Arenal Suspension Bridges & Volcano Hike: La Fortuna night tour

Three ecosystems in one afternoon: canopy, volcano base, and nocturnal jungle

This tour combines three distinct walks in the La Fortuna area: a 2-hour crossing of 10 suspension bridges (the highest 48 meters) through a 250-hectare primary forest reserve, a 1-hour hike at the base of Arenal Volcano, and a 1-hour guided night walk through the jungle with a flashlight. A nature guide leads the full day; transport, snacks, and all fees are included. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the pace suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hanging bridges, volcano hike, night walk

• Explore Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
• Drive 10 minutes to volcano base
• Hike at base of Arenal Volcano
• Enjoy snacks and fruits
• Take jungle night walk with flashlight

The Experience

You start at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, a 250-hectare reserve where the canopy walk begins. There are 10 suspension bridges woven through primary forest—the highest reaches 48 meters, the longest stretches 98 meters—and the structure of the walk means you move between them on solid ground as well, so the day is not all exposure. The reserve is dense with wildlife: three species of monkeys (howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin), sloths, toucans, and snakes. Most of the animals are active and visible during the morning hours when the bridges are quieter.

After the bridges, a 10-minute drive takes you to the base of Arenal Volcano for a 1-hour hike. This is not a summit attempt—you walk the lower slopes and stop at a viewpoint—but the volcano's presence shapes the whole route. Once you finish, the guide provides snacks and fruit before the day shifts. The night walk follows: you return to the jungle with a flashlight and spend about an hour listening and watching for nocturnal animals that do not appear during the day. A nature guide leads all three sections and speaks English, Spanish, or French depending on your group.

Transport from your hotel is included, as are all park fees, the guide, snacks, and the flashlight for the night walk. The full day runs roughly 4 hours of activity. Specialized infant seats are available if you are traveling with young children; the itinerary is designed for all fitness levels, though the bridges do require balance and comfort with height.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transport to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park and Arenal Volcano.
• a nature guide in English, Spanish, or French.
• snacks and fresh fruit.
• a flashlight for the night walk.
• all park fees and taxes.
• access to toilet facilities at the park.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Costa Rica Nature Guides-Tours and Transfers

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to walk suspension bridges up to 48 meters high and spot wildlife in the canopy without needing your own transport—the tour handles pickups and park entry.

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Top questions

What are the suspension bridges actually like to walk on?

The 10 bridges at Mistico Arenal are fixed cables and wooden planks suspended between trees; the highest is 48 meters above the forest floor and the longest spans 98 meters. You walk at your own pace between them, and the route includes ground-level sections as well, so you are not on bridges for the entire 2 hours. The structure is stable and designed for all ages from 4 up.

Will I actually see monkeys and wildlife on this tour?

The reserve is home to three monkey species (howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin), sloths, toucans, and snakes. Morning hours when the bridges are less crowded tend to offer better visibility, and the night walk specifically targets nocturnal animals that are inactive during the day. Wildlife sightings depend on the season and time of day, but the reserve's 250 hectares of primary forest support a high density of species.

How much walking and hiking is involved over the full day?

You walk the suspension bridges for about 2 hours, hike the base of Arenal Volcano for 1 hour, and do a guided night walk for about 1 hour, with a 10-minute drive between the bridges and the volcano. The pace is designed for all fitness levels, and you stop for snacks and fruit between the volcano hike and the night walk.

Is transport from my hotel included?

Yes, hotel pickup and transport to both Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park and the volcano trailhead are included in the tour price. All park fees, the guide, snacks, and the flashlight for the night walk are also included.

Can I bring young children on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 4 onward. Specialized infant seats are available if you are traveling with younger children, though they would not participate in the walks themselves. The bridges and hikes are accessible for older children, and the night walk is often a highlight for families.