_cjw_

So I'm trying to figure out if zipline is for me. I like speed, I like great views, I don't mind heights. I don't like drops. The feeling of falling fast makes me sick to my stomach.

I would be less hesitant if the zipline trips were just one go, but there's a series of lines, right? And even if I get a "test" run in, I've read some comments that the test runs are nothing like the real lines.

I'm not an adrenaline junkie and am not always happy after doing a certain adventure. Like jumping off a cliff in Hawaii. Scared to death and everyone afterwards was like "Aren't you glad you did it?" No, not really. That sick feeling stayed with me.

Everyone posts about how great ziplining was, but is there anyone who did it and would rather not have? How much of a "drop" is involved? I'm excited about rafting, canyoning, etc. Just trying to figure out if I should spend my precious time ziplining.

Thanks!

CarolM

I really, really think you'll be fine. You like speed and don't mind heights... that's it. There are no drops. The lines are at just enough of a decline (slight) so that you move forward, but there really is no perceptible sense of falling or moving downward --- you really feel like you're pretty much moving in a straight line. I suggest doing a tour where the lines are more "inside" the canopy, as opposed to Sky Trek (in both Arenal and Monteverde) where the lines are higher above the trees. Where will you be? In Manuel Antonio, I always recommend Canopy Safari, 'cause that's an amazing tour.

I had the same hesitations as you do, before I went the first time, and now I absolutely love it! And I'm the kind of person who wouldn't jump off a cliff (at least I wouldn't enjoy it!)

atravelynn

I posted a similar question. Here is a link to some of my replies.

Look at the Hills27 reply on 10/31/2007 at 1:24. Then the other comments on the same date starting at 8:19.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35086706

CarolM,
Can you tell me more about the Canopy Safari, such as what animals/birds did you see?

CarolM

On a canopy zipline tour, you're not likely to see any animals... it's more about the fun experience. For animals, you'll want to do a hanging bridges walk, or hire a guide in the park, etc. For animals in Manuel Antonio, check out the Damas Island Mangrove boat tour, hire a guide to walk in the national park, and/or visit the Rainmaker Reserve.

chanad

cjw - I feel exactly the same as you - love speed, views, don't mind heights much - but I HATE drops. I am never happy I went on that roller coaster my friends insisted I go on - I'm just glad it's over!

But I went ziplining in Belize last year and totally loved it - it was so much fun! The first step, when you're just stepping into nothingness was a little scary, but after that it was awesome. It doesn't really drop so much, it's more just fast. I definitely recommend it!

kencolian

I think it depends on the zipline. I loved Canopy Safari in MA. (Except the repel line) However this summer at the Hacienda Guachipelin I quit. I did not feel as secure. (But both my son and husband loved it) There are so many things to do in your limited time I would prioritize other things first.

xyz99

Cjw,
So glad you asked – I’m very interested in this too. My problem is that heights make me uncomfortable, so I’m not sure yet how I feel about zip lines. I am definitely not a fan of the ‘adrenaline rush’ thing (no roller coasters for me) so maybe I need to stay with my feet on the ground.

Carol, thanks for the Mangrove boat tour suggestion, that sounds great.

hipvirgochick

I did it, it was fun, but if I were short on time it would not be at the top of my list of things to do. There was that part of me afterwards that thought, gee, I'm glad I lived, but I'm really not too excited to do it again! However, the company we did it with was great, over the falls, with Mundo Aventuras.

P.S. I love roller coasters.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I had the same concerns before my first zipline tour 10 years ago, but I really enjoyed it.

You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. It's your trip. Costa Rica has enough other fun, interesting activities that if you miss out on ziplining, you'll still have a good time.

volcanogirl

We had a huge rain and lightning storm the day we were supposed to do SkyTrek in Arenal, so they canceled ziplining for the day - I still regret it and want to go back and do it. I don't enjoy rides that drop either, but I do like speed - to me, it looks like so much fun since you're mainly moving horizontally.

hipvirgochick

vgirl -- I hope you get to do it next time! My daughter will probably convince me to do it again because she loved it.

I was just happy I kept making to the other side after 11 zips! One was reeeeeeaaaalllly long and I thought I would never get there! I know they are all different so it might be interesting to compare.

_cjw_

Thanks everyone for your insight. Carol's suggestion of finding a company more "inside" the canopy seems especially helpful! I haven't quite figured out exactly where we'll be - and today had a development that may mean rescheduling the trip! - but once I go (hopefully Feb/March next year), if we get in our other high priority activities, I'll try it and report back!

Thanks again!

StanKase

My wife enjoyed the 11 cable open zip line in CR and I DID Noy. I do not like heights over 15ft. and this was from 40-200ft. Also, it you get frightened and squeeze the cable you may syop before you reach the next platform. That at first is of concern but one of the guides shimmes out on the line to get you and you just hold on to them and you reach the next platform. Because you move fairly fast you do NOT see any animals, maybe a bird or two. When you are on a platform you can monkeys but you see them as well as sloths on the better longer canopy trips (45-60 min.)

CarolM

StanKase, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy ziplining... I would definitely say this isn't something for people with a real fear of heights. Other than that, it's not scary, IMO. The only people who have told me they didn't enjoy the zip lines were people who said they had height issues to begin with.

Regarding what Stan said about squeezing the cables, there are canopy tours where you do not have to "break" by pulling the cable. I've done one where you do, and one where you don't. Canopy Safari in MA does NOT require you to break yourself. Original Canopy Tour in Monteverde did (this was some years ago).

I personally think zip-lining IS a priority activity in CR! Just sayin'

volcanogirl

Thanks, hip - it's on my to do before I die list. Guess that just means I'll have to go back!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

An article this week in the business newspaper El Financiero talked about canopy tours here. (That's sort of Costa Rica's equivalent to The Wall Street Journal, but a weekly paper.) There are 105 of them that are licensed by the tourist board, along with many others that have no permits, and 30 percent of visitors to Costa Rica participate in the activity.

hills27

I HATE drops and I LOVE ziplining. There's absolutely no dropping sensation to speak of.

ilana25841

One more note, when we went in Baru Hacienda near Dominical, people who said they had back issues, were given an additional harness that provided support...something I wouldn't have thought of.

snoopy12

I hate drops, roller coasters etc and ziplining was not like that. I had fun but don't feel the need to do it again. If you're not into it, you should not feel like you are missing out on the full CR experience.

Dyer

I would not go on a roller coaster any longer - am 53 yrs. old, have done that, don't want to again. But I wouldn't hesitate to go on a Zip Line (Canopy Tour). I did it in Costa Rica 2 1/2 yrs. ago and loved it. The horseback ride that we took to get to our destination was a blast. We laughed so much on that tour that we wondered what our Tico tour guide thought of us, but we later learned he had a great day too, enjoying the ride, the scenery and they fun. Pura Vida