Your Costa Rica Zip-lining Questions Answered!

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Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

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Do you want to know our picks for the BEST ZIPLINE and the BEST ZIPLINE TOUR in Costa Rica? They are featured on DIY Costa Rica!

Want to save money in Costa Rica?

Our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., has ziplining tour discounts. Con mucho gusto (you’re welcome) and pura vida!

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Zip-lining in Costa Rica is a blast!

If you plan to go zip-lining while in Costa Rica, you probably have questions about the activity. Perhaps lots of questions, and that’s okay. No matter your concern, we’ve got you covered. This article provides our responses to some of the most popular Costa Rica zip-lining questions we receive from travelers.

To learn more about Costa Rica zip-lining tours, specifically zip-lining tours in the La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde regions, see our related blog post:

Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde

FAQ: Our answers to your Costa Rica zip-lining questions

Is previous zip-lining experience required to participate in a Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

No. All Costa Rica zip-lining tours include a safety demonstration (and all necessary zip-lining equipment) regardless of a participant’s level of experience with the activity, so no prior zip-lining experience is necessary.

Do I need to be in good physical condition in order to participate in a Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

Yes. You do not need to have completed an Ironman competition or run a marathon to go zip-lining, but you should be mobile (i.e., able to walk without issue), have the ability to use your arms to hold onto ropes and/or cables if/when required (and the flexibility to put one arm above/behind your head, if the zip-lining tour you have selected requires it), have the ability to bend your knees and cross your legs, and not have any preexisting medical conditions that could be worsened by adrenaline-inducing activities, sudden or jerky movements, and/or physical exercise.

How old do you have to be to participate in a Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

This depends entirely on the canopy tour operator you choose for your zip-lining tour; some zip-lining companies provide more challenging courses and activities than others. In addition, although most zip-lining tour providers have a minimum age requirement for participation in their zip-lining tour(s), height, weight, and waist-size limits are also sometimes enforced to ensure that each individual adequately fits the safety equipment provided.

Costa Rica zip-lining tour minimum limits (age, height, weight, etc.) by tour operator for the top 20 most popular tour zip-line tour options, categorized alphabetically (subject to change at any time by the tour operator):

100% Aventura’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Monteverde): 5 years old
Arenal Mundo Aventura’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (La Fortuna/Arenal): 7 years old, 3’10” tall, 51 lbs
Congo Trail Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Guanacaste): 5 years old (younger with a guide)
Ecoglide’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (La Fortuna/Arenal): 6 years old (ages 2-5 with a guide)
Hacienda Guachipelin’s Canyon Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Rincon de la Vieja): 4 years old
Los Cañones Canopy Zip-lining Tour (La Fortuna/Arenal): 4 years old
Midworld Costa Rica’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Manuel Antonio): 4 years old
Miss Sky Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Nosara): 5 years old
Monteverde Extremo’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Monteverde): 5 years old
Original Canopy Tour’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Drake Bay): 5 years old
Original Canopy Tour’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Monteverde): 5 years old
Original Canopy Tour’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (San Jose): 5 years old
Osa Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Puerto Cortes): 4 years old
San Luis Canopy Zip-lining Tour (San Ramon): 4 years old
Selvatura’s Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Monteverde): 4 years old
Sky Adventures’s Arenal Sky Trek Canopy Zip-lining Tour (La Fortuna/Arenal): 5 years old
Terraventura Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca): 4 years old
Titi Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Manuel Antonio): 4 years old
Treetopia Park’s Monteverde Sky Trek Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Monteverde): 5 years old
Wingnuts Canopy Zip-lining Tour (Samara): 3 years old

How many cables will I zip across during my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

This answer depends entirely on which canopy tour operator you plan to go zip-lining with. In general, most Costa Rica ziplining tours offer between seven and twelve cables.

How long are the cables offered with my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

This answer depends entirely on which canopy tour operator you plan to go zip-lining with. Cable lengths range significantly, and not only between tour operators but also from one cable to the next within the same tour. In general, most Costa Rica zip-lining tours offer a combination of shorter cables (around 50 meters) and longer cables (closer to 1000 meters).

How high are the cables offered with my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

This answer depends entirely on which canopy tour operator you plan to go zip-lining with, and at which Costa Rica destination the tour is located. Since zip-lining tours are offered in nearly every popular city in the country, inland areas that are mountainous and strewn with valleys tend to offer the most significant cable heights.

Can I try a zip-line cable before I commit to doing a Costa Rica zip-lining tour (i.e., are there test cables or practice cables)?

In most cases, yes. A number of canopy tour operators offer a trial zip-line cable that participants can experience before embarking on the entire journey. In most cases, the test zip-line cable is the first zip-line cable of the tour’s course. It is important to note that when a canopy tour operator does not offer a trial zip-line cable, usually there is no way to stop or exit the canopy tour once the first cable has been run.

When and how do I slow down and/or brake during my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

All Costa Rica zip-lining tours provide a safety and equipment demonstration at the start of the experience that explain the braking process. During the demonstration, you’ll learn how to properly maneuver the equipment to slow your speed while zip-lining; this is accomplished either via a hand-braking technique or a handlebar-braking technique (see below for an explanation of each braking technique). The demonstration will also explain which signals you need to look and/or listen for that indicate when you should brake. Although the visual and/or auditory signals used by tour guides vary across tour operators, the most common signals include whistling, arm-waving, and/or shaking the zip-line cable.

What is the difference between the hand-braking technique and the handlebar-braking technique?

The traditional, most common braking method utilized by the majority of Costa Rica zip-lining tours is the hand-braking technique. It requires you to wear a special glove, complete with a thick pad, that allows pressure to be placed on the zip-line cable behind your head. Pressure is applied to the zip-line cable by pressing down on the cable; speed is regained by releasing pressure on the zip-line cable by lifting the hand/glove off it.

Two zip-lining tour operators in Costa Rica utilize the more modern handlebar-braking technique: Sky Adventures, who operate the Arenal Sky Trek Canopy Tour in La Fortuna / Arenal, and the Treetopia Park, who operate the Monteverde Sky Trek Canopy Tour in Monteverde. (You can learn more about these specific canopy zip-lining tours in these articles: Sky Adventures Arenal Park: Zip-Lining, Hanging Bridges, And Tram Rides In The Rainforest and Treetopia Park (Formerly Sky Adventures Monteverde): Zip-Lining, Hanging Bridges, And Tram Rides In The Cloud Forest). The handlebar-braking technique still requires you to slow yourself down manually; however, instead of having to put pressure on the zip-line cable with your gloved hand, you’ll jostle a set of handlebars back and forth to slow your speed.

Although both braking methods are regarded as safe, the handlebar technique is generally thought to be easier to manage.

What happens if I stop halfway along the zip-line cable?

Most zip-line cables are designed to allow participants to glide from one end to the other without stopping. However, some factors, like a participant’s weight, wind speeds, and wind angles, make it possible that you may come to a stop partway along one or more cables. There’s an easy solution to this problem, which most tour guides describe in their pre-tour safety demonstration; it involves turning your body around (so you’re facing the start of the zip-line cable and your back is towards the cable’s end) and using your hands to pull yourself along the cable the rest of the way. Click on the video below to watch Ricky demonstrate the act during a live canopy tour.

Will I see wildlife during my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

This is impossible to predict, as the act of wildlife-spotting can never be 100% guaranteed. We typically spot a variety of birds and butterflies while zip-lining, and sometimes see coatis or agoutis rummaging around the forest during walks between zip-line cables, but not much else. To avoid disappointment, it’s best to approach zip-lining tours as fun, adrenaline-inducing adventure tours, not wildlife-spotting tours.

What happens if it rains the day of my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

Given that Costa Rica is part rainforest, rain is inevitable. For this reason, the majority of tours and activities run rain or shine. However, in the event of extreme weather, such as significant rainfall or high winds that would make the zip-line cables dangerous to run, the zip-lining tour would be canceled by the tour operator.

What happens if my Costa Rica zip-lining tour reservation is canceled?

In the event of a rare zip-lining tour cancelation issued by a canopy tour operator, the tour operator will make an attempt to reschedule the zip-lining tour experience for a different day/time (usually the next day). If/when neither of these solutions is possible, a refund will be issued.

Are Costa Rica zip-lining tours ever canceled for reasons other than high rains/winds?

Not usually. We cannot say “never” because life is full of surprises and anything is possible. However, throughout our decades-long history of zip-lining in Costa Rica and working with canopy tour outfitters, we can only remember a few times when zip-lining tours were canceled due to non-rain/wind issue (the cancelations were due to scheduled maintenance and the fallout of a tropical storm that hit Costa Rica). While cancelations that result from high rain/wind levels are rare, cancelations that result from other causes are even less likely.

What do I wear for my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

Wear comfortable clothing that won’t bunch up while wearing a harness. Most participants wear loose shorts shorts or pants with a t-shirt or tank top. Running shoes or strap-on sandals are a must; flip-flops or the use of other unsecured footwear is not permitted. Hats are also not permitted because a helmet must be worn during the tour. (If you have long hair, consider leaving your hair down or tying it in a low ponytail/bun to prevent discomfort while wearing the helmet). Do not wear any valuable jewelry or accessories to avoid losing them in the forest. On days when it rains (or if it has recently rained), sometimes wet/damp equipment can stain clothing with rust, so wear clothing that you don’t mind throwing out in the event it gets ruined during the tour.

What do I bring for my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

Bring very little; carrying purses and/or backpacks is not permitted. Although some canopy tour operators provide lockers, others do not, so there may not be a secure place to leave your belongings. Apply a high SPF waterproof sunscreen for adequate sun protection prior to participating in the tour, to avoid needing to bring a bottle of sunblock with you. If possible, wear clothing that contains a zippered pocket and store cash (for tipping your tour guide and/or purchasing souvenirs at the end of the tour), medication (if you must take it during the tour), and any other must-have items (such as car keys or hotel keys) in it during the tour.

Is there an option to buy photos or videos as a souvenir of my Costa Rica zip-lining tour?

In some cases, yes. A number of canopy tour operators offer photos and/or videos for purchase at the end of each zip-lining tour. Although the cost varies, the photo and/or video souvenirs typically range in price from $10.00 to $40.00.

Are meals included with Costa Rica zip-lining tours?

In most cases, no. The majority of Costa Rica zip-lining tours last two-to-four hours and a meal is not automatically included. Many canopy tour operators do have a restaurant on-site if you’d like to purchase food or drinks before or after the zip-lining tour.

Are bathrooms provided throughout Costa Rica zip-lining tours?

In most cases, no. In general, canopy tour operators provide an adventure park, meeting spot, or operations center where the zip-lining tour takes place, and bathrooms are provided at this hub. Once the tour has departed from its starting point, very rarely are bathrooms encountered along the route, as most canopy tour experiences lead participants through/over sections of undeveloped forest.

Do I tip my Costa Rica zip-lining tour guide? How much do I tip my Costa Rica zip-lining tour guide?

Tips are expected by tour guides who offer valuable service that’s worthy of appreciation. For tipping amount recommendations (assuming your zip-lining tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, fair, safe, and contributed to your enjoyment of the Costa Rica ziplining experience), please see the dollar amounts cited in our related blog post What To Know About Tipping In Costa Rica.

How long will it take to get to the Costa Rica zip-lining tour site?

This answer depends entirely on which canopy tour operator you plan to go zip-lining with and which destination you depart from. Since zip-lining tours are offered in nearly every popular city in the country, the drive time could be anywhere from ten minutes to four hours, depending on the distance between the canopy tour site and your chosen accommodation.

Can I drive myself to and from the Costa Rica zip-lining tour site?

In most cases, yes. For many Costa Rica zip-lining tours, the tour operator has an adventure park, meeting spot, or operations center nearby where the zip-lining tour is run. When this is present, you may drive yourself to and from the meeting spot. Free, secure parking is almost always offered on-site.

Pura vida!

Do you have questions about zip-lining in Costa Rica, want to know which zip-lining tour is the best for you based on the experiences you want to have, or need help determining how to incorporate a particular zip-lining tour into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂

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