La Fortuna: 12-Cable Zipline Over Waterfalls & Arenal Volcano

Twelve Cables, One 980-Meter Span Over La Fortuna Waterfall

You get a Jungle Bus ride to the canopy top with views of Arenal Volcano and two waterfalls; a 20-minute guided hike through the forest; twelve ziplines totaling 3.5 kilometers, including a 980-meter cable over La Fortuna Waterfall; safety gear and instruction; and time at a Maleku village to learn about indigenous Costa Rican life. The whole thing takes a half day, and you don't need to arrange transport or worry about equipment.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Introduction and zipline lesson
• Bus ride to canopy viewpoint
• 20-minute guided jungle hike
• Complete 12 ziplines over waterfalls
• Visit Maleku Indian Village
• Optional self-guided La Fortuna Waterfall hike

The Experience

"How long until I'm actually flying?" The question comes up before the harness is even fastened, and your guide just smiles — because in about twenty minutes, after the safety briefing and three warm-up cables, you'll understand why people ask it. The 12-cable zipline tour in La Fortuna starts at the adventure park with a quick rundown of equipment, then you board a Jungle Bus that climbs to the top of the canopy. From up there, the view opens up: the tropical forest spreading out below, Arenal Volcano sitting in the distance, and the two waterfalls you're about to fly over.

The hike down is twenty minutes through the jungle with a guide who knows the place — they point out the trees, the birds, the way the light hits the canopy, and if you're lucky, something moves in the branches. Then you clip into the first three cables to get the feel of it. They're short, they're safe, and they're the moment your body learns what ziplining actually is. After that, the real cables start. The longest one stretches 980 meters straight across La Fortuna Waterfall — you're suspended above the water, the roar of it below, nothing between you and the view. Two more cables cross Pino Blanco Waterfall. The rest take you through the canopy layers above the La Fortuna River, each one a different angle of green and sky and the sound of your own breathing inside the helmet.

The tour ends at a Maleku Indian Village, where you meet people who actually live there and work the land. They talk about how the indigenous groups have been in this region for centuries, and suddenly the forest you just flew through has a different weight to it. It's not a museum moment — it's real people in a real place, and it changes how you think about what you just did.

What’s included

• Jungle Bus ride to the canopy top.
• 20-minute guided jungle hike with a trained guide.
• 12 ziplines spanning 3.5 kilometers, including the 980-meter cable over La Fortuna Waterfall and two cables over Pino Blanco Waterfall.
• safety briefing and three warm-up cables.
• harness, helmet, and gloves.
• bottled water.
• visit to a Maleku Indian Village.
• optional self-guided hike to La Fortuna Waterfall (reservation required, limited availability).

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by PACR

Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want the full canopy and waterfall experience without arranging your own transport or safety equipment — the Jungle Bus, guide, and gear are all handled, and the mix of ziplining, hiking, and cultural time fills a half day without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

How long is the entire zipline tour?

The tour is a half-day experience. The hike takes about 20 minutes, and the zipline cables themselves span 3.5 kilometers total, though the actual time on the cables varies by pace and stops.

What's included in the tour?

Bottled water, harness, helmet, and gloves are provided. The Jungle Bus ride to the top, the guided jungle hike, all 12 ziplines, and access to the Maleku Indian Village are included.

Is there a hike to La Fortuna Waterfall as part of this tour?

A self-guided hike to La Fortuna Waterfall is available separately at no extra charge, but it requires advance reservation and has limited availability. The hike takes 30 to 45 minutes and includes a suspension bridge over the Fortuna River.

How many ziplines are there, and what's the longest one?

There are 12 ziplines total. The longest cable is 980 meters and crosses directly over La Fortuna Waterfall. Two additional cables span Pino Blanco Waterfall, and the rest run through the tropical canopy above the La Fortuna River.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or those who are pregnant.

What will I see from the top of the canopy?

From the Jungle Bus at the top, you can see the tropical canopy, La Fortuna Waterfall, Pino Blanco Waterfall, and Arenal Volcano in the distance.

Is there a guide with me on the hike?

Yes, a trained guide accompanies the 20-minute jungle hike and explains the area's ecology and significance while helping you spot wildlife.

What happens at the Maleku Indian Village?

At the end of the tour, you visit the village and meet indigenous Costa Ricans who live and work there. They share information about Costa Rica's indigenous groups, past and present.