Planning a trip to La Fortuna, Costa Rica and wondering whether visiting the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges is worth it? This travel guide breaks down what to expect when visiting the park to help you decide whether or not you should add a visit during your trip to Costa Rica.

My husband and I visited the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges during our babymoon trip to Costa Rica last December. Since I was pregnant I wasn’t able to do a lot of the more adventurous activities that Costa Rica has to offer, like ziplining and canyoneering, but strolling through the jungle and walking across hanging bridges was the perfect level of activity.

We had a great time exploring the park, so I wanted to share my experience and tips to help you make the most of your visit!

What to Expect When Visiting the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges

Before You Enter the Park

The drive up to the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges from La Fortuna is stunning and provides beautiful views of the Arenal Volcano. It’s very easy to find the park if you follow the directions on Google maps. Once you arrive there are attendants who will help direct you to parking.

After parking you’ll check in at the main entrance booth where you’ll be able to take a photo of the park map. There are also lots of maps and signs throughout the park, so don’t worry about getting lost!

Near the entrance booth you’ll find bathrooms, a restaurant, and a gift shop that you can visit before or after you make your way through the park. Be aware, there are no bathrooms available once you enter the park, so I highly recommend going before you enter! 

Once You’re Inside the Park

The first attraction that you will encounter once you go through the entrance gate is a butterfly garden. You can easily skip this section of the park if you’re eager to get to the hanging bridges, but I think it’s worth walking through to have a chance to see some butterflies and get the full experience.

As you walk through and explore the park you’ll cross a total of 16 bridges, including 6 hanging suspension bridges. I’m ordinarily weary around heights, but I didn’t find any of the bridges to be scary, even though they have open, grated bottoms. They are all very secure and well-maintained!

One of the biggest benefits to getting an early start is being able to walk across the hanging bridges without anyone else on them. They sway a little bit when you walk across and I can imagine it gets bouncier the more people that are on the bridge. Each bridge also has a maximum number of people who can be on it at any given time, so if you go when it’s busy you might get backed up.

Other Attractions Inside Mistico Park

In addition to the hanging bridges there’s also a waterfall that you can only see while walking through the park. You get your first view of the Blue Morpho waterfall from above while walking across one of the hanging bridges. To see the falls up close you’ll take a set of stairs down to a viewing platform near the base of the falls. It’s definitely one of the best waterfalls to see in La Fortuna!

Mistico Park is part of the natural environment, so be sure to keep your eyes out for wildlife as you make your way through the park. We were able to see some monkeys swinging from the treetops. You can also see lots of different species of birds and even some sloths if you’re extra lucky!

Personal Thoughts

Ultimately, I think the park has done a great job at maintaining the integrity of the natural environment while providing infrastructure to help people explore. The hanging bridges are a truly immersive experience that allow you to get up close and personal with nature and see the jungle from a unique perspective.

I think that visiting the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges is best for families with kids or anyone looking for an easy, low-key activity in nature. With that said, it is a developed tourist attraction, so if you’re looking for a rugged, off-the-beaten-path adventure, Mistico Park may not be for you.

FAQs About Visiting Mistico Park Hanging Bridges

1. How much does it cost to visit the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges?

The cost to visit the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges varies depending on the time of day you visit and whether or you do a self-guided tour or hire a guide. Self-guided tours start at $32/person (plus tax) for morning visits, and $28/person (plus tax) for afternoon visits. Discounts are available for children, teens, seniors, and residents of Costa Rica.

The cost of a guided tour varies depending on the tour you choose and whether it includes other attractions and/or transportation. Many of the tours I looked at range from about $50-150/person.

2. Do I need a tour guide to visit the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges?

You don’t need to have a tour guide to visit the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges. The park is very easy to navigate on your own. However, if you want someone to point out local plants and animals, and assist with taking photos, guided tours are available. 

There are different types of guided tours, including night tours, birdwatching tours, and natural history tours. Some guided tours combine other activities like zip lining, horseback riding, and visiting the La Fortuna waterfall. Many guided tours also offer transportation to and from La Fortuna.

3. How long does it take to get through the park?

You can walk through the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges at your own pace, so the amount of time it will take you to get through the park can vary. It took my husband and I 90 minutes to walk through the entire park, but we started moving quickly at the end because I was pregnant and really needed to go to the bathroom! We also stopped to take photos on most of the hanging bridges, which added some time, but we were there early so we didn’t encounter any crowds or delays. 

I would recommend planning on spending anywhere from 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours walking through the park (err on the longer side if you have kids). It may not actually take you that long to get through, but that will keep you from overpacking your itinerary and give you time to visit the gift shop afterwards.

4. Are the hanging bridges scary?

I’m generally afraid of heights, but personally didn’t think that the hanging bridges were scary at all. The bridges sway when you’re walking across them, and I imagine the more people that are on them, the more movement there is. The bottom is also grated and open, but I felt that the infrastructure was very secure. Just avoid looking down if you’re nervous!