Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 57 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall worth booking?
Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall is a 8-hour experience in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, from $192 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 57 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (57)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $192 per person
Start your day as you hike across the 2 mile Arenal Hanging Bridges and see the jungle from high above the forest. Your naturalist guide will teach you about Costa Rican culture, history, while you experience what we like to call "nature therapy." Immerse yourself in nature while you try to spot different species of plants, animals, and birds for approx. 2.5 hrs along the way. Appreciate 15 different bridges, 6 are hanging. After, head to the Arenal Volcano Reserve. Hike through amazing forest and breath-taking lava flow. We’ll head through easy trails that skirt the base of the Arenal Volcano. You'll love our fresh, amazing meal in one of La Fortuna's secret hangout at El Salto waterfall park. Finish the day at the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall. This is sure to be a good workout as there are 500 steps to get to the down and get back up! Have an opportunity to take lots of pictures and swim in the cool waters of one of the largest and most breathtaking waterfalls in Arenal!
What you get
About this experience
Start your day as you hike across the 2 mile Arenal Hanging Bridges and see the jungle from high above the forest. Your naturalist guide will teach you about Costa Rican culture, history, while you experience what we like to call "nature therapy." Immerse yourself in nature while you try to spot different species of plants, animals, and birds for approx. 2.5 hrs along the way. Appreciate 15 different bridges, 6 are hanging. After, head to the Arenal Volcano Reserve. Hike through amazing forest and breath-taking lava flow. We’ll head through easy trails that skirt the base of the Arenal Volcano. You'll love our fresh, amazing meal in one of La Fortuna's secret hangout at El Salto waterfall park. Finish the day at the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall. This is sure to be a good workout as there are 500 steps to get to the down and get back up! Have an opportunity to take lots of pictures and swim in the cool waters of one of the largest and most breathtaking waterfalls in Arenal!
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected La Fortuna area hotels
- Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Fresh tropical fruit snack and bottled water
- Admission fees to all private nature reserves and parks
- Professional bilingual local nature guide (English and Spanish)
Not included
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Hotel pickups outside the designated La Fortuna pickup zone
- Souvenir photographs or personal expenses
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Desafio Adventure Company
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 57 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
57 verified traveler reviews for Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Do not trust them! Poor Experience.
Such as poor experience with this travel company! Before booking we confirmed via email the times of the tour both pick up times and end times of the tour. This was very important as we needed to book transportation back to Liberia and the airport so we could travel home. During the email exchange we were given every assurance that the tour would start at 7am and end at 1pm for a total of 6 hours. This would make a 3 pm transfer possible and give us lots of time as a buffer. Based on these written assurances we booked the tour. What a mistake. The night before the tour we get an email moving the start time forward by 75 mins, we then waited a further 35 minutes at the pick-up point as the tour guide and driver were late. We received no notice of this and we had to have our hotel call to see if they were still coming to pick us up. At this point we are already 1 hr and 50 mins late from the start time they promised. Given that this is a schedule 6-hour tour it would now end at 3 pm, and there would also be travel time back to the hotel which would have been approximately another 30 mins after the promised end time! This then makes the end time approximately 3:30pm and we would miss our transfer if we were to complete the entire tour. We had given ourselves a 2 hrs buffer but as it turned out this was not enough. Thus, my family had to leave the tour early and missed the lunch in order to meet our prearranged transportation or risk missing our ride back to the airport. The did have the driver return us during the tour so we could make the pickup but this does not change the fact they did not provide the full tour and changed the terms without notice. I speaking with the other passengers, several added the tour the day before… so in order to pick these passenger additional time would have been required. So in the end the company makes additional money from these passengers, while those that booked early and had promises made to them lose out on what we paid for. I will also add that in comparison to other guided tours we took on this trip, this one was poorly done by our assigned guide. She rushed through the tour, rarely stopped to provide additional examples nor did she attempt to point out wildlife. I observed other tour guides providing these example as we continued to walk by them on the tour. This also differed to our earlier tours with other companies where the guides were friendly and engaging, making those tours exceptional. My interpretation of this is that she was rushing to try and make up time because she was late. Therefore, we did not really get a fully guided tour as expected. Regardless of the reason for being late, we did not get the level of service they stated in the ad, nor was this tour of the quality we had with other companies. I am very disappointed with this and if I had anticipated they would arbitrarily make last-minute changes to our tour,. I would not have booked with them. Beware profit over guest experience. Save your time and money, book with another tour company that will deliver a good experience. You cannot trust this one, I have attempted to contact them but they now will simply not respond.
via Tripadvisor
Incredible! So worthwhile!
Carina was an amazing, knowledgeable guide. We learned so much and her pacing was great. Highly recommend! She is proud of her country (as she should be) and made our day for Mistico Park with the hanging bridges and Arenal Volcano. A few days later we went to the waterfall with Christian who is also knowledgeable about the rainforest and was very attentive. Highly recommend this company and these guides. Unforgettable experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you for this wonderful review! Carina and Christian will be so happy to hear your kind words — they both put their hearts into every tour and truly love sharing the beauty of Costa Rica with our guests. Thanks for choosing Desafío Adventure Company. We look forward to seeing you on your next adventure! 🌿
via Tripadvisor
Puda Vida
Santos, Marcos, Diego all great and lunch wonderful. Fun filled, professional. And a little spanish lesson. Puda Vida
Response from the operator: ¡Pura Vida! We love that Santos, Marcos, and Diego made such a great impression — and that you even picked up some Spanish along the way! We will make sure they hear your kind words. Thanks for choosing Desafío Adventure Company. We look forward to seeing you on your next adventure! 🌿
via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour guide!
We did the Mini Combo tour of the Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna Waterfall, and we had such a great time! Kristel was such a kind, informative, and passionate tour guide. We had so much fun seeing all of the wildlife and learning from her! It was a wonderful way to spend the day, and we learned so much more than if we would have tried to visit these places on our own!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review! 🙏 Kristel truly has a gift for making every tour come alive — she will be so happy to hear your kind words. We are glad the Volcano and Waterfall combo made for such a memorable day! Thanks for choosing Desafío Adventure Company. We look forward to seeing you on your next adventure! 🌿
via Tripadvisor
Costa Rica
The tour was excellent. Yancy was amazing and very knowledgeable. We got to see many different animals and she was able to take amazing pictures for our memories. Truly worth it☺️☺️
Response from the operator: Thank you so much! Yancy has a wonderful eye for both wildlife and photography — she will be so happy to hear that her pictures became such a special part of your memories! Thanks for choosing Desafío Adventure Company. We look forward to seeing you on your next adventure! 🌿
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Desafio Adventure Company, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.9.
See everything Desafio Adventure Company runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for La Fortuna.
How much does Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall cost?
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Prices start at $192 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in La Fortuna usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in La Fortuna is not rushed.
Is Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 57 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in La Fortuna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall?
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Around 20 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in La Fortuna can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in La Fortuna and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central La Fortuna within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in La Fortuna?
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On Outty we rank every La Fortuna experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica, White Water Rafting Class II and III, Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in La Fortuna?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected La Fortuna area hotels; Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle; Fresh tropical fruit snack and bottled water; Admission fees to all private nature reserves and parks; and Professional bilingual local nature guide (English and Spanish). Not included: Gratuities for guide and driver; Hotel pickups outside the designated La Fortuna pickup zone; and Souvenir photographs or personal expenses. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 73 listed pickup locations in and around La Fortuna. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Hanging Bridges, Volcano Hike and La Fortuna Waterfall?
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Across 57 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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