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Ziplining is a must-do activity in Costa Rica, and La Fortuna is one of the best places to do it. Here, you can soar above rainforests, canyons, and waterfalls and enjoy aerial views of the landscape alongside an adrenaline rush!
We lived in La Fortuna (and come back whenever we can), so naturally, we’ve taken advantage of all of the fantastic ziplining opportunities here!
So if you’re thinking about going ziplining in La Fortuna, keep on reading because this blog goes through the best tours to choose from.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this 12-zipline tour over La Fortuna Waterfall! It includes a dozen canopy ziplines including one that goes right over the waterfall! It’s some of the best ziplining we’ve ever done.
Check out the 500+ positive reviews and book your spot HERE!
Tip: This tour is likely to sell out – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- Best Ziplining Tours in La Fortuna
- 1. Rainforest Canopy 12-Zipline Course + Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall (our top pick!)
- 2. Extreme 7 Zipline Course
- 3. Sky Adventures Park Zipline Course and Aerial Tram
- 4. 4-in-1 Tour (Rappel, zipline, pool jumping, and hike)
- 5. Congo Combo (Hanging Bridges and Zipline Adventure)
- 6. Mid-day Ziplines, Rappel, Horseback Riding, Maleku Villa, Shuttle
- Do you need to book your La Fortuna ziplining tour in advance?
- When is the best time to go ziplining in La Fortuna?
- Is ziplining in La Fortuna worth it?
- Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
- Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Best Ziplining Tours in La Fortuna
1. Rainforest Canopy 12-Zipline Course + Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall (our top pick!)
With 12 ziplines, this rainforest zipline 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 La Fortuna Waterfall. Plus, it’s a great chance to spot wildlife.
The highlight has to be zooming over La Fortuna Waterfall! I couldn’t believe we got to do this. It was so beautiful and also felt like we were in a movie!
I love that this tour is exciting, but still great if it’s your first time ziplining or if you have kids along. 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. In fact, we think that this is one of the best tours in La Fortuna overall!
The tour costs $96 USD per person including hotel pick up and drop off. This is a popular tour (check out the 500+ reviews here!) so you’ll want to book in advance to guarantee your spot.
Book our FAVORITE Zipline Tour in La Fortuna here to get FREE cancellation!
2. Extreme 7 Zipline Course
The extreme zipline course in the Arenal Canopy Adventure Park is perfect for those seeking a big adrenaline rush! Plus, you get awesome views of the La Fortuna Waterfall.
You’ll start off on an 18-meter (54-foot) tall tower above a canyon and then begin zooming along the series of 7 different ziplines, one of which is 980 meters (0.6 miles) long. You can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) so this is the perfect choice for thrill seekers.
We also love this tour because you get such beautiful views. You’ll be able to see the Pino Blanco waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Cerro Chato, and the town of La Fortuna itself.
The tour costs $84 USD and includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central La Fortuna.
For an extreme adrenaline rush, book your tour in advance here!
3. Sky Adventures Park Zipline Course and Aerial Tram
With this tour, you get to go on a 2.5-hour aerial adventure in the Sky Adventures Park!
You not only get to enjoy the park’s seven zipline course, but also an open-air gondola ride over the Costa Rican rainforest. It’s a fantastic opportunity to spot wildlife and enjoy beautiful views of the Arenal Volcano.
This is an especially great option for families as kids love the gondola ride as well as the ziplines.
The tour costs $106 USD and there are multiple departure times to choose from. You can contact the tour operator after booking to arrange hotel pickup and drop-off for an additional fee. You can also rent souvenir photos or a GoPro if you want to capture your own footage!
Reserve a spot for this family-friendly zipline adventure here!
4. 4-in-1 Tour (Rappel, zipline, pool jumping, and hike)
This ultimate combo tour is an awesome way to explore the Arenal River Canyon.
You get to zipline over the canyon (twice!), rappel down the canyon walls, and jump over natural pools. It’s a really beautiful place to explore and this tour allows you to immerse yourself into the wild beauty of La Fortuna.
What we love about this tour is that it’s beginner-friendly. Going canyoning for the first time can be intimidating but this tour doesn’t require any experience. The guides will help you to learn how to use the safety equipment and they’ll be with you the entire way.
You also get lunch included with your adventure. After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the Arenal River Canyon, you’ll enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest to a local restaurant where you’ll get a traditional meal of a casado buffet for lunch.
The tour costs $105 USD per person, and you can request hotel pickup and drop-off for an extra fee or drive yourself to the meeting point which is about 40 minutes outside of town. It lasts for around 3 hours and we think that this is a great choice if you’re looking for an all-round adventure!
Book this 4-in-1 tour online here!
5. Congo Combo (Hanging Bridges and Zipline Adventure)
We love ziplining in La Fortuna, but exploring the hanging bridges in the rainforest is also a really cool experience! This combo tour allows you to explore the Arenal Canopy Adventure Park via a series of ziplines and suspension bridges.
Ziplining is awesome but being able to walk more slowly along the suspension bridges also gives you time to take in the rainforest views and spot wildlife. You’ll have a guide to lead you around and help you point out all the creatures.
This is a small group tour with a maximum of 15 people so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, too.
You’ll walk across 16 suspension bridges and fly across 8 different ziplines, so this is a super in-depth exploration of the rainforest.
We love the variety of this tour. You not only get to go deep into the rainforest, but you also get gorgeous views of the surrounding canyons, mountains, farmlands, and the Arenal Volcano.
This tour costs $149 USD and includes hotel pickup and dropoff, as well as fruit snacks and bottled water along the way. Or, if you prefer, there’s also a private tour for $204 USD per person.
Book this La Fortuna Zipline and Hanging Bridges combo tour here.
6. Mid-day Ziplines, Rappel, Horseback Riding, Maleku Villa, Shuttle
If you’re looking for an all-round adventure, this top-rated tour offers you the chance to zipline, rappel down a waterfall, take a horseback ride through the rainforest, and visit the Maleku Cultural Village.
You start with rappelling down the side of an 80-meter/262-foot waterfall, but if you don’t feel comfortable with this, you can take a guided hike down instead.
Then, you’ll tackle the 7-cable zipline course and fly through the rainforest before taking a guided horseback ride through the trees. Finally, you’ll head to the Maleku Cultural Village to discover Indigenous Costa Rican culture.
The tour lasts for around 3.5 hours and costs $143 USD, which we think is pretty good value for money since the tour includes so many different activities, and pickup and dropoff in central La Fortuna.
Book this tour online here and you can pay later!
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.
Do you need to book your La Fortuna ziplining tour in advance?
Yes, it’s definitely best to book in advance. La Fortuna is a really popular place to go ziplining in Costa Rica, and the tours are usually in small groups. This means that families and larger groups who want to go together should book well ahead of time.
The tours that we’ve mentioned offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, so you can reserve your spot without risking losing your money. That’s part of why they’re such great options!
Book our FAVORITE Zipline Tour in La Fortuna here (with 24-hour FREE cancellation!)
Related Read: Another great adrenaline-filled experience is going whitewater rafting in La Fortuna.
When is the best time to go ziplining in La Fortuna?
When you’re figuring out the best time to visit Costa Rica, it’s good to know that ziplining in La Fortuna is a year-round activity. The weather is drier between December and April, which might mean a more comfortable experience. Plus, you’ll be able to see much further on clearer days.
However, going ziplining during the rainy season means that the rainforest will be at its greenest. This also means you’ll see even more wildlife and the rivers and waterfalls will look even more dramatic.
Is ziplining in La Fortuna worth it?
Yes! La Fortuna is one of the best places to go ziplining in Costa Rica. The zipline courses around here offer beautiful views as well as a really fun experience
Book our FAVORITE Zipline Tour in La Fortuna here!
Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
Of course, going ziplining is one of the best experiences, but there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:
- Hot springs – One of the best free activities in La Fortuna is the natural hot springs! The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.
- Go on a night walk – Since ziplining is a daytime thing, go on this night walk and dinner tour for a fun evening experience. Guides lead you on an easy hike through the rainforest, spotting all the critters that come out after dark. To finish it off, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove.
- Drink great coffee – It’s no secret some of the best coffee in the world comes from Costa Rica! We had the freshest cup of coffee and tasted amazing homemade chocolate on this Costa Rican coffee and chocolate experience that takes place on a small family-owned plantation.
- Visit a rope swing – El Salto, or “the rope swing,” is a hidden paradise with a swimming hole, waterfalls, and a local vibe. You can easily walk to El Salto and swing into the refreshing waters – or ask the locals where it’s safe to jump!
- Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour. For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram, fly by on an ATV ride, or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. We even wrote an entire blog about the best hotels in La Fortuna. However, to make it super easy, we’ve narrowed it down to our top places for each price point. So keep reading to find one that suits your needs (and budget!).
The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal – $$$
For arguably the most luxurious hotel in La Fortuna, check out The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal. While the rooms don’t come cheap ($600 USD+), it’s a bucket list place to stay that’s perfect for visiting Costa Rica on a honeymoon!
You’ll find 28 hot spring pools here, making the resort the perfect place if you really want to relax. There’s also a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, and a spa and wellness center. You can reserve a room at The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal on Booking.com.
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa – $$
Those with a medium budget should check out Casa Luna Hotel & Spa. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. You can also enjoy the tropical botanic garden at the hotel.
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa is near Arenal Volcano National Park, and all the rooms have views of the volcano and the rainforest. The hotel also includes a delicious breakfast, and rooms run about $200 USD a night. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town, and you can reserve a room online on Booking.com here.
Selina La Fortuna – $
One of the go-to budget options is Selina La Fortuna. I’ve stayed in Selina hostels around the world and this is a great one. It has a fun party atmosphere and a great co-working space where we spend a lot of time.
Selina Fortuna is located right in the middle of town, so you have easy access to great bars and restaurants nearby. Rates begin at $26 USD for a one-night stay in a dorm and $124 USD for a one-night stay in a private room. You can check availability and book on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.com
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!
Going ziplining in La Fortuna is such a fun adventure and a great way to see lots of beautiful scenery. Because ziplining is so popular in La Fortuna, it’s best to make plans in advance, especially if your schedule doesn’t have much flexibility.
Hopefully, you found a tour that sounds just right for you! We always have an amazing time ziplining in Costa Rica, and we want you to as well. Before your visit, make sure to check out our full blog on Costa Rica. We have lots of tips and advice to make your vacation the best one yet.
15 Absolute BEST Places to Visit in Costa Rica