Monteverde Zipline & Hanging Bridges Tour: Cloud Forest Canopy

Zip through the canopy, then walk eight suspension bridges suspended above the cloud forest floor.

A five-hour zipline and hanging bridges tour in Monteverde operates entirely within the cloud forest canopy at Selvatura Park. You cross the canopy on a high-capacity cable with full safety gear, then walk 3.06 kilometers of trails crossing eight suspension bridges ranging from 50 to 170 meters in length. The tour includes a bilingual guide, all equipment, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Monteverde.

The Experience

You start with hotel pickup in Monteverde and head to Selvatura Park, where the canopy tour begins. Suspended on a high-capacity cable with mountaineering-grade harness and safety equipment, you move through the cloud forest at canopy level — a perspective most people never get. The zipline section combines the technical thrill of one of Costa Rica's most sought-after activities with an unobstructed view of the forest from above, something only scientists could access until recently.

After the zipline section, the tour shifts to the suspension bridges. You walk 3.06 kilometers of forest trails crossing eight bridges of varying sizes; the longest stretch 170 meters, the shortest 50 meters. Each bridge is 1.50 meters wide and built to hold up to 80 people at once, making Selvatura's system the largest and most robust suspension bridge network in Costa Rica. The bridges let you move through the canopy at your own pace, stopping to look down into the forest or across to the far side of the cloud forest.

Your bilingual guide (English or Spanish) leads the entire experience and handles all safety briefings and equipment setup. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Monteverde are included, so you don't arrange your own transport. Bring closed shoes, comfortable clothing, a rain jacket, water and insect repellent; the cloud forest is wet year-round. The tour runs five hours total.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• complete safety harness and gear for the zipline section.
• access to eight suspension bridges ranging from 50 to 170 meters.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Monteverde.

Good to know

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

Operated by Destination Services Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The bilingual guide means you follow the tour comfortably in English or Spanish — choose the language at checkout. The five-hour commitment and moderate fitness requirement suit travelers with an afternoon free and the stamina for sustained activity; if you prefer a shorter or less physically demanding canopy experience, look for a bridges-only tour instead.

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Top questions

Can I do this tour if I've never ziplining before?

Yes — the canopy tour is designed for first-timers and experienced adventurers alike. Your guide handles all safety gear setup and briefing, and the high-capacity cable system is one of the safest zipline setups in Costa Rica. You do need at least moderate physical fitness to complete the full five hours of activity.

What are the suspension bridges like to walk?

The eight bridges range from 50 to 170 meters in length and are each 1.50 meters wide, so you have solid footing. They're built to hold up to 80 people at once and are the largest suspension bridge system in Costa Rica. You walk at your own pace across forest trails connecting them, with the guide leading the group.

How old do children need to be?

Children are welcome from age 7 and must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour. They use the same safety equipment and harness as adults and follow the same route.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the bilingual guide, complete safety gear and harness for the zipline section, access to all eight suspension bridges, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Monteverde. Bring your own water and snacks; lunch is not included.

What's the cloud forest like during the tour?

Monteverde's cloud forest is wet and misty year-round, which is why the vegetation is so dense and the canopy so full. The forest floor is far below you on the ziplines and bridges, and the mist often obscures the view downward — part of what makes the canopy perspective so striking. Wear a rain jacket and closed shoes with good grip.