Arenal: Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Volcano Hike

Summary

Walk misty bridges swim below La Fortuna then hike old lava trails

You’ll cross hanging bridges above rainforest canopies near Arenal, feel the spray at La Fortuna Waterfall (and maybe swim), share a traditional Costa Rican lunch with your local guide, and hike ancient lava trails for sweeping lake views. Expect honest moments—muddy shoes, laughter over lunch—and space to just breathe it all in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hiking bridges, waterfall, volcano hike

• Start at hanging bridges trail
• Cross 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges
• Hike down to La Fortuna Waterfall
• Swim or relax at waterfall base
• Lunch at La Finquita Restaurant
• Rest after lunch
• Hike Arenal Volcano trails
• View Lake Arenal from trail top

Top questions

How long is the hanging bridges hike near Arenal?

The circuit trail is 3 km (about 2 miles) long.

Can you swim at La Fortuna Waterfall during this day trip?

Yes, there's time to swim or relax at the base of La Fortuna Waterfall.

Is lunch included on this volcano hiking tour?

Yes, a traditional Costa Rican lunch at La Finquita Restaurant is included.

Are entrance fees covered in this Arenal hiking tour?

Yes, all entrance fees are included in your booking.

How difficult is the volcano hike from Arenal?

The hike crosses rainforest and old lava trails; travelers should have good physical fitness.

Is transportation provided from my hotel?

Yes, transportation with pickup is included in this day trip from La Fortuna or nearby hotels.

Are vegetarian meal options available?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested when booking.

How many bridges do you cross on the hanging bridges trail?

You’ll cross 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges at varying heights.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off near Arenal or La Fortuna, bottled water for each hiker, all entrance fees for the hanging bridges circuit and waterfall access, a fresh fruit snack along the way, a hearty Costa Rican lunch at La Finquita Restaurant (vegetarian option available), plus guidance throughout from a local expert who knows every bird call by heart.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to walk through the clouds? That’s how the morning started—on the hanging bridges near Arenal, with mist curling around our feet and the forest humming quietly below. Our guide, Diego, kept pointing out birds I would’ve missed (there was this tiny blue one—I forgot its name, but he said it only lives here). The bridges swayed just enough to remind you you’re up high, but honestly, I felt pretty safe. The air smelled green—if that makes sense—and there was this dampness on my skin that felt kind of nice after a while.

La Fortuna Waterfall was next. You hear it before you see it: this low thunder rolling through the trees. The path down is steep but not scary—just enough to make your legs notice. When we reached the bottom, some people jumped straight in. I hesitated (cold water is not my thing), but ended up wading in anyway because why not? The spray on your face is wild—almost fizzy—and everything smells like wet stone and leaves. There was a couple from San José taking selfies and laughing about how their shoes got soaked. We all just sort of hung out for a bit, nobody rushing.

Lunch at La Finquita was simple and so good—rice, beans, some chicken with this sauce I still think about sometimes. Diego sat with us and told stories about growing up nearby; he joked about how he used to skip school to fish in Lake Arenal (his mom apparently never found out). After eating, we had maybe half an hour to just sit under these big trees and let our legs recover.

The last part was the volcano hike. The trail cuts through jungle first—sticky air, cicadas buzzing—and then suddenly you’re walking over old black lava rocks from 1968. It’s rough underfoot and weirdly quiet except for wind in the grass. At the top, there’s this view of Lake Arenal that kind of sneaks up on you; I didn’t expect to feel so small standing there. We all just stood in silence for a minute or two before heading back down—not talking much, just listening to whatever birds were left calling as the light changed.