Arenal: Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Volcano Day Trip

Summary

Walk misty bridges, swim beneath La Fortuna, hike Arenal’s wild trails

You’ll cross misty hanging bridges high above the rainforest floor, swim in the cool rush of La Fortuna Waterfall, and walk volcanic trails with a local guide who knows every birdcall. Hotel pickup makes it easy—you just show up ready for adventure and let Costa Rica surprise you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be so nervous on a bridge. Mistico Hanging Bridges was our first stop after the early pickup in La Fortuna—my coffee barely kicked in when we stepped onto that first swaying walkway. Our guide, Andrés, pointed out a toucan somewhere above us (I pretended I saw it). The air felt thick and green, if that makes sense. You could hear water dripping from leaves and something chattering deep in the trees. My shoes squeaked on the metal slats. I kept glancing down—there’s just rainforest everywhere under your feet.

After that, we drove maybe 15 minutes to La Fortuna Waterfall. The path down is steep and kind of slippery in spots (Andrés warned us about the moss), but you hear the water before you see it—a low roar that gets louder with every step. The pool at the bottom is cold enough to make you gasp but honestly, I loved it. There were some local kids jumping in and laughing like they’d done this a hundred times. I sat on a rock for a while after swimming, just watching sunlight flicker through all that spray.

Lunch was simple but good—rice, beans, chicken with some kind of tangy sauce I can’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Spanish). Then came the last part: hiking Arenal Volcano’s base trails. The ground here feels different—almost crunchy from old lava flows—and you keep catching glimpses of the volcano through gaps in the trees. We reached Mirador El Silencio as clouds started rolling over the peak; not dramatic or anything, just quietly impressive. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck behind my desk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arenal Hanging Bridges, Waterfall, Volcano Walk

• Start Mistico Hanging Bridges hike
• Visit La Fortuna Waterfall base
• Swim in natural pool
• Lunch break
• Hike Arenal Volcano trails
• View volcano from Mirador El Silencio

Top questions

How long is the Arenal day trip from La Fortuna?

The tour runs from 7:30am to around 5:30pm.

Is lunch included on this Arenal volcano tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with snacks and bottled water.

Are hotel transfers part of this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are provided.

Can children join this Arenal highlights tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available.

What should I bring for the hanging bridges & waterfall?

Bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, raincoat, insect repellent, camera, and binoculars if you have them.

How difficult are the hikes on this day trip?

The walks are easy to moderate but do include stairs and uneven terrain.

Does this tour include entry fees for all attractions?

Yes, all entrance fees are covered in your booking.

Is there time to swim at La Fortuna Waterfall?

Yes, there’s time allocated for swimming at the waterfall pool.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned minivan, all entrance fees for Mistico Hanging Bridges Park and La Fortuna Waterfall, guided hikes around Arenal Volcano’s base trails with a bilingual naturalist guide who keeps things lively (and hands out cookies), plus snacks, bottled water throughout the day and a traditional Costa Rican lunch before heading back.