DISCOVER LA FORTUNA'S HANGING BRIDGES

The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is the most popular place to experience this kind of elevated adventure. Set within a private rainforest reserve, the park features a well-maintained 3.2 km (2-mile) trail that weaves through lush forest and over 16 bridges—six of them suspension-style—offering panoramic views of the treetops and Arenal Volcano.

It's an accessible yet exhilarating way to explore the rainforest, and it’s perfect for families, photographers, nature lovers, and anyone looking to get a little closer to the jungle without the need for harnesses or helmets.

You might start your walk thinking you’re just out for a scenic stroll, but pretty soon, the forest starts revealing its magic. On our walk, we spotted spider monkeys leaping from branch to branch, a coiled snake snoozing in a tree, and armies of leaf cutter ends busy on duty - to only name a few. 

The biodiversity here is staggering. You'll see colorful toucans flitting overhead, blue morpho butterflies dancing in the sunlight, and the rhythmic march of leaf-cutter ants carrying bits of jungle back to their nests. Howler monkeys may call out in the distance, echoing through the trees like ancient jungle drums. And the best part? These aren’t animals in enclosures or staged settings—they’re wild and free, thriving in their natural habitat.

Watching these creatures where they belong adds a whole new layer of wonder. There's something incredibly moving about seeing a sloth blink slowly from a branch or hearing a frog croak from the underbrush—moments that remind you just how alive the rainforest really is.  But beware, you might also see only a few animals - it's the unpredictability of nature after all.

PRO TIP #1: Book a guided tour right with the park, there is no need to go with another tour provider, the park guides are wonderful. They know how to spot even the smallest camouflaged creatures, and their knowledge turns the hike into a storybook. 

PRO TIP #2: Rainforest animals tend to be most active in the morning or late afternoon. Choose one of those time windows for your hike! 

There are few places in the world where you can walk with the rainforest instead of just through it. The hanging bridges let you pause in midair and look around—really look. At the way sunlight filters through the canopy, at the life pulsing all around you, at the vastness of nature when seen from just a little bit higher.

It’s not a thrill-seeker’s adventure in the traditional sense. But it’s a quiet, awe-filled kind of thrill. The kind that stays with you long after your feet are back on the forest floor.

 Time needed: Around 2–3 hours, depending on your pace and whether you're with a guide.
 

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The path is well maintained, but there are some steps and gentle inclines.
 

What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, rain jacket (this is the rainforest), water, bug spray, camera/binoculars.
 

Hours: The park opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 3:50 p.m. Early morning is best for wildlife sightings and cooler temperatures.