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  • Writer's pictureKatrina Julia

Costa Rica Adventure: Hanging Bridges in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Long before I came to Monteverde, Costa Rica, I saw pictures of hanging bridges and envisioned walking across them one day. That day arrived in 2021 during a time I and we never would have imagined in our world. I dreamed it and real-lifed it.


So, what are hanging bridges? They are exactly how they sound! They are suspension bridges that get you up, close and personal with the forest canopy. Nature and wildlife abound all around you seamlessly as you walk through the cloud reserve. You walk in sync with the heights of the forest gliding along the upper canopy of the forest.


Before I visited Monteverde, Costa Rica, I decided I wanted to see the cloud reserve up close and personal first before visiting the hanging bridges. I loved visiting Santa Elena Cloud Reserve during my first week in Monteverde.


I reviewed various options for Hanging Bridges on Trip Advisor, Airbnb, and asked my Airbnb: Casa Balbi owner and host. From every direction, I found Hanging Bridges at Selvatura Park to be the best pick. I loved


The mystic and magic of the forest captures you as you glide through the treetop walkways tour at Selvatura Park consists of 1.9 miles of trails where you encounter eight bridges of various lengths soaring in the forest canopy ranging between 170 feet and 560 feet.




Hanging Bridges Monteverde, Costa Rica

Watch the video for highlights of my full experience to Hanging Bridges at Selvatura Park. Not only that, but you will love the monkey that got super close to me, and jumped to the second Hanging Bridge I walked across!! #notsponsored




Visiting Hanging Bridges

After reviewing the Hanging Bridge options in Monteverde, Costa Rica and choosing Selvatura Park, it became easy to set up. No matter what option you choose, I recommend going directly to the provider website and booking the Hanging Bridge tour with transportation included.


Selvatura Park included pick-up and drop-off at my Airbnb: Casa Balbi without any added costs, which I loved. They arrived right on time and everyone distanced in the shuttle, and wore masks.

Upon arriving at Selvatura Park, all of us were directed to the sanitation stations to wash our hands. Masks are required in the public area and at check-in for your tour.


Once I checked in, I headed off on my self-guided hike through the canopy and the eight bridges. Most of the time, I had each bridge entirely to my self. When I approached maybe 2 of the bridges, I saw 1-2 people leaving the bridge over 200 feet away. On the 1.9 mile hike, I saw maybe 7 people in total during the entire 2 hours.



Hanging Bridges Monteverde, Costa Rica

Location

The Selvatura Park is about 10 minutes up the mountain from my Airbnb: Casa Balbi and maybe 15 minutes from Santa Elena downtown. The Monteverde Region is small and everything is relatively close.


To give you a reference, Selvatura Park is #1 below and my Airbnb: Casa Balbi is close to #6 and #8.






Entrance Fee and Hours

The Selvatura Park Non-Guided Treetop Walkway Tour is $39, and they offer four time slots. After working all morning, I decided to do the 2:30pm option to catch the sunset. Make sure you check fees and hours in case things change. I went on a Friday.





What to Wear to Hanging Bridges in Monteverde, Costa Rica

I don't know about you but I am very cold natured. I experienced several times being cold in the mornings in Monteverde, Costa Rica so I decided to go visit the Hanging Bridges in the afternoon.


I wore my pink pants aka bestfriend pants because I always wear pants when I wear them, a tank top, and a pink, blue and green shawl. I felt perfect, not cold and not hot. With any hike, I wear closed toed shoes like I did with Rio Celeste Waterfall and Hike.



Hanging Bridge Hiking Trails

The trial at the Hanging Bridges in Selvatura Park is adjacent/part of Santa Elena Cloud Reserve. I loved experiencing the reserve from up above and in the afternoon compared to when I visited the reserve in the morning.


It is impossible to get lost on the hike as there is one path that you walk on from your starting point to each bridge with forest all around and in between.








During my entire time at the Hanging Bridges at Selvatura Park, I saw about 10 people on the hike.



I loved every single second of my walk, I went super slow savoring every miracle moment. I almost decided to do a canopy tour over the cloud reserve, but opted for a calmer adventure compared to some of my others in La Fortuna, and more coming up!





Hanging Bridges in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Let's keep hanging around each other not just with hanging bridges!

Have you done hanging bridges before? Is it on your list for sure now?


I loved shifting some of my adventures with doing this slow and mindful hike and experience with Hanging Bridges at Selvatura Park! Yes, I love adventure. I love slower paces too!


Pura Vida!


Are you curious about Costa Rica and the Pura Vida?


I've got One Day and Top 10 Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica coming up!


Not to mention our Inspiring Travel Now & in the Future Project & Costa Rica Retreat coming in August 2021!



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