6 Best Ziplining in Costa Rica: Where to Go

Towering high over the Costa Rican landscape, the Arenal volcano has long been considered one of the best places to zipline in Costa Rica. Many people choose to explore this incredible region on foot, while others opt for a white-water rafting trip on the Balsa River. Those in the know, however, strap themselves into a harness and clip onto a zipline for the thrill of ziplining past an active volcano, Because why not? Sky Adventures operates a second site here, offering exquisite views and professional, English-speaking guides.

The cloud forests of Monteverde are amongst the most incredible landscapes to be found in Costa Rica. Towering trees and a fantastic range of wildlife including Costa Rica’s national bird, the Quetzal, are enveloped in mystic clouds, and a zip-line adventure in Monteverde is the perfect way to experience this up-close and personal. Sky Adventures Monteverde is one of the most popular providers in the area, whose experiences with a ride on a ‘Skytram’ – think open-air cable car – make for a great experience in itself. From there, a network of at least 6 or 7 individual ziplines criss-cross the forest, many of which run for over 750 meters and reach speeds of up to 64 kmph.

Selvatura Adventure Park is another place you can experience extreme ziplining located inside the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The park provides 15 cables and 18 platforms for ziplining including a 'Tarzan Swing'. The park also provides a canopy tour and has an inhouse hummingbird and butterfly garden, tree-top walkways along a canopy tour. 

Small, yet perfectly formed, Manuel Antonio National Park is the jewel in Costa Rica’s crown. Luscious green rainforests, picture-perfect sandy beaches, and incredible coral reefs are just a few of the things that draw in the crowds. While there are no ziplines in the national park itself, the El Santuario Canopy Adventure is about as close as you can get, making it arguably the best zipline in Costa Rica. When it comes to aerial cableways, size certainly does matter! Two side-by-side runs of 1310 meters – the longest in Central America – mean you can race your friends to the bottom! Factor in no less than 9 other zip lines and a plethora of hanging bridges, tree platforms, and rappels, and your adrenaline glands are in for a treat!

Just a stone’s throw from Manuel Antonio, the small town of Quepos is surrounded by some equally incredible jungle, home to wild jaguars and panthers. While sharing much of the beauty and appeal of nearby Manuel Antonio, the jungles around Quepos provide a unique opportunity to get closer-than-ever to nature. Start an adventure packed day in Quepos by taking a Hummer ride through the forest and combine your zipline experience with an additional hike, go rock climbing or canyoning. Can you think of anything better than a zip ride through dense forests, past towering waterfalls and over deep canyons? We certainly can’t!

Found at the far end of the stunning Osa Peninsula, Matapolo is one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems, offering a stunning blend of pristine beach and dense jungle. Adventure tourists are particularly well catered for, as this is one of the only few sites that offer a ‘superman’ experience – perfect for the ultimate Instagram brag-shot! Exactly as the name suggests, rather than dangling beneath the line, at the Diamante Superman canopy Zipline, you’re strapped on in a lying position allowing you to do your very best Clark Kent as you descend towards the turquoise ocean below. The 30-foot freefall experience at the end of the wire is the icing on the cake! Bolt on other activities such as horseback riding or an ATV trip for an unforgettable day out.

Just 4km north of the famous Jaco beach lie the crescent sands of Herradura – an increasingly popular destination amongst visitors. It’s the fine sands and endless Pacific views that bring people here, but it’s some of the highest ziplines in Costa Rica that keep them coming back!

The team at Vista Los Suenos pride themselves on operating one of the most exhilarating and safest operations in the country, using three separate cables to attach you to their course of no less than 10 different zips! The experience begins with a short tractor ride to the starting point, before you start your 3.5km adventure across 10 platforms, with stunning views of the Pacific throughout. If that’s still not enough, talk to the experienced, multilingual guides about different ziplining positions. Why settle for a regular zip when you could hurtle through the jungle, say, upside down?

Generally speaking, ziplining in Costa Rica is about as safe as anywhere else in the world, particularly if you stick with the large and well-established operators. All reputable providers will supply all the specialist safety gear that you need – crash helmet, harness etc. – and have professionally trained, multilingual guides to make sure you don’t come to any harm. That said, there are a few essentials to bear in mind before setting off on your aerial adventure:

• Loose, comfortable clothing is a must. Weather can be changeable, so it’s important to check the forecast and dress for all eventualities.
• Sunscreen and bug spray will be beneficial – this is the jungle, after all!
• Most ziplines specify a maximum and minimum weight range for safety reasons. Those between 30-130 kg are generally fine, but check with your supplier before booking!
• Fully enclosed shoes with good grip are best, particularly if you plan on joining other activities, too.
• Carrying drinking water along is never a bad idea. While many operators include refreshments as part of the package, it’s better to go prepared!
• Your camera! After all, what’s the point in Superman-ing through the jungle if you can’t brag to your friends afterward?

Ultimately, ziplining in Costa Rica is going to be one of those travel experiences you never forget. Whether it’s the highest, longest or fastest; upright, upside-down, or Superman, there really is nothing like experiencing Costa Rica’s incredible landscape by wire. Better still, the majority of operators put a real emphasis on making their adventures as eco-friendly as possible, so you can zip away safe in the knowledge that you’re bringing no harm to this spectacular landscape. Find out for yourself where’s the best place to zipline in Costa Rica!

If you are looking for information to plan your trip to Costa Rica, check out our travel guides which will give you some in-depth information on how many days to spend, the best time to visit, the best places to visit, and things to do in the country Also, get in touch with our local travel experts who will help you plan a custom trip to Costa Rica that includes all the must-see ziplining destinations.