Suspension Bridges & Hot Springs from San Jose: Arenal in one day

Walk the canopy 45 meters up, then soak in volcanic hot springs the same afternoon

A full-day tour from San Jose combines two experiences in Arenal: a guided walk across six suspension bridges and ten fixed ones through the rainforest canopy at Mistico Park, followed by time in the natural hot springs of Los Lagos with lunch. The tour includes hotel pickup, a microbus with reclining seats, and a guide who explains the local flora and fauna as you move through the forest and take in views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Arenal Volcano National Park35m
2. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park3h · entry included

Arenal Volcano, Bridges, and Hot Springs

• View Arenal Volcano panoramas
• Walk Mistico suspension bridges
• Enjoy à la carte lunch
• Relax in Los Lagos hot springs

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your San Jose hotel and a drive to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park in La Fortuna. Once there, an expert guide leads you along a 3.2 km trail through the rainforest canopy. You'll cross six suspension bridges and ten fixed ones, reaching heights of 45 meters above the forest floor. The walk takes about 2.5 hours, and the guide points out more than 300 bird species, sloths, monkeys, reptiles and the layered vegetation that makes up the ecosystem. Panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal frame the experience throughout.

After the bridges, you head to Los Lagos natural hot springs at the base of the volcano. The property has more than 15 pools fed by geothermal water, each with different temperatures and mineral content. You choose which pools to soak in and for how long. There's no fixed schedule once you arrive. An à la carte lunch is served on-site so you can eat while taking in views of the volcano and the surrounding landscape. The hot springs are designed as a private, exclusive environment where you can move between pools at your own pace.

The full tour runs 10 hours from pickup to return. You'll travel in a microbus with reclining seats and receive a cold water bottle for the journey. The tour suits families with children from age 3 onward, and all areas of both parks are wheelchair accessible. Because pickup is included, you don't need a rental car or arrange separate transport from San Jose.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from San Jose in a microbus with reclining seats.
• cold water bottle.
• expert nature guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.
• entry to Los Lagos natural hot springs.
• à la carte lunch.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Summer Travel Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in San Jose and want both canopy walks and hot springs in a single day. The bridges come first while you're fresh, then the thermal pools wind down your afternoon.

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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 (3 to 8 years). Children under 3 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.

What exactly do you do on the suspension bridges at Mistico Park?

You walk a 3.2 km trail that crosses six suspension bridges and ten fixed bridges through the rainforest canopy, reaching heights of 45 meters. An expert guide accompanies you for about 2.5 hours, pointing out birds, mammals like sloths and monkeys, reptiles and plants while you move through the forest and see Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal from different vantage points.

How many hot springs pools are there at Los Lagos, and can you choose which ones to use?

Los Lagos has more than 15 pools with different temperatures and mineral content. Each visitor chooses their favorite pools and spends as much time in them as they want. There's no assigned schedule or rotation.

Does the tour include lunch, and what kind of food is served?

Yes, an à la carte lunch is included and served at Los Lagos while you're soaking in the hot springs. You can order from the menu and eat with views of the volcano and tropical landscape.

How does pickup work if I'm staying in San Jose?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price. A microbus with reclining seats collects you from your San Jose accommodation and returns you at the end of the day, so you don't need a rental car or separate transport to reach Arenal.