A Guide to the Arenal Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna for Fami

The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is the destination for this kind of treetop experience. It’s the famous set of suspension bridges you’ve seen in photos—and the only attraction of its kind in La Fortuna.

Set within a protected private rainforest reserve, Mistico features a 3.2 km (2-mile) trail that winds through lush jungle and crosses 16 bridges, including six large suspension bridges offering sweeping views of the canopy and Arenal Volcano. This is the hanging bridges experience people travel across Costa Rica to see—and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

Mistico is popular for good reason: the trail is beautifully maintained, the bridges feel sturdy and safe, the scenery is some of the best in La Fortuna and wildlife sightings are frequent, especially with a guide. If you’re traveling with family or simply want a gentle yet unforgettable rainforest experience, this is one of the best things to do in Arenal.  If you're building your itinerary, the Hanging Bridges pair perfectly with the 7-day Northern Costa Rica family itinerary or a half-day adventure in La Fortuna.

 There are few places on Earth where you can walk with the rainforest instead of just through it. The hanging bridges allow you to pause—literally suspended in the air—and look around. Really look.

At the way sunlight filters through layers of leaves.
At the pulse of life in every direction.
At the vastness of nature when you rise just a little bit above it.

It’s not about thrill. It’s about awe.
The kind that settles into your memory long after your feet touch the forest floor again.

At first, it feels like a scenic woodland walk… But pretty quickly, the forest begins to unveil its secrets.

On our last visit, we watched spider monkeys leap effortlessly from branch to branch. We spotted a snake curled high in a tree. And we followed a bustling army of leaf-cutter ants carrying bits of the jungle on their backs.

Some visitors see tons of wildlife. Some see only a little.  That unpredictability is part of the magic.

But here’s what you might see:

• Spider monkeys
• Howler monkeys
• Sloths (likley far up in a tree)
• Toucans
• Blue morpho butterflies
• Leaf-cutter ants (lots)
• Poison dart frogs

Every sight, every sound, feels like a reminder:  The rainforest isn’t just alive. It’s thriving. 

If you want to expand your wildlife experiences, you might also enjoy our guide to  The Best La Fortuna Night Hike. For general background on rainforest species, see this authoritative resource from SINAC / Costa Rica National Parks.

⏱️ Time Needed: 2–3 hours, depending on pace and whether you explore with a guide.

🥾 Difficulty Level: easy to moderate. The trail is well built, but it does include steps, gentle inclines and some uneven terrain. Families with young kids or grandparents do well here - it's accessible. The only restriction to keep in mind for small kids is the length of the trail. 

🎒 What to Bring: pack light, but smart. A must are: 

• Closed-toe shoes 
• Rain jacket (the rainforest lives up to its name!) 
• Water 
• Bug spray 
• Camera or binoculars
• Small backpack

 
🕕 Best Visiting Hours: Mistico Park opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 3:50pm.  If you want the best chance of seeing wildlife, choose early morning or late afternoons - that's when animals are most active. Morning also tends to offer the clearest volcano views—an extra bonus. 

For the most accurate data, you can check the current hours and entrance fees directly on the official site. 

Guides can spot things you would never find on your own—camouflaged frogs the size of your fingernail, hidden birds, sleeping sloths, tiny details that turn the hike into a storybook.

They also provide context: ecosystem roles, animal behavior, plant uses, conservation stories—turning a simple walk into something deeply educational and meaningful.

PRO TIP #1: Book your guided tour directly with Mistico Park. The on-site naturalist guides are exceptional, and there’s no need to book through third-party tour operators. 

 Families fall in love with the Arenal Hanging Bridges because the experience strikes that rare balance between adventure and accessibility. It feels wild and immersive, yet safe enough for kids, grandparents, and everyone in between. There’s no special equipment, no steep learning curve, and no fear factor—just a beautifully designed trail that lifts you into a world normally reserved for birds and monkeys. It’s the kind of activity where kids lead the way with wide eyes, parents get to slow down and soak it all in, and everyone ends up sharing the same sense of wonder.

It’s also one of those rare experiences where every family member—no matter their age—walks away talking about their favorite moment. A monkey swinging overhead. A sloth sighting. A bridge that felt just scary enough to be fun. A volcano view that made everyone gasp at the same time. The Hanging Bridges give families a shared story, and that’s part of what makes it so special. 

 It’s also a great complement to active adventures like ziplining in La Fortuna with kids—offering a slower, more reflective way to experience the rainforest. 

 Walking across the hanging bridges of La Fortuna is one of those rare experiences that slows you down in the best way. It invites you to lift your gaze, breathe deeper, and reconnect with the natural world—together. Whether you come for the wildlife, the views, or the sheer beauty of being suspended among the treetops, the rainforest has a way of opening your eyes and settling your soul.

And when your kids gasp at a monkey overhead, or you catch a quiet moment watching the mist rise off the volcano, you’ll know:  This isn’t just a hike. It’s a memory you’ll carry home.