Mistico Park or Sky Walk/Adventures: Which Arenal Hanging Bridges Are The Best?
Nikki Solano
Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 04:06 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. ❤️️
How to choose between the Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park and the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
If you’ve decided to visit La Fortuna during your trip to Costa Rica, you’ve probably also decided to tour the hanging bridges while you’re there, and if so, you’re likely torn over which hanging bridges park to visit: the Mistico Park or Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park. The two attractions are popular enough to warrant exploring, yet similar enough that you can get away with visiting just one during your time in the Arenal area. The tough question, though, that we’ve spent 15+ years answering for travelers via emails, forum responses, and podcast interviews, is this: Which hanging bridges are the best in La Fortuna: the Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park or the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park?
If you’re familiar with our blog, you already know that we rarely classify any one experience in Costa Rica as “the best” because the term is highly subjective. We know that the best for us may not be the best for you according to your individual wants, needs, and preferences. So, spoiler alert: the article below doesn’t pick one hanging bridge park over the other. Instead, the article below relays important information gathered from our multiple visits to both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park so you can quickly and easily compare and contrast the two properties, and decide for yourself which hanging bridges are the best for you to visit.
A quick trip down memory lane
We’ve been exploring La Fortuna (including the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park) since the mid-2000s, and we’ve enjoyed watching it grow and tracking its changes ever since. ❤️
Ricky and Nikki at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park in 2009Nikki and Ricky at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park nowNikki 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
Before you pick a hanging bridge park, know this.
Before we get to comparing and contrasting the two parks according to the criteria covered below, know this: you cannot go wrong with either park. Not only are the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park popular attractions in the La Fortuna/Arenal area but they’re also two of Costa Rica’s top attractions that regularly receive rave reviews. Though one of the parks may suit your style and interests more than the other (our article below will help you determine that), neither is a bad choice.
Number of bridges, bridge length, and bridge height
a regular (non-suspension/hanging) bridge at the Mistico Parka suspension/hanging bridge at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
When considering bridge quantity, length, and height, what matters most is the quantity, length, and height of a park’s suspension bridges, not the quantity, length, or height of a park’s non-suspension bridges. Suspension bridges provide the quintessential, sought-after “hanging bridges” experience, which entails moving through a forest on a bridge that’s suspended high above the forest floor. Non-suspension bridges, which are typically short, stationary, positioned just above the forest floor, and supported by metal beams beneath the bridge, aren’t considered hanging bridges. The photos above show the difference between a regular (non-suspension/hanging) bridge and a suspension/hanging bridge. The charts below, which detail bridge quantity, length, and height, reflect a park’s suspension/hanging bridges only.
Mistico Park’s Arenal Hanging Bridges: Number of bridges and bridge lengths
one of the Mistico Park’s Arenal hanging bridges
Total number of hanging bridges (excluding non-suspension bridges): 6 bridges
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
Total hanging bridges length (suspension bridges only): 452 meters / 1,482 feet traveled over 6 hanging bridges
Sky Adventures’s Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges: Number of bridges and bridge lengths
one of Sky Adventures’s Arenal Sky Walk hanging bridges
Total number of hanging bridges (excluding non-suspension bridges): 4 bridges
Total hanging bridges length (suspension bridges only): 441 meters / 1,447 feet traveled over 4 hanging bridges
Note: In addition to their suspension/hanging bridges, the Mistico Park has 10 non-suspension/hanging bridges and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park has 4 non-suspension/hanging bridges. For this reason, you may see other resources indicate that the Mistico Park is home to 16 bridges and that Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park is home to 8 bridges. Remember, as explained above, the non-suspension bridges aren’t hanging bridges, so they shouldn’t influence your choice of a hanging bridges park.
Nature trails and hike distance, duration, and conditions
The difference between the hanging bridge experience at the Mistico Park and the hanging bridge experience at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park is most obvious in the parks’ nature trails.
Mistico Park trails
Mistico Park trailMistico Park trailMistico Park trail
At the Mistico Park, a series of nature trails loop around sections of the park, leading inclined and declined walks on concrete paths edged by a railing. Though the nature trails at this park have a constructed, touristic feel, they provide an opportunity to stroll around the rainforestleisurely and relatively hazard-free. Note, however, that the smooth paths can be slippery when wet.
Mistico ParkArenal Hanging Bridges trail map
Trail map of the Mistico Park’s Arenal Hanging Bridges
At the Mistico Park, bathrooms are provided at the entrance/reception only. There are no bathrooms along the nature trail.
Arenal Sky Walk trails
Arenal Sky Walk trailArenal Sky Walk trailArenal Sky Walk trail
At Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, one nature trail loops around the entire park, leading a hike through the rainforest that includes flat, uphill, and downhill sections (some climbing of stairs is required). The nature trail at this park is merely a clearing in the forest so it provides a more raw, authentic way to explore the rainforest. Note that although the trail is well-kept, natural hazards like tree roots and branches are encountered along the way, so keep an eye out for them.
Trail map of Sky Adventures’s Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges
At Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, bathrooms are provided at both the entrance/reception and partway along the nature trail (between the second and third bridges).
Nature trail comparison chart
Nature trails at the Mistico Park
Nature trail at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Number of trails
3; the main trail, a bird-watching trail, and an accessible trail
1 large, circular trail
Trail distance
3.2 kilometers (main trail) 1.5 kilometers (accessible trail) Distance of bird-watching trail varies by route
4-kilometer loop
Number of hanging bridgesencountered along the trail(s)
All 6 hanging bridges are encountered along the main trail; 3 or 4 of the bridges are encountered along the bird-watching trail (depending on the route taken); 1 of the bridges is encountered along the accessible trail
All 4 hanging bridges are encountered along the trail
At the Mistico Park, you can choose to hike one or all of the nature trails. The trails overlap in areas, however, so you’ll cover some parts of the walk/hike twice if you opt to explore more than one trail.
At Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, you can choose to hike part or all of the 4-kilometer loop. Note that if you choose not to complete the entire loop, wherever you decide to stop, you’ll need to turn around and backtrack toward the entrance. Since the two best bridges at the Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park are the first two bridges, many people hike the first half of the loop, turn around, and hike back the way they came (both the Arenal Lake viewpoints and the waterfalls are encountered along this section of the trail). To hike where fewer visitors roam, complete the full loop; the second half of the trail is more remote and less frequented.
Guided hanging bridge tours
Both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park run guided hanging bridge tours. At the Mistico Park, the experience is called the Natural History Walk. At Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, the experience is called the Sky Walk. Since Sky Adventures operates adventure parks in the La Fortuna/Arenal and Monteverde areas of Costa Rica, the Sky Walk tour in La Fortuna/Arenal is often referred to as the Arenal Sky Walk (in Monteverde, it’s known as the Monteverde Sky Walk) to minimize confusion.
Hanging bridge tour comparison chart
Hanging bridge tour at the Mistico Park
Hanging bridge tour at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Guided hanging bridges tour cost
Original cost: $40.00 USD plus tax per adult (discount here) Original cost: $30.00 USD plus tax per student/adolescent (discount here) Original cost: $14.00 USD plus tax per child (discount here)
Original cost: $41.00 USD plus tax per adult (discount here) Original cost: $33.00 USD plus tax per student/adolescent (discount here) Original cost: $28.00 USD plus tax per child (discount here)
Tour available in these languages
Spanish, English, French
Spanish, English
Guided hanging bridges tour times
6:00am (bird-watching tour only), 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:30pm (twilight tour only), 6:00pm (night tour only)
Yes: no shoes with slits (such as Keen sandals) or open toes; long pants are required for participation in twilight tours and night tours only
Yes: no shoes with slits (such as Keen sandals) or open toes
Rainforest views
There is little difference between the rainforest views you’ll find at the Mistico Park and the rainforest views you’ll find at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, mainly because the two parks sit only 8 kilometers from one another as the crow flies. (By car, the parks are roughly a 15-minute drive from each other.) Both hanging bridge parks are lush and green, and they remain that way year-round. Both provide an opportunity to explore the treetop canopy and lay your eyes on some giant, jaw-dropping trees.
Rainforest views at the Mistico Park
Rainforest at the Mistico ParkRainforest at the Mistico Park
Rainforest views at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Rainforest at the Arenal Sky Walk hanging bridgesRainforest at the Arenal Sky Walk hanging bridges
Arenal Volcano views and Arenal Lake views
You can see the Arenal Volcano from both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park. At the Mistico Park, the best places to view the volcano are at the volcano viewpoint that’s located just behind the park’s reception, and at the park’s on-site restaurant. You can also see the volcano at a distance when crossing the park’sArenal Bridge. If you plan to tour the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, don’t miss the beautiful volcano view from the on-site restaurant. Additionally, if you intend to experience other on-site activities at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park beyond the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges, including the Sky Tram Aerial Tram Ride or the Sky Trek Canopy Zip-Lining Tour, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular volcano views during those excursions, too.
The Mistico Park does not have a view of Arenal Lake, but you’ll drive past the lake for a few seconds on your way to and from the park. In contrast, Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park has not one but two viewpoints that showcase Arenal Lake. Both Arenal Lake viewpoints fall along the park’s trail and sit between the El Yucon and La Quebrada bridges.
Volcano views at the Mistico Park
The Arenal Volcano viewpoint at the Mistico ParkRicky; viewing the Arenal Volcano from the Mistico Park
Volcano views at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
View of the Arenal Volcano as seen from Sky Adventures’s Arenal ParkNikki; viewing Arenal Lake from Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Waterfall views and river/stream views
Both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park are home to at least one waterfall (Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park is blessed with two waterfalls), though the way you’ll access the waterfall at each park is different. At the Mistico Park, you’ll find the Blue Morpho Waterfall. At Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park are the El Encanto Waterfall and the Escondido Waterfall. In addition, while you tour the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, you’ll hike past several equally beautiful and photogenic streams.
Waterfall and river/stream views at the Mistico Park
Blue Morpho WaterfallNikki; at the Blue Morpho WaterfallBlue Morpho Waterfall
Access to the Blue Morpho Waterfall is off the Mistico Park‘s main trail. For this reason, the waterfall is often missed. From the main trail, a steep staircase (5-minute climb down, 10-minute climb back up) leads to a waterfall viewpoint where you can admire the cascade from behind a railing. If you’re not interested in seeing the waterfall or you’re not physically able to manage the steep steps, the visit to the waterfall can be skipped.
Waterfall and river/stream views at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Ricky; at the El Encanto WaterfallEscondido WaterfallEl Encanto WaterfallNikki; at the Escondido WaterfallBeautiful steam encountered during the Arenal Sky Walk trail
The neighboring El Encanto Waterfall and Escondido Waterfall fall along the one-and-only Arenal Sky Walk trail; you can’t miss them. They sit at the back of the park, roughly halfway around the trail’s loop. You’re welcome to visit the base of the El Encanto Waterfall. The Escondido Waterfall can only be seen at a distance from the non-suspension bridge near the El Encanto Waterfall.
Location and distance from La Fortuna
Both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park sit on the outskirts of La Fortuna, west of the downtown core.
Where to find the Mistico Park’s Arenal Hanging Bridges
The Mistico Park’s Arenal Hanging Bridges are located on the property of the Mistico Park. The Mistico Park sits on the west side of the Arenal Volcano and the north side of Arenal Lake. It takes roughly 30 minutes to drive the 20-kilometer route from downtown La Fortuna to the Mistico Park.
Where to find Sky Adventures’s Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges
The Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges are located on the property of Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park. Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park sits on the west side of the Arenal Volcano and the south side of Arenal Lake. It takes roughly 30 minutes to drive the 22-kilometer route from downtown La Fortuna to Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park.
Road conditions (4×4 requirement) and parking
Both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park are accessible by car. Unfortunately, neither park is reachable by public bus.
4×4 requirement: Mistico Park
Road 142; leaving La Fortunain the direction of the Mistico Parkthe road to the Mistico Park (after turning off Road 142)
Travel to the Mistico Park does not require a 4×4 vehicle. When arriving from downtown La Fortuna, the first 18 kilometers of the drive are on Road 142, the fully paved (albeit curvy) road that connects La Fortuna with Arenal Lake (and destinations beyond the lake). After you turn off Road 142 (at Arenal Lake), it’s a 2-kilometer, uphill/downhill drive on a brick road to the Mistico Park.
Parking at the Mistico Park
parking lot at the Mistico Park
The Mistico Park has a large parking lot and provides free parking.
4×4 requirement: Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Road 142; leaving La Fortuna in the direction of Sky Adventures’s Arenal Parkthe road to Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park (after turning off Road 142)
Travel to Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park does not require a 4×4 vehicle. When arriving from downtown La Fortuna, the first 15 kilometers of the drive are on Road 142, the fully paved (albeit curvy) road that connects La Fortuna with Arenal Lake (and destinations beyond the lake). After you turn off Road 142 (before Arenal Lake), it’s a 7-kilometer drive on a paved road to Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park.
Parking at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
parking lot at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park has a large parking lot and provides free parking.
Transportation services (hotel pick-ups and drop-offs)
If you don’t plan to rent a car in Costa Rica, you can use hired transportation to reach either park. Both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park provide their own hired transportation services, which function as shared shuttle services (i.e., the transportation service is shared with other travelers and is not private to your travel group).
Transportation services provided by the Mistico Park
transportation provided by the Mistico Park
The Mistico Park charges $19.00 USD per person plus tax to provide round-trip transportation to/from La Fortuna hotels. Hotels that fall outside of the park’s definition of “La Fortuna hotels” are charged at a higher rate.
Transportation services provided by Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
transportation provided by Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park charges $17.00 USD per person plus tax to provide round-trip transportation to/from La Fortuna hotels. Hotels that fall outside of the park’s definition of “La Fortuna hotels” are charged at a higher rate.
Restaurants and dining
Both the Mistico Park and Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park have a restaurant on-site. Both restaurants provide an unobstructed view of the Arenal Volcano. From the restaurant at the Mistico Park, the volcano can be seen from a distance, but from the restaurant at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, the volcano appears much closer.
Dining services provided by the Mistico Park
the Sal & Pimienta restaurant at the Mistico Park
The restaurant at the Mistico Park is named Sal & Pimienta. Hanging bridge tours at the Mistico Parkdo not automatically include a meal but you’re welcome to add one to your tour reservation at the cost of $15.00 USD per person, tax included. The meal served is a typical Costa Rican lunch, and a vegetarian option is available.
Dining services provided by Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
the Chill Out restaurant at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
The restaurant at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park is named Restaurante Chill Out. Hanging bridge tours at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Parkdo not automatically include a meal but you’re welcome to add one to your tour reservation at the cost of $20.00 USD per person, tax included. The meal served is a typical Costa Rican lunch, and a vegetarian option is available.
On-site tours and activities other than hanging bridges
Optional, additional tours and activities at the Mistico Park
Paco’s Horses Horseback Riding Tourearly-morning bird-watching tours and night toursvisit to an on-site bee hotel at the Mistico Park’s on-site Rufous Garden
In addition to operating daytime hanging bridge tours, the Mistico Park operates early-morning bird-watching tours, late-afternoon twilight tours, and evening night tours on-site, each of which includes a visit to the hanging bridges. Some guided daytime hanging bridge tours include a visit to the park’s lovely, on-site Rufous Garden.
Optional, additional tours and activities at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park is the most well-known zip-lining park in La Fortuna; it operates the popular Sky Trek Canopy Zip-lining Tour. The park is also home to the Sky Tram Aerial Tram, and runs the obstacle course known as the Sky Limit Tour and the river tubing excursion known as the Sky River Drift Tour. If you want to couple hanging bridge exploration with a canopy zip-lining tour, an aerial tram ride, a river tubing tour, or an obstacle course run, you can do that at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park.
Other on-site facilities and amenities
What else you’ll find at the Mistico Park
receptionsouvenir storeon-site gardena perfect photo opportunitybands of coatis make regular appearances along the road to the Mistico Park
What else you’ll find at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park
receptionsouvenir storepanoramic viewpointslockersbathrooms positioned along the Arenal Sky Walk trail
Arenal hanging bridge discounts
Our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., has hundreds of adult, student, and child discounts for Costa Rica day tours, including discounts for tours at the Mistico Park and discounts for tours at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park. (We have discounts for Sky Adventures’s Monteverde Park, too.) If there’s a particular hanging bridge tour discount you’re looking for, please see the charts below.
Discounts for the Mistico Park’s Arenal Hanging Bridges
Mistico Park versus Sky Walk/Adventures: A quick summary
The set of Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park has the greatest number of suspension/hanging bridges, two more than the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park (i.e., 6 hanging bridges compared to 4 hanging bridges).
The set of Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park has the greatest number of waterfalls, one more than the Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park (i.e., 2 waterfalls compared to 1 waterfall). The Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges also provide views of Arenal Lake; the Mistico Park does not. Both parks provide views of the rainforest and the Arenal Volcano.
At 143 meters/470 feet long, the El Yucon Bridge (Bridge #2), part of the set of Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges found at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, is the longest hanging bridge in La Fortuna.
At 70 meters/230 feet high, the El Yucon Bridge (Bridge #2), part of the set of Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges found at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, is the highest hanging bridge in La Fortuna.
The Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park provide the easiest hiking experience and the most developed nature trails. They also provide a variety of trail options as opposed to the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park, which has one principal nature trail.
The Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park provide a more natural, rugged (albeit not overly difficult) hiking experience. They also provide the longest nature trail, which takes more time to tour than the Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park.
Both parks are roughly the same distance from La Fortuna and have modern facilities, a restaurant on-site, and free parking. Both parks can also provide optional transportation services and additional on-site tours. Our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., has discounts for the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges at Sky Adventures’s Arenal Park and the Arenal Hanging Bridges at the Mistico Park. (See above for links to our hanging bridge tour discounts.)
Pura vida!
Do you have questions about either or both hanging bridge parks in La Fortuna, want to know which hanging bridge park is the best for you to visit, or need help incorporating a hanging bridges tour 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
Mistico Park or Sky Walk/Adventures: Which Arenal Hanging Bridges Are The Best?
Description
Looking for the best Arenal hanging bridges? We compare and contrast the Mistico Park bridges and the Arenal Sky Walk bridges.
