Rise early to enjoy a morning of birding on the Mistico Hanging Bridges - a series of ten fixed and six suspension bridges, located in a natural corridor followed by migratory birds travelling between North and South America and offering wonderful views of the lake and volcano.
Nearly 450 different species (i.e. half of all the birds found in Costa Rica) have been recorded in and around Arenal National Park, whose diverse habitats include tropical lowland rainforest, pre-montane forest of the Caribbean foothills and agricultural pastures. The 2-mile (3-km) hanging bridges trail will allow you to enjoy the great diversity of flora and fauna found inside this mountainous zone, as well as outstanding bird watching. Looking for birds from this height also give us the opportunity of finding raptors like the Swallow-tailed kite, Double-toothed kite, Tiny hawk, Bicoloured hawk and Grey hawk.
Birds that are regularly seen include the Purple gallinule, Red-billed pigeon, Short-billed pigeon, Blue ground dove, Olive-throated parakeet, White-crowned parrot, Striped cuckoo, Great Potoo, Bronzy hermit, White-necked jacobin, Green-breaster mango and Orange-bellied trogon. You can also hope to see the Yellow-throated toucan, Crested guan, Grey-headed chachalaca, Baltimore oriole, Clay-coloured thrush, Red-throated ant tanager, Lovely cotinga, Black-crested coquette, Yellow-eared toucanet, Bare-necked umbrellabird, Emerald tanager, Great curassow, Thicket antpitta, Ornate hawk-eagle and Fasciated tiger heron.
Other birds commonly reported in these forests include the Buff-fronted quail dove, Chiriqui quail dove, Band-tailed barbthroat, White-throated crake, Uniform crake, Spectacled owl, Rufous-winged woodpecker, Mealy amazon, Checker-throated antwren, Bicolored antbird, Spotted antbird, Chestnut-backed antbird, Dull-mantled antbird, Rufous piha, Ruddy-tailed flycatcher, Olive-striped flycatcher, Paltry tyrannulet, White-ringed flycatcher, Stripe-breasted wren, Song wren, Black-faced solitaire, Tawny-capped euphonia and Sootycapped bush tanager amongst others. Also keep an eye out for howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, coati, racoons and other rainforest wildlife.
In the afternoon we explore the Boragin Trail which offers more excellent rainforest birding, with the opportunity to see colourful toucans, sloths and a variety of small frogs, insects and reptiles.
Later there is the option to relax at one of the many Hot Springs in the area (pay entrance fee locally).
Note: The hanging bridges trail is not suitable if you have a fear of heights.