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If flying through the treetops in Costa Rica sounds like your idea of fun, you’ve come to the right place!
We have traveled and lived all over Costa Rica and there is one experience we have done time and time again: ziplining! It’s such a thrilling way to see amazing scenery and also a great way to spot wildlife!
With zipline tours offered all over Costa Rica, it can be hard to know which tour to choose. That’s why I’ve narrowed down the 5 absolute best zipline tours across the country to help make your decision easier!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE zipline tour in all of Costa Rica is this full-day combo tour in Guanacaste! During this adventure-filled day, you will zipline across 8 lines, go on a horseback ride, tube down a winding river, and relax in some natural hot springs.
Check out the 1,000+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
The BEST Zipline Tours in Costa Rica
1. Full-Day Ziplining, Horseback Riding, and River Tubing in Guanacaste
First up on my list of the best ziplining tours in Costa Rica is this full-day combo tour within Rincon de la Vieja National Park which includes a horseback ride, river tubing, a visit to a volcanic mud bath and natural hot springs, and of course, ziplining. That’s 5 awesome adventures in one jam-packed day!
The epic ziplining course takes you through the treetops and over a steep canyon with a fast-flowing river below. There are 8 zip lines here and 18 platforms, and you must zipline, rock climb, and rappel your way through the course. There’s even a hanging bridge, climbing wall, a Via Ferrata type (aka a cable) rappel, and a Tarzan swing! The course is just so much fun!
Once you’re done zipping through the course, you will return to the starting point for a 45-minute horseback ride through the forest. Then get on a tube for a fast-paced ride down the river that takes you through many twists and turns. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious included lunch!
And that’s not all; after lunch, you will be driven to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, where you can relax in 10 different thermal pools, all of which are naturally heated by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano! You may also treat yourself to a volcanic mud bath, during which you must lather yourself in volcanic clay mud and then wash it off with a cold shower. Your skin will feel “baby soft” afterward.
Tours run daily and pick-up is included from most of the popular tourist towns in Guanacaste. Considering all that’s included, I think this is fantastic value for money at only $135 USD per person. And I’m not the only one, have a look at the 1,000+ great reviews here!
Check availability for this popular zipline combo tour here!
2. Twin Zipline Tour in Manuel Antonio
This half-day tour takes you on the longest twin zipline in Central America (just under a mile long (1.2 miles to be exact)! It also boasts 14 tree platforms, 6 hanging bridges, and much more.
It’s no wonder this canopy tour is one of the most popular things to do in the stunning coastal region of Manuel Antonio!
The tour will pick you up from your Manuel Antonio hotel and soon you’ll be flying through the treetops on the longest twin zipline in Latin America! Plus, while you’re here, you have the chance to try out 10 double-anchored ziplines, which span over 3.6 km (2.2 mi) in total, a double belay rappel, and 3 nature walks!
The unique touchless zipline system that they use on this tour enables you to relax and enjoy the zipline (and the incredible views) without having to worry about braking at the end of each line. It’s completely safe!
I also love the twin zipline on this tour. It is so much fun going at the same time as someone else. I always try and beat Dan to the end!
This particular tour is 4.5 – 5 hours long and includes transport from most hotels in Manuel Antonio or the nearby city of Quepos, as well as a delicious lunch. The price starts from $90 USD it’s super popular (check the reviews here!), so make sure you book in advance!
Check availability for Central America’s longest twin zipline here!
3. Zipline over La Fortuna Waterfall!
With 12 ziplines, this exciting tour allows you to see the best of La Fortuna’s incredible landscape. As you zoom along, you’ll get beautiful views of the Arenal Volcano, Cerro Chato, and go right over La Fortuna Waterfall!
Plus, it’s a great chance to spot wildlife and learn about the area’s unique landscape.
I love that this tour is exciting, but still great if it’s your first time ziplining. It’s super safe and the staff are great at explaining the ropes (no pun intended!) so even if it’s your first time, you’ll feel comfortable.
You can book this tour for 8 am, 10:30 am, or 1 pm, and it includes hotel pickup and dropoff in La Fortuna. We think this is a perfect adventure for couples or families with children over the age of 7.
The tour costs $96 USD and lasts for around 2.5 hours, making it easy to fit into your busy travel itinerary. You need to book for at least two people at a time, and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase food and drink or souvenir photos along the way if you like – so bring some extra cash with you!
Read the 450+ 5-star reviews and book this zipline tour here!
4. Oceanview Zipline in Guanacaste
Next up is the longest oceanview dual tandem zipline in the country. You can zipline next to a friend, partner, or family member – which is quite the experience!
Plus, the views of Playa Matapalo are breathtaking as you zip speedily along the 4,461-foot (1,360-meter) zipline. This particular zipline is nicknamed “The Superman” because of the way you’re strapped in – facing forward.
And if you’re feeling really brave, why not try out the “Tarzan Swing,” which involves you jumping from a 30-foot (9.1-meter) tower! Or attempt their version of a bungee jump, called the “Quick Jump,” which is a scary free fall from a steep tower.
A slightly tamer experience is the zipline over the hanging bridge, which involves you ziplining right onto a bridge – but beware, there are crocodiles in the river below!
We recommend allowing 2 hours to complete this tour. It runs daily at multiple times and prices start from only $91 USD. Transportation is not included on this tour so you will have to get yourself to Diamante Eco Adventure Park in Playa Matapalo. It is under an hour’s drive from Liberia and just 30 minutes from Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco.
Read the reviews and book the longest oceanview tandem zipline in Costa Rica here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Budget Zipline in Tamarindo
And now for the most affordable ziplining tour in Tamarindo – on this Monkey Jungle zipline, you will literally be hanging like a monkey (hence the name) from the treetops in the lush jungle in Guatemala de Santa Rosa, a short drive from Tamarindo!
On this particular tour, not only will you fly through the trees on 7 different ziplines, but you will also get the chance to explore the jungle on foot and see wildlife like white face monkeys, congo monkeys, armadillos, lizards, wild boars, and maybe even some small deer! There are also abundant birds in the trees here!
What’s great, too, is this tour is short, taking just 1 – 2 hours, giving you more time to experience other awesome activities in Tamarindo!
At the end of your tour, you will be treated to a light snack of some local fruits and water. All of the above for just $65 USD sounds like a great price to me!
Book this budget-friendly ziplining adventure online here before it sells out!
Is Ziplining in Costa Rica Worth It?
100% yes!
Costa Rica was one of the first countries in the world to develop canopy ziplines, so it’s no surprise that it is such a popular activity here.
Not only do you get the thrill of flying through the air, but ziplining is one of the best ways to see the nation’s abundant wildlife because most of them (90% to be exact) live high up in the canopy! It’s a different world high up in the treetops, with vibrant plants and animals like monkeys and sloths to be spotted as you zip through the trees on a ziplining tour!
And what’s great is that people of any age and fitness level can join a ziplining tour as it’s not a very physical activity! Plus, these tours operate no matter the weather, so it’s a great rainy-day activity!
You will find many different zipline tours all around the country, but we love booking in advance on Viator, because it allows us to read the reviews and check the reliability of the company beforehand.
Learn more about our favorite Costa Rica zipline tour and reserve your spot here!
The BEST Things to do in Costa Rica
While there are so many fun things to do in Costa Rica, a couple of specific attractions and activities stand out amongst the rest. They are:
Explore Volcanoes
There are some impressive (and beautiful!) volcanoes that you’ll want to check out while you’re here.
Poas Volcano is known for its bright blue crater lake. Poas Volcano is most commonly visited on a day trip from San Jose. This Poas Volcano tour from San Jose is one of the best you can do since it also includes a visit to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens as well as a coffee farm.
Arenal Volcano is also one of Costa Rica’s top attractions. Arenal Volcano is located closest to the town of La Fortuna. You can book this full-day tour from La Fortuna that takes you to the volcano to hike, the famous La Fortuna Waterfall and even a hanging bridge – it’s a full day of adventure!
Chase Waterfalls
La Fortuna Waterfall is one of our favorite waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. You can easily visit it on this full-day tour in La Fortuna that also visits hot springs.
Rio Celeste is another beautiful waterfall that is famous for its bright blue water. Rio Celeste is a popular attraction to visit from Guanacaste Province and this particular tour includes transport from there. Alternatively, you can book this tour from La Fortuna or this tour from San Jose.
See the wildlife
Costa Rica is the place for wildlife lovers! One of the best places to see lots of animals in their wild habitat is at Manuel Antonio National Park. With the help of a guide you will see plenty of birds, monkeys, and even sloths! This particular tour is super popular and also has amazing reviews, so you really can;t go wrong.
There are also lots of wildlife rescue centers around the country that are worth visiting. The Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo is one of our favorites as well as Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in San Jose where you can book this private tour.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
And there you have it, 5 of the best ziplining tours in Costa Rica! I hope this detailed blog post has given you plenty of inspiration for your upcoming adventure-filled vacation to Costa Rica, and has helped you to choose the perfect zipline tour for you!
If you’re planning a trip here, check out our list of all the best things to do in Costa Rica. Happy traveling and check out these blogs below:
Is Costa Rica expensive? The cost to travel to Costa Rica
7 Day Costa Rica itinerary: How to spend one week in Costa Rica!