging bridges isn’t an experience you’ll want to forget. Snap some pics of the bridges swaying above the canopy and be ready to photograph all the wildlife you come across on your visit.

It’s always useful to have a long or zoom lens on you when taking photos of wildlife. This allows you to maintain a safe distance without disturbing the animal, while still getting those epic close-up shots.

Don’t forget to pack your binoculars. Wildlife can often be much further away from the path than you’d expect and binoculars or a scope can allow you to observe the animal in detail. We use Nikon Prostaff 3S 10×42 Waterproof: Browse UK | Browse US.

Costa Rica is a leading ecotourism destination and as such it’s important to limit unsustainable practices. Pack your reusable water bottle and stay hydrated in the hot Costa Rican sun while cutting down on plastic pollution.

Speaking of the Costa Rican sun, it can be very strong and it’s important to protect yourself against sunburn with a good sun cream. Be sure to choose an eco-friendly sunscreen to minimise your impact on the local environment.

Some forests, especially wetter areas like cloud forests, can be prone to mozzies throughout the year. It’s important to protect yourself with a bug repellent but to also protect the environment by making sure it’s eco-friendly with no harmful chemicals that will endanger local flora and fauna.

There is no restaurant at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park but several restaurants are located close by. Food is not allowed on the trails but you can eat in the areas near reception if you choose to bring food with you. It is illegal to feed or disturb the animals.

Where to stay near Mistico Hanging Bridges

There is a huge variety of accommodations in Arenal, from backpacking hostels to luxury resorts. Some of the best hotels in Costa Rica can be found in Arenal near Mistico Hanging Bridges. We’ve shortlisted some of the best places to stay near the park below.

La Fortuna Hanging Bridges FAQs

Now you should know everything you need to know to visit Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. We’re going to finish off with some frequently asked questions about this famous Costa Rican attraction.

How many hanging bridges are in La Fortuna?

There are 10 hanging bridges in La Fortuna over two sites: 6 in Mistico Arenal Park and 4 in Sky Adventures Park. Each site also features static, smaller bridges as well as suspension bridges.

Why are the hanging bridges of Arenal famous?

The La Fortuna hanging bridges parks are located close to the town and are some of the most easily accessible adventure parks in Costa Rica. One reason the Arenal hanging bridges in La Fortuna are particularly famous is because they provide epic views of Arenal Volcano.

Not only do you get to see Arenal Volcano National Park, but the bridges span vast expanses of dense rainforest and provide epic views of the jungle and its inhabitants too. It’s an unmissable spot for any photographer looking for an Instagrammable location.

Another reason these suspended bridges are so notorious is because of the location of these parks. A biological corridor exists between La Fortuna and Monteverde that provides perfect habitat for large mammals like pumas, jaguars and tapirs, which you’re unlikely to see anywhere else in Costa Rica without trekking into remote national parks.

Are the hanging bridges in La Fortuna worth it?

Yes, the La Fortuna hanging bridges are definitely worth visiting. Not only are they fun to traverse and offer epic panoramic views, but they’re the best way to get closer to wildlife too. La Fortuna’s hanging bridges are especially worth adding to your itinerary if you don’t plan on visiting Monteverde as you’ll be unlikely to find adventure parks as exciting anywhere else in the country.

We will say, your experience will be very different depending on the time of day you visit. As the hanging bridges in La Fortuna are popular, large crowds tend to form throughout the day. We’d recommend going as early as possible to get the most value for money, and to give you a quieter experience with higher chances of animal sightings. Visiting this way is sure to make your experience worth it.

How close is La Fortuna waterfall to the hanging bridges?

La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in La Fortuna and can easily be done in the same day as a hanging bridges park. The waterfall is a 30-minute drive from Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. La Fortuna Waterfall sits at the base of the dormant Chato Volcano in a biological reserve which is part of the Arenal Volcano National Park. It drops 75 metres (246 ft) into a pool which you are allowed to swim in. Many day trips visit both La Fortuna Waterfall and the suspended bridges in the same day, which can be a great way to see both iconic spots with ease.

Read next:

The 14 Best Hanging Bridges Parks in Costa Rica

A Traveller’s Guide to La Fortuna

20 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna

20 Best Places to See Sloths in La Fortuna

A Complete Guide to Arenal Volcano National Park

The Best Hikes in La Fortuna and Arenal

Sloth Spotting on the Bogarin Trail

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