Tucked away far from civilization between Tenorio Volcano and Miravalles Volcano, the hanging bridges at Heliconias Lodge sway from the treetops with spectacular views of the rainforest all the way to Lake Nicaragua on a clear day. One of the least touristed areas, the Pacific northwest province of Guanacaste offers an amazing abundance of wildlife living in the dense mountainous jungles. You will find the bridges here long and high, affording time to experience life at the top as you slowly make your way across the rainforest canopy.
To begin, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in a comfortable sightseeing bus and driven through the scenic rural countryside until you reach Heliconias Lodge. You will meet your professional nature guide whose knowledge base will likely far exceed your expectations. You’ll start out on a well-maintained, natural hiking trail found throughout this private protected rainforest reserve.
Making the ascent to the first bridge, you’ll be glad for the stops along the way as your guide shows you many interesting plants, including an array of tiny flowering orchids. If you are an orchid lover, you will be in heaven here!
Also listening for bird calls, your guide will help you find and identify the local available birdlife. This hike starts in the morning, the perfect time to go birdwatching as the birds awaken hungry eager to fly around foraging for food. Be sure to bring your binoculars along.
The 3 very long, very high, hanging bridges connect over a mile of meandering ground trails. These safely built and secured suspension bridges are at times over 150 feet high off the ground giving you an astonishing view of the rainforest canopy as well as the surrounding landscapes. From this top-of-the-forest vantage point, you’ll be able to take epic photos.
The middle bridge is the longest and is actually a double bridge surrounding a huge old growth tree midway. Here you’ll find a comfortable platform built high up on the trunk giving you a chance to inspect the lichens and mosses attached to the tree plus observe other types of interesting epiphytes. You’ll see hanging vines and roots growing from high branches, which are loaded with bromeliads, some that may be flowering on the day of your visit.
It is not uncommon to come across a family of monkeys swinging through the trees, or see a very slow sloth defying the concept of time as we know it. Many times they will be curled up and sleeping. You never know what kind of a nature encounter you will have, but whatever it is, you’ll be sure to remember it.
After you return from your hike, you’ll be provided with a generous typical style Costa Rican meal. You’ll have a choice of protein, beans and rice, fresh chopped salad and maybe tortillas or fried plantains along with a beverage.
This tour includes a bilingual nature guide, entrance fee to the private reserve, bottled water, lunch, plus transportation from Tamarindo and the Papagayo area. Depending on the location of your hotel, one-way transportation can be from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Combined time of guided hanging bridges hike, lunch, and round-trip transportation typically takes from 5 to 7 hours.
Please wear fully enclosed hiking or running shoes, and bring binoculars, camera, rain gear, hat, sunscreen, plus insect repellent. This is a slow-paced but moderate 1.5 mile hike suitable for children ages 8 and over. There is an atmosphere of mystery in every rainforest, come find out what this one reveals!
The Hanging Bridges Hike at Heliconias Lodge is available from Central Guanacaste, JW Marriott Guanacaste, Jobo, Papagayo Peninsula, Playa Hermosa, Coco, Southern Papagayo, and Tamarindo
8 and up
Latitude: N 10° 40' 32.54"
Longitude: W 85° 4' 15.93"