You might find Hanging Bridges on your itinerary – for good reason. It’s one of the more popular activities in Costa Rica. Visiting the hanging bridges can be a thrilling and unique experience.
Costa Rica is a country known for its natural beauty, and one way to fully immerse yourself in that beauty is by exploring the country’s hanging bridges. These bridges, also known as canopy bridges, allow visitors to walk through the treetops and get a unique perspective on the rainforest.
There are multiple locations in Costa Rica that have hanging bridges, and each area is a little bit different, but there are some similarities if you are planning on doing this activity.
The bridges are usually located at different heights, so you’ll get a chance to see the rainforest from different angles. This will give you a new perspective on many plants and animals that you may not have viewed from this level before, and you might even see a waterfall.
In addition to providing stunning views, hanging bridges also serve an important role in conservation. They allow researchers and scientists to study the rainforest and its inhabitants without disturbing the ecosystem. They also provide a way for visitors to experience the rainforest without damaging the environment.
It is recommended that you wear closed toed shoes for this activity. Also consider bringing water to drink, sunscreen, insect repellant, a poncho and your most important item – a camera!
You can choose to traverse the hanging bridges without a guide and just pay the entrance fee, but we would highly recommend that you go with a guide.
Your guide is knowledgable about the rainforest and its inhabitants. They can point out different plants and animals and share interesting facts about the ecosystem. Costa Rica is a rainforest, and as a result, different plants and animals that you may not be used to make this area their home. Your guide will be able to satisfy your curiosity about all that you see.
They will also have a spotting scope, know where the usual hangouts for the different animals are, and be more experienced about locating all of the interesting things to see. As you walk through the jungle, your guide will have you looking up, down, and all around.
If you don’t go with a guide, it will still be a nice hike and you will likely still hear and see some new things. Take binoculars if you go on your own, and don’t rush through the trail.
Let’s talk about the trail. You will be walking to different elevations, and that grade will depend on which area you visit, so if that is a concern, be sure to check out the particular hanging bridges you plan to visit before you commit to this activity.
Plan on the terrain being possibly uneven and generally travel in an uphill manner to get to the bridges. However, visiting the hanging bridges is usually not strenuous. You can go at your own pace, and you are stopping frequently to view birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and plants. If you are looking to get your exercise for the day in, this will not fill your requirements, but if you have difficulty walking or on stairs, this might be a difficult activity for you.
The hanging bridges themselves are are usually made of metal or sturdy wood, and have a mesh or wooden surface to walk on. They may sway slightly as you walk, but they are generally very safe and sturdy. Many of the bridges have handrails to hold onto for added stability.
Be careful about grabbing the hand rails or leaning against something without looking where you place your hands. There might be a prickly plant or a small critter that you won’t want to disturb. They may have a sting or a bite – or maybe are harmless, but you would hurt them! Look before you step, lean, or grab.
When you are touring the hanging bridges, you will be in the animal’s natural habitat. While this is incredible, it’s also unpredictable. What you see one day, is not a guarantee you’ll see it the next day. You could come back tomorrow and see completely different animals. However, it’s likely that you will be able to see a monkey, some birds, snakes, spiders and bugs. Often you’ll see a Toucan, Crab, or even a Sloth!
You are sure to see nests, plants, and flowers that you have never seen before. As you view all of this, make sure you only take pictures as you want them to be there for others and take care of the area for those that live there.
Plan to spend a couple of hours walking around and viewing all there is to see. It will naturally take longer or shorter depending on how fast you walk and how much you stop to see, but that is the average time. If you want to spend longer, look into combining the hanging bridges with other activities to create a full day of fun and learning. Again, there are multiple areas, and not every area has the same options, but you can combine the hanging bridges with horseback riding, a sky tram ride, lunch, ziplines, butterfly gardens and more.
It’s an experience that you don’t want to miss and one of our favorites. Overall, hanging bridges are a must-see for any visitor to Costa Rica. They offer a unique perspective on the rainforest and allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the country’s stunning natural beauty. If you’re interested in all the amazing nature that Costa Rica has to offer, this is the tour you want on your next itinerary!
