When you think of Costa Rica, do you think of lush vegetation, mountains, active volcanoes, and wildlife? What could be better than seeing all of this while dangling from steel cables above the trees? Attention adrenaline junkies! If you have not added ziplining in Costa Rica to your bucket list, I cannot recommend it more. Zipping through the trees over a magnificent waterfall was a dream come true!

Costa Rican Vacation Tours

Surprisingly, we book our vacation package through Groupon using the tour company EcoTerra Costa Rica. All of EcoTerra Costa Rica’s vacation packages include transportation, several tours, hotel accommodation, and several meals. This zip lining tour was included in our tour price paid through Groupon.

Should you wish to book this tour on your own without a package, there are several adventure tour companies in the Arenal Volcano area. The tour company we used was the Arenal Mundo Aventura Company.

Reason 1: The Amazing Scenery Of La Fortuna, Arenal Costa Rica

La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica, but it is the one of the best places for zip lining tours in Costa Rica. An adrenaline-filled, aerial adventure perfect for those who want to get their heart pumping, zip ling in Costa Rica is a thrilling activity! It is a great way to see the country from a different perspective soaring above the canopy of trees. In addition, the tour is located right next to Arenal Volcano. Not only will you be able to see how close you are to the volcano, but also take in the beautiful views of the rainforest canopy, the many species of plants, tropical birds, and even natural pools.

Reason 2: Ziplining in Costa Rica Is Safe

Yes! There were numerous safety measures in place to make sure everyone We received a lengthy safety briefing along with safety equipment to include a safety harness, helmets, and gloves. We were taught the proper position of our hands to slow us down when landing on elevated platform at the end of each zipline ride. Accompanied by several English speaking naturalist guides who took great care of us, we never once felt unsafe.

Reason 3: The Ziplining Tour Is The Perfect Timeframe

After a safety briefing, we started the ziplining tour adventure through the rainforest. A cart pulled by a tractor picked us up and drove us 3 kilometers through a dirt road.  

We completed seven cables with a full distance of 1.7 miles. The lengths of each of the ziplines varied with lengths as small as 400 feet to the longest zipline at 3280 feet. This was nothing short of exhilarating.

The tour lasted about 2.5 hours.

The Arenal Mundo Aventura company has a variety of different options available depending on the amount of money and length of time you wish to spend.

Reason 4: Ziplining Is For Everyone, Including Kids

My son was only 9 years old. We were apprehensive about him ziplining on his own. Not to worry! The tour operators accompanied him on the longer zip line adventure but then did allow him to go on his own.

Reason 5: Fly Over A Waterfall

Our tour culmination was the bird’s eye view of the the La Fortuna Waterfall from over 200 feet in the air. What a unique experience! It was simply breathtaking. I cannot explain in words the beauty.

After the canopy tour, we visited a representation of a Maleku Indigenous Village that included members of a tribe dressed in traditional clothes. They greeted us with a refreshing beverage and taught us about their culture, language and traditions.

What Should You Know Before Ziplining in Costa Rica?

Here are a few things you should know before ziplining in Costa Rica.

• Wear insect repellant as well as long pants. If you did not bring long pants on your vacation, it is a good idea to at least wear long shorts. The harness does tend to ride up and you will want your shorts to be longer than the harness which comes down mid-thigh.
• You should be in semi-good physical condition to participate in this activity. You will need to anticipate the need to complete a short walk. You will have to exert quite a bit of energy when you had to stopping yourself as well as sometime having to pull yourself up onto the tree platforms. The tour website states if you suffer from a heart condition, have had a recent surgery, back pain, or heart problems, or you are pregnant, you should not zip line.
• Though each of the zip lines are at various heights, every one of them are high up. If you are afraid of heights, this may not be a tour you should consider.

What Other Tours Should You Do While Visiting Costa Rica?

Check out this list of additional tours you should consider when visiting La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

In Summary

I would highly recommend ziplining in Costa Rica. My husband and I have experience zip lines in other countries but this was by far our favorite. The tour company catered to my small son and put our fears to rest! Though I am not one who normally seeks out an adrenaline rush, soaring above the rain forest canopy was truly was an unforgettable experience!

About the Author:

Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.

Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).