Admiring the beautiful nature at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park in La Fortuna.
There were many highlights during my time in Costa Rica…
But none were as awesome as walking high above the rainforest on one of the hanging bridges…
Mistico Hanging Bridges Park should be first on your La Fortuna itinerary!
I am so happy that I booked on a guided tour of the park now though, as our guide ‘Chris’, made our day special.
In this blog I detail why a guide is essential to enjoy the full experience at Mistico Park, and I also include; how you can visit the Arenal attraction, some items that you should pack, and some information about the difficulty of the trail.
I have also explained which of the forest inhabitants we had the pleasure of seeing during our wander in the beautiful nature.
Let’s start with the practicalities of your visit, as the popular park is only just outside of La Fortuna!
Posing on a wobbly bridge.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
How to visit Mistico Park in La Fortuna.
Mistico Park is one of the most popular highlights in La Fortuna, and it is really easy to visit from the centre of town.
Getting to Mistico Park.
By Car:
When leaving La Fortuna, head south on Route 142 towards the Arenal Volcano.
After about 10 kilometers (6 miles), you will see the signs for Mistico Park on your left - It’s well-marked and easy to find.
There is parking available at the park.
By Taxi or Uber:
I found taxis and Uber’s to be readily available in La Fortuna, however, they are on the expensive side, as with many of the other tourist places in Costa Rica.
A one way trip will take between 20-30 mins and cost between $25 - $35.
This is a better option for group travellers.
Official Tours:
Several tour companies in the area offer guided tours that include transportation to and from the park.
Our tour guide found a sloth.
Arriving at Mistico Park.
When we arrived at Mistico Park we were greeted instantly by the picture perfect Arenal Volcano, which provides a beautiful backdrop for the surrounding forests.
La Fortuna is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica due to its beautiful nature, and you will discover why as soon as you hear the sounds of the forest.
Chirping birds, rustling leaves, insect noises, and distant monkey howls was a preview of the rich biodiversity awaiting us inside Mistico Park.
Views of the Arenal Volcano from Mistico Park.
What is Mistico Park?
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is an ecological reserve which has been constructed privately across different levels of the forest to give visitors a glimpse into life inside the park.
In 250 hectares of protected lush rainforest, there are hundreds of both wildlife, and plant species thriving.
As one of the region's top attractions, Mistico Park has an awesome reputation for protecting the ecosystems of the Arenal Volcano Park, while offering tourists a very unique experience.
In total, the park is around 3.2 kilometres, with well maintained hiking trails, and strict rules ensuring that wildlife is not disturbed as international visitors wander around exploring.
You can expect to see life on the ground and high in the canopy, as tour guides provide telescopes and binoculars to guests, meaning no part of the forest is hidden.
A map of Mistico Park.
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Practical Information.
Here is some of the need to know information for when you plan your visit to Mistico Park.
Entrance Fees:
The entrance fee for self guided typically ranges between $25 - $35 USD per person, depending on the season that you visit. If you keep an eye on the official Mistico Park website, they do offer flash pop up sales.
Opening Hours:
Mistico Park is usually open for entry from 6:00 AM to 3:50 PM daily.
Visitor Rules:
You must stick to the official trails.
No food or bug spray allowed on the trails.
You cannot feed the animals.
No shouting or loud noises.
No drones without permission.
No pets allowed.
No alcohol or smoking allowed.
Some strict rules to protect the widlife.
What are the hanging bridges like?
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is a combination of several different ecosystems, as it is located between the edges of two forest types, integrating both highland and lowland landscapes into one beautiful nature reserve.
The hanging bridges are designed in such a way that visitors can experience different perspectives of the forest.
Although the bridges may wobble slightly due to their suspension design, they are constructed with safety in mind, making them secure for visitors of all ages. The hanging bridges offer families, solo travellers, and couples the perfect mix of adrenaline and safety to offer an exciting immersion in forest life.
For some of our tour group, the bridges felt intimidating at first, but they are an exhilarating way to connect with nature and to observe wildlife from a rare vantage point.
Walking across the bridges is a memorable adventure which you can’t miss.
The start of one of the hanging bridges.
How many hanging bridges are there?
Hanging Bridges are a big draw to Costa Rica for visitors wanting different perspectives of the beautiful rainforests!
At Mistico Park, there are 16 bridges in total, with 6 of them being suspended high in the air. Here is a list of the 6 hanging bridges:
Arenal Bridge - 75 meters (246 feet) long - 55 meters (180 feet) high.
Bully Tree Bridge - 53 meters (174 feet) long - 21 meters (69 feet) high.
Waterfall Bridge - 92 meters (302 feet) long - 45 meters (148 feet) high.
Anthill Bridge - 87 meters (285 feet) long - 28 meters (92 feet) high.
Fer-De-Lance Bridge - 48 meters (157 feet) long - 24 meters (79 feet) high.
Tayra Bridge - 97 meters (318 feet) long - 24 meters (79 feet) high.
You can see a more detailed view of where the bridges are located, along with the other route highlights by downloading the map below.
Walking high above the forest.
A broccoli tree.
The "broccoli tree" at Mistico Park is a nickname given to the ‘Ceiba Pentandra’, commonly known as the kapok tree. It is an iconic tree species in Costa Rica and the tropical regions of the Americas, and it stands out for its massive size and unique appearance.
The tree's wide, flat-topped canopy resembles a head of broccoli when viewed from a distance, especially from above or along the park’s hanging bridges.
Our tour guide, ‘Chris’ pointed the iconic tree out at various points of our tour!
A giant broccoli style tree.
How long does the tour take?
Official tours take approx 2.5 hours.
The different available start times are here:
English: 07:00 am, 08:00 am, 09:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm.
Spanish and French: 09:00 am and 1:00 pm.
A brilliant tour guide.
Our tour was made special by our awesome guide, ‘Chris’.
Not only was he full of interesting facts about the eco-systems of Mistico Park, but he also knew how to have a laugh and his infectious happy personality made everyone in the tour group have a great morning.
Everything we saw was first seen by Chris, he just had eagle eyes when it came to spotting animal activity in the canopy.
He would also make sure that the environment was quiet, so that all the members of the group could take a look through the telescope before the wildlife moved.
Chris also took photos and videos on our mobiles of the wildlife through the telescope lens so we got great photos & videos as a keepsakes!
That personal touch from a local makes all the difference while exploring Mistico Park, as there are so many secrets within the forest!
Chris knew all of the secret spots.
Searching for some inhabitants.
The best thing about exploring Mistico Park with a guide is that they know exactly where to look for wildlife.
As you can see below, Chris knew about a bird’s nest in one of the distant trees, so located it quickly, and let everyone enjoy zoomed in views of life in a rare bird’s nest.
All of the tour guides at Mistico Park work together, so they know in real time where to look for different species. This is real time knowledge of the current location of some animals makes all the difference when spotting more wildlife on tours.
As you can imagine, once a sloth is found by a tour guide, it will sometimes take several days for the animal to move onto its new home.
Searching high in the canopy.
What wildlife did I see during the tour?
The sloth we spotted was the highlight of our tour, even though it was quite high in the canopy, so we needed to use Chris’ telescope to see a detailed view of it.
These are the other animals spotted during our tour:
White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys.
We enjoyed seeing a large group of these monkeys swinging through the canopy, and they appeared to be chasing one another.
Vipers.
We walked right past some vipers on leaves, and then got a real detailed view through Chris’ telescope.
Racoons.
We spotted racoons scurrying through the fauna right at the start of our tour.
Tarantulas.
As Chris showed us the tarantula homes in the park, we spotted some really big tarantulas hiding.
Viper.
A colourful bird.
Toads.
We spotted some black toads hiding in their homes, close to some poisonous fauna, so we kept our distance. You can hear the toads and frogs a long time before you spot them!
Rare birds.
Chris found several bird nests as we explored the park, so it was interesting seeing them in their natural habitat.
A toad hiding.
Is there a waterfall at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park?
There is an optional short walkway leading to a waterfall within Mistico Park.
The start of the short steep hike is signposted near one of the hanging bridges, and our tour guide allocated a short time period within the official tour for us to go down and explore.
It only takes around 10 minutes to head down, grab a photo, and meet back up with your guide.
We did visit at the start of the rainy season, meaning that there was more water than at some times of year, so it is worth asking your guide, whether the waterfall is worth visiting while you are there.
When is the best time to visit Mistico Park?
The best time to visit Mistico Park largely depends on your preferences and what you hope to experience.
The dry season (December to April) offers the clearest views of Arenal Volcano and less chance of rain, making it ideal for hikers and families. You will find the trails are drier and easy to navigate, however, this is the busy tourist season in La Fortuna.
I visited at the start of the green season (May to November) and I was greeted with lush greenery and vibrant plant life, along with some very active wildlife.
Whichever time of year you visit Mistico Park, a morning visit between 7:00am and 10:00am is the best option for quieter trails, active wildlife, and beautiful scenery!
A night tour of the forest offers visitors a completely different vibe, with a flashlight, and the opportunity to spot different wildlife.
Active nocturnal wildlife usually includes brightly coloured frogs, insects, and even some predators!
Whether you prefer the lush forest in the green season, or the more reliable conditions of the dry season, Mistico Park will offer you an unforgettable encounter with Costa Rica’s natural beauty.
He senses something is near.
How long do you need to complete the hanging bridge trail?
Official tours take around 2 1/2 hours to complete the full 3.2km trail, but this includes some educational stops, along with waiting for the group to complete hanging bridges etc.
The trail could be completed in around 90 minutes if you visited on a self guided basis.
Can you do the Arenal Hanging Bridges self guided?
Some tourists do enjoy Mistico Park in a self guided way, with the flexibility, and quieter trails being a big selling point, however, if you opt for this method, you will see less wildlife.
You will also miss out on learning interesting things about the forest…
For example, our tour guide was showing us hidden tarantula homes, and explaining why they are created the way they are etc…
This was a little bit of knowledge which gave us a rare insight into forest life for a smaller species.
You can arrive earlier if self guiding, therefore, you can probably complete the trails faster, however, this is one tour that is worth every penny!
I loved experiencing the adrenaline of the hanging bridges with like minded travellers as I was on a solo trip to Costa Rica.
Despite the benefits of exploring the forest at a quieter time, there is far too much to learn about, which can only happen with a knowledgeable local.
They are in Mistico Park everyday, so they know the inhabitants inside out.
Another awesome spot by Chris.
Packing list for Mistico Park Hanging Bridges tour.
As with many of the nature experiences in Costa Rica, being prepared can make a huge difference to the activity enjoyment that you experience.
This packing list will definitely help you enjoy your day at Mistico Park no matter what happens:
Waterproof poncho - This should be a lightweight addition for all of your trips in Costa Rica, as the weather can change in an instant.
Closes shoes or boots - You don’t want to be walking around next to the insects in the forest with bare feet showing.
Insect repellent - We all had to apply our repellent before entering the forest, as it is prohibited once inside.
Binoculars - This is actually a must bring item if you want the full experience, and the guides provide one for the group, hence why I recommend the guided option.
Sunscreen - The scorching sun finds gaps in the forest, and it doesn’t take long to burn.
Refillable water bottle - Filling an eco-friendly water bottle up before your tour will be a life saver in the humid conditions.
Phone/Camera - You want to snap the awesome wildlife, especially through the telescope. The guides know how to catch some awesome photos for visitors.
The perfect backdrop.
While you are in La Fortuna.
I found La Fortuna to be a wonderful town, with so much to do!
The iconic La Fortuna Waterfall is a highlight for many, however, there are official tours covering a wide range of activities.
I enjoyed a coffee tour, horse ride through nature, and volcano hike, all in the same day!
As with other destinations in Costa Rica, your budget won’t actually go that far, however, La Fortuna is home to some fun free activities. El Salto Swimming Hole is a favourite with tourists and locals, with the Tarzan rope swing entertaining guests for hours.
Chilling by the picturesque location is a great escape from the jungle humidity!
Visiting the El Chollin Hot Springs is another free activity which allows guests to enjoy the geothermal activity of the nearby Arenal Volcano. As we chilled in the hot springs, the sun went down, and fireflies lit up the night sky.
It was awesome!
If the Pacific Ocean is a big draw to Costa Rica for you then there are many fun things to do in Tamarindo, or if you want a quieter retreat, then Montezuma is abundant with fun activities.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.