Ziplining in La Fortuna: 8 lines over the Arenal rainforest

You'll spot three kinds of monkeys, toucans and sloths while suspended between platforms 12 stories up.

Zipline across 8 lines and rappel 50 meters through the rainforest canopy above La Fortuna, with harness and helmet included. The tour runs 2 hours and ends at thermal mineral pools and volcanic mud baths on the same ticket. A guide in English or Spanish leads small groups; children from age 6 are welcome, and pickup is included. Maximum weight is 224 pounds.

The Experience

You arrive in La Fortuna with a free afternoon and want to move fast. This zipline runs 2 hours start to finish, which leaves room for lunch or a second activity before sunset. A guide meets you (English or Spanish, your choice at booking), fits your harness and helmet, and walks you through the platform setup on the ground before you clip in. The course sits inside Montaña de Fuego, a private reserve that protects the Arenal River canyon and the rainforest around it.

The route crosses 12 platforms and 8 ziplines strung between the canopy. You move from one to the next under your own control — the guide is not flying with you — and the lines run long enough that you build speed before the next platform appears. A 50-meter rappel is the final descent (included, optional, no extra charge if you skip it). The wildlife here is real and present: three monkey species, toucans, hummingbirds and sloths live in this zone and show up on most runs. The canyon walls of the Arenal River open up below you as you move through the trees.

When you finish the zipline, you walk straight into the thermal pools and volcanic mud on the same grounds. The pools are fed by geothermal springs and stay warm year-round; the mud comes from the volcanic soil nearby. Both are included with your zipline ticket, so you can soak and rinse without a second transaction. Pickup is arranged from your hotel, and the whole day — zipline, pools, mud and transport — stays under one booking.

What’s included

• Zipline canopy tour with 8 lines and a 50-meter rappel.
• harness, helmet and goggles.
• entrance to Montaña de Fuego Thermal Mineral Hot Pools and Volcanic Mud Baths.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Go Adventure Arenal Park

Is this one for you?The 2-hour zipline leaves your afternoon open for a meal or a second stop in La Fortuna, so you're not locked into a full-day commitment. If you want to spend the whole day on one activity, look for a longer tour package instead.

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Top questions

Can I do the zipline if I've never done one before?

Yes. The guide walks you through the harness, helmet and braking system on the ground before you clip in, and the first platform is low so you can practice. Suitable for all fitness levels, though the operator does not recommend this activity for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.

What wildlife will I actually see on the zipline?

Three kinds of monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds and sloths all live in the Arenal rainforest canopy. They show up on most runs, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed — the animals move freely and don't follow a schedule.

How long does the whole thing take, including the thermal pools?

The zipline itself runs 2 hours. The thermal pools and mud baths are on the same grounds and included with your ticket, so you can spend as long as you want soaking after the canopy work.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup is included with the zipline ticket. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer to meet the guide at the site.

What's the age and weight limit?

Children are welcome from age 6. The maximum weight is 224 pounds; the harness and equipment are sized to that limit.