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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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Is there a difference between zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica?
One of the most common questions we are asked about adventure tours in Costa Rica is: What is the difference between zipline tours and canopy tours?Most people assume the two activities are unique experiences, but zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica are one and the same.
It’s easy to understand why the confusion exists; the two terms are used interchangeably by tour operators and travel agencies to describe the same event. To help clarify things, here’s how each can be defined:
Ziplining is the act of gliding across one or more suspended cables. Therefore, a zipline tour is a tour during which you engage in the activity of gliding across one or more suspended cables.
A canopy tour is a tour during which you engage in ziplining, so in effect, it’s also a tour during which you glide across one or more suspended cables.
Technically, if we focus on the language, the two terms can be split ever so slightly in the following way:
The phrase “zipline tour” references the essence of the activity (i.e., ziplining) whereas the term “canopy tour” references the place where the activity takes place (i.e., the treetop canopy).
Regardless of what they’re called, zipline tours and canopy tours are the exact same thing in Costa Rica. Tours advertised as “zipline tours,” “ziplining tours,” “canopy tours,” or “canopy ziplining tours” provide the same type of experience.
What’s more important than how you define the activity
Although every zipline tour in Costa Rica can be defined as a canopy tour (and every canopy tour can be defined as a zipline tour), where differences do exist are in the design, quality, inclusions, and location of each tour. Zipline tours and canopy tours exist at nearly every tourist destination in Costa Rica (e.g., La Fortuna, Monteverde, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Rincon de la Vieja, near Guanacaste beach towns, Samara, Santa Teresa / Malpais, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez, and on the outskirts of San Jose) yet some are higher, faster, longer, or more adrenaline-pumping than others. (For inspiration, don’t miss our related blog post: Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde). Some provide better views of lakes, oceans, volcanoes, and forests; more modern equipment, including newer handlebar braking systems; and extra amenities, such as aerial tram rides, superman cables, rappel routes, and Tarzan swings, to provide participants with more bang for their buck. Regardless of the tour you choose and your reasons for selecting it, know this: it doesn’t matter if it’s called a zipline tour or a canopy tour, you’ll enjoy the experience just the same.
Pura vida!
Do you have questions about zip-lining in Costa Rica, want to know which zip-line companies we recommend, or need help incorporating a zip-line 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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Summary
Article Name
The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica
Description
There are zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica, but are they the same? Here's what to know about each!
The comment section of this article has moved! If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica, our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. See you there, amigos! 🙂
Hi – I wish I had stumbled upon this excellent blog prior to booking my vacation! We are staying in Guancase area – 2 families with 3 teenagers and 2 11 year olds. The hotel has recommended a bunch of trips yetI am completely confused (and a little dismayed) that we are far away. Which zip lines, rafting, adventures would you recommend that are not more than 2 hours ways from playa flamingo? Thanks so much for your help!
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! 🙂
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