A Step-By-Step Guide To The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Nikki Solano
Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 01:32 pm
Written by Nikki Solano
Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️
Want to know our pick for the BEST HANGING BRIDGE in Costa Rica? It is featured on DIY Costa Rica!
Want to save money in Costa Rica?
Our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., has Mistico Park tour discounts. Con mucho gusto (you’re welcome) and pura vida!
Ricky; touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park on a clear dayRicky and Nikki; touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park on a cloudy dayRicky; touring the bridges inside the Mistico ParkRicky and Nikki; at the volcano viewpoint at the Mistico ParkRicky; bird-watching at the Mistico ParkRicky; crossing a hanging bridge inside the Mistico ParkNikki; at the Mistico Park’s Blue Morpho Waterfall
Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Of the many, many tours and activities that La Fortuna has to offer, few are experienced more than the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, formerly known as the Arenal Hanging Bridges.
Not only are guided tours and unguided visits to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park popular activities on their own, they’re also popular components of combo tours sold in La Fortuna. If you plan to participate in a variety of adventure or nature tours while in the area, you’ll probably end up visiting a hanging bridges park too. In the Arenal area alone, you can zipline, rappel, raft, hike around the Arenal Volcano during the day or night, go horseback riding, visit the La Fortuna Waterfall, participate in a coffee or chocolate tour, or soak in hot springs, and each of these activities can be combined with a visit to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park to help you make the most of your limited travel time.
Don’t miss our discounts for activities run at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, including the hanging bridges:
We’ve been exploring La Fortuna (and touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park) since the mid-2000s, and we’ve enjoyed watching it grow and tracking its changes ever since. ❤️
Nikki at the Mistico Park in 2012, when it was known as the Arenal Hanging BridgesNikki at the Mistico Park nowNikki at the Mistico Park in 2012, when it was known as the Arenal Hanging BridgesRicky and Nikki at the Mistico Park now
Why we love the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
As an avid birder, Ricky loves the thrill of spotting a bird species he hasn’t yet seen in La Fortuna, which is always a challenge given that he’s seen and tracked more birds in the region than anyone could possibly count. Why does Ricky love the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park? Because it’s replete with tropical bird species. It’s also a lush and quiet area of La Fortuna where bird-watching is made easy by ample treetop canopy cover and the suspension bridges that cut through it.
While I admit that I’ve enjoyed seeing beautiful, long-tailed motmots every time I’ve visited the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, I love everything else that the park has to offer beyond great bird-watching. 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. The first pit viper I saw in Costa Rica was asleep in a hole in a tree trunk in the park, and I’ve always had great luck spotting sloths snoozing in the leafy canopy that towers over the park’s trails.
As one of La Fortuna’s most popular attractions, the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park receives many visitors. Surprisingly, though, it never feels super busy. Strict capacity limits are surely the reason; they control the number of travelers who visit the hanging bridges each day. Four different trail options that cater to different types of travelers course throughout the park: the main trail, the waterfall trail, the accessible trail, and the bird-watching trail. These trails help disperse park guests and invite visitors of varying physical abilities to enjoy the experience of the hanging bridges.
Are you trying to decide whether you should tour the hanging bridges at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park or the hanging bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park? If so, don’t miss our comparison of the two attractions in our related blog post:
Main trail information (from the park’s entrance to the waterfall trail)
The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park‘s main trail is the park’s most popular route. After you check in at the park’s reception and receive your entrance ticket (to be handed to the park employee at an entrance booth), the walk sets out into the forest. You’ll cross a number of non-suspension bridges first, including the Great Curassow Bridge, the Collared Peccary Bridge, and the Jacamar Bridge, before you reach a fork in the trail. This is where the main trail meets the accessible trail. If you wish to take the accessible trail (see below for information about this trail), take the path to the right. If you’d prefer to stay on the main trail, take the path to the left.
As the main trail builds in elevation, you’ll encounter the first suspension bridge in the park (the Arenal Bridge), followed by another non-suspension bridge (the Monkey Ladder Bridge). Soon after, you’ll see a turnoff to the right for the bird-watching trail (see below for information about this trail). Stick to the main trail and you’ll be treated to the suspended Bully Tree Bridge and the Waterfall Bridge. The latter of the two is the highest and second-longest bridge (second only to the last bridge located at the exit) in the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. From the Waterfall Bridge, you’ll be able to peer over the treetop canopy into the depths of the rainforest below and really appreciate the natural beauty that Costa Rica is blessed with. If you dare to look down, you’ll spot other hikers below, who hint at a section of trail to come.
Waterfall trail information
The waterfall trail is a side trail encountered partway along the main trail. From the main trail, after a downhill hike following the Waterfall Bridge, you’ll cross the non-suspension Keel-Billed/Rainbow-Beaked Toucan Bridge before spotting a set of rainforest steps that branch off the main trail to the right. This set of steep steps is known as the waterfall trail. It leads the way over the Mistico Bridge to the park’s Blue Morpho Waterfallwhere you can stop for a few minutes and admire the cascade from a viewpoint. The climb down takes roughly five minutes. Give yourself closer to ten minutes to make the climb back up to rejoin the main trail. If you’re not interested in seeing the waterfall or you’re not in a good physical condition to manage steep steps, skip the short waterfall trail altogether.
Blue Morpho Waterfall inside the Mistico Parkthe Blue Morpho Waterfall years agoRicky; at the Blue Morpho Waterfall years ago when close-up access was permittedthe Blue Morpho Waterfall todayNikki; at the Blue Morpho Waterfall after the park built the waterfall viewpoint
Main trail information (from the waterfall trail to the park’s exit)
The first bridge you’ll cross after hiking (or skipping) the waterfall trail is the Ant Hill Bridge. Later, after crossing the Heart Of Palm/Walking Palm Bridge, you’ll 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. 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. Follow the trail if you wish to explore the bird-watching route, otherwise, keep straight to stay on the main trail (you’ll know you’re on the main trail if you walk over the Fer-De-Lance Bridge). As you near the end of the main trail, you’ll find that the accessible trail joins the main trail from the right. Following this intersection, you’ll 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.
In total, the main trail is approximately 3,200 meters long and takes roughly 90 minutes to hike. Guided hanging bridges tours, which include stops along the way for instruction and wildlife spotting, run for longer, typically 2-3 hours.
main trailmain trailmain trailmain trailmain trailmain trailmain trail
Bird-watching trail information
The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park‘s bird-watching trail can be experienced as an add-on to the full main trail (for optimal park exploration) or as a shortcut that avoids the section of the main trail that ascends to the highest part of the park. The best way to envision its design is to imagine the park’s trail system as a capital letter “A.” The two diagonal lines that form the letter’s two sides (an inverted letter “V”) are the main trail. The short line that cuts across the two lines (which turns the inverted letter “V” into an “A”) is the bird-watching trail.
In order to reach the bird-watching trail, you’ll need to set out on the main trail first, then catch the bird-watching trail that cuts across the park and later reconnects with the main trail just before the exit. Just beyond the park’s entrance, you’ll find the bird-watching trail between the Monkey Ladder Bridge and the Bully Tree Bridge. On the other side of the park, just before the exit, you’ll find the bird-watching trail between the Heart Of Palm/Walking Palm Bridge and the Jumping Pit Viper Tunnel.
The best bird-watching in the park takes place along the bird-watching trail which courses through dense forest. In total, the bird-watching trail is approximately 2,500 meters long and takes roughly 1 hour to hike. Guided bird-watching tours, which include stops along the way for instruction and bird-spotting, run for longer, typically 2-3 hours.
Ideal for senior travelers or mobility-challenged individuals, the accessible trail is the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park‘s shortest trail. 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. Note that the Fer-De-Lance Bridge is off the accessible ground. From the accessible trail, a brief detour leads to the Fer-De-Lance Bridge, which you can enjoy for a few moments before backtracking to the the accessible trail.
In total, the accessible trail is approximately 1,500 meters long and takes roughly 20-30 minutes to hike. Guided hanging bridges tours, which include stops along the way for instruction and wildlife spotting, run for longer, typically 45 minutes.
leaf-cutter antsrainforest viewcecropia trees
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park: Number of bridges, bridge lengths, and bridge heights
Are you asking yourself, “How many hanging bridges does the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park have?” or “How high/long are the hanging bridges at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park?” If so, see the lists below.
Suspension/hanging bridges at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Bridge length
Arenal Bridge (formerly known as the Arenal View Bridge): 75 meters / 246 feet
Bully Tree Bridge (formerly known as the Pilon Tree Bridge): 53 meters / 174 feet
Waterfall Bridge: 92 meters / 302 feet
Anthill Bridge: 87 meters / 285 feet
Fer-De-Lance Bridge: 48 meters / 157 feet
Tayra Bridge: 97 meters / 318 feet
Bridge height
Arenal Bridge (formerly known as the Arenal View Bridge): 55 meters / 180 feet
Bully Tree Bridge (formerly known as the Pilon Tree Bridge): 21 meters / 69 feet
Waterfall Bridge: 45 meters / 148 feet
Anthill Bridge: 28 meters / 92 feet
Fer-De-Lance Bridge: 24 meters / 79 feet
Tayra Bridge: 24 meters / 79 feet
Non-suspension/hanging bridges (i.e., stationary bridges) at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Heart of Palm/Walking Palm Bridge: 14 meters / 46 feet
Olingo Bridge: 8 meters / 26 feet
Crested Guan Bridge: 8 meters / 26 feet
Tarantula Bridge: 1.5 meters / 5 feet
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park details:
Total number of suspension/hanging bridges: 6 Total number of non-suspension/hanging bridges (i.e., stationary bridges): 10 Total number of bridges (both types): 16 Total distance traveled over suspension/hanging bridges: 452 meters / 1,482 feet Maximum height reached while traveling over suspension/hanging bridges: 55 meters / 180 feet
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park: Additional info and visit tips
Experience the hanging bridges with or without a guide.
As we mention in our related blog post Self-Guided Adventures: 20 Things To Do In Costa Rica Without A Guide, most hanging bridge attractions in Costa Rica, including the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, can be experienced with or without a tour guide. Though we support going with a tour guide (don’t miss our related blog post Costa Rica Guided Tours: Are They Necessary, Valuable, And/Or Worthwhile? to learn why), having one isn’t required for regular day visits as the park’s trails and bridges are well marked. (See our photos below for a comparison of the park’s old signage compared to its new signage.) Early morning bird-watching tours, late-afternoon twilight tours, and night tours, however, require a tour guide.
Nikki; old signage at the Mistico Parknew signage at the Mistico Park
Regardless of whether you plan to go with or without a guide, book your visit to the park in advance.
The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park strictly enforces capacity limits. You must book your visit in advance (even if you don’t plan on taking a guided tour) in order to ensure you’ll be allowed to enter the park when you arrive. Note that you do not need to specify which trail(s) you want to hike when you book your visit in advance. You simply need to provide the park with the date and time you intend to arrive.
Wear completely closed footwear and beware of your footing.
We first visited the Arenal Hanging Bridges in the mid-2000s. At that time, it didn’t matter what we wore for our hike, despite the trails being poorly maintained. When a new team took over the park in 2014 (and renamed the attraction the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park), a greater emphasis was placed on visitors’ safety. Many of the park’s older paths have been updated (see our photos below comparing an old trail to a new trail) and all visitors are now required to wear footwear that completely covers their feet. The use of Keen-type sandals that expose sections of skin is not permitted, so plan your footwear accordingly. It’s also important to choose footwear with treads. Though well maintained, the park’s flat trail paths are slippery when wet, which can make hiking inclines and declines a bit tricky for some folks. Come wearing your best footwear and prepared to watch your footing as you hike.
old trails at the Mistico Parknew trails at the Mistico Park
Drive, park, relax, dine, and view.
Situated an approximate 25-minute drive outside of downtown La Fortuna, the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park caters to travelers who have a rental car. (Ample free parking is available on-site). If you don’t have a rental car, several tour operators in La Fortuna run guided tours to the attraction complete with round-trip transportation between the park and La Fortuna hotels. Round-trip transportation can also be booked through the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park directly.
If you’re looking for a place to relax on-site, don’t miss the Rufous Garden (just beyond the park’s entrance). It’s a quiet and relaxing retreat set back from the park’s reception where the natural sounds of the rainforest can be appreciated.
If you long to shop or dine on-site, you’ll find a souvenir store and a restaurant called the Sal & Pimienta Restaurant at the park’s reception. Both the store and the restaurant have unobstructed, front-row seats to the Arenal Volcano, so don’t forget to snap some spectacular shots of the park’s panoramic volcano view before you leave.
receptionrestaurantsouvenir storeArenal Volcano viewpointfree parking lotoptional transportationRufous gardenbee hotel at the Rufous gardenhorseback riding tourphoto opportunitythe road to the Mistico Parkmap of the Mistico Park
Make a day out of your visit.
In addition to the hanging bridges, which are the park’s top attraction, the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park (operating under the name Paco’s Horses) runs a horseback riding tour on-site. Consider participating in this adventure if you wish to extend your time at the park.
Alternatively, the park’s position on the west side of La Fortuna near Arenal Lake means that it nears several of the Arenal area’s other top attractions, including the Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal 1968, the Silencio Trail, the Arenal Sky Adventures Park, and a variety of hot springs attractions. Consider planning a full day of activities on the west side of La Fortuna by visiting one or more parks or trails in the region.
Do you have questions about visiting the Mistico Park, want to know more about the Mistico Park’s hanging bridges or trails, or need help incorporating a visit to the park into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! We're truly grateful for your time and preference.
Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? Unlike some other Costa Rica blogs, we do not to sell your personal information, and we choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog so we can keep your visit as distraction- and junk-free as possible. 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 blog—including its 300+ articles—is entirely voluntary! 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. Doing so is a great way to pat us on the back if you feel we deserve it. 😊 Pura vida, amigos!
Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. (If you cannot see the PayPal button above, click here.) A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. PayPal donations are confidential; we never see your payment details.
Love our blog? Check out our other Costa Rica-related projects, too:
Summary
Article Name
A Step-By-Step Guide To The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Description
Everything you need to know about touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park with or without a guide, plus free discounts!
