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Combination Tour Tabacon with Hanging Bridges

Your experience

Good to Know

This comprehensive Arenal Combo tour offers a full day of immersive nature activities, beginning with a walk across the Mystico Hanging Bridges and a hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall, featuring an optional swim. The adventure continues with a hike around the Arenal Volcano, culminating in a relaxing soak at Tabacon Hot Springs, complete with a buffet dinner. The tour package includes lunch, dinner, beverages, all transportation, an experienced bilingual nature guide, and all entrance fees, ensuring a seamless exploration of Costa Rica's natural beauty.


About the tour

This Arenal Combo tour includes walking across the forest canopy at Mystico Hanging Bridges, hiking down to the La Fortuna Waterfall, hiking the Arenal Volcano then topping off your day at Tabacon Hot Springs soaking in the warm relaxing spring waters surrounded by lush natural rainforest. You will receive lunch, dinner, beverages, all transportation and an experienced bilingual nature guide to point out items of interest and share the local lore.

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in the La Fortuna area to begin your day of action packed nature activities unique to this area of Costa Rica. You’ll most likely begin your first hike at the Hanging Bridges although it is possible the order of events might change. Sturdy metal bridges are held by strong, steel cables and hang several hundred feet above the forest floor, allowing amazing views of the surrounding jungle canopy.

Being high above the tree canopy allows for spectacular views of the jungle. Your guide will point out and help identify any birds or wildlife that may be visible on this leisurely walk. You will be required to wear enclosed hiking shoes to walk on the metal bridges. Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars.

On this tour you will go hiking at the La Fortuna Waterfall where you can take a cool dip if you like . There are over 400 steps built into the canyon wall forming a steep staircase surrounded by lush vegetation as you make your way down to the bottom of the falls. Along the way there are look out landings as you follow the length of the waterfall cascading 230 feet down into the gorgeous turquoise pool at the bottom. You can go in for a swim or just relax on the banks of the adjoining river enjoying the thunderous roar of the water and surrounding beauty. This hike is not suitable for people with knee problems because of the many steps down and back up.

During the day, you’ll stop for a “typical” Costa Rican style lunch. The traditional meal is comprised of freshly cooked beans, rice, meat or cheese protein, vegetable, green salad and the famous “picadillo” mild chopped salsa. This hearty lunch will hopefully revitalize your energy reserves for the next step of your adventure.

The hike around Arenal Volcano is one of the most popular as you are hiking on trails close to the massive living breathing volcano. Since 2010 it has been in a “sleeping” stage with only occasional steam escaping through the conical top instead of rumbling volcanic eruptions. Here you will find well maintained trails as your guide points out any visible wildlife and tells you the interesting history of this area. You will arrive at an observation platform which is the closest you can get to the volcano and explore a dried up lava flow. This is the perfect vantage point for epic photos.

After this active day of hiking, what better way to wind down than to indulge in the ultimate relaxation of soaking in a natural hot springs. Tabacon is an award-winning resort intentionally designed to blend into the existing rainforest with sculpted pools of waters forming private grottos. The natural spring fed river, heated by the volcano’s geothermal activity, flows down through the forest providing warm mineral waters creating an unmistakably romantic outdoor ambiance.

While you are at Tabacon, you are invited to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the beautiful open-air restaurant. When you are finished, your driver will pick you up at a prearranged time and take you back to your hotel.

Please bring bathing suit, towel, hiking clothes, hiking shoes, insect repellent, sun screen, and water bottle. One way transportation can take from 15 – 45 minutes depending on the hotel location. Total time of tour including round trip transport can take from 7.5 to 10 hours.

SUBJECT TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY, REDUCED TICKET CAPACITY. 

IMPORTANT: Starting August 1, 2025, only reusable water bottles will be allowed on the trail—single-use plastics are banned. Bags are generally not permitted, except for essential items (e.g., medication or baby care). These policies aim to protect wildlife and the environment. Lockers are available for $1, and exceptions for bags will be briefly checked to ensure compliance.

What to Bring

Comfortable clothing, bathing suit, towel, optional change of clothes, insect repellent, sunscreen, camera, binoculars.

Includes

Transportation, entrance fees, naturalist guide, lunch, dinner, cold drinks. Note that people will not be allowed to enter the Hanging Bridges trails with sandals or shoes that do not cover feet so totally enclosed shoes are a requirement for this part of the tour. Food during the hike trail is not allowed, and running or jumping on the bridges is not allowed. Use of radio, speakers, and similar devices is not allowed in the park.

Restrictions

Food during the hike trail is not allowed, and running or jumping on the bridges is not allowed. Use of radio, speakers, and similar devices is not allowed in the park.

Location and Availability

Available in:

Tour space is generally available when requested more than two days in advance and remains subject to confirmation.

Tour Times

8:00

Tour Type

  • Adventure
  • Extreme
  • Nature
Explore the location on the map

Location

Latitude: N 10° 29' 17.03" (10.488065)
Longitude: W 84° 43' 18.95" (-84.721931)

Recent Reviews

Overall
93%
Expectations
91%
Experience
94%
Guides
93%
Logistics
94%
Value
93%

Renee P.

Our guide was super friendly but wish he would've used a scope like all of the other guides had along the trails.

John L.

Great tour with a wonderful guide, but a lot more walking than we were prepared for or expecting. Still a wonderful experience.

Tara R.

Wonderful.

Before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities are included in the Arenal Combo Tour?

The Arenal Combo tour includes walking across the Mystico Hanging Bridges, hiking down to the La Fortuna Waterfall with an optional swim, hiking the Arenal Volcano, and relaxing at Tabacon Hot Springs, followed by a buffet dinner.


What should I bring and wear for the Arenal Combo Tour?

Guests should bring a bathing suit, towel, hiking clothes, hiking shoes (enclosed shoes are required for the hanging bridges), insect repellent, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Bags are generally not permitted on trails, except for essential items like medication or baby care, which will be checked.


What are the new environmental policies for the trails starting August 1, 2025?

Starting August 1, 2025, only reusable water bottles will be allowed on the trail, as single-use plastics are banned. Bags are generally not permitted, except for essential items (e.g., medication or baby care), which will be briefly checked for compliance. Lockers are available for $1.


How long does the Arenal Combo Tour last?

The total tour duration, including round-trip transportation, can take from 7.5 to 10 hours. One-way transportation time varies from 15 to 45 minutes depending on your hotel's location.


The people behind your vacation

Personal service from Pacific Trade Winds

Make this tour part of your Costa Rica vacation

Request a vacation package including Combination Tour Tabacon with Hanging Bridges.