If you’re visiting Costa Rica, there’s a high chance you are hoping to zip line. Costa Rica ziplining is an incredible experience and you get to see some amazing views, gliding over the tops of trees in the rainforest.
We visited Costa Rica with our two kids ages 2 and 4. My husband and I love high adventure activities and zip lining was top of our list. We had no idea that both of our kids would be able to do it as well, but they were, and I’m going to tell you all about it!
I looked up zip lines in Costa Rica before we left for our trip and found a tour that allows kids 3 and older. That was the youngest I had seen and we decided that my husband would take our 4 year old son and I would stay back with our 2 year old. I could go on another tour if I wanted to.
We showed up at the zip lining location and asked them what the age limit was and they told us it was actually 2 years old, as long as they were comfortable going with a guide the whole time. We were stoked because this meant meant our daughter and I could go!
This was an incredible experience and I’m so glad we were able to do it together as a family.
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Places to Zip Line in Costa Rica
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Known for its rich biodiversity, Monteverde is one of the most famous places for zip lining in Costa Rica. The cloud forest’s unique ecosystem adds an extra layer of excitement as you glide through the mist-covered trees.
- Arenal Volcano National Park: Offering views of one of the most active volcanoes in the world, zip lining here combines adrenaline rushes with awe-inspiring natural beauty. The park’s diverse landscapes include waterfalls and hot springs, enhancing the overall experience.
- Manuel Antonio National Park: While smaller than other national parks, Manuel Antonio offers a unique opportunity to zip line near the coast, where the forest meets the ocean, providing spectacular views and a chance to spot wildlife.
The Best Costa Rica Zip Line Tour for Families
We did our Costa Rica Ziplining tour with Ecoglide Arenal Park in La Fortuna and they were incredible! On their website they say they allow kids 3 and older, but when we showed up in person, they told me it was actually ages 2 and up.
They are a Costa Rican family owned business which is really cool and I was happy to support them. They replace their harnesses and helmets regularly. The guides were so nice and friendly and great with our kids! There were plenty of guides for our tour and I always felt safe.
My 2 year old always went with the same guide which was nice because she didn’t have to get used to a new person every time.
Another thing I really appreciated was they let our kids try out the little cable line that was about 7 feet off the ground first before we paid to make sure they were comfortable with zip lining. Because once you get up there, there really isn’t a way down and it would be extremely difficult to do with a crying child. So if you go and you’re at all worried your kid will be too scared, make sure to ask them to let your kid try out the small cable before you pay.
Their location also offers amazing views of the Arenal volcano. The guides here are also experienced nature guides, so they will point out birds if they see them.
The cost was $57 per person, including the kids.
What to Expect During A Costa Rica Zip Line Tour
Depending on what company you choose, your experiences might be different, but here is what our Costa Rica Ziplining tour looked like for us:
- After paying for our tour, we headed over to get our harnesses on, helmets fitted, and gloves for breaking.
- We did a test run on the cables for our kids to make sure they were comfortable and really wanted to go. (We actually did this before paying and I highly recommend just in case your kids want to back out!)
- Then our whole group did a test cable run where the guides showed us how we would be clipped in and how to break.
- After, we all piled into an open top car and drove up the mountain. This is because zip lines rely on gravity to send us down the cable so we needed to get up in order to come down.
- Once we were at our destination, we hopped out and did a short walk to our first cable (1 of 11). Then many the guides hooked in and went down the zip line so they could be ready at the next few platforms.
- Because we had the youngest kids, they had us go first. Logan went down the zip line first and then they hooked up my 4 year old and he was able to go by himself. (He loved it!). Then they hooked up my 2 year old and she went down with a guide. Then it was my turn.
- We did this for all of the platforms. When we were on a platform, we were always attached to a strap wrapped around the tree by and a rope and carabiner that were attached to our harnesses.
- Some of the longer lines, my 4 year old did have to go with a guide to make sure he made it all the way across.
- Our last zip line dropped us off right at their office and where our cars were parked!
- They took pictures and videos for us so they pulled them up for us and we could decide whether or not we wanted to pay for them (we did of course!)
Tips for Zip Lining in Costa Rica
- If you are going with kids and you’re at all worried your kid will be too scared, make sure to ask them to let your kid try out the small cable before you pay.
- Check your tour’s website to make sure they don’t require reservations in advance and for any age requirements they may have.
- Go to the bathroom before you get your harness on because there’s no where to go after and it’s a pain to get off and on again.
- Drink water before you go since you can’t bring a water bottle with you. (The whole thing takes about 1.5 hours so you’ll probably be fine)
- If you have long hair, wear it pulled back to make sure it doesn’t get caught in any of the gears.
- Give your gear a quick look over. Make sure the gloves are not worn through. You should be given a special leather type of glove that is your braking glove on the cable. Check that your helmets are not cracked and that they fit well. You don’t want to be zipping down a cable with faulty gear.
- Check the weather the morning of. If it’s raining, the tour will likely still happen and you’ll want to bring a rain jacket. It also is more likely to rain in the afternoon so if you can, schedule an earlier time to avoid the rain.
What To Bring Zip Lining in Costa Rica
They told us not to bring anything with us on the tour to make sure we didn’t lose anything. They did let my husband where his small fanny pack across his chest. And if you have a zippered pocket, then you can keep your phone in that. Anything else you can keep it in your car or the lockers provided.
Make sure to bring bug spray and use it before you go. We didn’t have too many issues with mosquitos bothering us, but it’s the rain forest and they can get bad! This is the bug spray we used and I love it because it works and is safe for kids.
What to Wear Zip Lining in Costa Rica
The day we went was warm, and luckily not raining. We all wore t-shirts and shorts. They do suggest closed toed shoes but they said I was fine to wear my Teva sandals. You don’t want to wear flip flops or something that will easily slide off your foot.
If it is raining, they still do the tours. So if there is rain in the forecast, wear your rain jacket. For safety reasons, you can not wear it around your waist, over your harness.
What I Wore Zip Lining in Costa Rica
These tank tops are inexpensive and great! I wore them everyday on our trip in Costa Rica and have no complaints. They are cotton so if you are visitng during the rainy season, I might look for a more quick drying material so you’re not walking around in a wet shirt all day.
I love these sandals for casual walking. They are comfy and lightweight. They stay strapped on so I wasn’t worried about them falling off while zip lining. I also wore my Chaco sandals a lot on this trip and they are a little more durable and great for hiking.
I wore these shorts on our whole trip. They are light weight, comfortable, and quick drying. I like the length and I did choose to size up to a medium (I am in between sizes) and I was happy with that decision.
I got my daughter a matching pair and it was so fun to match!
These closed-toed sandals are the shoes my kids wore the whole time we were in Costa Rica and I love them. They are great for warm weather. I have them wear them when we hike and they love to wear them.
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