Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is a rainforest nature reserve near La Fortuna in Costa Rica, famous for its network of suspension bridges that allow visitors to walk through the forest canopy. The park offers an immersive way to explore tropical rainforest ecosystems while observing wildlife and panoramic landscapes.

Trails
The main trail in Mistico Park is a loop of about 3.2 km (around 2 miles) that usually takes visitors between 2 and 3 hours to complete depending on pace and wildlife observation. The route includes 16 bridges in total, six of them large suspension bridges that hang above the forest canopy, some reaching about 45 meters above the ground. These bridges allow visitors to see the rainforest from different vertical levels, from the forest floor to the treetops.

The trail begins at lower forest levels, where dense vegetation, streams and small waterfalls can be observed. As the walk continues, the bridges gradually climb higher, giving views across the canopy and sometimes toward Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal when the weather is clear. The experience alternates between forest paths, ravines, and elevated bridges, which provide a unique perspective on rainforest biodiversity.

Mistico is well known for wildlife sightings. Visitors may see monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds and other tropical birds along the route. Plants such as orchids, bromeliads and epiphytes are also common and illustrate how plants grow on trees in rainforest environments.

Weather and climate
The park has a tropical rainforest climate. Temperatures are generally warm and humid throughout the year. There are two main seasons: the dry season from December to April and the rainy or “green” season from May to November. During the dry season, the weather is sunnier and trails are easier to walk because they are less muddy. During the rainy season the forest becomes greener and wildlife activity often increases, although rain showers—especially in the afternoon—are common.

TIP: Go as early as possible or around 2pm when evryone goes for lunch