5 BEST Hanging Bridges Tours in La Fortuna
If you want to visit La Fortuna’s iconic hanging bridges, you’ve come to the right place!
Having visited these bridges many times while living in Costa Rica, we can confidently say that the best way to experience them is on a guided tour. But finding the best tour can be challenging.
That’s why we’ve narrowed it down and created a list of the absolute best tours of the hanging bridges in La Fortuna so you can feel confident that you’re booking the right one!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE experience is this full-day tour that visits hanging bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Arenal Volcano! It’s a triple-threat tour that covers 3 of the must-do activities in La Fortuna.
Plus it includes transport, an expert guide, and even a yummy lunch!
Check out the 1,100+ glowing reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- The BEST La Fortuna Hanging Bridges Tours
- What hanging bridges are there in La Fortuna?
- Do you need to book hanging bridge tours in advance?
- Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
- Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
The BEST La Fortuna Hanging Bridges Tours
1. Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Combo Tour
On this highly-rated full-day tour, you’ll get to visit Arenal Volcano along with La Fortuna waterfall and the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges – talk about the perfect day for any adventurous nature lover!
We loved that the day started with a hike around the base of Arenal Volcano. This 2.5-hour hike is actually easier than it sounds, as it’s relatively flat. The trail led us to a dry lava field from the 1968 eruption. But don’t worry, it’s no longer active, so you’re safe to explore!
Next, we took a 30-minute drive to La Fortuna Waterfall. We spent the next 2 hours relaxing, taking in the views of the falls, and swimming in the refreshing water before heading to our final stop, the hanging bridges!
The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges have 6 hanging bridges and 10 regular bridges that wind through the rainforest. We had so much fun navigating the park and crossing them all! What’s great is that you have enough time here to hike at a relaxed place, taking in the beauty of the rainforest.
We loved that this tour had a maximum of only 12 people. It costs $172 USD which is a great deal when you consider it includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation, your guide, lunch, and bottled water. If you need more convincing, just check out the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews here!
Secure your spot on this popular tour online here and get FREE cancellation!
2. Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Tour
One of our favorite places in La Fortuna is the Mistico Park hanging bridges. This 2.5-hour Mistico walking tour takes you through the park with a professional guide who will teach you all about the rainforest around you.
Keep your eyes peeled because there is the chance to spot some seriously awesome wildlife along the way such as birds, monkeys, and reptiles – we saw a huge snake when we went!
The main trail is a 2-mile (3.2-km) route that will take you over the park’s 6 hanging bridges and 10 regular bridges. There is also a shorter accessible trail in the park and strollers and electric scooters are available to rent if needed.
This tour is only $48 USD, which is really budget-friendly when you consider that entrance alone without a guide is $32 USD. We recommend going in the morning before it gets too hot and staying in the park to have lunch at the lovely restaurant here with stunning views of Arenal Volcano.
This is a popular activity (check out the 900+ reviews here!) so make sure to secure your spot in advance.
Book your guided tour of Mistico Park here and you can pay later!
3. Half-Day Sky Walk Canopy Tour
If you want to experience the hanging bridges while going on an in-depth guided journey of the rainforest, then this half-day Sky Walk canopy tour is for you!
Over the course of 3 hours, you will walk through the rainforest learning all about the flora, fauna, and wildlife around you. You will get to cross 4 hanging bridges and 4 regular bridges during your journey and will even see 3 beautiful waterfalls. I loved that we got to stop for a swim at one of the falls, it was a refreshing break after all that walking!
We highly recommend this guided tour instead of going on your own, because there’s no way we would have seen all of the birds and animals that our guide pointed out!
We think this is a great tour option for families with children 6 years or older. The hanging bridges are so unique and fun, and since it is only 3 hours long, the kids shouldn’t get bored!
This tour includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel in La Fortuna/Arenal, making it a super convenient choice. It only costs $81 USD, which includes transport, the entrance fee to the park, and your expert tour guide.
Check the schedule and easily book your tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
4. Hanging Bridges Birdwatching Tour
You know what they say, “the early bird gets the worm”, or in this case “the early bird spots the other birds”! This nature lover’s birdwatching tour starts bright and early at 6 am so that you get to Mistico Hanging Bridges Park before anyone else at the best birdwatching time.
This area is home to over 450 different species of birds and you are sure to spot a few with the help of your knowledgable guide! You will go on a leisurely 2.5-hour long walk through the park over the hanging bridges in search of birds and other wildlife.
I loved how peaceful it was walking through the park in the early morning before the crowds and other tours arrived. We learned so much along the way from our guide, and with only 8 people in our group, the experience felt very personal.
The experience costs $61 USD which includes entrance to the park and your guide.
Secure your spot here and don’t pay a thing until just before your tour date!
5. Hanging Bridges Night Walk
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the hanging bridges, why not try this night hanging bridges tour?
I was a bit hesitant to try this at first, especially after I heard that the snakes and tarantulas come out at night – but Dan convinced me to go, and I was happy he did!
What I thought would be a terrifying experience turned out to be one of the coolest experiences I had in the country. Our guide was calm and knowledgeable and turned all my fear into excitement as he pointed out all the animals moving around Mistico Park. We saw flowers that only bloom at night and learned about all the butterflies that are awake in the dark (spoiler alert: it’s twice the amount you can see in the day!).
Going across the hanging bridges in the dark added an additional level of excitement, luckily we had our provided flashlights so we could see where we were going! Even if you’ve done the hanging bridges in the daytime, I recommend also doing this nighttime tour. It’s a completely different experience after dark!
This highly-rated tour (check out the reviews here!) costs $61 USD. This includes round-trip transport from your hotel in La Fortuna, park entrance fees, and your guide.
Click here to book your hanging bridges nighttime tour!
What hanging bridges are there in La Fortuna?
La Fortuna has two different hanging bridge experiences. All of the tours we mentioned above visit one of the 2 parks below:
The first is Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges which is the larger of the two parks. The trails through Mistico are well maintained with wider paths that are flat and easier to access. This is ideal for those with strollers or mobility issues. It is a great choice for families with young children.
Sky Adventures, home of the Sky Walk, is the original hanging bridge park in Costa Rica. The rustic charm of Sky Adventures will have you weaving through narrow pathways built into the forest. Navigating the tree stumps and wandering up steep sections make this a great option for those looking for a bit more adventure. For this reason, it is a good choice for families with older children.
Related Read: Check out the best free and cheap things to do in La Fortuna while you’re in town!
Do you need to book hanging bridge tours in advance?
The hanging bridges in La Fortuna are one of the most popular experiences in all of Costa Rica. Especially in peak seasons, they can get quite busy and the most popular tours (such as the ones we mentioned above) tend to book up quickly!
For this reason, we highly recommend booking in advance so that you can secure a spot on the tour of your choice.
All of the tours on our list have a 24-hour cancellation policy meaning that you can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your departure time! One of our favorite parts of booking with Viator, and why we always recommend Viator tours, is because they have a buy now pay later option. You can reserve your spot on tours ahead of time and pay closer to your trip time.
Click here to learn more about our favorite La Fortuna hanging bridges tour!
Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
Of course, visiting the hanging bridges is one of the best experiences, but there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:
- Drink great coffee – It’s no secret some of the best coffee in the world comes from Costa Rica! We had the freshest cup of coffee and tasted amazing homemade chocolate on this Costa Rican coffee and chocolate experience that takes place on a small family-owned plantation.
- Hot springs – The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.
- Go on a night walk – So many amazing creatures here only come out at night! We love this night walk and dinner tour for a fun evening experience. Guides lead you on an easy hike through the rainforest, spotting all the critters that come out after dark. To finish it off, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove.
- Visit a rope swing – El Salto, or “the rope swing,” is a hidden paradise with a swimming hole, waterfalls, and a local vibe. This is one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna! You can easily walk to El Salto and swing into the refreshing waters – or ask the locals where it’s safe to jump!
- Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour. For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram, fly by on an ATV ride, or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal.
Related Read: If you’re flying into San Jose, read our guide on how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. We even wrote an entire blog about the best hotels in La Fortuna. However, to make it super easy, we’ve narrowed it down to our top places for each price point. So keep reading to find one that suits your needs (and budget!).
Luxury – $$$
Those with a luxury budget can wake up to views of Arenal Volcano! The Volcano Lodge is set at the foot of Arenal Volcano. It has hot springs and a lush, tropical garden on the property where you can see lots of the beautiful birds of Costa Rica, including hummingbirds! Rooms here typically start at $200 USD per night. For a luxurious stay in a natural setting, book The Volcano Lodge online here.
For arguably the most luxurious hotel in La Fortuna, check out The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal. While the rooms don’t come cheap ($600 USD+), it’s a bucket list place to stay that’s perfect for visiting Costa Rica on a honeymoon! There’s also a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, and a spa and wellness center. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury, reserve your stay at The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal!
Mid-range – $$
Those with a medium budget should check out Casa Luna Hotel & Spa. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. They also include a delicious breakfast at the $170 USD room rate. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town and can be booked online here.
Budget – $
One of the go-to budget options is Selina La Fortuna. I’ve stayed in Selina hostels around the world, and this is a great one. It has a fun party atmosphere and a great co-working space where we spent a lot of time. You can also book on Booking.com or Hostelworld.com for the best rate.
La Fortuna Natural Green is another budget option suited to those who prefer to avoid hostels. They offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town. Rooms start at $75 USD and include free breakfast. To grab this great deal, check prices and availability on Booking.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Exploring the La Fortuna hanging bridges may just turn out to be one of your favorite things to do in Costa Rica! Walking along the bridges through the rainforest is an activity you won’t soon forget. Regardless of which park you visit and the tour you choose, I’m sure you will have a great time!
I hope you love your time in La Fortuna as much as we did. While you’re planning your trip here, check out our travel inspiration blogs so you can fill up your Costa Rica bucket list!
Best things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Delicious traditional foods in Costa Rica (you just HAVE to try!)
Tips to KNOW before visiting the Costa Rica Crocodile Bridge
