As you near the end of the main trail, youll find that the accessible trail joins the main trail from the right. If you find our content valuable, and you'd like to thank us for making the trip-planning process easier and your Costa Rica vacation more enjoyable, please consider making a small donation ($1, $2, $3, or an amount of your choosing) to our blog. Wow the hanging bridges are beautiful and scary! Mistico Park can be explored on your own without a guided tour. Our guides knew where to look for the animals and would pick up rocks, shine lights through little holes and make us bend in certain ways to spot a ton of wildlife in the park. Best Zipline Cable As mentioned above, throughout the trail, theres a total of 16 bridges, each of which are named after animals or features you might find in the jungle (like the beloved Tarantula Bridge). On the other side of the park, just before the exit, youll find the bird-watching trail between the Heart Of Palm/Walking Palm Bridge and the Jumping Pit Viper Tunnel. If you are a student, the price drops to $33 USD. Zip Lining and Hanging Bridges. Of course! The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park strictly enforces capacity limits. Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2023 edition (a full-country guide out September 2023 but currently available for pre-orderpaperback and e-book versions): Our Moon Best of Costa Rica guidebook, 2022 edition (a selective best of guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions): Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2021 edition (a full-country guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions): Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2019 edition (a full-country guide currently available to purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions): Are you a visual learner? Once there, prepare for a thrill as you hook up to a combined total of 1.7 miles (2.7 km) of ziplines rushing you back to the jungle floor. The park is located in a rain forest, which means that there is a better chance that it will be raining than not. We were surprised to learn that over 400 species of birds in Costa Rica are found in this area from stunning toucans to many different types of parrots. For adults, park entry costs $26 per person, with discounts for seniors ($21/person), teens ($16) and children (free!). Though well maintained, the parks flat trail paths are slippery when wet, which can make hiking inclines and declines a bit tricky for some folks. While the country boasts several of these experiences, one of the best options is at the Mistico Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna, which offers sixteen bridges in total- six of which are floating amongst the forests canopy. It provides scenic volcano views, several long suspension bridges that dangle over the depths of the rainforest, a gentle waterfall, and plenty of opportunities to spot resting wildlife. Touring through the park typically takes around 2.5 hours. Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, and 2023) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022), https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/arenal-hanging-bridges-entrance-adult-la-fortuna-mistico-arenal-hanging-bridges-park/, https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/arenal-hanging-bridges-entrance-student-la-fortuna-mistico-arenal-hanging-bridges-park/, https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/arenal-hanging-bridges-entrance-free-child-la-fortuna-mistico-arenal-hanging-bridges-park/, Why You Should (And Shouldnt) Visit The Arenal Volcano National Park, https://puravidaeh.ca/product-category/tour-operators/mistico-arenal-hanging-bridges-park/. Best Place To See Crocodiles Guided Tours: Are They Necessary, Valuable, And/Or Worthwhile? Doing so is a great way to pat us on the back if you feel we deserve it. Just curious. This post may contain affiliate links. Best Aerial Tram Ride (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) (Ricky is a bird enthusiast, so its not uncommon for us to spend 20 minutes standing in one spot, watching a particular bird or listening to its song.) Thank you for reading our post! If you had elected to take the bird-watching trail soon after you entered the park (after crossing the Monkey Ladder Bridge, as described above) you would exit the bird-watching trail at this spot. Related read: If youre exploring this part of Costa Rica, make sure to take a dip in the hot springs around La Fortuna! After visiting and having great experiences in both parks, we can confidently say that no matter what you choose, you will not be disappointed! With so much to do and see, you will be able to perfectly plan your day. Find all the transport options for your trip from La Fortuna to Hanging Bridges Arenal right here. Arenal Hanging Bridges Tour: On 2:30hrs hike on its trail system that includes 15 bridges which 9 of them are regular ones and 6 of them suspension . It includes all your fees, water, transport, and a great guide. The closest thin, Search for critters in the rainforest! To marvel with a wonderful ecotouristic project, one of the prettiest in Costa Rica. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blogincluding its 300+ articlesis entirely voluntary! The highlight for me, though, was seeing a sloth sleeping in a tree. Mistico is also located about 30 minutes away and is more on the northern side of the lake. What was your favorite part of the visit? How to get there? Six of them hanging suspension bridges as high as 150 feet in the air! Following this intersection, youll cross four more bridges, three non-suspension bridges (the Olingo Bridge, the Crested Guan Bridge, and the Tarantula Bridge) and one suspension bridge (the Tayra Bridge), before exiting the hanging bridges park. Inc.(Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooksMoon Costa Rica(2019, 2021, and 2023 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. The entrance fee to Mistico allows for a self-guided experience in which you can tour the park on your own and at your own pace. The tour we did was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to those who want to challenge themselves and see a side of La Fortuna almost none do! Best Accessible Tour This gives some added flexibility and allows you to choose the length of trail that your family will prefer. You will make a right hand turn just after crossing the dam and follow the signs to the park. Though the north s, Eat dessert at Noguis in #CostaRica! Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack While Mistico does not require a tour guide, both parks offer different guided tour options. (Ample free parking is available on-site). We loved that this tour was guided! Some of the bridges are rather small and nondescript (i.e. It was raining on the day that we went and it was still beautiful. These bridges are set within one of the most important reserves in the area. Exploring the park is an adventure that takes you to the base of one of the best volcanoes in Costa Rica and slightly up its steep face. Going in the early morning will also increase your chances of seeing wildlife in the park as the animals are more active before the midday heat sets in. Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie We're truly grateful for your time and preference. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. However, it can be pretty tough to spot critters here (more on that later!) As the main trail builds in elevation, youll encounter the first suspension bridge in the park (the Arenal Bridge), followed by another non-suspension bridge (the Monkey Ladder Bridge). Location:
Mistico, although newer, offers a lot of other experiences. Below we will jump into all the details about what the two parks have in common, and how theyre different. Pura vida, amigos! Mistico hanging bridges are open daily between 6 am and 3:50 pm. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories. Our website uses cookies. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. Most Likely Beach Companion Its also a fun place to party with a bar and live music most weekends. If youve done any research on La Fortuna, chances are youve heard about the incredible hanging bridges in the area. I hope you love your time in La Fortuna as much as we did. Let me know how your visit goes- are you luckier than me at spotting any wildlife?- in the comments below. Note that the Fer-De-Lance Bridge is off the accessible ground. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. Both hanging bridges in La Fortuna are open rain or shine, meaning you can visit anytime. 512. a - On the Inter-American Highway taking the deviation in Canas towards Tilaran, passing by Nuevo Arenal and finally getting to La Fortuna. How long did you stay at the park? Arenal hanging bridges trail at Mistico Park covers a distance of 3.2 km (1.99 miles). Best Safari Float ), 10 Tips to KNOW Before Visiting the Costa Rica Crocodile Bridge, 15 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Marino Ballena National Park. There are several options: a - On the Inter-American Highway taking the deviation in Canas towards Tilaran, passing by Nuevo Arenal and finally getting to La Fortuna. In order for our site to remember that you accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie. You MIGHT see some animals during your hike, but I guarantee that you will not see the huge variety of animals that we did. After having our ownamazing experience, I can tell you that hiring a guide made a WORLD of difference for us. So what kind of alternative trails are there? . The Skywalk is located about 30 minutes outside La Fortuna and more on the south side of Lake Arenal. Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake If you do not accept the policy, please see the Settings. We first met, Take a road trip to a beach! Best Theatre There are many tour operators that will combine the tour and transportation together. While the trails are generally not bumpy, parts CAN be steep and slippery, particularly if it is raining. Early birds may like taking a guided bird-watching tour offered at 6 am. Eco-friendy way to get in touch with Costa Rica's . 7:00 AM Hotel Transport Included Mobile Ticket Included Offered in English, Spanish The tour begins at 7:30 AMyou'll be picked up from your hotel and head towards the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Home La Fortuna The BEST Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna: Mistico vs. Stick to the main trail and youll be treated to the suspended Bully Tree Bridge and the Waterfall Bridge. Alternatively, you can book a taxi but it will likely be pretty pricey- approximately $30 one-way. It provides a sample of what the park has to offer, including rainforest views, bird-watching opportunities, six non-suspension bridges (the Great Curassow Bridge, the Collared Peccary Bridge, the Jacamar Bridge, the Olingo Bridge, the Crested Guan Bridge, and the Tarantula Bridge), and either one suspension bridge (the Tayra Bridge) or two suspension bridges (the Tayra Bridge and the Fer-De-Lance Bridge) depending on the route taken. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about staying safe in Costa Rica, including Costa Rica safety tips and ways to keep a level head while traveling. The forest and clouds were sometimes covered in fog and mist and it made them beautiful and mysterious looking. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica destinations, including recommendations for cities, towns, and communities to visit in Costa Rica. Schedule:
We appreciate your interest, preference, time, and visit. We first visited the Arenal Hanging Bridges in the mid-2000s. They arent for the faint of heart, though, thats for sure! In total, the bird-watching trail is approximately 2,500 meters long and takes roughly 1 hour to hike. The terrain here is uneven and does not offer easy accessibility to those with mobility issues. The rainforest has decent coverage from the towering trees offering a shield from both the sun and the rain. The 16 static and hanging bridges sit on 600 acres of private land developed purely for eco-tourism and wildlife viewing. On the list is zipline, bridges, hot springs and possibly more if time allows. Hello, my name is Shanna, and I am a detail obsessed travel addict on a mission to make planning your own family trips fun and easy! The Skywalk, Categories Destinations, La Fortuna, Things to do. Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna All of the opinions, recommendations, and advice expressed on Costa Rica Travel Blog are our own. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent views and even see where the lava from the last major eruption oozed down the side of the volcano. We were lucky to see lots of birds, frogs, monkeys, butterflies, and way too many spiders! Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? See you there, amigos! PayPal donations are confidential; we never see your payment details. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Check out our latest stories here and follow us on Instagram (@UprootedTraveler), YouTube, or on Facebook to see what were up to next! These can often be arranged to include transportation to and from the parks. Mistico Park, formerly known as Arenal Hanging Bridges, is located about 25-30 minutes from the center of La Fortuna. The hiking is supreme The Cloud Forest Reserve is just one of several places in and around Monteverde that are prime for hiking. You will start your day on a 2.5-hour trek to the dry lava fields at the Volcano. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. Without a doubt, visiting the hanging bridges is one of the most popular things to do in La Fortuna. Inc.), Our Costa Rica trip planning 101 e-course, Itinerary / Trip Planning: Getting Started. The Skywalk, located about 30 minutes outside La Fortuna, the best places to go ziplining in Costa Rica, lots of exotic wildlife native to the area, Mistico birdwatching and hanging bridge tour, combo tour option for visiting Mistico Hanging Bridges, combo tour through the Skywalk hanging bridges at Sky Adventues, the best free and cheap things to do in La Fortuna, 5 BEST Sloth Tours in La Fortuna (Sloth Watching Trails), 5 BEST Night Tours in Monteverde (Monteverde Night Walks), 7 BEST Coffee Tours in Costa Rica (Local Coffee Plantations You Should Visit! This is ideal for those with strollers or mobility issues. Keep reading for my suggestions for a few tours that will offer pick-up from your hotel. The zone owns 250 hectares of protected area, formed by primary rainforest with an innumerable biological diversity. These tours can include pick-up from your hotel and different experiences within the park. Both experiences had us up in the treetops spotting a ton of wildlife and walking amongst the Costa Rican jungle. Head west on 142 until you cross the dam across Lake Arenal. (See our photos below for a comparison of the parks old signage compared to its new signage.) Best Hummingbird Garden I hope you have as much fun strolling through the treetops of La Fortuna as I did at Mistico Hanging Bridges. My son had been hoping to see a sloth for the entire trip after reading a book about sloths before we left. I see you can do this tour by yourself but what is the fee? If you are going to take the time to visit, we highly recommend taking a tour (especially if you have kids) because you will get so much more out of the whole experience. As we mentioned in our related blog post Sky Adventures Arenal: Ziplining, Hanging Bridges, And Tram Rides In La Fortuna, we've been visiting Sky Adventures's Arenal (La Fortuna) and Monteverde (Santa Elena) adventure parks and experiencing the company's adventure and nature tours for more . 54. and how much is entrance fee? If you love birds, this Mistico birdwatching and hanging bridge tour starts at 6 am and will give you a peaceful view of the park before all the tourists come. The tour includes pick up from La Fortuna and youll spend a half day walking around Sky Adventures observing the wildlife in the area. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature Justin and I came at 6:30 AM and Im so glad we did- we only ran into a handful of other people on the trail and it was so peaceful to enjoy the sound of tropical birds and monkeys surrounding us and take our time enjoying the hanging bridges. The view of Arenal Volcano is really nice from the bridges. All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys Best Intermediate Hike Best Adventure Tour Operator, Best View Of The Sunrise Mistico Hanging Bridges is spread across 617 acres (250 hectares) of verdant rainforest, but the main trail loops just 3.2 km (or 2 miles) in length through the jungle. 20 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica, 23 Delicious Traditional Foods in Costa Rica (You Just HAVE to Try! This stunning 230-foot (70-meter) waterfall shoots out from a tall cliff into a powerful pool below thats surrounded by lush forest. From $72.00 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. eh? The hanging bridges in La Fortuna are one of the most popular experiences in all of Costa Rica. Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! Its one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica! Later, after crossing the Heart Of Palm/Walking Palm Bridge, youll see a trail that leads to the left (in front of the Jumping Pit Viper Tunnel); the trail is the alternative access point to the bird-watching trail. Itemized by category, the following is a breakdown of the recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica. Not only do you get to experience the rainforest canopy from above on a zip-line cable or hanging bridge, you can also get amazing volcano and lake views. Just beyond the parks entrance, youll find the bird-watching trail between the Monkey Ladder Bridge and the Bully Tree Bridge. One important thing to note about your visit is that Mistico has timed entries (every half hour) and enforces strict capacity limitations of how many visitors are in the park at any given time. Alternatively, you can book a taxi but it will likely be pretty pricey- approximately $30 one-way. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. Our guide was constantly working hard to find as many animals as he could for us to see and learn about. Many species of Costa Rican wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and frogs live up in the trees, so these suspended walkways give you a bird's-eye perspective of Arenal's amazing ecosystem. Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand. If you dare to look down, youll spot other hikers below, who hint at a section of trail to come. Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano Hike. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional) 2020-11-25 22:32:23 Melissa Bruecher. We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! ). Sometimes the visit takes longer, depending on the quality of birding. The first two hanging bridges are the most popular in the park, so we recommend at least seeing those. Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket ), through the stunning green rainforest, before reaching the base of the mighty waterfall. Our family of 4 visited Hanging Bridges on October 13, 2020 and did the self-guided tour. Home What To Do In Costa Rica Hanging Bridges (Suspension Bridges) A Step-By-Step Guide To The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, Last updated on October 27th, 2022 at 03:37 pm EST, Nikki is the CEO ofPura Vida! Another bonus of visiting in the morning? Best Shallow Beach This combo tour costs $162 USD and includes transportation from La Fortuna, lunch, and entrance fees to the hanging bridges. For the best deal, we recommend booking the horseback riding and hanging bridge combo tour for $124 USD. If you would prefer not to receive cookies, we kindly (and sadly) ask that you do not visit our website. At first, I was admittedly nervous about the idea of walking through the Costa Rica jungle at night, but then I learned that wed see snakes and tarantulas and my nervousness turned into full-blown panic. The night walk tour is $55 USD and includes round-trip transportation from your hotel in La Fortuna. Most Addictive Local Pastime, Best Donation Item To Bring From Home The trails through Mistico are well maintained with wider paths that are flat and easier to access. There are also electric scooters available for rent here. Paths narrow in areas and you will be walking over tree stumps and other natural obstacles. Most Underrated Hotel Amenities, Best Shortcut If you dont have transport or would prefer a guide,I recommendjoining this guided tour. eh? We would have easily missed half of the birds and animals that our guide pointed out. Given that this is one of the most popular attractions around La Fortuna, if youre planning to go without a guide, Id highly recommend buying tickets online ahead of time here to ensure youll be admitted to the park. Our mission is to share the travel tips & tricks we learn along the way with our 1.5 million annual readers providing advice to make travel more accessible for everyone. In addition to the hanging bridges, which are the parks top attraction, the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park (operating under the name Pacos Horses) runs a horseback riding tour on-site. As a follow-up to our post Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde, we are delving into the question "which Costa Rica hanging bridges are the best?" by taking a look at some of Costa Rica's most popular hanging bridges attractions. Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $5.99? If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! The Skywalk requires a guided tour to get through the park. 1. The climb down takes roughly five minutes. Everything you need to know about touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park with or without a guide, plus free discounts! Regardless of whether you plan to experience the guided Sky Walk hanging bridges tour or explore the hanging bridges on your own, an advance reservation . Not only will you get a guided tour through the Mistico hanging bridges, but it will also take you to swim in the La Fortuna waterfall and hike the Arenal Volcano. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to accept the policy again. For more in-depth info, check out our blog onwhere to stay in La Fortuna, or read below for our top picks for a range of budgets. Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise. Walking through the Costa Rica jungle will have you seeing lots of exotic wildlife native to the area. Free Child (0-10 years): https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/arenal-hanging-bridges-entrance-free-child-la-fortuna-mistico-arenal-hanging-bridges-park/. Our Costa Rica guidebooks published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides: Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2023 edition (a full-country guide out September 2023 but currently available for pre-orderpaperback and e-book versions), Our Moon Best of Costa Rica guidebook, 2022 edition (a selective best of guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions), Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2021 edition (a full-country guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions), Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2019 edition (a full-country guide currently available to purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions).