For those who prefer to explore by walking instead of pedaling, go on a naturalist-led Arenal Hanging Bridges tour. The guide is important – otherwise, you will miss so much. We walked the relatively easy, nearly-two-mile path that includes several suspension bridges. Not only did this up the rainforest excitement, but at 150-feet high, we stood in the treetops — all the better to spot the troops of howler monkeys scampering branch to branch.

The shady trails led us past hanging vines, tall ferns and thick ficus trees. The guide pointed out a poisonous snake curled on a log, leaf-cutter ants carrying bits of broken green leaves on their backs and a beak-heavy toucan careening onto a tree branch.