The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

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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 pick for the BEST ZIPLINE TOUR and the BEST ZIPLINE CABLE? They are featured on DIY Costa Rica!

Want to save money in Costa Rica?

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

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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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