Rainforest Hanging Bridges! By just hearing that concept you can imagine an exotic adventure, full of thrilling, exciting, and, maybe dangerous, journey. But the reality is that it if far from that! A beautiful surprise!
In Costa Rica, and in Arenal you can find the hanging bridges as an option to enjoy some of the best experiences in the country!
What do you think when you hear the word “Hanging Bridges”? Maybe those that appear in the movies, made of rotten wood, impossible long cliff falls always threatening life, well the reality is different and so much more fulfilling.
Noe and Adrian on bridge
Getting to Mystico Adventure Park is not a hard quest, you must take the road that goes to the Arenal lake, passing the hotels the restaurants, and the National Park detour. While moving at the Arenal lake edge, you will find another route to the right, which will take on a brick road up and down to the Mystico Hanging Bridges.
They have a Parking lot which is big and safe (For those who drive), and there are bathrooms right at the entrance.
In the same area, the reception and an outlook with tables and benches that will give you a glorious look to Arenal volcano on sunny days.
After a short line, get the tickets, and off you go!
The staff in really efficient and nice!
Clear your mind
The rainforest is its own life and rythm, thousands of trees, millions of leaves, shrubs, and all sorts of moving creatures and all of that is communicating… through chemistry, sounds, moves… Just stay atuned.
There will be bird sounds, and the sensation of being watched by small eyes, all within the serenity of the rainforest.
The rainforest is worth any trip! It is a magical realm!
Ears sharp, eyes attentive! Life will be all around you and wait for you to enjoy it, all senses must be alert!
It’s all about being patient
While getting into the trail you will see a small garden, you may begin to wonder; is this the rainforest? But, no! Hold on a little bit, the best is yet to come!
The rainforest will start showing itself a leaf at a time, little by little, while you discover is mystic beauty and wonderful organisms.
Then the first bridge appears, solid, sturdy, metallic, and short.
In the past, the trail used to lead to another way.
However, on this one, the trail will cover you with the ambience and at the end, the way is easier and lots less tiring.
Walk slowly and be patient so that the rainforest shows itself at its best.
While on the bridges, stop.
Rainforest Hanging Bridges
After some minutes (close to 15), with a slow and attentive pace, you find the first real bridge. A long metallic moving bridge that reminds you why you are in that place.
Well, to really appreciate the hanging bridges, you have to stop now and then, be still and take your time.
Breathe in the rainforest, with all the beauty and diversity of the jungle in the palm of your hands. The infinite shades of green, and the different forms of shadow.
The landscape from the bridges is impressive, as you go across, the rainforest will show itself to you and all of its magnificence.
You can the higher part of the trees, the very top, the shapes and plants from above, you will have the eyes of a bird.
The bridges may do some sounds while people walks by it, but the bridge is so sturdy, and the rail is high enough, hence you will feel completely safe.
Fauna
While walking on the rainforest hanging bridges, you will hear the fascinating sound f monkeys, yes! Monkeys, Howler Monkeys! Or may as well hear the weird yellings of the white face monkeys.
Every now a then you will get lucky and will be able to watch while playing on the branches under your feet’s (perfect pictures will come out)
You can also see a small eye-lashed viper, or the tent-making bats, for this the tour guides, are more than necessary. They know where everything is!
But then again, as we know, we are talking about nature and animals are always unpredictable.
Hanging bridges are also a paradise for birdwatchers. As a birdwatcher, you can be in the jungle for hours, and with a private guide, you will be looking at an infinite diversity of birds in this magical forest.
Companions on the trail.
You can imagine, at this point, the great attractive the hanging bridges are, this is why the area receives dozens of the group to witness this great project every day.
Our advice is to let them pass, there is no rush. The time to enjoy them and let them walk at their own pace.
Sometimes, especially when people are walking al alone, they walk fast, and sometimes they can be loud, the best is to move aside and let them pass.
Enjoy your walk, don’t let yourself be pushed by others and delight in it.
In some cases, it may happen that you are in a group and with your own guide, and there are plans afterwards, the guide may be walking fast as well. But, well! If this is the case, try to take all the amazement as much as you can. Listen to the guide, he will have always something to say.
There are so many secrets that lay beyond the trees and the guides will know where to stop when to give explanations, and you may learn a big deal out of it.
And if it rains?
The canopy of the forest Is made to let only 20% of the water to get to the ground (That why the leaves underneath are so big, to take as much as possible). So, be happy, put you rain poncho (most likely they will have some to sell), and enjoy the astonishing sounds of the rain while water leaks from one leaf to another one.
You may discover that rain is quite warm and actually quite nice. You can just face up and enjoy life while feeling this massive system of life around you.
At the end:
The rainforest Hanging bridges of Arenal at Mystico, is a ride for all ages. Children will enjoy it as much as adults, (Adrian actually loved it!) the trails are completely paved, however, we recommend to use hiking boots with a good tracking system, just in case it gets slippery.
The hanging bridges are fantastic for any nature lovers, wildlife seekers of bird watchers.
If you would like to include this adventure and others in the area give me a call or send me a note and I would be more than happy to arrange it for you!
Written by Noelia Moya for 2Costa Rica. If you have any comments of question you can write me to info@2costarica.com or call me Via Phone TOLL FREE from U.S. and Canada:866-799-2147 or dial 316-747-4737
