La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall Swim & Arenal Volcano Hike

Summary

Walk rainforest bridges swim beneath La Fortuna waterfall hike Arenal’s old lava trails with a local guide and taste a homemade Costa Rican lunch

You’ll walk high above Costa Rica’s rainforest on hanging bridges near La Fortuna, swim beneath a roaring waterfall after hiking down its canyon, share lunch with a local family at their ranch, then finish by tracing old lava trails around Arenal Volcano—all with a friendly guide and hotel pickup included.

What’s the experience like?

I was already halfway across the first hanging bridge in Mistico Park before I realized how high up we were—honestly, my legs felt it more than my head. Our guide, Carlos, stopped us right in the middle to point out this tiny blue-and-yellow bird hopping along a branch (I think he called it a motmot?). The air smelled damp and green, if that makes sense, and there was this constant background hum of insects. I tried not to look straight down through the slats—my balance isn’t great—but the view over the canopy was worth it. You could see all these layers of trees tangled together. Carlos kept laughing at our nervous steps but promised we’d get used to it by the third bridge (not sure I ever did).

After that, we drove past Lake Arenal—just a quick stop to stretch and take in how wide and still it looked. Then came the 500 steps down to La Fortuna Waterfall. I won’t lie: going down is easy but coming back up is another story. The canyon walls are covered in moss and ferns, everything feels close and cool. When we finally reached the bottom, I just stood for a second listening to the water crash into the pool—it’s loud enough that you have to shout a bit if you want someone to hear you. Jumping into that cold water after all those stairs felt like hitting reset on my whole body. Some people stayed up top at the restaurant instead (honestly tempting), but swimming under that waterfall is something I still think about when I need to clear my head.

Lunch was at this family ranch—the Rodriguez place—where they served us rice, beans, chicken cooked with some kind of sweet sauce (I forgot the name), plus coffee that tasted stronger than what I’m used to back home. We sat outside while their dogs wandered around looking hopeful for scraps. There was this easy way everyone talked; even though my Spanish is shaky, Mrs. Rodriguez made sure we had seconds if we wanted them. After eating too much, we just listened to the river nearby for a while before heading out again.

The last part was hiking around Arenal Volcano itself—no more lava these days but you can still see where it flowed down years ago. The ground crunches under your shoes in places and there’s this smell of warm earth mixed with something smoky from old stones. Carlos told us stories about when he was a kid and how everyone watched for eruptions at night—he said you could see red streaks running down in the dark sometimes. We didn’t get any eruptions (thankfully), but standing so close to something that big makes you feel small in a good way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hiking, Hanging Bridges, Waterfall, Volcano

• Hike hanging bridges and rainforest trails
• Pass by Lake Arenal dam
• Hike down 500 stairs to waterfall
• Swim and relax at La Fortuna Waterfall
• Enjoy traditional lunch at family ranch
• Hike around Arenal Volcano

Top questions

How difficult is the hike on this day trip?

You should have moderate fitness; there are 500 stairs down to La Fortuna Waterfall and some uneven volcanic trails around Arenal.

Is swimming at La Fortuna Waterfall included?

Yes, you can swim at the base of La Fortuna Waterfall after hiking down; changing rooms are available nearby.

What’s included in lunch during this tour?

A traditional Costa Rican lunch is served at a local family ranch using farm-fresh ingredients; vegetarian options are available if requested when booking.

Are hotel pickups offered for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Arenal/La Fortuna area only.

Can travelers with knee or spinal problems join?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with knee or spinal injuries due to stairs and uneven terrain.

What should I bring for this day trip?

Wear comfortable clothes and hiking shoes; bring water, raincoat, insect repellent, swimsuit if swimming, and your camera.

How long does each activity take?

The full day includes time for hanging bridges walk, waterfall hike/swim or rest break above, lunch at ranch, and volcano hike—with transport between each stop.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within La Fortuna or Arenal areas, entry fees for all parks and attractions like Mistico Hanging Bridges Park and La Fortuna Waterfall, guided hikes throughout—including snacks—and a traditional Costa Rican lunch prepared by a local family before heading back in an air-conditioned vehicle.