Ziplining in Monteverde: Everything You Need to Know!
Of ALL of the adventurous things we did in Costa Rica to celebrate my 30th birthday in 2021 (😅 aging myself), ziplining in Monteverde was at the TOP of our favorites list (right with white water rafting 😍).
Ziplining should ABSOLUTELY be on your Costa Rica itinerary! Costa Rica has amazing, long and high ziplines; truly some of the best in the world are located in Monteverde, Costa Rica!
But who should you zipline with and what do you need to know? Here is everything to know about where to zipline, who to zipline with (and why), what you need to take and wear on the excursion and more!
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History of Ziplining in Costa Rica
Not that the history is important to know, but it added the “cool factor” for us. When you are in a country of origin (flamenco in Spain, pizza in Italy 😉) you feel like you have to delve in!
As it turns out, Costa Rica is the birth place of ziplining.
- Though ziplining has been around for a long time for functional uses such as carrying messages, supplies, etc, ziplining as we know it today only began in the 1970’s when a graduate student from Cal State used one to do research in the canopies of, none other than, Costa Rica!
To make the Costa Rica zipling story better, the first recreational zipline was created in Monteverde, Costa Rica in 1995 as well!
Therefore, if you’re EVER going to try ziplining, it should be in Costa Rica! And, if you have already tried ziplining, you should STILL do it in Costa Rica because it is awesome!
Why You Should Go Ziplining in Monteverde
If you are planning to only visit one area of Costa Rica (Arenal, for instance) you can certainly choose to do ziplining close to where you will be. HOWEVER, Costa Rica is SO diverse and offers so many different things in different places, so I HIGHLY suggest seeing multiple areas.
Article you may be interested in: 8 Day Costa Rica Itinerary
AND, if you do choose to do this, I recommend doing your ziplining in Monteverde!
- Monteverde is located in northwest Costa Rica amid the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range and sits at about 4,400 ft (1,440 meters) above sea level.
- What sets it apart from many Costa Rica cities is it’s famous Monteverde Cloud Forest. So, not only is it higher in altitude it has incredible green foliage and biodiversity which create INCREDIBLE canopies to zipline through! Here, you will truy find some of the best ziplining!
Where to Stay Near Monteverde!
Santa Elena is actually a town that is north of Monteverde and closer to MOST of the ziplining companies. There are also more accommodation and restaurant options in this area.
Why Choose to Zipline with 100% Adventura
As you’ve probably gathered, it has become known that Monteverde is an epic spot to zipline, which means there are multitudes of companies you can choose to zipline with in Monteverde.
The most popular zipline companies in Monteverde include:
- Sky Trek Zipline (more kid-friendly)
- 100% Aventura Zipline (Option we chose)
- Monteverde Extremo Zipline (probably most similar to 100% adventura)
- Selvatura Park Zipline (in a popular area= more crowded and expensive)
Why we chose to zipline with 100% Adventura
- Good reviews (but, honestly, the all have 4.5 stars and above on the Google)
- It is home to Costa Rica’s LONGEST zipline, about 1 mile (1.6 km) long, which you can opt to do down in a Superman position! (primary reason!)
- It offers 10 ziplines, a hammock bridge, one rappel plus the option to a Tarzan swing at the end (we also liked the diversity!)
We absolutely loved our experience ziplining with 100% Adventura!
- The staff was super helpful and friendly, we felt safe the entire time, we LOVED the looong superman zipline and Elizabeth loved doing the Tarzan swing at the end!
- Book a tour with 100% Adventura!
Our Experience with Ziplining in Monteverde
Our group consisted of one adrenaline junkie, one person who doesn’t have a FEAR of heights but has some nervousness about them (especially unprotected drop-offs like Angel’s Landing if you have done that) and one person who falls somewhere in the middle.
Everyone on our trip gave this experience a 10/10!
- The adrenaline junkie didn’t get bored and loved the Tarzan swing!
- The person with a fear of heights didn’t choose to do the “arms open” option with the superman zipline and kind of kept her eyes closed, but did it!
- And the person who fell in the middle opted out of the Tarzan swing but LOVED everything else including seeing the incredible views from the mile-long superman zipline!
Is Ziplining Safe?
If you zipline with a reputable company and LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS, ziplining is very safe. The accident rates are quite low, even with the high-speed ziplines of Costa Rica.
The guides at 100% Adventura are great at making you comfortable throughout the ziplining process, especially if you are nervous.
- And, as an added perk for those who are nervous, the ziplines are set up to ease you in. You will start on a rather short and low zipline and gradually increase in length and height, eventually ending on Costa Rica’s LONGEST zipline!
Ready to Book?!
Price: $67 per person
Tours: 8am, 11am and 2pm dailly
Includes: 9 regular zipines, 2 superman ziplines, 1 rappel, 1 hammock bridge, a 1 Tarzan Swing
Longest Zipline: 5, 220 ft (1590 meters); almost a mile long!
Age: 6 years and older (17 years and younger have to accompanied by an adult)
EVERYTHING to Know about Ziplining with 100% Adventura!
Again, 100% Adventura is an adventure park located in Monteverde, Costa Rica that offers a multitude of adventure options such as the ziplines, a hammock bridge, a rappel and a Tarzan swing!
How to Get There from Monteverde
100% Advenura is about an 18 minute drive from Monteverde and a 12 minute drive from Santa Elena.
100% Adventura also offers hotel pick up from “any hotel or location within the Monteverde area” per their website. To set this up, you will coordinate with the reservations department once you book.
If you are driving yourself, the address and location can be found below.
How Much Time to Allot for Ziplining in Monteverde
I would prepare for about 3 to 3.5 hours to zipline, drive to/from there and pick up/return equipment. Here is an APPROXIMATE timeline; it will vary depending on group size, speed and skillset of participants, etc:
- 1:30pm- Arrive at 100% adventure
- 2:00pm- Begin getting fitted for equipment
- 2:35pm- Begin ziplining
- 3:30pm- End ziplining and do optional Tarzan Swing
- 4:00pm- Have equipment returned
So with this, the good thing about ziplining is that it doesn’t take a full day to complete, leaving you half a day to do another activity. Also, remember to show up at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time slot so you will be ready to start getting fitted for equipment at the designated time.
Book your tour with 100% Adventura!
What to Wear Ziplining in Monteverde
Everything you need to bring really depends on when you are visiting Costa Rica and plan to zipline in Monetverde.
No matter when you decide to zipline, make sure you wear either longer shorts or leggings that will protect your upper thighs from the harnesses.
- There are also harness straps that go on the shoulders, so you can wear sleeves to protect from this also. However, they aren’t quite as weight bearing and uncomfortable as the thigh harnesses in general.
Now, ziplining occurs rain or shine. We visited Costa Rica in October, which is considered Costa Rica’s “rainy season.” In Monteverde, the rainy season is REAL. It began to rain early afternoon and continued through the night EVERY DAY we were in Monteverde.
Therefore, by the time we went ziplining, it was pouring. But, ziplining commenced, so be prepared!
In this case, I recommend ALL the rain gear:
- Reliable rain jacket (again, it may be pouring, not just sprinkling)
- Waterproof shoes will help keep you less soggy and should have good grip for the wet surfaces
- Moisture-wicking/athletic leggings– wet jeans+ harnesses will NOT be comfortable
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What to Take (And Not Take) WHILE you are Ziplining in Monteverde
Be careful about what you choose to take ziplining with you; if you drop something on the superman zipline, there is no getting it back!
You will want to get video footage of your experience! I brought my GoPro and didn’t have the appropriate accessories to attach it to my helmet, so be sure you have everything you need to be able to USE the GoPro if you have one!
If you opt to just use your phone, be sure to have a waterproof case if its going to rain and/or have a clip that can safely connect it to your jacket so there is no chance of losing it!
A few recommended items:
- GoPro or some kind of camera you can attach to you WHILE ziplining
- GoPro attachments– the helmet attachment will probably be your best option
- Jacket with a ZIP– while ziplining, keep your phone in a pocket that ZIPS
- Waterproof phone case if you are going during rainy season
- A clip to attach your phone to you
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What you can’t, shouldn’t, or don’t need to take with you:
- Any kind of bag- with the harnesses you will be using, you can’t take a bag with you while ziplining
- Anything you can’t fit into your zip pockets
- Gloves- Appropriate gloves to use for ziplining will be provided for you; you don’t need to bring your own
Storage Availability
Storage is available for anything that you bring, but don’t want to take with you! If you don’t want to mess with your phone, you can keep it safely behind along with your wallet, backpacks, etc.
Also, if you would like to bring a change of clothes if you will be ziplining in the rain, you have somewhere you can keep your bag and clothes!
Final Thoughts on Zipining in Monterverde
Ziplining in Monterverde was one of the HIGHLIGHTS (along with white water rafting in Arenal!) of our trip to Costa Rica! It is one of those things you will do and then talk about it years later!
We truly enjoyed both the regular ziplines AND the superman ziplines, even doing it in a STEADY, rather HARD rain!
Book your memory-making zipline tour with 100% Adventura !
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