Let me just say that I have a fear of heights. Not the type of fear that makes you ball up into a fetal position crying for your mommy, but a fear none the less. Maybe fear is the wrong word. Men are not supposed to fear anything, so let’s just say that I have a serious respect for the affects of gravity on the human body from a high elevation. Yes, that sounds better. So when Kerri suggested that we go zip lining in Monteverde it sounded like a great idea. After all, going to Monteverde and not zip lining is like going to Paris and not visiting the Eifel Tower. It must be done. No true tourist can visit Monteverde, Costa Rica’s adventure capital, and not go zip lining. But sounding like a great idea verses the reality of zip lining was still to be determined.
I woke up the next morning grumpy. It was still raining and our shoes and jackets were still wet from the night before and a shuttle van would arrive soon to take us up to the cloud forest so we can go zip lining… in the rain. All I wanted to do was sleep in and then find a hot tub and a cold beer, but that wasn’t an option. The closest I could get was a hot shower and a cup of coffee and that would have to suffice. After a quick breakfast the shuttle arrived. The van was full of tired tourists who were probably wondering the same thing we were, “Is this really a good idea?” We grabbed the last 3 seats and tried not to vomit as the van took us up a never ending bumpy road towards the adventure park.
After arriving at the Selvatura Adventure Park we went inside and were very happy to find plastic rain ponchos for $8 each. Sydney’s rain gear was functional and so it was only Kerri and I that looked like plastic bag wearing dorks. But at least we would be dry dorks! We paid for the zip line canopy tour and made our way into the room to get our gear fitted; helmet, harness, pulleys, and leather gloves. Because of Sydney’s weight, or lack thereof, she had her own personal guide that would take her on the tour. We were placed in a group of other thrill seeking tourists and loaded into a van to be shuttled out into the cloud enshrouded rain forest. Once at the starting point of the zip line canopy tour, we were marched up a trail through the jungle with the sound of our metal pulleys clanging against each other. After a short demonstration on how to zip line, we climbed the first tower. Did I mention that I don’t like heights?
Having fun zip lining in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest
Sydney waiting her turn
Sydney attached to the cable
Sydney over the canopy
We all nervously watched as Sydney was attached to the zip line cable with her guide and then launched off the tower over the green canopy far below and landed safely at the next tower. Next went Kerri and then it was my turn. Once attached to the cable I pushed off not knowing what to expect and quickly gained speed. While feeling very nervous while standing on the tower, my anxiety quickly dissipated at the sheer joy of zooming over the lush canopy of Costa Rica’s rain forest. This was fun! At the next tower everyone in our group had large smiles on their faces, especially Sydney.
On the last zip line section (number 13) we had to go tandem. The distance of this section was a full kilometer long and we were told to not touch the cable to brake! Kerri was attached to the cable first and then I was attached behind her and placed my feet around her waist. We were all a little puzzled as to why we had to go tandem, but whatever. The visibility had diminished and we could not see the other end of the cable. We launched off the tower and quickly gained speed. It was a very unnerving feeling to not be able to see where you are going. Our speed kept increasing and the rain droplets started to sting as they hit my eyes and exposed skin so I found relief looking down at the canopy far below. We made it to the other end and had a new appreciation for zip lining. It will be hard to pass up zip lining anytime we come across it while traveling. It is just way too much fun!
Sydney and her guide coming in for a landing
Kerri coming in fast
Jason coming in for a landing
Sydney heading into the clouds
After we were all safely back on the ground, the guides told us they had a surprise for all of us. The Tarzan Swing…
Oh my…I’m going to be in Costa Rica soon and this is on my to-do list but I am terrified of heights. What if you got stuck halfway along the kilometre line and no one knew?? That’s the kind of thing that would freak me out so much I’d probably chicken out. How long does it take to go a full k?
Hi Megan,
I am also not too fond of heights, but zip lining is totally worth it. In fact, I think the fear of heights actually adds to the excitement. Just thinking about all of the “what if’s” is also part of the fun. What if the cable breaks, what if the pulley jams, what if your harness snaps, and what if you had a great time doing it? As for how long it took to do a kilometer? At the insane break neck speeds that you are travelling, it doesn’t take too long. There are guides at both ends of the cable, so they know you are out there. If you go, just do it! You will seriously regret not doing it, and you will love it! Plus, what doesn’t kill you gives you bragging rights 🙂
The freaky part was the Tarzan Swing. I will be posting videos of that tomorrow.
Hi!
We will be going in Costa Rica with our two kids (7 and 10). I was wondering if it was really safe for kids. Was your daughter always with the guide? Even on the platforms? My son (7) is very adventurous and not scared of anything. He is not precautious and doesn’t think before he acts. That does scare me alot because he could jump thinking he is tied. My daughter is much more safe and would check twice to be sure everything is ok. Did your daughter like the experience? Was she scared?
Thanks!
Hi Chantal,
We were concerned about our daughter Sydney on the zip lines and the towers, as well, but the guides did a great job of keeping her safe. She had her very own guide that she was attached to as they went down the line. Once at the other tower they would clip her harness to the safety lines so that she couldn’t fall. When it was time for her to go, they would clip the guide on the line first and then clip Sydney. They also told us that one of the reasons she had to have a guide was her weight, or lack of. If you do not have enough weight, you might not make it all the way to the next tower, so your 10 year old might need to have a guide. We thought Sydney might be a little scared, but she was fearless. If you are going to be in Monteverde, do not miss out on doing the zip lines! They are one of the coolest things we have ever done!
We are going to Costa Rica and Monte Verde on Feb 29th 2012 and way excited. We are definitely going to make ziplining a part of our trip and I’m so excited about that. I have never been zip lining before. Is there a better company than another to go with? Any recommendations? Also is there a weight restriction. I am a little bit larger person and would hate to be expecting to go ziplining and then be turned away because of my weight? I am about 250 pounds? We are also going to Manuel Antonio, is ziplining funner there or in Monte Verde?
Hi Mindy,
We have only been ziplining once, so I do not know how the other companies would rate. The company we went with was recommended by our hotel and we REALLY enjoyed it. It also has the longest cables in all of Costa Rica. I would love to go back to Costa Rica just for the zipling alone. As for the weight limit, I do not remember. You can probably contact them directly and ask. The company we went with is: http://www.selvatura.com/
Have a great trip!
I am coming to Costa Rica on March 23rd with a group of about 15. Wondering what the cost will be for our group.
Thank you,
Bill
I have no idea. Best to contact them to see if they offer group discounts.