Arenal Volcano Rainforest Hike & Hanging Bridges: Full-Day Combo

Six hours in the jungle, then above it on bridges strung between the trees.

This full-day tour combines a guided rainforest hike through the slopes of Arenal Volcano with a walk across the Mistico Hanging Bridges, followed by time in thermo mineral hot springs. The hike takes about 6 hours in dense jungle; the bridges offer canopy-level views of monkeys, sloths and tropical birds. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch and a local guide in English or Spanish are included. The tour runs 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM and is recommended for travelers in very good physical condition.

The Experience

What does a rainforest hike around an active volcano actually show you? This tour answers it by starting in the jungle surrounding Arenal, where the ground itself tells the story—ancient lava flows shape the landscape, and the biodiversity shifts as you climb. You'll spot wildlife, towering trees, and the volcanic terrain that makes this region distinct. The hike covers about 6 hours in the middle of the rainforest, which is the time commitment that lets you move past the obvious and into the ecosystem itself.

After the morning hike, you break before heading to the Mistico Hanging Bridges. These aren't a quick photo stop—you walk a series of suspended bridges strung between the canopy, which puts you at eye level with monkeys, sloths, and the exotic birds that live above the forest floor. The perspective shift from ground-level jungle to canopy-level views is the whole point of this part of the day. A local guide walks with you through both sections, explaining what you're seeing as you move through it.

The day ends at thermo mineral hot springs fed by the volcano itself—a way to soak and cool down after the physical work of the morning and midday. Lunch is included, and hotel pickup and drop-off mean you don't arrange transport yourself. The tour runs from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM, so it's a full commitment, but that length is what makes all three pieces—the hike, the bridges, the springs—fit into one day without rushing any of them.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• lunch.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arenal Jungle Tours

Is this one for you?Combine the area's most demanding rainforest hike with canopy bridges, volcanic mud, waterfalls, and hot springs—all in one day with pickup and meals handled so you arrive ready to explore.

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Top questions

What's the rainforest hike actually like around Arenal Volcano?

The hike takes about 6 hours through dense jungle on the slopes of Arenal Volcano, where you walk on volcanic terrain shaped by ancient lava flows. You'll see the biodiversity of the rainforest—wildlife, towering trees, and the landscape itself—as you move through it with a local guide.

Can I really see wildlife from the hanging bridges?

Yes. The Mistico Hanging Bridges put you at canopy level, where monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds live. You walk a series of suspended bridges between the trees, which gives you views of the jungle from above instead of from the ground.

How much of the day is actually hiking versus the other activities?

The rainforest hike takes about 6 hours. The hanging bridges walk and the time at the thermo mineral hot springs make up the rest of the 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM day, with a break and lunch included between the morning hike and the bridges.

Is this tour hard, and who shouldn't book it?

The tour is recommended for travelers in very good physical condition. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, spinal injuries, or pregnant travelers. The 6-hour hike in the rainforest is the demanding part.

What's included, and do I need to arrange my own transport?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, a local guide in English or Spanish, and all fees and taxes are included. You don't arrange transport yourself—the guide meets you at your hotel and returns you there at the end of the day.

Can children go on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 1, though the physical demands of the 6-hour rainforest hike mean older children and teenagers are more likely to complete it comfortably than very young ones.