Arenal 1968 Trail, La Fortuna Waterfall and Mistico Hanging Bridges Small-Group Combo

Three attractions fit into one early-starting day, a good match for travelers short on vacation time. Groups are small, and activities begin early to stay ahead of the largest tour groups. The day opens with hotel pickup and a 30-minute drive to Arenal 1968 Volcano Park, where a 2.5-hour hike heads to the base of the volcano. The trail is fairly easy and mostly flat, with a rocky last stretch to the dry lava field left by the 1968 eruption. The guide stops there to tell the history of Arenal. La Fortuna Waterfall comes next. It is about 70 to 75 meters tall, and reaching the bottom means going down and then climbing back up around 500 steps. There are safe spots to swim. Lunch is a traditional Costa Rican casado with natural fruit juice at a casual eatery next to the operator's office, and vegetarian meals can be requested at booking. The afternoon belongs to Mistico Hanging Bridges: about 2.5 hours on a 3.2-km trail with 6 hanging bridges and 10 regular ones, and panoramic views of the volcano and the forest around it. Monkeys, sloths, amphibians, reptiles and birds are all photo subjects. It is a tropical forest, so rain is possible and something waterproof is worth packing. The price covers a bilingual driver and guide (English and Spanish), hotel pickup and drop-off and an air-conditioned vehicle. Bottled water, binoculars and telescope are not included. Up to 12 travelers per booking.