Ever wondered what it is a monkey finds so fascinating about the forest canopy? Costa Rica is a pioneer in canopy exploration, where thick branches serve as platforms for the adventurous traveler, more than 100 feet above the jungle floor. If you’re wondering why you’d want to head to the top of a tree just to look around, remember that 90% of Costa Rica animals and 50% of plant species in rainforests live in the upper levels of the trees. When you explore that far off the ground, the view is something you’ll never forget! A Costa Rica zip line tour, hanging bridges hike, or aerial tram tour are all fantastic ways to take advantage of Costa Rica’s stunning forest canopy views.
Almost anyone of any age and physical condition can enjoy a Costa Rica zip line adventure as it is not strenuous. Secured into a harness and attached to a sturdy cable, you will have the opportunity to fly through the rainforest canopy and experience a bird’s eye view of the lively forest below. A Costa Rica zip line is about a five hour adventure that operates rain or shine all year and is led by bilingual guides. For the non-adrenaline junkie, the aerial tram can take you through the rainforest in comfort and safety. Prefer to linger? Hanging bridges offer panoramic views for acres, and an experienced guide will be happy to point out a variety of birds and animals.
Our Experts highly recommend: the canopy zip line at Arenal Volcano for stunning volcano views.
Arenal Reserve: Aerial Tram & Canopy Zipline
A Costa Rica zip line adventure generally involves taking an aerial tram up into the forest canopy to an elevated platform overlooking the forest floor. Enjoy a bird’s eye view as a modern aerial tram takes you through the rainforest in the comfort and safety of an enclosed cab. Once up on the first platform, you click your harness into a pulley and glide across the cable to the next platform, enjoying the scenery from a bird’s point of view.
It’s one of the most popular destinations to visit in Costa Rica, but sharing the view of the Arenal Volcano with the birds from afar on a zipline or aerial tram is a truly incredible experience. The sheer physical magnitude of the volcano—one of the world’s most active until its eruptive cycle ceased in 2010—is uniquely visible in the context of its surrounding rainforest only from above the trees.
Add this tour to our Family Eco Safari itinerary!
Diamante Superman Canopy Zip Line
Many who’ve visited Guanacaste would be quick to tell you that this region’s tropical dry forests, and the wildlife that inhabit them, are best experienced from above. The Diamante Superman zipline is no exception. Fly above the tree tops, mountains and gorgeous Guanacaste coast line on this thrilling aerial adventure.
Jaco Canopy Zipline Tour
For more advanced zipliners or adventurous first-timers, the Jaco zipline tour is a true thrill—the speeds reached are higher than those during a regular beginner’s zipline tour. But the speed is not the only draw; views of a waterfall, birds, monkeys, and the enormous Jaco Beach make this zipline tour one of the best.
Jaco Rainforest Aerial Tram
Learn about Costa Rica’s nature and wildlife directly from the forest canopy. On the Jaco Rainforest Aerial Tram tour, guests sit comfortably in an open-air aerial tram that glides over the top of the forest canopy, and listen to a professional naturalist guide’s explanation of the flora and fauna below.
Manuel Antonio Canopy Safari Zip Line
The oldest established canopy tour in the southern zone of Costa Rica, the Manuel Antonio Canopy Safari Zip Line Tour is run by a team that’s well-versed in giving visitors one of the best experiences of ziplining Costa Rica. Aside from the ziplining, they also have rappelling lines, a suspension bridge, and an incredibly fun “Tarzan swing.” It also serves as a wildlife sanctuary with its butterfly farm, serpentarium, and fishing pond!
Add this tour to our Rainforest Adventure itinerary!
Monteverde Sky Aerial Tram & Zipline
The major draw of the ziplining and/or aerial tram tour in Monteverde is the plants and animals of the region, and the ability that the tour grants to see them from above. The climate of this famous cloud forest has resulted in it being an extremely diverse biome, home to over 100 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, thousands of insect species, and about 2500 species of plants. Monteverde also contains the largest number of orchids in the world.
Add this tour to our Active Costa Rica Adventure itinerary!
San Luis Canopy Tour
For those in Costa Rica’s Central Valley region, the cloud forest canopy seems as if it were designed for ziplining. Thrill-seekers can ride 12 different lines between 18 separate platforms and will zip across a gorgeous river landscape a total of four exhilarating times.
Add this tour to our Tropical Honeymoon vacation package!
Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike & Hot Springs Tour
If you’re looking for a mixed bag of activities for your day in Arenal, this one’s for you. Walk across a series of suspended bridges that link the treetops for a panoramic view of acres of reserve. Your guide will help you spot lush vegetation and a variety of birds and animals. The day begins with a guided tour of the Arenal Hanging Bridges, full of otherwise unreachable views of the Arenal Volcano. You will traverse over 1.5 miles across 15 suspension bridges, reaching heights of over 200 ft. Your day concludes at the Arenal hot springs where you can relax sore muscles from the morning hike.
Hacienda Pozo Azul Canopy Zipline and Horseback Ride
From the cloud forest, ride on horseback along the Sarapiqui River until you reach the first platform. With 12 cables running between 17 platforms reaching heights of up to 90 feet in the air, zipliners who run the whole course will traverse a large canyon several times, experiencing remarkable open views.
Add this tour to your Family Classic Vacation itinerary!
