Which Zip Line is Considered “The Best” in Costa Rica and Why?

If there is one activity that you can find in Costa Rica it is zip lining.  From the rainiest forest to the warmest coast of Costa Rica there is an abundance of zip line and canopy tours.  This activity was born in Costa Rica by expert biologists in need of investigating the rainforest tree canopies without interrupting the land below. Thus the canopy came to be.

Finding the best zipline tour can be very overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to look for.   For this reason, we have compiled an easy list of characteristics to help you with your search:

1.CERTIFIED BY AN INTERNATIONAL ENTITY

The first thing to look for is that the zip line tour is certification.  There are a series of entities that audit & certify zip line courses from top to bottom. One of the most prestigious is the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). They oversee every detail of the course from the construction to the equipment used to verify that the zip line company complies with the ACCT standards. Choosing a zip line or canopy course that complies with a certifying entity is a plus, given that you can guarantee they have all their safety bases covered.

2. EQUIPMENT USED

Safety is first and foremost when choosing a zip line company.  It’s important to review the zip line company‘s safety equipment. Always make sure the company provides a full body harness, helmet and gloves as part of their standard equipment.  The state of the equipment is equally important.  It should be in good condition and clean. The equipment should not have any ripped or broken pieces.  The zip line company should also provide different size harnesses. It is a warning sign when the company only has a “one size fits” harness. The company should have all sizes to include children’s all the way up to XL adult. Having a correct fitting harness will provide a better, safer and more comfortable experience!

Full body harnesses at Diamante Eco Adventure Park

Top of the line pulleys.

3. BRAKING SYSTEM

There are various types of braking systems used for zip lining.  As in every industry, new technology is constantly being introduced. Currently, there are several breaking systems designed to slow you down when arriving at the other end of the platform.  These systems can consist of two different types of manual breaking systems or an automatic braking system. The first one is the oldest and commonly used consisting of braking with one of your gloved hands behind the pulley to help you slow down. The second one is a kind of rubber stopper located near the end of the line that will help you stop and it is operated by one of the tour guides.

Automatic braking systems are different.  They are placed near the end of the line and will automatically do the work of stopping the person zipping in a safe manner. They are engineered to know when to stop the person coming in and it’s typically a much smoother stop as opposed to a sudden stop that can sometimes cause whiplash or discomfort to the rider.  The automatic braking system allows the zip liner to enjoy the ride and not think about stopping themselves or worry that they are going too fast.

4. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Not all zip line tours are made for the general population. There are courses where the physical demand is higher due to the need to hike in between platforms or because the terrain is steep or unfriendly. If you are adventurous and like hiking in nature, then those just might be your cup of tea. But if you are traveling with children that don’t want to hike or seniors that would prefer not to tackle mountainous terrain, these zip line courses might not be best suited for your group.

Superman Zip Line with the best ocean view.

5. RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Always inquire about the zip line company’s restrictions and limitations. If traveling with small children or large adults, ask about height, age or weight restrictions. Some tours require a minimum height, while others require a minimum weight because of the lengths of the lines. Also, remember there can be a maximum weight as well due to speeds you might reach. Always remember to ask if there is a kid-friendly course available; or if small children can skip the longer lines.  Restrictions and limitations are set in place for the protection of the rider.  If there aren’t ANY restrictions or limitations with a zip line company this could be a red flag.

6. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED

Many zip line parks will offer a variety of services to choose from in addition to zip lining. It is always nice to have other activities from which to choose if there are members of the group that don’t want to zip line.  Often there are groups such as family reunions, etc and they consist of small children through grandparents.  A zip line park that offers only zip lining can be limiting for the young children and senior population.   To accommodate the entire group inquire into other activities offered. Also, don’t forget to ask if they have any special packages when doing more than one activity, there might be a better deal for pricing

Visit the Best Zipline Park in Costa Rica.

At Diamante Eco Adventure Park there are plenty of activities to occupy the entire group!  In addition to Central America’s top zip line, Diamante also boasts the country’s largest animal sanctuary to include sloths, jaguars, pumas, monkeys, etc. Diamante also offers a popular restaurant, horseback riding, ATV tours and beach activities such as stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling.

At Diamante Eco Adventure Park, the zip line course is “family friendly” with minimum to no hiking between lines.  We’ve had all ages ride our lines from 4-year-olds to 88-year-olds and one of the things they love most about Diamante is the easy access between zip lines.  The course is designed to take in the beautiful ocean views without a lot of hiking! The park’s zip line course is certified by the Association for Challenge Course Technology and it also offers the new, state-of-the-art, Automatic Braking System.  It allows the zip liner to sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular ocean view.

• Discovery Pass ($42): Enter our Animal Sanctuary and meet our wildlife family: Lucy the sloth, Nico & Sama the jaguars, Balu the white faced monkey, King Julian our largest iguana and many more! All of our animals have been donated the by the Wildlife Ministry of Costa Rica.
• Aerial Pass ($78): Enjoy the zip line tour, including the Superman Man mile-long dual cable and a 30 feet high controlled jump!
• Adventure Pass ($118): experience the full zip line tour plus one extra cable that runs through our animal sanctuary and a hanging bridge over the crocodiles! Finish the tour inside of our top of class animal sanctuary and enjoy our wildlife family. This pass also includes a buffet lunch at the Welcome Center and access to our beach activities (stand up paddle board, snorkeling, kayak and hanging out at the hammocks).

Call us at +506 2105-5200 or email at [email protected] for more information!

Pura Vida!