Ziplining in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Ziplining in Costa Rica is a must-try activity and where better to zip line than in the famous cloud forest that is Monteverde. Monteverde is located in the high mountains of Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province and is well known for its biodiversity of plants and wildlife. On your zip line tour, you will travel through the canopy and across valleys.

 

Whether you’ve gone zip lining before, or it is your first time, like it was mine, Monteverde is sure to thrill and provide the adventure you are looking for. You don’t need any prior experience, as the zip line companies will teach you everything you to know from proper hand positions to feet positions.

 

Ziplining was high on my radar for adventure activities to try, and I was very excited and grateful to experience it in Costa Rica. If you are nervous like I was, definitely read about my experience near the end of this post to see how I worked to conquer my fears and have a great time.

 

Why Should You Go Ziplining in Costa Rica?

Besides how well-known Costa Rica is for ziplining, where else can you feel like you are flying through a cloud forest than in Monteverde? Seriously, if there is somewhere else, anywhere in the world, I wanna go there too!

 

Other than its’ popularity, Costa Rica has lush green canopies that you won’t want to miss seeing, and ziplining provides a great view. This is not your local zip line lacking beautiful scenery. Costa Rica views will not disappoint, and there are enough zip lines to keep the experience going for a few hours.

 

Ziplining makes for a fun-filled day for everyone from kids to adults. It will definitely bring out the kid in you who just loved to have a good time!

 

Advice for Ziplining The Cloud Forest

You will want to choose the first start time for your zip lining canopy tour which starts around 8am. Now you may not be a morning person, nor am I, but, you will want to get there early.

 

The clouds roll into mid to late morning and will block some of the views, so it’s best to get there early. Remember, Monteverde is a cloud forest, so you don’t want the clouds blocking part of your view as you zip in awe between canopies and mountains.

 

What It’s Like – Ziplining in Monteverde

It was my first time zip lining, and I was definitely nervous for the first line. Patrick went first to give me the confidence and motivation to step off the first platform.

As the morning went on, and I completed each zip line, I began to feel more comfortable and confident. I was having so much fun! Zipping through the canopy, I felt like I was flying.

 

We came up to a double zip line where we would ride together on the cable for 3.4 km across the valley. We looked around and saw how high up we really were. What a view!

 

We zipped across and were laughing and screaming and enjoying the ride that we shared. We couldn’t believe how far and how fast we were traveling over the valley. The trees far below us, it was difficult to see where our zip line was headed into the distance. It was crazy awesome!

 

Guess, that’s why they call it Extremo!  

 

All was going amazing until we reached the last zip line.

 

The grand finale is called the Superman, and for a good reason. Your harness is reversed from your front onto your back, and you then move forward head first, instead of feet first. Sounds scary, right?!

 

I was freaking out inside and didn’t feel like I could do it. I’m not a big fan of doing activities head first. I was tempted to give up and just walk back to where the zip line met the end of the tour.

 

By this time, the clouds had set in, and now, I would be ziplining, head first, through the clouds, where I couldn’t see anything in front of me. I calmed myself down and moved closer to the platform where they switch your harness around. I was freaking out inside again.

 

Patrick decided he would go first to give me more reasons to be brave. He stepped up to the platform and the workers switched his harness and hooked him up to the line. Then zip, and just like that, he was gone into the clouds.

 

Now it was back to me. Oh gosh, now I had to do the Superman zip line. There was no going back now.

 

I stepped forward. I talked myself through my breath as my harness was switched, and the employee hooked up my cable line. People behind me started to encourage me. I took a deep breath and off I went. Head first into the clouds, racing fast towards the end.

 

At the end of the zip line, you place your arms out in front like Superman, and I managed to do it. I made it!  

 

There were a few lines where you would ride double, instead of solo. The heavier person sits in the back to act as the brakes. I was the brakes, which made me nervous being responsible for both Patrick and myself, but, it was so much fun sharing the experience together.

 

My experience ziplining helped me work towards conquering my fears of heights and my fear of falling. I also learned that ziplining isn’t scary like I imagined, that it is actually so much fun and what an adrenaline rush. 

Tips to Have The Best Zip Line Experience:

• Breath and have fun! This is the most important tip

• If you wear glasses, make sure they are on tight or take them off. You don’t want them to fall off and lose them.

• If you have a small camera, strap it to your wrist, so it doesn’t fall off

• If you have a GoPro helmet attachment, you will want to use it here. If you don’t have a GoPro, some zip line companies will rent them out.

 

What to Pack

• Closed-toe shoes, such as running shoes or hiking shoes
• Comfortable and light clothing that you can move in
• Long pants, either with zippered pockets or place nothing in your pockets
• Rain jacket – just in case, to be prepared for the weather  
• GoPro or camera with wrist strap
• Bug spray

 

Where Can You Zipline in Monteverde

• Monteverde Extremo (who I chose)
• Sky Adventures 
• Selvatura Park 
• The Original Canopy Tour
• 100% Adventura Park

During your tour, you will zip line over many canopies,. Depending on the company you choose, you can ride across the longest zip line in Costa Rica which is 3.4 km long. It definitely makes for an exciting day!

 

Tours will last about 2-2.5 hours depending on which company you choose.

 

Hope this information helped you with zip lining in Costa Rica.

Happy travelling!

 

Related Posts – Central America

• Costa Rica and Nicaragua Itinerary – 10 days
• 2 Day Monteverde Itinerary
• Renting a Car in Costa Rica: What Not to Do
• Panama Itinerary 7 Days 
• Best Places to Visit in Panama
• Panama Transportation Guide
• Cara Iguana Hike – Panama

Have you been zip lining in Costa Rica or tried it elsewhere? I’d love to hear all about your experience. 

Have you not tried ziplining? I would love to hear whether you would zip line or not in the comments below.