Every year, thousands and thousands of people visit the charming little country of Costa Rica, for reasons as unique as their origins.
Some are looking for that laidback, pura vida lifestyle they heard about. Others just want to relax by the beach and enjoy a tamarindo!
But others are in it for something completely different — the thrill of conquering some of the world’s most exciting natural obstacles, for one. If that sounds more like you, then you’ll be pumped to visit some of the sights on this list of the best ziplines in Costa Rica!
From starter-friendly thrills to absolute gut-wrenching adventures better reserved for seasoned pros and daredevils, this tiny country is loaded with opportunities, so let’s discover some of them!
Table of Contents
1. Arenal National Park
Talk about drama. Not only is the Arenal National Park one of the prime ziplining destinations in Costa Rica, with over 12 different platforms all linked together. But it also features one of the most epic backdrops of them all — an actual live volcano!
Well, sort of. The truth is, the Arenal has been inactive for quite a long time, and that’s probably for the better. Still, there’s no doubt that the presence of this majestic natural wonder adds some heft to the experience of ziplining over the treetops.
Located in Costa Rica’s central Alajuela region, the Arenal National Park also offers lots of other adventure opportunities for thrillseekers, from jungle hikes to river boating and more.
2. Manuel Antonio National Park Ziplining Tour
Among Costa Rica’s largest, Manuel Antonio National Park is home to countless visitors, both locals and foreigners alike, year after year.
No volcanoes here; Manuel Antonio spans a vast stretch of jungle and Pacific seaside instead, making for calmer vibes that channel that pura vida feeling.
There’s a big canopy tour on offer near the national park, which covers 18 total platforms with over a dozen ziplines and bridges to tackle in between.
3. Jaco Rainforest Aerial Tram Tours
Jaco is one of the most popular destinations in all of Costa Rica. The high quality of life, access to the capital of San José, and its proximity to the rainforest as well as to the beach make that fact self-evident.
Befitting its widespread popularity, Jaco is also full of opportunities to experience the nearby jungle with an added bit of challenge and excitement.
The Rainforest Aerial Tram Tours are perfectly beginner-friendly and take you on a beautiful guided ride over the treetops.
They are definitely one of Costa Rica’s most established “gateway drugs” into the riskier, more challenging, but arguably more rewarding world of ziplining and other adventure sports.
The fun to be had on one of these tram tours is for sure just as real for skilled champions as it is for total beginners, making them a top pick no matter your level of experience!
4. Sámara Ziplines
The gorgeous coastline of Costa Rica’s Nicoya peninsula draws countless tourists and backpackers every year in search of sunshine, beautiful beaches, and some of the world’s most exciting surf.
Sámara also flanks a long stretch of lush rainforest loaded with precious and rare flora and fauna, so it’s no big wonder that you’ll find plenty of opportunities for ziplining adventures here.
There’s the Wing Nuts Canopy Tour, for instance, which has been one of the peninsula’s biggest for years.
You will not just learn a lot about the unique wildlife that inhabits this part of the world, but you’ll also get to flex your muscles and challenge yourself on some thrilling zipline rides.
5. Playa Matapalo Superman Line
How about a zipline with a view? Playa Matapalo is home to Costa Rica’s longest oceanfront zipline. Called the Superman line, it stretches on for over a mile, making for a seriously long and crazy ride.
While some might get cold feet just reading those numbers, a select few will jump at the chance of having a record-worthy experience like this – and suffice it to say that few who ever go on this adventure ever regret it!
6. Jaco Canopy Zipline Tour
While we showcased some of Jaco’s more beginner-friendly fairs above, that’s by no means meant to imply that one of Costa Rica’s largest seaside cities is for newbies only.
On the contrary, the Canopy Zipline Tour, featuring 12 high-speed cables, is one of the most challenging in the whole region. Adrenaline hunters, look no further than this if you’ve been let down by some of the more pared-down options elsewhere.
7. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Zipline
Not as many people head to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica compared to both the mainland and the Pacific seaside. And that’s a shame, as stunning destinations such as Puerto Viejo clearly demonstrate!
Beloved by surfers and budget-conscious backpackers alike, the charming beach town of Puerto Viejo is also home to one of Costa Rica’s best zipline tours, which straddles the line between being accessible to beginners while remaining reasonably challenging to veterans.
With over ten cables and heights of up to 250 feet, this ride is sure to give you goosebumps and leave you returning to solid ground with pure excitement pumping through your veins!
8. San Luis Canopy Tour
Costa Rica’s Central Valley region might be a lot more urbanized than the rest of the country, but there is still plenty of tropical scenery and thrilling landscapes to explore, as the San Luis Canopy Tour easily shows.
Especially convenient for those staying in nearby San Jose or its satellite cities, the Tour will take you across a whopping eighteen different platforms featuring more than a dozen cables to ride sky-high above (or rather into) the region’s most impressive cloud forest.
9. Monteverde Cloud Forest Aerial Tours
In the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica, about four hours from San Luis lies Monteverde. It, too, is encircled by a thick cloud forest, and also offers you plenty of freedom in tackling it from above.
The Cloud Forest Aerial Tours in Monteverde has always been one of the biggest and most prominent of its kind, not just within Costa Rica but worldwide – you don’t exactly get this kind of scenery just anywhere!
10. La Carpintera Zipline, Rappel, and Hiking Tour
For outdoor lovers who want a bit of everything, there is the La Carpintera tour just a few miles out from San Jose proper. This unique adventure will take you on a multi-hour-long ride that includes ziplining across 19 different platforms.
Later, this is followed up by rappeling from up to 130 feet and a hiking trek through the local rainforest. Sounds like about enough for a day off, no?
11. Tamarindo Canopy Zipline Tours
Tamarindo and its beaches are a fan favorite among surfers and sunseekers. But as with most of even the remotest places in Costa Rica, the jungle is never more than a hop and a skip away.
There are multiple exciting ziplining options available here. Our favorites are the really extreme journeys that combine challenging above-the-treetops thrills with some challenging hikes, and even ATV tours!
Still, even beginners are likely to find something that suits them. Tamarindo is located in one of the areas of Costa Rica most well-served by the constant and growing drive for eco-tourism that has swept the country during the past few decades.
12. Braulio Carrillo National Park Ziplining 6-in-1 Tours
Among Costa Rica’s many national parks, Braulio Carrillo is the closest to the capital city, San José. Its convenient location alone has made it a prime choice for tours, events, and many kinds of adventure opportunities.
Rainforest Adventures organizes one of the most impressive tours of its kind with its 6-in-1 tour pass. The tour allows you to not just enjoy ziplining over the forest canopy on ten different cables by yourself but also embark on a trip by aerial tram if you feel like it!
The special 6-in-1 pass also includes access to the park’s butterfly and orchid garden, as well as guided tours, forest hikes, and even more! Those who want a day full of adventure in the jungle at amazing value for money should really consider putting Braulio Carrillo on their bucket list.
Conclusion
If you’re into nature and thrilling activities, Costa Rica will not disappoint. Unleash your thirst for adventure and zip through the tours above!
Having a map showing all of these locations on 1 screen would be very helpful