3 BEST Ziplining Tours in Manuel Antonio (Which One to Book!)
Looking for the best ziplining tours in Manuel Antonio National Park?
Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve rounded up our top picks! We love ziplining and have done it all over Costa Rica, and we can confirm that Manuel Antonio offers some of the best experiences in the entire country. The park’s dense jungle is home to so much incredible wildlife, so ziplining here is not only a fun adventure, it’s also a great way to spot rare mammals, birds, and reptiles.
We’ve rounded up our top tour choices to help you decide which one to book. These tours are a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck while having everything organized for you!
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this ziplining tour that lets you try the longest twin zipline in Central America! There are also plenty of other ziplines, hanging bridges, and lunch at a local restaurant to finish it off.
La Fortuna Waterfall
- Our Top Choice
- 1. Canopy Tour on the Longest Twin Zipline in Central America
- Book our FAVORITE ziplining tour here to guarantee your spot!
- 2. Ziplining Tour with Tarzan Swing and Rappelling
- Book this budget-friendly zipline adventure here!
- 3. Canopy Tour in Manuel Antonio
- Book this ziplining tour here to access pay later options!
- Other Must-Do Activities While You're in Manuel Antonio
- Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
1. Canopy Tour on the Longest Twin Zipline in Central America
Tour Details
We had a blast on this all-inclusive ziplining tour, which took us on the longest twin zipline in Central America!
This tour is our top pick for so many reasons. Hotel pickup and drop-off were prompt and professional, our guides were super friendly, and we just loved this zipline course. It was made up of 10 ziplines in total, and we had a blast flying through the trees and spotting wildlife from the viewing platforms and suspension bridges. We also got the chance to do a double belay rappel!
The guides were so much fun and made the tour super entertaining. They taught us a little about the forest and Manuel Antonio National Park, and also helped us to spot some of the wildlife hiding in the trees. They took amazing pictures, too, which we were able to purchase after the tour.
Our favorite part of the tour, though, was the longest zipline – which is actually the longest twin zipline in Central America. It’s over a kilometer (just under a mile) long, so it’s no joke! The fact it was a twin zipline meant that we were able to ride at the same time, which made the experience even more fun.
The tour ended with a hearty lunch at a local restaurant, which we needed after our morning adventure! We had such a great time and we highly recommend booking this tour. And if you’re visiting during peak season, it’s best to do it in advance!
Related Read: If you want the ideal trip planned for you, our 3-day Manuel Antonio itinerary is a must-read!
2. Ziplining Tour with Tarzan Swing and Rappelling
Tour Details
Given its competitive price, this ziplining tour is our top pick for budget travelers! Despite being the cheapest tour on this list (and the most affordable one we’ve found), it’s still pretty generous with its inclusions. We also found that it was well-organized, and our guides made sure we were looked after.
We started the adventure with a quick fruit snack before heading up into the treetops where we traversed ziplines, suspension bridges, viewing platforms, and a rappel! Oh, and let’s not forget the Tarzan swing. Soaring through the jungle like that was an incredible feeling, and it definitely got our adrenaline pumping even more than the zipline did.
Our guides had us laughing the entire way, and they made us feel really safe. In fact, there were a few nervous participants in our group, but the team did a fantastic job of putting them at ease. They also supplied us with plenty of water, which we were thankful for because it gets humid and sweaty in the jungle! Then, afterward, we all sat down for a meal together, which was a nice way to end a fantastic experience.
Since this tour has glowing reviews and a competitive price, it sells out pretty fast between December and April, which is Costa Rica’s dry season. So if you’re visiting Manuel Antonio then, you’re definitely best off booking this tour in advance.
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:
3. Canopy Tour in Manuel Antonio
Tour Details
This zipline tour is our top pick for families in Manuel Antonio! It’s a fun half-day tour that’s suitable for children ages 6 and up, so it’s ideal for families vacationing in Costa Rica. And let me tell you, kids will just love zooming along the 11 different ziplines and spotting wildlife.
The chief guide on this tour, José, was great at pointing out different animals, and we got to see lots of white-faced howler monkeys and sloths in the trees.
The Tarzan swing on this canopy course definitely had me shrieking, but overall it wasn’t too scary. There were plenty of kids in our group and I think most children would be absolutely fine with the course, unless they have a big fear of heights. But that’s really the case for anyone doing a zipline course! And because the jungle is so dense, it often doesn’t feel as though you’re as high up as you really are.
This tour does include hotel pickup and drop-off, but if you’ve got your own wheels then you could also easily combine it with a guided hike in the park or a visit to the beach. I like how flexible this option is, and all of our guides and drivers were super friendly and accommodating.
Related Read: Looking for even more unforgettable experiences? Check out our guide to the 10 best things to do in Manuel Antonio here—it’s filled with can’t-miss adventures, hidden gems, and plenty of wildlife magic!
Other Must-Do Activities While You’re in Manuel Antonio
Once you arrive in Manuel Antonio, there’s so much to see and do! You can check out our full guide on Manuel Antonio or browse our favorite activities below!
- Visit the National Park – Of course, you’ll want to see Manuel Antonio National Park! It’s easy to hike through on your own, but we find it’s nice to have a guide – especially to help you spot wildlife. This specific tour is only $30 USD and includes a 2-hour guided walk through the park. After the tour, you’re free to enjoy the beaches and relax.
- Coffee and chocolate tour – Coffee and chocolate are two of my favorite things. So, it should come as no surprise I just had to join this top-rated coffee and chocolate tour in Manuel Antonio! The tour teaches you about the historical importance of cacao as well as the entire process of making chocolate. It’s a fantastic experience!
- Sunset Sail – The sunset or daytime sail in Manuel Antonio was my favorite tour I have done in town. It’s a fun and relaxing tour with spectacular views, lots of drinks, snorkeling, and food.
- ATVing – This ATV tour is so much fun and takes you into the jungle to explore at high speed and then refresh in a natural waterfall. You’ll get wet and dirty, but have a fantastic time! A traditional Costa Rica lunch is also included.
Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
There are tons of different hotels to choose from when deciding where to stay in Manuel Antonio. Here are a few of our favorites for all budgets:
Parador Resort and Spa – $$$
Those who enjoy staying in a beautiful hotel and don’t mind paying for it, have to check out Parador Resort and Spa. This place does tick a lot of boxes! It’s only a short walk to the beach, has fantastic panoramic views thanks to its elevated location, and has two infinity pools.
The hotel is surrounded by rainforest, so there’s tons of wildlife around too. It’s more around the $350 USD+ per night mark, but is great for a luxury getaway! You can check availability and book online here.
Hotel Villas Lirio – $$
For the medium-budget traveler, my top choice is Hotel Villas Lirio (pictured above). This gorgeous hotel is reasonably priced but has some very luxurious features such as an outdoor pool, tropical manicured gardens, an included breakfast, and a restaurant.
The hotel is also located in the heart of Manuel Antonio and is only meters from the main road where the bus down to the beach and national park goes (it’s a 1-minute drive or a short walk). Be sure to book it in advance as it is often fully booked. You can book Hotel Villas Lirio here.
Hostel Plinio – $
Hostel Plinio is one of the best budget-friendly places to stay in Manuel Antonio. They offer private or dorm rooms, and even full studios with a sea view! You can relax in the swimming pool, enjoy the restaurant, and take in the social atmosphere. It’s located just 2.5 miles from Manuel Antonio National Park and 10 minutes from Quepos.
Dorms start at $22 USD and private rooms at $46 USD. Check prices and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Related Read: Still not sure where to base yourself? Read our guide to where to stay in Manuel Antonio here! It breaks down the best areas and hotels—whether you want jungle views, beach access, or a boutique spot with a pool.
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.
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We’ve tested a bunch of eSIMs in North America, and after a few frustrating experiences, we’ve found our favorite — Airalo. It’s fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to use. You can set it up in minutes (even my mom managed it solo on her first try!), and the prices are some of the best out there.
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Pura Vida!
It’s so much fun flying through the jungles of Costa Rica and right around Manuel Antonio is one of the best places to zipline in the entire country. I hope you have a blast on whichever zipline course you choose from our list!
For more travel tips and inspiration, check out all our blogs on traveling in Costa Rica here. Or if you’re sticking around the Manuel Antonio area, I put a few below that might come in handy.
21 Things you NEED to know before visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
15 BEST Tours in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
