Mistico Hanging Bridges in Arenal: The RIGHT Way to Visit

If you’re heading to Costa Rica, you’ll hear about Mistico Hanging Bridges (a.k.a. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges) a lot. And for good reason—it’s unlike any park I’ve ever been to before and it’s totally worth it (provided you follow a few super simple tips).

Think towering suspension bridges, dense jungle, epic volcano views, and lots of wildlife (including the occasional sloth just hanging out, living its best life). It’s an easy, super-accessible way to experience the rainforest from above, no climbing shoes required. It definitely ranks in my top 5 activities in Costa Rica.

But timing is everything. Show up too late, and you’ll spend half your visit waiting to cross a bridge behind a slow-moving tour group. Here’s how to avoid the crowds, maximize the views, figure out if a tour is right for you, and make the most of your visit.

Mistico Hanging Bridges: Quick Guide

What are the Mistico Hanging Bridges?

Mistico is a private nature reserve covering 600 acres of lush Costa Rican rainforest, famous for its six suspension bridges and ten regular bridges that take you above the jungle canopy. It’s basically an elevated nature walk, letting you experience the rainforest the way the wildlife does—minus the tree climbing.

If you have a fear of heights, this may not be the activity for you 😂 The tallest bridge rises 148 feet off the ground, while the longest stretches an incredible 322 feet across the rainforest. 

What’s It Like Inside the Park?

The trail is about two miles long, fully paved, and takes roughly two hours to complete at a slow, meandering pace. It’s a very easy walk, making it one of the most accessible ways to explore the rainforest.

But keep in mind—the bridges are suspended, so they sway a little when you walk across. Nothing crazy, but enough to make it feel like an adventure. I asked the guide how often people drop their phones while taking photos and he replied “…a lot”, so be careful!

And oh my gosh…let’s talk about the views. Whether you’re looking out over Arenal Volcano, peering down into the dense jungle, or spotting colorful birds in the canopy, you’ll want to have your phone or camera ready at all times. I think I have 80 photos of leaves alone in my camera, let alone the views from the bridges.

We stopped fairly often to take photos – on the bridges of the incredible views, and off the bridges of the nature and wildlife. We saw sloths, tarantulas, exotic birds, and even a viper hanging out in a tree. (Not sure if that’s a selling point or a warning, but either way, it was wild.)

When Should You Visit Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges?

Like most outdoor activities in Costa Rica, Mistico is best experienced in the dry season (December to April). During these months, you’ll have the best chance of clear skies and uninterrupted views. That said, this is the rainforest—we’re talking Arenal, one of the rainiest places in the country—so don’t be surprised if you get some mist or light showers, even in the dry season.

It rained at the end of our walk for about 20 minutes which wasn’t so bad, but it would have been a bummer if it had been raining the entire time.

Avoid visiting in the rainy season (May to November) if you want to stay dry and avoid muddy conditions. While the trail is paved, heavy rains can make things a little less pleasant, and visibility won’t be as great.

Planning Your Visit The RIGHT Way

It turns out there is a right way to visit the Mistico hanging bridges to make sure you’re spending the most time enjoying the views and the least amount of time waiting in line. 

Do You Need a Reservation for Mistico Park?

Yep. You can’t buy tickets at the gate and have to reserve them ahead of time (you can pre-book your tickets here). When we went in February, there was plenty of availability for the next day. 

Best Time of Day to Visit (This is CRITICAL)

If you’re heading to the park on your own, you need to arrive before 8AM. This is because only ~15 people can be on each bridge at a time, so if you arrive after the large tour groups, you’re going to be waiting a while. The tour groups start rolling in around 8, so you want to arrive before them (unless you’re on a tour, in which case I recommend a few small group ones below). 

We arrived at 9AM and waited ~15 min for a few bridges. It wasn’t the end of the world, but I would go earlier next time. My friend went at 6:30 and said it was perfect (though I’d need a coffee first). 

What’s the Entrance Fee?

Roughly ~$32-$39 for adults depending on the day and time. If you want to do a self-guided visit (more on this below) you can book your ticket here. 

If you go with a guide (which I highly recommend for spotting wildlife), you’ll pay a bit more, but it’s worth it.

Should You Do a Tour of the Mistico Hanging Bridges?

Honestly? If you want to see wildlife, yes. While you can totally walk the trails on your own (I did), guides are trained to spot animals you’d never notice otherwise (plus you’ll learn a lot about the nature from them). We saw sloths, a tarantula, and even a viper—but only because we freeloaded off other groups whose guides were pointing them out.

Fun fact: one dad in front of us tried to touch the viper until the guides screamed at him to stop. Dear Americans, please stop solidifying every stereotype of us abroad 🤦‍♀️ 

If you’re just there for the views, you don’t need a guide. The bridges and landscapes are spectacular on their own, and the trail is easy to follow. But if I were to do it again, I’d book a small group tour like this one or this one if you want transportation/lunch. 

If you want to make a full day of La Fortuna hotspots, you can also book a combo tour that includes Mistico, Arenal Volcano, and La Fortuna Waterfall here.

What to Bring & Wear

The weather in Arenal can be unpredictable (we got both strong sun and light drizzle), so come prepared to the park. You’ll definitely want:

☔️ A raincoat – Even in the dry season, showers are common
🧥 A light jacket – Mornings can be cooler than you’d expect.
💧 A water bottle – You can fill it up by the entrance to the park.
👟 Close-toed shoes – Flip-flops aren’t allowed, though we did see people getting by with Birkenstocks.

There’s a small café and concession stand at the entrance/exit where you can buy drinks, snacks, and even cocktails (but don’t get too excited—you can’t take them inside the park).

How to Get To Mistico Hanging Bridges

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is about 20 minutes from La Fortuna:

• If you’re driving, it’s an easy, paved road, and there’s parking at the entrance.
  • If you don’t have a 4×4 (we didn’t, but we did have an SUV), a shuttle will take you up the final steep hill to the park entrance.
  • Stop at Sloffee Coffee on the way or visit Cafeteria y Restuarante Rain Forest Arenal after!
• If you’re taking a tour, transportation is usually included.

The Best Hotels in La Fortuna

I stayed at two hotels during my time in La Fortuna, one more budget and one more luxury, and honestly I would stay at both again in a heartbeat.

Hotel Roca Negra del Arenal

This was my “budget choice” hotel but honestly it was amazing. The gardens are BEAUTIFUL, the pool is lovely, the hot tub is hot, the breakfast is delicious and the views of the volcano…amazing. I truly would have stayed here happily the whole time. Check the latest prices and availability.

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs

This was our luxury stay and it was so, so lovely. There are numerous hot springs throughout the resort, a great happy hour, and tons of beautiful wildlife. And don’t even get me started on the insane breakfast buffet…Check the latest prices and availability.

Mistico Hanging Bridges: Is it Worth It?

Short answer: Yes. I thought it was really beautiful, really easy, and definitely something I’ll remember for years to come. Just make sure you get there early or go with a guide.

Cheers to your next adventure and Pura Vida!