A Night in the Rainforest: What a Mistico Park Night Tour in La Fortuna Really Feels Like
- Dr. K.
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
The idea of a night walk in the rainforest carries a certain promise. You imagine glowing eyes, rare frogs, mysterious forest calls, and a version of the jungle that only comes alive after sunset. So when we booked the Mistico Park Night Hike in La Fortuna, I expected something cinematic — a Costa Rican wildlife documentary with me somewhere in the background holding a flashlight.
Mistico Park offers several tours, from day hikes to birdwatching (and Costa Rica has more than 500 species of birds, so that one does make sense). The night tour, however, is the one designed to reveal the “wild side after dark.” Hanging bridges, forest trails, the possibility of snakes and frogs — that’s the general promise. The park stays open in the day, but at night only certain pathways remain accessible, lit just enough to guide you without taking away from the darkness.
Stepping Into the Forest After Dark
Our tour began when the sky was already black. Each person received a torch, and once the guide led us into the trail, you realized quickly that the rainforest plays by a different rulebook at night. You hear everything before you see anything — the hiss of insects, the layered calls of birds settling in, something that sounded like a monkey doing vocal warm-ups in the treetops.
The night air is thick and warm, especially at the tail end of the rainy season. We put our rain jackets on, took them off, put them back on — the cycle continued because Costa Rica likes to keep you guessing. The path itself was clear and walkable, which I appreciated, but the bridges added their own drama. Crossing a hanging bridge under a starless sky, with the forest stretching out beneath you, is an experience that is equal parts beautiful and unnerving.
The tour runs about two hours, maybe a little more depending on what you find along the way. Mistico Park lists the distance at roughly 1.8 km. The walking is manageable for most people, but the bridges are not wheelchair-accessible, and anyone with mobility limitations may find certain parts challenging. This is not a trail you want to attempt without a guide — not because it is dangerous, but because you simply won’t see anything without someone who knows where to look.
What We Actually Saw
Let me start by saying this: night tours anywhere in the world are unpredictable. You might see a lot; you might see very little. On our tour, we saw frogs — including the famous tiny red-eyed tree frog, which does look beautiful when the guide’s light catches its skin. We heard countless insects and saw a few that were larger than I care to describe. A small non-venomous snake appeared early in the walk, and that would have been the highlight — until someone in our group spotted a venomous one curled up on the ground near a tree.
The guide handled it well; we kept a safe distance, took our moment of adrenaline, and moved on.
That sighting alone made the tour feel worthwhile because it was rare and unscripted. But if I’m being honest, had we not seen the snake, the tour would have felt far less exciting. Frogs are charming, yes. Crickets the size of your palm — less so. But neither, on their own, would have felt like a must-do activity.
And this is where my personal perspective comes in.
A Personal Take: Night Tours Are Not My Favorite
I’ve done night rainforest experiences before — in the Brazilian Amazon, in Indian safaris, and now in Costa Rica. And every time, I’ve walked away feeling the same thing: these tours are interesting, but they’re not magical for me. They can be humid, sticky, unpredictable, and often you don’t see very much. Guides will always tell you that the forest transforms at night (and biologically, it does), but the version most travelers imagine doesn’t always match reality.
Mistico Park delivered exactly what it promised: a guided walk, a safe experience, a chance to see nocturnal life. But from a personal standpoint, I prefer daytime adventures. I like seeing the details — the leaves, the colors, the views, the birds, the bridges suspended over a bright, green landscape. At night, you trade all of that for the chance of spotting something rare, and sometimes that gamble pays off… and sometimes it doesn’t.
For travelers who love reptiles, frogs, the suspense of darkness, or the thrill of “what might appear,” this is absolutely the kind of experience that could be exciting. Some people even do the day and night versions back-to-back — we met someone who enjoyed it so much she came twice in 24 hours.
But if you’re someone who prefers clarity over mystery, or comfort over humidity, or certainty over chance — manage your expectations.
Practical Things You Should Know
Make reservations in advance. Mistico Park requires proof of booking at the entrance — which is gated and supervised. A Viator tour makes sense for where this place is located
If independent, go with a private driver if possible. Road signage in this region is notoriously sparse, and the roads into nature parks are pitch-black at night. A local driver makes your life dramatically easier.
Wear closed shoes and long pants. Non-negotiable.
Bring insect repellent. Even in late November, when rainy season tapers off, mosquitoes are around.
Lightweight raincoat only. Anything thick will make you feel like you’re wrapped in a boiling tortilla.
A flashlight or headlamp helps, but don’t flash it at wildlife. Guides will tell you when and how to use it. Many such tours (including Mistico) provide you with flashlights
Accessibility: The main walkways are fine, but the hanging bridges are not accessible. Anyone with mobility concerns should consult the park directly and choose a modified route or a daytime option.
Know What Type of Traveler You Are
A night hike in the rainforest sounds thrilling — and for many people, it absolutely is. But for others, it might feel more like a dark walk with the occasional frog cameo. And both experiences are valid.
Mistico Park is professionally run, safe, and well-organized. If you’re curious about nocturnal wildlife, want a different perspective of the rainforest, or enjoy experiences that feel slightly eerie, this is something worth trying. If you’re expecting an explosion of animal sightings, this may not be the tour that delivers that.
For me, I’m glad I did it — especially because of that unexpected snake moment — but I also learned something about myself as a traveler: I prefer the rainforest in daylight, when I can actually see what makes it so alive.
