Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk, Arenal/La Fortuna

4.7 (19 reviews)
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

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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Great Guides

Many reviews highlighted the exceptional quality of the guides, who were knowledgeable, friendly, and helped enhance the experience by spotting wildlife and providing information. (11 mentions)

K
“With guides help spotted poison dart frogs and an eyelash pit viper.”  — Ken H.
C
“I wouldn’t have gone here without a tour guide, he truly made the experience worth the visit.”  — Cameron b.
Angelica
“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”  — Angelica P.
Wildlife Spotting

Multiple reviews mentioned spotting various animals such as monkeys, birds, and frogs. While some found the variety to be sparse, the presence of wildlife was a key feature. (6 mentions)

K
“With guides help spotted poison dart frogs and an eyelash pit viper.”  — Ken H.
Dani
“Got to see monkeys, birds, and some other cool flora and fauna!”  — Dani R.
C
“we got to see a lot of different animals and nature with tons of information surrounding.”  — Cameron b.
Swinging Bridges

Walking on the swinging bridges was a significant part of the experience, with some travelers needing help to overcome their fear of heights. (4 mentions)

Amy
“It was fun crossing the bridges.”  — Amy S.
Nancy
“The bridges did sway while walking on them, but I felt safe.”  — Nancy T.
S
“A couple of people in our group were afraid of heights and he was so patient in helping them overcome their fears of the swinging bridges.”  — Susan C.
Beautiful Views

Travelers noted the beautiful views of the rainforest canopy and surrounding nature, which were a highlight of the tour. (2 mentions)

K
“Great views over the rain forest canopy all the same.”  — Ken H.
C
“The views of course were beautiful”  — Cameron b.

Traveler reviews

19 total ratings, 14 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.9
Jan
Jan S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2024

The Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk was a disappointment, with only two out of five or so bridges open due to maintenance. The experience wasn't as spectacular as expected, and we didn't feel we got our money's worth.

K
Ken H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

The rain took the gloss of this tour a little. Great views over the rain forest canopy all the same. With guides help spotted poison dart frogs and an eyelash pit viper. Also spider monkeys very high in the canopy. Animals and birds a bit thin on the ground though despite guides efforts to help us find them.

Tips for future travelers

Be ready for hiking in the rain and very bouncy bridges.

Amy
Amy S.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
We saw so many animals on this hike. The guide (Jason) was great. He kept the kids in our small group engaged. It was fun crossing the bridges. Read more

We saw so many animals on this hike. The guide (Jason) was great. He kept the kids in our small group engaged. It was fun crossing the bridges.

Tips for future travelers

Regular shoes are ok on this trip - hiking boots were not needed.

Quality of Experience
We learned so much about the area! The guides are knowledgeable and make the trip for for everyone.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Brad
Brad F.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024
really great guide, Read more

really great guide,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
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

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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