Sky Adventures Ziplining – Arenal, Costa Rica

For any adrenaline fueled, adventure seeking individual planning on visiting Costa Rica, ziplining is a must! A perfect resort to encounter this experience was near the remote location of La Fortuna, a quaint town boasting a reputation for its spectaular setting overlooking the Arenal Volcano.

The tour I embarked on was with a company called SkyAdventures, who you’ll find operate in partnership with many of the local backpacker hostels and budget hotels in the area. The tour representative was extremely welcoming and friendly and provided us with all the information we desired in relation to the experience about to unfold.

On arrival, you are given an introduction to the eccentric and hilarious staff in addition to some brief  training which proves useful particularly as a beginner. All safety aspects are outlined in detail including how to increase your speed and to slow down by either loosening or tightening your grip with the use of a leather handguard provided for your dominant hand. I understand that the use of the handguard might be slightly unusual for some ziplining companies, but regardless it proved to be a simple and effective tool.

A bumpy jeep ride up to the top of the reserve precedes the training and once there you face 10 cross-sectional cables, some of which run half a mile in length topping approximately 800ft in height. All of the cables run deep through the rainforest with many providing breathtaking views over the Arenal Volcano National Park and the local town of La Fortuna, which help to provide a different perspective of the surrounding landscape in a fun yet safe environment.

For those who possess a weak stomach for sharp drops and steep inclines, there is certainly no need to worry, as the ziplines are relatively flat, albeit one or two. However, you will either have to overcome your fear or opt for the stairs down to the next zipline, as the infamous Tarzan swing lies in wait at the half way point, an exhilerating 20m free fall which then catapults you into a swing high amidst the rain forest canopy. In my opinion, although being slightly nervous and in fear pre-swing, this certainly turned out to be the highlight of the whole experience.

Once you complete the journey from the top of the Arenal reserve to the base camp at ground level, the experience is truely completed when the staff greet you with cold beers before preceeding to show you video highlights of your adventure. There are options to buy the highlights as a token of your experience but I found the DVD’s to be a little on the expensive side. Nonetheless, I had little to complain about after enduring a terrific day out culminating with free beers to round it off! A winner in anyones eyes!

Costa Rica Ziplining Videos

Arenal Zipline Tour (Costa Rica) Photo Gallery