Costa Rica Canopy Tours

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Costa Rica is world recognized for its nature, the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the adventure activities you can experience while you visit the country. Different tourssuch as hiking amidst the lush forests, sport fishing tours, the adrenaline-full adventures in the rivers while experiencing the whitewater rafting, different bird watching sessions surrounded by nature, surfing in the amazing Costa Rica beaches, scuba diving in the reefs, and some other fun activities are the top tourist attractions of the country.

But if you are planning your next summer vacations, you can’t forget to include at least one zip line canopy tour. This will boost your adrenaline and the enjoyment of your travel to Costa Rica.

Composed of steel cables and platforms strung at various heights between trees, they will offer you a unique means of accessing gorgeous natural areas otherwise difficult or impossible to access. And while they undoubtedly boost your fun and adrenaline, zip lines will also educate you.

Why is Costa Rica perfect for a Canopy Tour?

Of course there are a lot of canopy tours all around the world, but the special thing with this country is that the tours here will give you the opportunity to explore the richness of its wildlife and its green landscapes like if you were a bird. These amazing tours offer a great view of the forest canopy, where thick branches serve as platforms, and an incredible variety of plants, and such animals as frogs, snakes, the famous and adorable sloths, and hundreds of bird species can be seen.

The idyllic Costa Rica weather is also one of the main reasons why canopy tours are so popular among visitors and locals alike. It is possible to book one of these tours all year round; depending, obviously, on the regions of the country you will be visiting.

Travel Excellence offer different canopy tour options in almost all tourist destinations of the country. You can choose zip line tours with volcano views, ocean views, rainforest views… Whatever you want!

Recommendations for zip lining

Maybe you have done canopy tours before, but if your Costa Rica zip line tour will be your first there are some important facts that you need to know:

• Safety practices: Zip lining in Costa Rica is a very common activity while on family vacations. This means that there are safety and maintenance practices all zip line tour companies must meet. Besides, several canopy companies have implemented unique and innovative systems so you do not have to use your hands to stop, providing improved safety and more comfort to enjoy the tour. This unique adventure is perfect for families with little children!
• Age conditions: People of all ages can do canopy, as there is no minimum or maximum age for zip lining in the country. The only thing about this activity is that there are weight and height conditions that you must meet in order to enjoy the most this thrilling activity under safe and secure conditions.
• Zip line weight limits: In general terms, most canopy tours in Costa Rica haven’t a maximum weight limit. This condition is mainly due to the maximum weight the cables can support, if you don’t know it, the cables can resist a force of about 5,000 lbs. This is a lot of weight! Despite this wide weight limit range, exists a waist and thigh size limit because the size of the harness has to fit around the body of the participants in order to function well and provide them safety during their tour through the forest. This measures must not exceed the size of 45 inches –this is the maximum allowed-, and the thighs must preferable be under 31 inches in its circumference. You must also know that in Costa Rica several canopy tours suggest a weight under 275 lbs.

What to Bring?

There are some important things you need to bring with you no matter which canopy tour you are going to do:

• Comfortable clothes and shoes: Long pants to protect your legs and closed-toe shoes to protect your feet are recommended for all canopy tours in the country.
• Insect repellent: Even if you are allergic or not, it is better if you bring repellent in order to avoid annoying mosquito bites that may appear when in the forest. If it’s natural, better!
• Camera: As you don’t want to miss the amazing views and the funny faces you and your family are going to make! Most canopy tours offer a package of photos that you can buy after your tours.
• Sunglass straps: To avoid missing your glasses in the forest, it will be great if you bring straps for your sunglasses or your eyeglasses, you won’t want to miss them!
• Hat or cap: A hat will be helpful to protect your face of the sun, the rain and the wind. If you are travelling with children, a hat for them will be a good idea too. But this recommendation is for the time before the tour, as during the activity you must wear a security helmet.
• Sun block: Because you don’t want to spend the rest of your Costa Rica vacations with sunburns.
• Binoculars: Hopefully you will see a lot of animals and interesting flora, so take a pair of binoculars to zoom it.

It is also important to bring a poncho and a sweater if you are visiting Costa Rica in rainy season.

Best places for Canopy Tours in Costa Rica

All Costa Rica vacation packages can include at least one canopy tour. The most popular zip lines you can visit are:

Central Valley

• Colinas del Poás Canopy Tour
• Rainforest Adventures Canopy Tours Pacific & Atlantic
• Canopy San Luis

While there are no canopy tours within the capital city, the mountainous Central Valley surrounding San Jose Costa Rica boasts some tropical landscapes perfect for zip lining. In fact, many canopy tour companies have created zip lines in this area and most of them are just a short trip away from the different San Jose hotels and the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Caribbean

• Crazy Monkey Canopy Tour
• Veragua Rainforest Park
• Rainforest Adventures – Atlantic

Arenal

• Canopy in Hacienda Pozo Azul Sarapiquí
• Arenal Ecoglide Canopy tour

The amazing Arenal Volcano is one of the most remarkable highlights of the country. La Fortuna Costa Rica, the area surrounding Arenal Volcano is a center of activity and the home of beautiful boutique Costa Rica hotels. Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna also have some truly amazing zip lining canopy tours, and they offer incredible views of Costa Rica’s wildlife with Arenal Volcano looming over it all.

Monteverde

• Selvatura Park
• Sky Adventures

Monteverde is home of the famous Cloud Forest Reserve, and that’s why it is considered as an one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for vacations. It is also one of the premier places for zip lining tours as its cloud forest have a truly exceptional climate and an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna.

Some of the Monteverde Cloud Forest zip lining tours offers hanging bridges as well, giving you a bird’s eye view of the forest. Different bird species can be observed from here.

Northern Pacific

• Buena Vista Extreme Canopy Tour
• Congo trail Canopy

Central Pacific

• Canopy Vista Los Sueños
• Titi Canopy Tour
• Rainforest Adventures – Pacific

Squirrel and howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, iguanas and sloths are some of the species inhabiting the Central Pacific area. These animals populate the canopy of the forest, making the Central Pacific one of the most exciting places in Costa Rica to experience a canopy tour.

Many of the canopy companies here include tarzan swings, waterfall rappels and ATV tours, which will make the adventure even more exciting. No matter what canopy tour you choose, you’re sure to see some incredible wildlife and landscapes.

Our recommended Vacation Packages for Canopy:

• Volcano, Mountain & Beach
• Deluxe Adventure in Costa Rica

Please contact us if you want to know more about zip lining tours for your next trip. We will be more than glad to assist you in everything you might need for your upcoming holidays.