Sky Trek is the best zip line in Costa Rica. I have tried several others and they are like kiddie rides compared to Sky Trek.
If you have problems with heights it probably isn't for you.
You will be about 650 ft above the canopy and the length of the lines is fron 1525 ft to 2460 ft. with speeds of about 40 mph.
I recomend it to anyone who has a sense of adventure.
I am 75 and there were kids 8 years old ziping with me.

just a follow up - i ziplined! and it was terrific!

for our schedule, we had to zipline around the arenal area and after looking at reviews on fodors, we went with arenal paraiso. after talking with different people and finally doing it myself, i think the dropping sensation varies depending on the lines you do. for example, someone in areanal told us about certain lines where you "jump off" the platform and they were a bit scary for her. the arenal paraiso lines, you just stepped off the platform and away you went. it was a lot of fun and i highly recommend it, so long as you are NOT afraid of heights.

an extra tip for those that have nerves, when i looked to the platform ahead, i experienced more of a dropping sensation. it was much more comfortable and far more enjoyable to look at the scenery surrounding the line than the platform ahead and slightly below. and if you are nervous, do not break (if you are on a line that you can break on). listen to the guides - who mostly tell you not to break until you approach the platform - and just enjoy the ride, don't tense up and slow yourself down. i didn't do so myself, but i noticed a lot of girls who did and several got stuck before the end of the line b/c they had slowed themselves down so much. if you are iffy about heights, i imagine being stuck on the line to be really uncomfortable.

so thanks to everyone for your encouragement! ziplining was terrific, one of the highlights of our trip! (i hope to post a fuller trip report soon.) and if you are iffy yourself, arenal paraiso is a great option! great guides, "inside" the canopy, no jumping, and beautiful sights (especially zipping by the river). on our trip, we met a tico guide who was w/ another group who's done many, many different ziplines. he also commented paraiso is a good choice for someone who is hesitant.

pura vida!
cj

thanks for the follow-up!

we're going on our first trip to costa rica later this month and i've been hesitant about the ziplines. we've decided to do the one at arenal paraiso mostly because it's the closest to our hotel, but also because i'm not interested in the highest or the fastest one. i'm hoping i don't freak out. i do have a bit of a fear of heights, but enjoy testing/conquering it. i managed to jump out of a plane, loved it and was very glad i did it. that was only one jump. hopefully i'll do ok with the multiple lines.

wow - if you enjoyed jumping out of a plane, ziplines should be a piece of cake! have fun!

We did the zipline at Arenal Paraiso last week and it was PLENTY long enough, fast enough and high enough!

We only wished it had lasted longer!

cjw,

i have a question for you. were you able to pre-book the zipline tour at arenal paraiso? i imagine it's usually not that crowded, but since i'll be there during holy week i think it may be busier and we're a little limited as to when we can go. also, how long was the whole experience?

thanks.

Thanks for posting, cjw; it sounds great!

i had some email exchanges with arenal paraiso, but did not book in advance. first they told me just to book when i checked in. i explained i was not staying at their property, just wanted to use the ziplines and could i please reserve. no response. when we arrived in the arenal area, our lovely lovely host at the b&b where we stayed (jessenia at erupciones inn, more when i write a full report) called and made our reservations one day ahead.

bonus - the rate was less than what paraiso quoted to me over email ($45 vs. $48).

fwiw, we were only two guests and were on at the same time as a large group of high schoolers. if you are a small party, i don't think they'll turn you down if they are already fairly booked. also, they have multiple trips throughout the day so if you are concerned about crowds, why not ask about how many have booked for the different time slots?

and if you happen to get stuck w/ a large group, don't be shy about asking to "move ahead" of the line. our first zip we were last at the back of the high schoolers. we met their local guide. (a really fantastic gentleman i will also post more about later...if anyone's looking for a local guide, let me know!!! roberto is great!!!) he suggested we move ahead so we don't have to wait so long for our zips and, in fact, he asked the instructors to bump us up. they did and it was much more enjoyable.

i think the whole thing was a little less than two hours. i'd think you'd go faster if you're with a smaller group. go for it! just call and figure out when you can go and be w/ the fewest other guests.

best,
cjw

moti,

when i did the arenal paraiso ziplines, i booked in advance on this website:

http://www.arenal.net/canopy-tour-costa-rica/

they were great, followed up promptly, sent confirmation emails, etc.

it lasted about 2 hours total (you'll see scheduling choices on the site). have a blast! :)

carol

Sounds like you'll do just fine with the zip line. There aren't really any sudden drops. It's fast, it's got great views. It's high, with an awesome view (at least the Sky Tram one in Arenal). Also there's a time to test it out. So you take the Tram up and then you have two small tests. True the test runs are small. Also the guides can go with you on the big one the first time. They hold onto you.

There's really no sudden drop at all. It's always gradual. My husband said he didn't love it and probably wouldn't do it again, but even he had fun. My son and I would do it again and again.

Sorry but I hated it and couldn't wait for it to be over. I just could not get over the height thing and I really didn't enjoy the experience. The repel was terrifying.

travelme, which company did you use? Do you think it was the particular zipline you did, or was it just not your thing?

I dont remember the company as it was in 2002. Probably it was just not my thing which surprised me as everyone and their uncle raves about doing the zip-line. I was scared out of my mind and was so happy when it was over. If you don't like heights, there is a good chance that you will NOT like doing it.

I'm 54 and didn't ever do roller coaster.

But I didn't think the ziplines were exciting. They were fine as transportation, but really they just go more or less straight and once you let go, you don't do much but hang from the pulley.

For me, the horseback ride to and from the zipline was much more fun and exciting.

Keith

Having a fear of heights has kept me from doing a lot of things. I can't imagine jumping out of a plane. I'd be dead of a stroke before I had a chance to pull the ripcord. I get vertigo if I visit viewing areas atop high buildings. Can't stand to be near the edge. Years ago, I turned down an offer of a free parasail (Bahamas) to "help me overcome my problem". I don't move (feel sort of paralyzed) on a ferris wheel and HATE having to stop on the top. I MAKE myself get on roller coasters and other high thrill rides just to try to keep myself from feeling so darned phobic. Traveling with youth groups for 15 years made it necessary for me to push my own personal envelope.

THAT SAID, I made a well thought out decision to do the zips and found it to be a pretty thrilling experience. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, but it's kind of "been there, done that" to me. I had to psych myself up a bit and had a couple of guides (over a period of 2 days prior to our tour) walk me through it visually. That helped, and I felt like I sort of knew what I was doing. My greatest fear was that I would panic and get weird in a way I hadn't counted on, rendering myself in big trouble mid-zip!

I don't think anyone can say what another's experience will be. Just because a person has a fear of heights doesn't mean they can't enjoy ziplines. It depends on the individual and boils down to what you THINK you can tolerate. Usually your gut feeling will be correct. I got myself mentally to a point where I felt comfortable and it was fun. I do think it was necessary for me to work up to it, though, with the visualization! Good luck--you'll don't need to do ziplines to enjoy Costa Rica. Just relax, and do whatever you darned well please--or not! :)

I came back from CR last night. My daughter and I did the Zip line tour in Arenal near La Fortuna. We loved the guides and the monkeys.

However, I am well....a bit older than 30. Yes, more than a bit. My 18 year old convinced me that this would be a good thing. I stupidly said yes! The first ZIP, I zipped along right into the tree. Too many things to think about. Fortunately, I breaked the "zip" with my feet (on the tree trunk) -- but hit my hand pretty hard on the metal stop on the line. It still hurts! I still think I broke it -- but it seems to be feeling better everyday.

I just recommend to go tandom if you are afraid or just don't look down. Just remember to break at the end of the Zip run. The Zip lines in Monteverde are the higher than Arenal.

I'm glad I did it. It was great while doing it. But I don't have a craving to do it again. I'm with Keith...I'd rather be on a horse. Ha!

I'm crossing my fingers I can distract my daughter enough next trip into doing other things... ;)

Great info thanks. My wife and I will be in CR in August and we have been debating zip lines. Sounds like we should do one. We also want to do the hanging bridges because we really want to see the wildlife. We are looking forward to our visit to CR (our first).

The hanging bridges are no guarantee of seeing wildlife.

Any chance you can do the Cano Nego day trip/tour? I saw lots of monkeys - some up close, birds, Jesus Christ Lizard, sloth.

Keith

Reisender, I agree with Keith; we did not see any animals during our Hanging Bridges hike, aside from some leaf-cutter ants. I'd go for the Cano Negro tour if you want to see wildlife. The Hanging Bridges was really just a pretty hike with a nice view of the volcano if it's not socked in by fog.