Manuel Antonio Waterfalls & Bridges Private Rainforest Tour

Three waterfalls, two natural pools, and a 127-meter hanging bridge in one afternoon

A private rainforest tour from Manuel Antonio takes you 25 km into the rural community of Quebrada Arroyo, where you hike jungle trails through a 33-hectare reserve to three waterfalls with natural swimming pools. You cross one of the longest hanging bridges in the Quepos area and finish with a wood-fired traditional lunch cooked by locals. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours and includes an air-conditioned vehicle pickup, bottled water, and a live guide in English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore waterfalls and hanging bridges

• Hike scenic jungle trails
• Cross long hanging bridge
• Swim in natural pools
• Enjoy traditional Costa Rican lunch

The experience

You start with hotel pickup from Manuel Antonio and drive inland to Los Campesinos, a community cooperative running the reserve. The trails wind through primary and secondary forest, leading to each waterfall in sequence. Swimming stops at the natural pools break up the hiking, so you're not moving the whole time. The water is cold and the pools sit deep enough to submerge fully. The hanging bridge comes partway through the day, stretching 127 meters across the canopy. It is narrow enough that you notice the sway, and the views down into the forest floor are the kind of photo that makes the crossing worth the moment of unease.

Lunch happens at the end, cooked over wood fire by people from the community. It is not a restaurant meal plated and served. It is what someone made that morning in a kitchen near the reserve. You eat sitting down after the hike, which is when the food tastes different than it would have at the start. The whole day stays small. The reserve is private and the groups are kept intentionally sparse, so the trails don't feel like a line of people moving through the forest.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the day.
• a traditional wood-fired Costa Rican lunch prepared by the local community.
• air-conditioned vehicle pickup and return from your Manuel Antonio hotel.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Efrain's Nature Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full afternoon free and want to swim at waterfalls and cross a hanging bridge. It doesn't work for shorter time slots.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the hike, and do I need to be in shape for it?

The tour runs 5 to 6 hours total, including the drive, all three waterfall stops, the hanging bridge crossing, and lunch. The hike itself is moderate: you move between waterfalls on jungle trails with natural pools for swimming breaks, so it is not a continuous climb. The operator notes the tour suits all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns.

What is the hanging bridge actually like?

The hanging bridge stretches approximately 127 meters (416 feet) and is one of the longest in the Quepos area. It sways as you cross, which is the point. It is a real suspension bridge, not a platform, and the sensation is part of why people remember it. The views into the canopy below are the main reason to stop there for photos.

Is this tour crowded, or will I see other groups?

The reserve is private and groups are kept small, so the trails stay quieter than the main Manuel Antonio park. The tour is designed as an escape from crowds, and the community cooperative runs it to protect the forest while keeping visitor numbers low.