13 things you need to know when visiting Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

We went to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park in LaFortuna on our very first morning in Costa Rica. It was about a 20-minute ride from our resort, Hotel Los Lagos. Visiting this attraction gave us an appreciation in walking through a rainforest, but in a more protected, safe environment. We did a self-guided tour, so this entry is coming from that perspective.

1. How to get to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

If you’re coming from La Fortuna town, take Ruta 142, you will pass a lot of the big hot springs resorts (left and right). You will pass the lake dam (a long road with fencing). The lake is on your left side. At the end of that long road, you’ll see these signs (see picture), and you’ll need to carefully make a right (almost like a U-turn). This road will take you straight to the park.

2. How much does it cost to visit Mistico Park

For a self-guided tour We didn’t buy our tickets ahead of time. We just bought them on the day that we got to the park. We got our tickets around 10am, and our self-guided tour started at 10:20am. However, if you have a big group, it might be a good idea to get your tickets prior to your visit.

Adults:
19 – 64 Years Old – $26 USD
Teens:
11 – 18 years old – $16 USD
Seniors:
65 and Older –$21 USD
Children:
0 – 10 years old – FREE

Available guided tours

Please click the appropriate links for pricing and additional info.

3. How long was the self-guided tour

We were told it was going to take 1.5 hours to go with the self-guided tour. In our case, it took about 2 hours. We didn’t want to rush the experience. If you come around a busy timeframe, you could end up waiting for a little bit when crossing the hanging bridges. The Mistico guides and workers will make sure that the bridges are not loaded with more than what it could hold. So do expect to wait for your turn.

Screen Shot 2020-02-21 at 6.45.14 AM — Waiting for our turn

4. Maps and Media Kit

You will see big maps (see picture) around the park. Or, you could also scan the QR code and check the Media Kit.

5. Recommended footwear

I’m not sure I would do the walk in flip flops. But for my family, we wore sneakers or running shoes. I did see others with hiking boots. So make sure to wear comfortable shoes or footwear. Also, while there is an opportunity for you to get close to the falls, the visit clearly specified not to swim in the waterfalls. Unless it rains heavily, I don’t expect your footwear to be drenched

6. Other clothing recommendations

I didn’t check the weather in La Fortuna for our visit. But we knew better to bring packable jackets, or windbreaker, or rain jackets, or poncho. I think we had just about one of each from my party of 5. Make sure it’s light enough for you to wear or carry. On the day of our visit, it poured for about 5 minutes BEFORE our guided tour, and the gods must’ve been on our side for those two hours, no heavy rain, just very light showers, or no showers at all. But our jackets that we brought still kept us dry from all earlier rainshowers.

Screen Shot 2020-02-21 at 6.45.39 AM — Caitlin and her poncho

7. Restrooms

If I am not mistaken, the restrooms were only available near the entrance. But once you get inside the park, no more restrooms.

8. Need a break

We all needed a good break in between, you will find benches just like the one in the picture below.

9. How easily accessible were the trails

I thought they did a fantastic job in paving the trails with easy steps for the visitors. It was a well-developed park. With exception of the option to go down to the waterfalls (that required going a few steps down), I felt like the rest of the park was easily accessible.

10. Can you get lost?

It was hard to get lost. There were signs for you to follow the trail, or if you needed a short cut to get to the exit, I did see those a couple of times as well.

11. Cell phone signal or Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi was available near the entrance, but no signal past the entrance. Cell signal was also poor to none. I used Claro SIM card.

12. Restaurant and Souvenir shops

Both are available onsite and are near the entrance.

13. Parking

Parking is free. You have to back in to the parking space. It took us a couple of hours to explore the park. I imagine if we went with a guided tour, it could take bit longer. It was a great morning to walk around the rainforest, and listened to the voice of nature.

Daddy Travels Miles & Points