Costa Rica

Take your walk to the next level, much higher closer to the treetops on suspension bridges! Steel bridges, anchored at the ends or using complex architectural feats, allow you to go places and see unique views in the forest. Look down to see the native undergrowth. Look to the sides for filtered views of nature, the forest surrounding landscape and Arenal Volcano – depending on weather conditions.

The Arenal Hanging Bridges trail twists and turns through 1.9 miles connecting six German galvanized stainless steel suspension bridges standing up to 148 feet (45 m), measuring up to 318 feet (97 m) long and 10 standard steel bridges rising up to 46 feet (14m) high above the forest floor, and a 39-foot Jumping Pit Viper Tunnel through a hill.

Join a hanging bridge guided tour! Your guide will help you spot wildlife and other interesting sights in the forest.

Or, take a few deep breaths in, look at your trail map, and start your Hanging Bridges self-guided tour. Walk at your own pace and follow the signs. Listen to the sounds of the forest as you cross the bridges. Smell the scents of the trees, leaves and blooming seasonable flowers. See the tree tops of Walking palm, Balsa wood and Trumpet wood trees. Touch the branches of the 98-foot Pilon and Blood trees. Get your binoculars out and see if you are lucky to spot a Chestnut Sided Warbler, a Bay Breasted Warbler, a Scarlet Tanager, a Summer Tanager, or a Baltimore Oriole.

Test your engineering knowledge and figure out what type of bridge you are on: suspension or standard. See the springs that feed Lake Arenal, gaze at the 69-foot (21m) Blue Morpho Waterfall, pass the tunnel through the hill, and take in all the views of the forest’s canopy, Arenal Volcano (in a clear day) and the picture perfect landscape that surrounds the area.

Hanging Bridges Specification

The hanging bridges are made of galvanized stainless steel with German technology and the floors are made of aluminum. The lateral mesh is made of cyclone mesh and the cables range from1/4 of an inch, to ¾ of an inch up to 1 inch depending where they are used.

These are the hanging bridges on the trail

1. Arenal View Bridge (148 ft. height, 246 ft. length) (45 m. height, 75 m. length)

2. Pilon Tree Bridge (69 ft. height, 174 ft. length) (21 m. height, 53 m. length)

3. Waterfall Bridge (148 ft. height, 302 ft. length) (45 m. height, 92 m. length)

4. Ant Hill (92 ft. height, 285 ft. length) (28 m. height, 87 m. length)

5. Fer-de-lance Bridge (79 ft. height, 157 ft. length) (24 m. height, 48 m. length)

6. Tayra Bridge (79 ft. height, 318 ft. length) (24 m. height, 97 m. length)

The Forest & Wildlife

Arenal Hanging Bridges Trail is inside a 600-acre private reserve among a mature tropical humid forest, undisturbed by human activity since 1920. The forest has managed to maintain its original ecosystems, flora and fauna after the area was reclaimed from being cattle land.

The forest is at 2,132 feet above sea level, which makes it a home for migratory birds that fly from Monteverde and Guanacaste as well from all of North and South America. Common birds in the forest are Chestnut Sided Warbler, a Bay Breasted Warbler, a Scarlet Tanager, a Summer Tanager, Baltimore Orioles. See complete list below.

The forest boasts Walking palm, Balsa Wood and Trumpet wood trees and the towering ones: Pilon and Blood Trees.

The property is part of a Costa Rican government program called Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) aka Payment for Environmental Services where the Costa Rican government pays the owners of the property to preserve the biodiversity habitats, watershed protection of the springs and carbon sequestration of the forest. The local environmental agency is called Fonafifo.

Hanging Bridges Bird List

Family Cracidae (Guans)

Gray-Headed Chachalaca Chachalaca Cabecigris
Ortalis cinereiceps

Crested Guan

Pava Crestada

Penelope purpurascens

Great Curassow

Pavon Granadera

Crax aubra

Family Cathartidae (Vultures)

Black Vulture

Zopilote Negro

Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture

Zopilote Cabecirojo

Catharte aura

King Vulture

Zopilote Rey

Sareoramphus papa

Family Accipitridae (Hawks, Kite & Eagle)

White-tailed Kite

Elanio Coliblanco

Elanus leucurus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanio Tijereta

Elanoides forficatus

Double-toothed Kite

Gavil‡n Gorgirrayado

Arpagus bidentatus

Ornate Hawk Eagle

Aguilillo Penachudo

Spizaetus ornatus

Tiny Hawk

Gavil‡n Enano

Accipiter superciliosus

Roadside Hawk

Gavil‡n Chapulinero

Rupornis magnirostris

White Hawk

Gavil‡n Blanco

Pseudastur albicolis

Broad-Winged Hawk

Gavil‡n Aludo

Buteo Platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk

Gavil‡n Colicorto

Buteo brachyurus

Gray Hawk

Gavil‡n Gris

Buteo plagiatus

Family Columbidae (Pigeons & Doves)

Red-Billed Pigeon

Paloma Piquiroja

Patagioenas flavirostris

Short-Billed Pigeon

Paloma Piquicorti

Patagioenas nigrirostris

Ruddy Ground Dove

Tortolita Rojiza

Columbina talpacoti

White Tipped Dove

Paloma Coliblanca

Leptotila verreauxi

Gray-Chested Dove

Paloma Pechigris

Leptotila cassini

Olive-Backed Quail Dove

Paloma Perdiz Bigotiblanca

Geotrygon veraguensis

Puplish-Backed Quail Dove

Paloma Perdiz Sombria

Geotrygon lawrencii

Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

Squirrel Cuckoo

P‡jaro Ardilla

Pyalla cayana

Groove Billed Ani

Tijo

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Family Strigidae (Owls)

Vermiculate Screech Owl

Lechucita Verniculada

Megacops guatemalae

Crested Owl

Buho Crestado

Lophostrix cristata

Spectacled Owl

Buho de Anteojos

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Black-and White Owl

Buho Blanco y Negro

Ciccaba nigrolineata

Family Apodidae (Swifts)

White-Collared Swift

Vencejo Collarejo

Streptoprocne zonaris

Gray-rumped Swift

Vencejo Lombrigris

Chaetura cinereiventris

Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

White-necked Jacobin

Jacobino Nuquiblanco

Florisuga mellivora

Bronzy Hermit

Ermita–o Bronceado

Glaucis aeneus

Band-tailed Barbthtroat

Ermita–o Barbudo

Threnetes ruckeri

Green Hermit

Ermita–o Verde

Phaethornis guy

Long-billed Hermit

Ermita–o Piquilargo

Phaethornis longirostris

Stripe-throated Hermit

Ermita–o Enano

Phaethornis striigularis

Purple-Crowned Fairy

Colibr’ Picopunz—n

Heliothryx barroti

Black-evested Coquete

Coqueta Crestinegra

Lophornis belenae

Long-Billed Starthoat

Colibr’ Piquilargo

Heliomaster longirostris

Scaly-brested Hummingbird

Colibr’ Pechiescamado

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Bonze-tailed Plumeleteer

Colibri Patirrojo

Chalybura urochrysia

Crowned Woodnymph

Colibri Ninfa

Thalurania colombica

Rufus-tailed Hummingbird

Colibr’ Colirufo

Amazilia tzacatl

Family Trogonidae (Trogons)

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Trog—n Coliplamizo

Trogon massena

Gartered Trogon

Trog—n Viol‡ceo

Trogon caligatus

Black-throated Trogon

Trog—n Cabeciverde

Trogon Rufus

Family Momotidae (Motmots)

Rufus Motmot

Canelo Mayor

Baryphthengus martii

Broad-billed Motmot

Momoto Piquiancho

Electron platyrhynchum

Family Bucconidae (puffbirds)

White-Fronted Nunbird

Monja Frentiblanca

Monasa morphoeus

Family Galbulidae (Jacamars)

Rufus-Tailed Jacamar

Jacamar Colirufo

Galbula ruficauda,

Family Ramphastidae (Tucans)

Collared Aracari

Tucan Collarejo

Pteroglossus torquatus

Black-mandibled Tucan

Tucan Piconegro

Ramphastos ambiguos

Keel-billed Tucan

Tucan Pico Iris

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

Carpintero Carinegra

Melanerpes pucherani

Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Carpintero Pardo

Picoides fumigatus

Rufus-Winged Woodpecker

Carpintero Alirufa

Piculos Simplex

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Carpintero Verdi Dorado

Colaptes rubiginosus

Cinnamon Woodpecker

Carpintero Canelo

Celeus loricatus

Chestnut-Colored Woodpecker

Carpintero Casta–o

Celeus castaneus

Lineated Woodpecker

Carpintero Lineado

Dryocopus lineatus

Pale-Billed Woodpecker

Carpintero Picoplata

Campephilus guatemalensis

Family Falconidae (Faleons/Cacacaras)

Crested Caracara

Caracara Cargahuesos

Caracara cheriway

Laughing Falcon

Guaeo

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Bat Falcon

Halcon Cuelliblanco

Falco rufigularis

Family Psittacidae (Parrots & Parakeet)

Cimson-Fronted Parakeet

Perico Frentirojo

Aratinga finschi

Orange-Chinned Parakeet

Periquito Barbiblanca

Brotogeris jugularis

Brown-hooded Parrot

Loro Cabecipardo

Pyrilia haemototis

White-Crowned Parrot

Loro Cabeciblanco

Pionus senilis

Red-Loved Parrot

Loro Frentirojo

Amazona autumnalis

Mealy Parrot

Loro Verde

Amazona farinosa

Family Thamnophilidae (Antbirds)

Fasciated Antshrike

Batar‡ Lineado

Cymbilaimus lineatus

Great Antshrike

Batar‡ Grande

Taraba major

Barred Antshrike

Batar‡ Barreteado

Thamnophilas doliatus

Russet Antshrike

Batar‡ CafŽ

Thamnistes anabatinas

Streak-Crowned Antvireo

Batarito Pechirrayado

Dysithamnus mentalis

White-flanked Antwren

Hormiguerito Flanquiblanco

Myrmotherula axillaris

Slaty-Antwren

Hormiguerito Pizarroso

Myrmotherula Shisticolar

Dot-Winged Antwren

Hormiguerito Alipunteado

Microrhopias quixensis

Dusky Antbird

Hormiguero Negrusco

Cercomacra tyranina

Chestnut-Backed Antbird

Hormiguero Dorsicasta–o

Myrmeciza exul

Dull- Mantled Antbird

Hormiguero Alimaculado

Myrmeciza laemostricta

Zeledon«s Antbird

Hormiguero De Zeled—n

Myrmeciza zeledoni

Bicolored Antbird

Hormiguero Bicolor

Gymnopithys leucaspis

Spotted Antbird

Hormiguero Moteado

Hylophylax naeviodes

Ocellated Antbird

Hormiguero Ocelado

Phaenostictus meleannani

Family Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)

Thicket Antpitta

Tororoi Pechicanelo

Hilopezus dives

Family Furnariidae (Woodcreepers)

Scaly-Throated Leaftosser

Tirahojas Barbiescamado

Seleruras guatemalensis

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Trepadorcito Pico de Cu–a

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Northern Barred Woodcreeper

Trepador Norte–o

Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Trepador Gorgianteado

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Black-Striped Woodcreeper

Trepador Pinto

Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus

Spotted Woodcreeper

Trepador Manchado

Xiphorhynchus erythropygius

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Trepador Cobecirrayado

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Long-Tailed Woodcreeper

Trepador Delgado

Deconychura longicauda

Plain Xenops

Xenops Comœn

Xenops minutus

Striped-Woodhaunter

Trepamusgo Rayado

Hyloctistes subulatus

Buff-Throated foliage-gleaner

Hojarasquero Gorgianteado

Automolus ochrolaemus

Family Tirannidae (Tyrant & Flycatcher)

Yellow Tyranulet

Mosquerito Amarillo

Capsiempis Flaveola

Yellow-billied Elania

Elania Copetona

Elaenia flavogaster

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mosquerito Aceitunado

Mionectes oleagineus

Slaty-Capped Flycatcher

Moquerito Orejinegro

Leptopogon superciliaris

Scale-Crested Pygmy-Tyrant

Mosquerito Yelmo

Lophotriccus pileatus

Common Tody Flycatcher

Espatulilla Comœn

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-olive Flycatcher

Piquiplano Azufrado

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Golden-Crowned Spandebill

Piquichato Coronirrufo

Platyrinchus coronatus

Sulphur-Rumped Flycatcher

Mosquerito Lomiamarillo

Myiobius sulphureipygius

Olive-Side Flycatcher

Pib’ Boreal

Contopus cooperi

Western Wood-pewee

Pib’ Occidental

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood-pewee

Pib’ Oriental

Contopus virens

Tropical Pewee

Pib’ Tropical

Contopus cinereus

Acadian Flycatcher

Mosquerito Verdoso

Empidonax Virescens

Yellowish Flycatcher

Mosquerito Amarillento

Empidonax flavescens

Bright-Rumped Attila

Atila Lomiamarilla

Attila spadiceus

Rufous Mourner

Pla–idera Rojiza

Rhytipterna holerythra

Long-Tailed Tyrant

Mosquero Coludo

Colonia colonus

Duski-Capped Flycatcher

Copet—n Crestioscuro

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Great Kiskadee

Bienteveo Grande

Pitangus sulphuratus

Boat-Billed Flycatcher

Mosquer—n Picudo

Megarynchus pitangua

Social Flycatcher

Mosquero Cejiblanco

Myiozetetes Similis

Gray-Capped Flycatcher

Mosquero Cabecigris

Myiozetetes granadensis

White-Ringed Flycatcher

Mosquero Cabecianillado

Canopias albovittatus

Sulphur-Bellied Flycatcher

Moquero Ventriazufrado

Myiodynastes luteiventris

Paratie Flycatcher

Mosquero Piratico

Legatus leucophaius

Tropical Kingbird

Tirano Tropical

Tyrannus melancholicus

Eastern Kingbird

Tirano Norte–o

Tyrannus melancholicus

Family Cotingidae

Rufous Piha

Pia Rojiza

Lipaugus unirufus

Family Pipridae (Manakins)

White-ruffed Manakin

Saltar’n Gorgiblanco

Corapipo altera

White-collared Manakin

Saltar’n Cuelliblanco

Manacus candei

Family Tityridae

Black-Crowned Tityra

Tityra Coroninengro

Tityra inquisitor

Masked Tityra

P‡jaro Chancho

Tityra semifasciata

Northern Schiffornis

Tordo Saltar’n

Schiffornis veraepacis

Cinnamon Becard

Cabez—n Canelo

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

Family Vireonidae (Vireos)

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo Pechiamarillo

Vireo flavifrons

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo Amarillento

Vireo philadelphicus

Red-eye Vireo

Vireo Ojirrojo

Vireo olivaceus

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo Cabecigris

Vireo flavoviridis

Tawny-crowned Greenlet

Verdillo Leonado

Hylophilus ochraceiceps

Lesser Greenlet

Verdillo Menudo

Hylophilus decurtatus

Family Covidae (Jays)

Brown Jay

Urraca Pardo

Psilorhinus morio

Family Hirundidae (Swallos)

Blue-and-White Swallow

Golondrina Azul y Blanco

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Northern Rough-Winged Swallow

Golondrina Alirrasposa Norte–a

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Southern Rough-Winged Swallow

Golondrina Alirrasposa Sure–a

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Barn Swallow

Golondrina Tijereta

Hirundo rustica

Family Troglodytidae (Wrens)

Nightingale Wren

Soterrey Ruise–or

Microcerculus philomela

House Wren

Soterrey Cucarachero

Troglodytes aedon

Band-throated wren

Soterrey Matraquero

Campylorhynchus rufinucha

Black-throated Wren

Soterrey Gorginegro

Pheugopedius atrogularis

Stripe-breasted Wren

Soterrey Pechirrayado

Cantorchilus thoracicus

Bay Wren

Soterrey Casta–o

Cantorchilus nigricapillus

White-Breasted Wren

Soterrey de Selva Pechiblanco

Henicorhina leucosticta

Song Wren

Soterrey Canoro

Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Family Polioptilidae (Gnatwrens & Gnalcatchers)

Tawny-faced Gnatwren

Soterillo CaricafŽ

Microbates cinereiventris

Long-billed Gnatwren

Soterillo Picudo

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Tropical Gnatcatcher

Perlita Tropical

Polioptila plumbea

Family Turdidae (Thrushes)

Black headed Nightingale Thrush

Zorzal Cabecinegro

Catharus mexicanus

Wood Thrush

Zorzal de Bosque

Hylocichla mustelina

Swainson's Thrush

Zorzal de Swainson

Catharus ustulatus

Clay-Colored Thrush

YigŸirro

Turdus grayi

White-throated Thrush

Mirlo Gorgiblanco

Turdus assimilis

Family Parulidae (Warblers)

Luisiana Waterthrush

Reinita Acuatica Piquigrande

Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush

Reinita Acuatica Norte–a

Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-Winged Warbler

Reinita Alidorada

Vermivora chrysoptera

Black-and-White Warbler

Reinita Trepadora

Mniotilta varia

Tennessee Warbler

Reinita Verdilla

Oreothlypsis peregrina

Kentucky Warbler

Reinita Cachetinegra

Geothlypis formosa

American Redstart

Candelita Norte–a

Setophaga ruticilla

Tropical Parula

Parula Tropical

Setophaga pitiayumi

Blackburnian Warbler

Reinita Gorginaranja

Setophaga pitiayumi

Yellow Warbler

Reinita Amarilla

Setophaga petechia

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Reinita de Costillas Casta–as

Setophaga pensylvanica

Black-Throated green Warbler

Reinita Cariamarilla

Setophaga virens

Three-striped Warbler

Reinita Cabecilistada

Basileuterus tristriatus

Buff-Rumped Warber

Reinita Guardaribera

Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Canada Warbler

Reinita Pechirrayada

Cardellina canadensis

Wilson's Warbler

Reinita Gorrinegra

Cardellina pusilla

Family Thraupidae (Tanagers, Seedeaters & Allies)

White-Shoulderd Tanager

Tangara Caponiblanca

Tachyphonus luctuosus

White-lined Tanager

Tangara Forriblanca

Tachyphonus rufus

White-Throated Shrike-Tanager

Tangara Piquiganchada

Lanio leucothorax

Crimson collared Tanager

Tangara Capuchirroja

Ramphocelus sanguinolentus

Paserinils Tanager

Tangara de Passerini

Ramphocelus passerini

Blue-and-Gold Tanager

Tangara Costillas Negras

Bangsia arcaei

Blue-Gray Tanager

Tangara Azuleja

Bangsia espiscopus

Palm Tanager

Tangara Palmera

Thraupis palmarum

Rufous-Winged Tanager

Tangara Alirrufa

Tangara lavinia

Bay-headed Tanager

Tangara Cabecicasta–a

Tangara gyrola

Silver-Throated Tanager

Tangara Dorada

Tangara icterocephala

Golden-hooded Tanager

Tangara Capuchidorada

Tangara larvata

Scarlet-Thighed Dacnis

Mielero Celeste y Negro

Dacnis venusta

Blue Dacnis

Mielero Azulejo

Dacnis Cayana

Shining Honeycreeper

Mielero Luciente

Cyanerpes lucidus

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Mielero Patirrojo

Cyanerpes lucidus

Green Honeycreeper

Mielero Verde

Chlorophanes spiza

Black-and-Yellow Tanager

Tangara Negro y Dorado

Chrysothlypis chrysomelas

Variable Seedearter

Espiguero Variable

Sporophila corvina

White-collared Seedeater

Espiguero Pizarroso

Sporophila torqueola

Nicaraguan Seed-Finch

Semillero Piquirrosado

Oryzoborus nuttingi

Thick-billed Seed-Finch

Semillero Picogrueso

Oryzoborus funereus

Bananaquit

Reinita Mielera

Coereba flaveola

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Semillerito Cariamarillo

Tiaris olivaceus

Grayish Saltator

Saltador Grisaceo

Saltator coerulescens

Buff-Throated Saltator

Saltador Grisaceo

Saltator maximus

Black-headed Saltator

Saltador Cabecinegro

Saltator atriceps

Slate-Colored Grosbeak

Picogrueso Piquirrojo

Saltator grossus

Family Emberizidae ( Sparrows & Allies)

Orange-Billed Sparrow

Pinzon Piquinaranja

Arremon aurantiirostris

Black-Striped Sparrow

Pinzon Cabecilistado

Arremonops Conirostris

Rufous-Collared Sparrow

Chingolo/Come ma’z

Zonotrichia capensis

Family Cardinalidae (Grosbeak & Butings)

Summer Tanager

Tangara Veranera

Piranga rubra

Scarlet Tanager

Tangara Escarlata

Piranga Olivacea

Carmio'l Tanager

Tangara Aceitunada de Carmiol

Chlorothraupis Carmioli

Black-Thighed Grosbeak

Picogrueso Vientriamarillo

Pheucticus tibialis

Rose-Brested Grosbeak

Picogrueso Pechirrosado

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Blue-Back Grosbeak

Picogrueso Negro Azulado

Cyanocompsa cyanoides

Family Icteridae

Red-Winged Backbird

Tordo Sargento

Agelaius phoeniceus

Eastern Meadowlark

Zacatero Comœn

Sturnella magna

Melodius Blackbird

Tordo Cantor

Dives dives

Great-tailed Grackle

Zanate

Quiscalus mexicanus

Bronzed Cowbird

Vaquero Ojirrojo

Molothrus aeneus

Black Crowled Oriole

Bolsero Capuchinegro

Icterus prosthemelas

Orchard Oriole

Bolsero Casta–o

Icterus spurius

Baltimore Oriole

Bolsero Norte–o

Icterus galbula

Yellow-Billed Cacique

Cacique Picoplata

Amblycercus holosericeus

cacique Lomiescarlata

Cacique Lomiescarlata

Cacicus uropygialis

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

OropŽndula Cabecicasta–a

Psarocolius wagleri

Montezuma Oropendola

OropŽndula de Montezuma

Psarocolius montezuma

Family Fringillidae (Euphonia)

Yellow-Crowned Euphonia

Eufonia Coroniamarilla

Euphonia luteicapilla

Yellow-Throated Euphonia

Eufonia Gorgiamarilla

Euphonia hirundinacea

Olive-Backed Euphonia

Eufonia Olivacea

Euphonia gouldi

Tawny-Capped Euphonia

Eufonia Gorricanela

Euphonia anneae