Costa Rica Guide

travel information and maps

  • Vacation Planning
  • Best Trips Ever>>
  • More Fun Than Humanly Possible
  • Costa Rica
    • Top Ten
    • Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
    • Things To Do in Costa Rica
    • Maps
    • Transportation
      • Rental Cars
        • Advantages of Driving
        • Disadvantages Driving
        • Code of the Road
        • Navigation & Drive Time
        • Rental Insurance Explained
        • Can’t Get There
      • Airports
        • Flights Worth Taking
        • LIR or SJO
        • Airfare Deals
        • Domestic Airlines
        • Domestic Air Tips
      • Taxis
      • Bus Schedule
    • Food
      • Typical Menu
      • Batidos & Refrescos
      • Gallo Pinto
      • Tamales
      • Ceviche
      • Ensalada Palmito
      • Sopa Negra
      • Vinagre Chilera
    • Weather
      • Seasons in Costa Rica
      • Current Storms in Costa Rica
    • Regions
  • Nature & Wildlife
    • National Parks
    • Wildlife Refuges
    • Ecozones
    • Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica
  • Practical Info
    • Health & Safety
      • Health Tips
        • Altitude Sickness
        • Chikungunya
        • Natural Disasters
      • Crime
        • Cons & Rip-offs
        • Corruption
        • Violent Crime
    • Will My Phone Work?
    • Packing List
    • Passports & Docs
    • Money – How To?
    • How Much Does it Cost?
    • Travel Tips
  • Stories
    • Photos
    • Trek Across Costa Rica
    • Sendero de Oro
    • Quebrada Gata
    • Bicycle Touring
    • About Us
  • Move to Costa Rica
  • Free Travel Pack
no obligation custom trip plan & price quote

1-866-816-0197

· Copyright © 2023 ·

Suspension Bridge Canopy Tours in Costa Rica

Canopy tours on suspension or hanging bridges (puentes colgantes) are one of the very best ways to explore nature in Costa Rica.

Sharing a suspension bridge with a Capuchin monkey
Sharing a canopy bridge with a Capuchin monkey (top right)

Bridges are invariably located in some of the best wildlife refuges and national rain and cloud forest reserves and entrance fees contribute to the continued protection, improvement and expansion of these natural areas.  The trails between bridges are usually excellent and improvements like paving blocks, steps and culverts are common.  Additionally the hanging bridges themselves often span valleys, gorges or ravines that would require long steep climbs down and up on a normal hiking trail.

A suspension bridge disappears into the cloud forest canopy
A suspension bridge disappears into the cloud forest canopy

Although the trails are usually much easier than the ones through the back country of Costa Rica’s national parks they still require a reasonable level of fitness.  Not all of the hills and valleys are eliminated and some suspension bridge trails are 3-4 kilometers (2-2.5 miles) long.

Not only are these tours one of the least strenuous ways to get out and explore wild places but they can also be very economical.  A full guided tour and lunch at a large reserve with a dozen or more bridges will probably cost about the same amount as a zip-line, rafting or other tour.  However, a few suspension bridges are sometimes included in the price of eco-lodge accommodations (Tirimbina and Heliconias Lodge are two of the best) and self guided walking tours at nearly any bridge location are typically about half the cost of a guided visit.

Double canopy suspension bridge
Double canopy suspension bridge with a “crow’s nest”

A great reason to stay at a Lodge that has bridges in their own private reserve is easy access.   At Tirimbina for example the largest bridge is about a five minute walk from the rooms so it’s easy to spend half an hour before breakfast or after dinner observing wildlife during the prime viewing hours near sunrise and sunset.

Even better is the possibility of getting into the rainforest canopy at night.  Two of the most amazing night walks we’ve ever taken were on hanging bridge trails.  As far as we know the only two places to try it are Heliconias (self guided) or Tirimbina (guide required).

Where to Walk Canopy Suspension Bridges in Costa Rica

Other Activities

The majority of the tree top bridge tours are near Arenal Volcano or Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

The two smaller tours we mentioned above are not.  Tirimbina is located along the Sarapiquí river about an hour drive directly north of San José  and Heliconias is between Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes in Guanacaste about 40 minutes east of the Liberia airport.

Friends in a rainmaker waterfall
We were the only ones is the Rainmaker swimming hole even though it was the middle of the peak travel season

One of the few hanging bridge sites on the Pacific Coast is also one of our favorites. Rainmaker reserve is located between Jacó and Manuel Antonio and has beautiful waterfalls where you can cool off after viewing wildlife on the three bridges along a three kilometer trail.

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact


toll free Costa Rica travel desk!
1-866-816-0197

CONTACT US

Activities
  • Territorio de Zaguates – Land of the Strays
  • Hot Springs – Natural & Spas in Costa Rica
  • Best Things To Do in Costa Rica
  • Free Things To Do
  • Fishing
  • Coffee Tours in Costa Rica
  • Suspension Bridge Canopy Tours in Costa Rica
  • Surfing, SUP & Boogie Boarding in Costa Rica
  • Calm Water Kayaking & Canoeing in Costa Rica
  • Waterfall Rappelling & Canyoneering in Costa Rica
  • White Water Rafting, Kayaking & Tubing in Costa Rica
  • Walking, Hiking & Trekking in Costa Rica
  • Tabaconcito – Las Fuentes Termales – Chollín
  • Canopy Ziplines in Costa Rica
  • Zip Rail & Canopy Bike
  • Mountain Biking
  • Snorkeling & Scuba in Costa Rica
  • Brenes Rappelling
  • Motorsports in Costa Rica
  • Activities & Adventures



Costa Rica Guide on facebook
Costa Rica Guide on Facebook