When it comes to ziplining in Costa Rica, Monteverde is usually the destination that comes to mind as that is where the original canopy tour in the country started. Ziplining was invented by the workers who actually used the cables to deliver lunch! Nowadays, it’s an exciting activity for adventurers to flying through the forest or over the beach and is one of the essential experiences to have in Costa Rica.
Though there are many ziplining companies in Costa Rica, there is one in particular that is known for having one of the highest and longest, Treetopia Monteverde. They offer various activities in their park: ziplining, aerial tram, hanging bridges, zipline bike and a treetop obstacle course.
Read on to see what our experience at Treetopia Monteverde (formerly Sky Adventures Monteverde) was like. We did their ziplining, aerial tram and hanging bridges.
Treetopia Monteverde
Treetopia Monteverde is about a 15-20 minute drive from Santa Elena Downtown. If you have a car, a high clearance in the dry season and 4×4 in rainy season is recommended. They offer free parking.
If you do not have a car, you can arrange transportation with them from your hotel in Monteverde.
Prices and Times
The park is open 7 days a week.
Aerial Tram
To get to the start of the canopy tour, you need to take their aerial tram to the top. This aerial tram is awesome. You climb steadily to the top of the cloud forest and on a clear day, you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean as you’re on the Continental Divide.
Unfortunately, both times we have gone on the tram in March and November were super cloudy, but you get a great view of the cloud forests.
The tram goes up 2600 feet (800 meters) and at the top, the first cable is waiting for you!
Treetopia Zipline Course
This canopy tour has 8 cables and goes through the cloud forest. The longest cable is 2460 feet (750 meters), the highest cable is 328 feet (100 meters) and the tour lasts around 2 hours.
This zipline gives you stunning views of the cloud forest as you fly above the trees. Even though it was raining when we went, it was still super fun. I can imagine on a nice sunny day, it’s even more incredible!
You end up back at the tour entrance when the zipline is over so we got out of our ziplining gear and got ready to hike the hanging bridges.
Treetopia Monteverde Hanging Bridges
Treetopia Monteverde has 6 bridges spanning a length of 1.5 miles. It’s a fairly flat trail and is partially accessible by wheel chair. We had a bilingual guide who pointed out various flora and fauna since it’s common to see birds, monkeys, sloths and snakes.
Depending on what time of year you are visiting, you have the chance to see some rare birds. Monteverde is home to many birds who only live up the cloud forests such as the Resplendant Quetzal and Emerald Toucanet.
We went without a guide but if you are interested in a guide, you can book a hanging bridges guided walk with a naturalist guide.
Tips for Visiting Treetopia Monteverde
- For more tips, check our Monteverde guide.
- Wear a jacket and long pants, even in the dry season months. Monteverde’s average temperature up in the cloud forests is 65 F so it’s chilly! In rainy season, you must wear a rain jacket or else you’ll get soaked.
- For the walk, bring binoculars or a long lens if you like taking pictures. It’s a great place for birders.
- You don’t have to do the activities in this order, they have different times for the canopy tour. We just did the zipline first when there was a break in the rain.
- You don’t need hiking boots but closed toed shoes are a must. I actually wore my KEEN sandals since I didn’t have closed toed shoes and though my feet were a bit cold, my shoes dried quickly and I didn’t have to worry about wet socks.
- You can use a GoPro during the ziplining. Ask the guides for the helmets with the GoPro camera mount.
- They have lockers for backpacks and a small cafe and souvenir store.
We visited the Treetopia Monteverde park during the Costa Rica Monkey Tours, Essentials and Coast to Coast.
Want to see wildlife and hike in Monteverde? Check these posts out!
Abigail says
How much does it cost if you would like to do the Aerial Tram? Also, how long is the ride?
Sammi says
Hi Abigail, you can book passes and get more information on their direct website.
Felix says
I wanted to know what you think about Canopy La Carpinteria? We want to stay close to San Jose. I understand it’s about a half hour from San Jose.
Sammi says
We haven’t been to this one, I recommend to check reviews on TripAdvisor, google, Etc. to see what paste guests have said
Kirsten Gaucher says
We will be in both Arenal area and Monteverde over the holidays (also on both coasts Puerto Viejo and Playa Junquillal). Which one would you suggest if we are only ziplining in one of these 2 locations? So far we will hike and do hanging bridges in Arenal area also have a coffee tour planned in Monteverde(before we head to the beach!) Thank you for all of your excellent articles – just wish we had more time!!!!
Sammi says
Hi Kirsten, you can check our post Arenal vs Monteverde to read more about the activities and ziplining in both places.
Patrick says
Hi ! How hard do you have to hold on the handle. Can i just put my hands on it during the descent without pulling them?
Sammi says
Not hard actually, just to hold on. YOu don’t really need to pull on it, to brake you actually need to open your legs a bit and they have a braking system.
Dinah says
Hello! My friend and i are planning to make a trip to Costa Rica in August… do they pickup guests from San Jose to The Adventure Park?
Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Dinah, no San Jose is too far you will need to be in Monteverde.
Kath says
Hi, we have booked to to do the sky trek at Monteverde but when I showed the boys online they are terrified! The youngest is 8. What shall we do if they refuse to do it, will we loose the money?
Sammi says
Hi Kath, you will have to talk to Sky Adventures park to see what their policies are. But I assure you, once they do it once, they’ll be hooked! It’s super fun and the first couple lines are short and not that fast to ease you into it.
Mia says
Hello! We are a family from Sweden who are going to Costa Rica this winter. I am not able to grab things with my hands, do you think I can do the zipline-tour anyway? Do I have to hold the handle or could I just grab the “rope” in front of me? Do I need to slow down the speed or does it slow down by itself?
Sammi says
Hi Mia, they do require you to grab the cable and pull yourself up to get hooked on the cable. They can help you and they usually have a step stool but they do need you to hoist yourself up and then during the zipline, you have to hold onto the handles they provide. They have automatic braking but you do need to hold onto the handles. If you aren’t able to grab the cable, hoist yourself up or hold onto the handles, then I don’t recommend doing the zipline unfortunately.
Meredith says
We’re visiting La Fortuna & Monteverde, and I’m not a huge fan of heights and ziplines. Is there a good place to experience 1-3 ziplines, rather than so many? I’m afraid I’ll freeze up and have to bail out.
Sammi says
Hi Meredith, the ziplining tours usually have ladders and certain points where you can exit if you don’t want to finish. But it will probably be better for your to do a smaller/shorter one. Monteverde has mostly really high and fast ones so I recommend going in La Fortuna. Ecoglide, Athica are two that are really fun but not super crazy high or fast. But usually once you do it once, you’ll enjoy it and want to keep going 🙂
Julie Brod says
Hi Sammi-
Thank you so much for all of your hard work- It’s really helping me a lot. I’m interested in the hanging bridges in Monteverde rather than the ziplining. Do you have a recommendation of the place with the best value for hanging bridges? I think I’m leaning to Selvatura. I’mm traveling with my 2 sons- ages 13 and 10.
Thanks so much,
Julie
Sammi says
Hi Julie! Both hanging bridges in Sky and Selvatura are really nice because they are both higher in elevation near the actual cloud forest. We have done both and enjoyed both so either one you go to will be great! I wrote a post on Selvatura you can read here too: Selvatura Park
Ampy says
Hi, I and my friend will be traveling in about 3 weeks, I have a question regarding parasailing, can you recommend a reputable company and the price range
Sammi says
Hi Ampy, I know there is a parasailing in Manuel Antonio and Caldera. Unfortunately we have not gone yet but I think there is just one company in both destinations that do the parasailing.
Nancy says
Is this an adventure that only fit people can do? My husband and I are mid-60’swith heart disease…but we would love to do this!
Sammi says
Hi Nancy, the zipline and aerial tram don’t require much walking but the hanging bridges is a good few kilometers so if you have difficulty walking long distances, then I’d advise not to do the hanging bridges as they don’t have handicap access. But for the zipline, it is not a lot of walking at all and doesn’t require too much strength or energy. I would think it’s OK unless you guys have a huge fear of heights then that may be too stressful because it does go quite up high and fast. But I think it’d be best to ask your doctor as well just in case – but the zipline and aerial tram don’t require much walking.
Kim says
Hello – We love your site and are using it almost exclusively to plan our trip. We are just curious if Sky Adventures would be busier on a weekend vs weekday? We do not need a tour but are wondering if you need to book ahead for park entrance.
Sammi says
Hi Kim, since right now is high season it is pretty busy every day of the week and since most locals don’t really the visit the park, I would say there isn’t a huge difference. They have a fairly ample parking lot and since most people go on a tour, they don’t have to wait in line for tickets so it shouldn’t be too bad.
Jan says
Is this park close to San Jose and fairly easy to get to by car? We are spending a week in San Jose and planning day tours
Sammi says
If you look on Google Maps, it’s about a 3 hour drive. The road is bumpy and is usually recommended to have a 4×2. You can make it a day trip, just leave early so you don’t have to drive back in the dark.