Description
Few places reveal the rainforest as generously as Mistico. This private reserve of roughly 250 hectares on the slopes of Arenal Volcano protects primary and secondary forest that pulses with life. A trail of about 3.2 km links 16 bridges, six of them suspended, carrying you from the damp forest floor up to the level of the canopy.
On this private tour, you set the pace. Your naturalist guide carries a professional spotting scope and knows every corner of the reserve: the tree where a two-toed sloth likes to doze, the branch where a keel-billed toucan often lands, the leaf that hides a red-eyed tree frog. You will hear the deep roar of howler monkeys, watch hummingbirds hover mid-air and may spot an eyelash viper coiled among the moss.
Every bridge offers a new perspective. Some span deep ravines with clear streams rushing below; others open toward the perfect cone of Arenal when the clouds drift apart. Midway along the trail, a hidden waterfall tumbles through the greenery, an ideal place to pause, breathe deeply and take photographs.
Early mornings are magical here, with soft light filtering through the mist and birds at their most active. The trail is well maintained and suitable for nearly all ages, making this a wonderful choice for families, couples and photographers alike. Afterward, you will sit down to a traditional Costa Rican lunch before returning to your hotel.
