The Hanging Bridges tour in Arenal typically lasts about 2-3 hours, covering a 3.2 km (2 mile) trail that includes 16 bridges at various heights through the rainforest canopy. The tour is generally suitable for most ages and fitness levels. The well-maintained trails have moderate inclines with stairs in some sections, but the pace is leisurely with frequent stops for wildlife spotting and explanations from your guide. Most children ages 5 and up can complete the walk comfortably, and many seniors enjoy this tour as well.

If you have mobility concerns, there are partial tour options that avoid the steeper sections. Strollers aren't practical on these trails, but baby carriers work well for infants.

The hanging bridges themselves are very stable, engineering marvels designed with safety in mind, making this an accessible way to experience the rainforest canopy even for those with mild fear of heights.

For the best experience, wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction and bring water, as humidity can make the walk more challenging.

For tours in Costa Rica, your clothing should be practical and weather-appropriate:

For hiking and outdoor activities, wear lightweight, quick-drying clothes. Long pants (convertible/zip-off recommended) and long-sleeved shirts provide sun and insect protection. For footwear, closed-toe hiking shoes or trail runners with good tread are ideal for most trails. For water activities, water shoes or sandals with heel straps work well.

Essential accessories include a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a light rain jacket or poncho (even in dry season). For early morning or cloud forest tours, pack a light sweater or fleece as temperatures can be cooler.

Always carry sunscreen (reef-safe if swimming), insect repellent, and a small backpack for water bottles and personal items. For wildlife viewing tours, neutral-colored clothing (greens, browns) helps you blend in. Consider bringing a bandana or buff to protect from sun or wipe away sweat.

If visiting hot springs, pack a swimsuit and quick-dry towel. For night tours, dark clothing improves wildlife spotting opportunities.

Yes, both the Hanging Bridges and Volcano tours offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities!

During the Hanging Bridges tour, you'll walk through different layers of the rainforest canopy, which is particularly good for spotting:

Several monkey species (howler, white-faced capuchin, spider)

Sloths (both two-toed and three-toed)

Colorful birds like toucans, motmots, and tanagers

Snakes and lizards (often spotted by guides)

Leaf-cutter ants and beautiful butterflies

Occasional mammals like coatis

The Arenal Volcano tour focuses more on geology and plant life, but still provides opportunities to see:

Birds adapted to young forest and volcanic terrain

Interesting reptiles like basilisk lizards. Small mammals like agoutis. Various insects and amphibians. The likelihood of wildlife sightings depends on time of day (early morning tours are best), weather conditions, and having a knowledgeable guide who knows where to look. Guides typically carry spotting scopes to help you see animals that might be camouflaged or distant. Morning tours generally offer better wildlife viewing as animals are more active, though some species are more visible in late afternoon or evening hours.

Arenal Volcano is currently dormant, not active. After nearly 42 years of consistent eruptions that made it one of Costa Rica's premier tourist attractions, Arenal entered a resting phase in 2010. While you won't see dramatic lava flows or eruptions today, the volcano remains classified as active from a geological perspective. Scientists continue to monitor minor seismic activity and gas emissions, though these aren't visible to visitors.

The volcano's perfect conical shape remains impressive, especially on clear mornings before clouds typically gather around the summit. The surrounding national park offers excellent hiking trails through fascinating lava fields from previous eruptions, where you can see the impact of past volcanic activity.

The geothermal activity in the area continues to feed numerous natural hot springs, which remain a popular attraction around La Fortuna. Though dormant now, Arenal remains an iconic landmark with a fascinating geological history that guides share during volcano tours.