Ziplining in Arenal Volcano: Canopy, waterfall, hot springs

One day holds the adrenaline and the recovery both.

A full-day ziplining and wellness tour in Rincón de la Vieja National Park combines canopy cables, hanging bridges, a waterslide, horseback riding and a cultural stop with a volcanic spa phase: sauna, mud bath and thermal springs. The 8-hour itinerary includes lunch, snacks, a live guide in English or Spanish, and hotel pickup. Not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Adventure, culture, and volcanic wellness

• Walk across 16 hanging bridges
• Zipline on 7 canopy cables
• Horse ride through forest trails
• Enjoy Costa Rican snacks and artisan show
• Slide down 1240-foot water slide
• Have a delicious buffet lunch
• Tractor ride to Salitral waterfall
• Short hike to volcanic spa
• Use volcanic rock sauna
• Apply volcanic mud bath
• Soak in thermal hot springs

The experience

You start with the canopy: 16 hanging bridges strung through the forest, then 7 ziplines that cross the rainforest at height. The view from the cables is the point. You are moving through it, not watching it pass below a vehicle. After the canopy phase, a quiet horseback ride through the forest trails lets you settle into the landscape before the pace picks up again. A Costa Rican cultural stop introduces you to local snacks and a trapiche demonstration, then you change into swim gear for the waterslide: a 1,240-foot run carved through the jungle that ends in a pool.

Lunch is a buffet with options for different diets, eaten before the second half begins. A tractor ride takes you to the Salitral waterfall, followed by a short walk to the volcanic spa zone. Here the day shifts from adrenaline to recovery: you soak in a sauna built from volcanic rocks, apply volcanic mud to your skin, and finish in thermal hot springs at different temperatures. The whole experience runs 8 hours, with a live guide leading both phases and handling the logistics: transport from your hotel, equipment setup, timing between stops.

What’s included

• Ziplining across 7 rainforest canopy cables.
• 16 hanging bridges.
• a 1,240-foot waterslide.
• horseback ride through forest trails.
• Costa Rican cultural demonstration with snacks.
• buffet lunch with dietary options.
• tractor ride to Salitral waterfall.
• volcanic rock sauna.
• volcanic mud bath.
• thermal hot springs at multiple temperatures.
• bottled water and coffee throughout the day.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and transportation.
• tour insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 26 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by The Best Day Ever! | Costa Rica Tour Operator & DMC

Is this one for you?An 8-hour commitment means you need a full day clear, but it also means you move through both the adrenaline and the recovery without rushing either one: the morning canopy and waterslide, the afternoon spa. If your schedule only allows a half-day or you want to combine this with other activities in the region, this tour will not fit. If you want a single experience that covers adventure and relaxation in one trip, the length is what makes both possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I do on the ziplines in Rincón de la Vieja?

You cross 16 hanging bridges strung between trees, then zipline across 7 cables that span the rainforest canopy. The cables carry you through the treetops with views of the forest below. You are harnessed and guided by the operator's staff, and the route is designed for the view as much as the ride itself.

Is the waterslide part of the same ziplining area?

The waterslide is a separate element that comes after the canopy and horseback phases. It is a 1,240-foot chute carved through the jungle that you slide down into a pool. It is included in the same full-day tour, not a separate booking.

What is included in the lunch, and are there options for dietary needs?

Lunch is a buffet with options for different tastes and diets. The tour also includes Costa Rican snacks during the cultural stop, coffee or tea, and bottled water throughout the day.

Is this tour suitable if I have never done ziplining before?

The operator rates the tour as suitable for all physical fitness levels. The ziplining is guided and you are harnessed throughout. The hanging bridges and canopy cables are part of a structured course. If you have specific concerns about heights or fitness, confirm with the operator before booking.