The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

Hello Bonnie!

Thanks so much for the kind compliment! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll have a great time regardless of where you plan to stay (Playa Flamingo is a good area with a beautiful beach). Your point is a valid one; it’s the reason we have been recommending since 2007 that travelers decide which tours and activities they would like to experience before settling on destinations and accommodations. (Actually, this point is the foundation of our related blog post: Planning A Trip To Costa Rica? READ THIS FIRST!) Our perspective differs from what most other travel resources suggest (to choose hotels first), but we’ll continue defending it because it truly can turn a good Costa Rica vacation into a great one.

As for activity recommendations, these depend largely on your specific interests. Since you mentioned zip-lining, I can let you know that the Congo Trail Canopy Tour is only a half-hour drive from Playa Flamingo. Though it doesn’t provide the same level of zip-lining that you’d get in La Fortuna or Monteverde, it’s an option if you aren’t interested in traveling far. For rafting, this will require more travel on your part because the rivers are further away from Flamingo. The best option would be to raft the Tenorio River; trips typically depart from the Canas area (transportation to/from Playa Flamingo can be arranged), which is an approximate 1.5-hour drive from Playa Flamingo.

Pura vida! 🙂