The best place for ziplining in Costa Rica is wherever you’re already staying. Every main region has established canopy tours, and the main difference between them is the view. Monteverde has the longest and most physical courses through cloud forest, including a Superman line of about 1.6 km. Arenal’s tours are shorter and easier, with volcano and lake views. Guanacaste has ocean views and river gorges, and there are options near Manuel Antonio and within an hour of San José. A zipline-only tour typically costs about $50 to $100 per adult. Most parks take children from about age 4 to 6, often riding tandem with a guide. Wear closed-toe shoes and book a morning slot.
This guide is for travelers choosing a zipline tour as part of a Costa Rica trip. It covers each region, the best-known parks, prices, age and weight limits, safety and what to wear.
| Ziplining in Costa Rica | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Price | About $50–100 zipline only; about $120–180 for combo tours |
| Duration | About 2–3 hours, plus transport |
| Minimum age | Commonly 4–6, often tandem with a guide |
| Weight limit | Varies by park; often around 110 kg (about 240 lb) |
| Most intense | Monteverde |
| Easiest | Arenal |
| Best time | Mornings; December to April for the clearest views |
| Must wear | Closed-toe shoes |
Background
Costa Rica and the Canopy Tour
Costa Rica is where the canopy zipline began. In 1979, a researcher named Donald Perry rigged a cable system at La Selva to study the rainforest canopy, and in the 1990s the first public canopy tours opened in Monteverde. Today almost every tourist area has at least one zipline park, and the tours run year-round.
Cables and safety gear are similar from park to park. What changes is the setting: cloud forest, volcano, ocean or river canyon. That’s why it usually makes sense to zipline where you’re already staying rather than drive hours for a specific course.
Where to go
Best Places for Ziplining in Costa Rica
Monteverde: longest and most physical
Monteverde sits at about 1,400 to 1,800 meters (4,600 to 5,900 feet), and its courses run through cloud forest. Expect more hiking and stairs between platforms than elsewhere, and cool, misty weather.
- 100% Aventura: known for its Superman line of about 1.6 km (1 mile), ridden face-down in a horizontal harness.
- Selvatura Park: zipline course in the forest above Santa Elena, with hanging bridges and a hummingbird garden on the same property.
- Sky Adventures Monteverde (Sky Trek): the least intense of the Monteverde options, with a tram up and cables down.
- Monteverde Extremo: the most intense, with a Tarzan swing and a 143-meter bungee jump. See our bungee jumping guide.
Arenal and La Fortuna: easiest, with volcano views
Tours around La Fortuna are lower, shorter and less tiring than Monteverde’s, with little walking between platforms. On clear days you see Arenal Volcano and the lake from the cables. Sky Adventures Arenal takes you up by tram and brings you down on a series of cables, the longest about 750 meters, in roughly 2.5 hours. Ecoglide has shorter, gentler lines and is a good choice for younger children. Zipline days pair easily with hot springs in the afternoon.
Guanacaste: ocean views and river gorges
Near the northern Pacific beaches, Diamante Eco Adventure Park runs a Superman-style line toward the ocean. Inland, Hacienda Guachipelín near Rincón de la Vieja strings its cables over a river gorge and sells combo days with tubing, horseback riding and hot springs. Both are practical from beach towns such as Tamarindo or from Liberia.
Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Several canopy tours operate in the coastal rainforest near Manuel Antonio. Lines are generally shorter, and monkeys and sloths are often seen from the platforms. It’s an easy half-day add-on to a beach stay.
Near San José
Rainforest Adventures, next to Braulio Carrillo National Park about 45 minutes from San José on Route 32, combines an aerial tram with a zipline course. It’s the easiest option if you’re short on time or flying out soon. See our day tours from San José.
Cost
How Much Ziplining Costs in Costa Rica
- Zipline only: about $50 to $100 per adult for a 2- to 3-hour tour.
- Combo days: about $120 to $180 when you add hanging bridges, a tram, tubing, lunch or hot springs.
- Extras: hotel transport, photo and video packages, and the 13% sales tax may be added on top.
- Children: usually get a discount; check each park’s age bands.
Prices change often, so check the operator’s site for current rates. Booking direct is usually as cheap as booking through your hotel, and combos at a single park save time compared with splitting activities between two parks.
Limits
Age, Weight and Health Requirements
- Age: commonly a minimum of 4 to 6, with young children riding tandem with a guide.
- Height: some parks set a minimum height instead of, or in addition to, an age.
- Weight: maximums vary by park and are often around 110 kg (about 240 lb). Check before booking.
Planning with children? See our family itineraries.
Safety
Is Ziplining in Costa Rica Safe?
With an established operator, yes. Stick to parks with a long track record and recent reviews, and watch for these basics:
- Two connections to the cable at all times: the trolley plus a backup lanyard.
- A guide at each end of every line.
- A gear check and briefing before the first cable, with helmets and well-fitted harnesses.
- Clear braking instructions. Some courses brake automatically; on others you brake with a gloved hand, and guides show you how.
- Weather calls. Good operators pause during lightning or very high wind.
Skip informal setups with no reviews, no website or a single guide.
What to wear
What to Wear Ziplining
- Closed-toe shoes with grip. Most parks won’t let you ride in flip-flops.
- Shorts or pants that cover your upper thighs so the harness doesn’t chafe.
- A fitted shirt and long hair tied back.
- A light rain jacket in Monteverde or in the rainy season.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent, applied before you arrive.
- Nothing loose in your pockets. Use the park’s lockers, or bring a phone only if you can secure it.
See our Costa Rica packing guide.
Timing
Best Time to Go Ziplining
- Time of day: morning. Clouds and afternoon storms build later in the day.
- Dry season (about December to April): the clearest views, especially for the volcano and ocean lines. Book a few days ahead.
- Rainy season (about May to November): tours run in the rain, prices can be lower and the forest is green. Thunderstorms can cause short pauses.
- Monteverde’s windy months: about December to March, when gusts are strong on exposed lines.
See the best time to visit Costa Rica by region.
Avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving hours for a specific course when a good park is near your hotel.
- Showing up in sandals.
- Booking an afternoon tour in the rainy season.
- Choosing Monteverde’s toughest course for small children or anyone with mobility limits.
- Skipping the weight and age rules until you arrive.
Want something beyond ziplines? See our list of off-the-beaten-path adventures.
FAQ
Ziplining in Costa Rica: FAQ
Where is the best ziplining in Costa Rica?
Monteverde for the longest, most intense courses; Arenal for easier lines with volcano views; Guanacaste for ocean views and river gorges. The best choice is usually the region you’re already visiting.
How much does ziplining cost in Costa Rica?
About $50 to $100 per adult for a zipline-only tour, and about $120 to $180 for combo days with other activities. Check for added tax and transport.
What is the longest zipline in Costa Rica?
100% Aventura in Monteverde runs a Superman-style line of about 1.6 km (1 mile), one of the longest in the country.
How old do you have to be to zipline in Costa Rica?
Commonly 4 to 6 years old, depending on the park, with young children riding tandem with a guide. Some parks also set a minimum height.
Is ziplining in Costa Rica safe?
Yes, with an established operator that uses two connections to the cable, guides at both ends and a full gear check. Avoid informal operations with no reviews.
Where was ziplining invented?
In Costa Rica. A researcher built a canopy cable system at La Selva in 1979, and the first public canopy tours opened in Monteverde in the 1990s.
The short version
Zipline where you’re already staying; the view is the real difference.
Monteverde for thrills, Arenal for families, Guanacaste for ocean views.
Book a morning tour, check the limits and wear closed-toe shoes.