The History of Mistico Park
What is the history of Mistico Park?
Guardians of the Forest: Adrián Castillo and Landelina Rodríguez Sánchez
The history of Mistico Park, where Costa Rica’s famous hanging bridges are located, dates back to the early 20th century. The married couple Adrián Castillo and Landelina Rodríguez Sánchez were both born and raised in La Fortuna, San Carlos. They successfully worked the land they inherited from their parents, which was located in the Arenal Volcano foothills. During the early 1900s, this land of great natural resources was generally neglected because of its remote location and the difficulty in accessing it. However, the Castillo-Rodríguez family’s vision relied on a broader understanding of the land’s value and ecological importance. For this reason, the couple decided to keep their part of the mountain as undeveloped as possible to protect the fragile ecosystems within the rainforest.
Pioneering Eco-Tourism in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
As the 21st century loomed, the Castillo family decided to make their vision for the natural landscapes around La Fortuna a reality. After partnering with a development company, the original tenants of the land worked to create an ecotourism project named “Los Puentes Colgantes del Arenal.” Over a period of more than 12 years, the established partnership focused on building a series of hanging bridges that would allow guests to safely traverse the park while protecting its unique ecosystems. From this project, Mistico Park came into being.
For many visitors to Mistico Park, the hanging bridges experience is by far the most popular attraction. However, a wide variety of other tours and activites are available for guests of all backgrounds and abilities. Most of these excursions allow individuals and groups to establish direct contact with several native wildlife and plant species in the area.
Mission
We believe that every visitor should encounter the beauty and serenity of a natural sanctuary at least once in their lives. At Mistico Park, we hope to enable visitors with an experience that allows them to connect to nature in a comfortable, safe, and emotional way.
Vision
We act as nature-care ambassadors by promoting sustainable business and commercial practices. We also strive to promote awareness through the healthy and protective management of our region’s natural resources.
Values
- Synergy: We believe that our actions complement those of others around us.
- Empathy: We seek to understand the feelings of those we interact with.
- Consistency: We match our behavior with the way we think about and approach the natural world.
