Guanacaste: Zipline tour with local guide & pickup

Summary

Ziplining a family-run farm near Tamarindo & Playa Grande

You’ll zipline across Guanacaste’s dry forest canopy with a local guide, spotting monkeys and coatis as you go. Enjoy fresh fruit under ancient trees after your adventure. With pickup included from Tamarindo or nearby beaches, this day trip leaves you with that wide-open feeling only Costa Rica can give.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bumping along the dirt road outside Tamarindo when I realized how far the dry forest stretches out here in Guanacaste — just endless gold grass and those big trees that look like they’re holding up the sky. Our driver, Luis, pointed out a cluster of cattle under a shade tree and said his uncle used to work on this same land. The farm’s been in one family since 1930, which somehow made it feel less like a tourist thing and more like we’d been let in on something personal.

The zipline course itself is wild — nine cables, some so high my stomach did a little flip when I looked down (I probably shouldn’t have). The first platform was sticky-warm from the sun, and our guide Maria handed me a helmet that still smelled faintly of mangoes (she laughed when I mentioned it — apparently someone had just finished their snack). When you launch off, there’s this split second where all you hear is wind and birds. We spotted howler monkeys lounging in the branches below; Maria called out their name in Spanish but I missed it because I was too busy trying not to scream. There were coatis too — little flashes of white tails darting through the brush.

After the last cable, we sat under a tree with slices of pineapple and watermelon. The fruit tasted colder than I expected, maybe just because of the heat or maybe because I was still buzzing from that last run. Someone asked about the old farmhouse up on the hill and Luis told us stories about Eusebio Arrieta Lopez founding the place — he seemed proud, but also kind of shy about it. It’s funny how quickly you start feeling at home when people share those small things.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guanacaste Forest Zipline Adventure

• Drive to zipline farm
• Zipline through dry forest

Top questions

How long does the Guanacaste zipline tour take?

The tour lasts about three hours total, including transportation to and from Tamarindo or nearby beaches.

Is transportation included in the zipline tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Flamingo, or Potrero.

What should I bring for the Guanacaste zipline?

You should bring sunblock, bug spray, comfortable clothing, and closed-toed shoes.

Are guides bilingual on this tour?

Yes, bilingual guides are provided throughout the experience.

Is food provided during the zipline tour?

You’ll get fresh fruit and water after finishing the course.

Can children join this zipline experience?

The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

Where does the zipline take place?

The course is set on a family-owned farm near Tamarindo in Guanacaste province.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Tamarindo or nearby beaches, all transportation to the family-run farm, bilingual local guides for safety and stories along the way, plus fresh fruit and water after your time on the ziplines before heading back.