Arenal Hanging Bridges

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk, Arenal/La Fortuna

Explore a rainforest reserve on suspension bridges that lead you above the canopy for great views of Arenal Volcano

Overview

Explore the thrilling Arenal Hanging Bridges on this popular excursion. The trail system, located inside a rainforest reserve, features suspension bridges that take you high above the treetops before treating you to a once-in-a-lifetime view of Arenal Volcano. Venturing along these spectacular elevated walkways, up to 180 feet (55 meters) above the rainforest floor, you'll have a chance to appreciate this area's incredible biodiversity, including some of the 350 avian species that live here.

Highlights

  • Walk through the treetops along a series of bridges
  • Take in scenic views of Arenal Volcano
  • Spot a variety of exotic birds in the jungle

Know before you go

Duration
4 hours
Recommended for
5 years old & up
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
A tropical fruit snack is included

What you'll do

The excursion begins with a transfer from La Fortuna to the Arenal Hanging Bridges walk starting point. The 600-acre (243-hectares) reserve features a 2-mile (3 km) trail with 10 fixed bridges and six hanging bridges measuring between 16 and 328 feet (5 to 100 meters).

After hearing a short overview of the reserve and the hanging bridges, you'll make your way along the trail with your guide. Though the trail has a gentle slope at times, there are no steps, and design details — including protection rails and a non-slip concrete surface — make the walk more accessible.

There will be frequent stops throughout the activity to view flora and fauna, and your guide will point out birds, insects, and plants that travelers may otherwise not notice. The bird-watching is superb! As you continue along the path, take note of the different levels of forest around you, including undergrowth, sub-canopy, and canopy, and the various animals that inhabit them.

Following the tour, you'll be transported back to La Fortuna.

Start times

  • Daily
    7:30 am, 1:30 pm

What's included

  • Naturalist guide
  • Transport
  • Snacks
  • Bottle of water
  • Entrance to the private reserve

Traveler reviews

14 total ratings, 10 with reviews
4.9 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.8
C
Cameron b.
Dyker Heights, NY | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2023

Highlight of the trip! I wouldn’t have gone here without a tour guide, he truly made the experience worth the visit. The views of course were beautiful but we got to see a lot of different animals and nature with tons of information surrounding. Highly recommend this Read more

Highlight of the trip! I wouldn’t have gone here without a tour guide, he truly made the experience worth the visit. The views of course were beautiful but we got to see a lot of different animals and nature with tons of information surrounding. Highly recommend this

Tips for future travelers

Do it! It rained a little bit so bring a rain jacket but it didn’t detract from the experience at all. In fact, since it is a rainforest, it definitely seemed like more of a natural experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
C
Chakrapani S.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on May 18, 2023

Gerardo was such a wonderful guide. Was very accommodative to go slow as my wife was not 100% on this day. Highlight was the lunch at Jackaman restaurant which grows its own ingredients Read more

Gerardo was such a wonderful guide. Was very accommodative to go slow as my wife was not 100% on this day. Highlight was the lunch at Jackaman restaurant which grows its own ingredients

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
K
Karen S.
Commerce City, CO | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2023

The rain forest was everything I had hoped it would be!! Simply amazing! Our guide, Marco, made it even better. His experience and keen eye, really made the trip. He is so knowledgeable and friendly. He put our phones up to his scope so we could have close up photos of the wildlife! Read more

The rain forest was everything I had hoped it would be!! Simply amazing! Our guide, Marco, made it even better. His experience and keen eye, really made the trip. He is so knowledgeable and friendly. He put our phones up to his scope so we could have close up photos of the wildlife!

Tips for future travelers

Ask for Marco from the Desafio Tour Company!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M
Margaret P.
Owasso, OK | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2023

Fantastic guide! Learned so much!! Beautiful!!! Read more

Fantastic guide! Learned so much!! Beautiful!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide, Cindy, at Bridges was knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent!
Nancy
Nancy T.
Ocala, FL | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2022

Just do it. I’m afraid of heights, but psyched myself to focus and keep moving. The bridges did sway while walking on them, but I felt safe. It is a lot of up and downhill , if that is a problem for you. I really felt like I had met my goal by completing the walk. Read more

Just do it. I’m afraid of heights, but psyched myself to focus and keep moving. The bridges did sway while walking on them, but I felt safe. It is a lot of up and downhill , if that is a problem for you. I really felt like I had met my goal by completing the walk.

Tips for future travelers

Be in good shape for walking up and down. Be prepared with poncho just in case of rain. Have good walking or hiking shoes. Have fun!

Quality of Experience
Our guide would stop and show us hidden wildlife through his scope and helped you get good photos.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everything
Transport
Good drivers
S
Susan C.
The Villages, FL | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2022

Our tour guide was very friendly and well versed in the area. A couple of people in our group were afraid of heights and he so patient in helping them overcome their fears of the swinging bridges. Read more

Our tour guide was very friendly and well versed in the area. A couple of people in our group were afraid of heights and he so patient in helping them overcome their fears of the swinging bridges.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
L
Linda G.
Eustis, FL | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2022

After being a little nervous about walking on the bridges, my guide helped me and made me comfortable with crossing all of the hanging bridges. We really enjoyed this activity Read more

After being a little nervous about walking on the bridges, my guide helped me and made me comfortable with crossing all of the hanging bridges. We really enjoyed this activity

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dani
Dani R.
Mexico | Reviewed on Dec 05, 2022

Loved it! Got to see monkeys, birds, and some other cool flora and fauna! 10/10 would recommend Jacamar tours. A must for taking great pictures ;) Read more

Loved it! Got to see monkeys, birds, and some other cool flora and fauna! 10/10 would recommend Jacamar tours. A must for taking great pictures ;)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
W
Wei S.
Bellevue, WA | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2022

A very easy walk in a well maintained park. Saw a lot of monkeys there. The guides were very knowledgeable. I would recommend this one! Read more

A very easy walk in a well maintained park. Saw a lot of monkeys there. The guides were very knowledgeable. I would recommend this one!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Angelica
Angelica P.
Durham, NC | Reviewed on May 06, 2022

It is definitely necessary to use a guide since they are the ones that know the forest and spot all the animals and plants and are so very knowledgeable Read more

It is definitely necessary to use a guide since they are the ones that know the forest and spot all the animals and plants and are so very knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Itineraries with Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

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Checking off three key regions in Costa Rica, this 10-day itinerary is perfect for adventurous travelers. The trip starts with a visit to Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano for hiking and natural hot springs before continuing to the Pacific Ocean for some beach time at Manuel Antonio National Park. Finish off in one of the country's most remote areas—Osa Peninsula—for undeveloped rainforests, rare wildlife, and near-empty coastline.

Wildlife & Beaches in Costa Rica - 10 Days

This 10-day adventure allows you to experience Costa Rica from both coasts. Visit San José, check out Tortuguero National Park, marvel at Arenal Volcano, and lounge on the remote beaches of Guanacaste. Enjoy plenty of activities along the way: watch sea turtles hatch on a Caribbean beach, sample locally produced chocolate, or take a surf lesson in the Pacific.

Relaxed Costa Rica Family Adventure - 10 Days

Costa Rica is a favorite destination for all ages. This 10-day adventure allows your family to experience the highlights of the country from the towering Arenal Volcano, to the spectacular, remote beaches of Guanacaste. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, from sampling locally produced chocolate, to zip lining through the trees, to surf lessons in the Pacific.

Arenal & The Caribbean Coast - 15 Days

On this 15-day trip, you will experience the best of the country's tropical flora and fauna. From rainforest hikes to snorkeling in coral reefs.  You'll visit the famous Arenal volcano, see tons of exotic wildlife in Tortuguero National Park, and surf world-class waves in the laid-back beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Coast to Coast Family Adventure - 16 Days

Costa Rica is a favorite destination for all ages. This 16-day adventure allows your family to experience the country from both coasts and includes a visit to the bustling capital of San José, the lush rainforest of Tortuguero National Park, the towering Arenal Volcano, the cloud forest of Monteverde and the spectacular, white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, from watching sea turtles hatch on a Caribbean beach to sampling locally produced chocolate to whitewater rafting.