Ziplining in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Best Tours & What to Expect (2026)

Ziplining in Manuel Antonio puts you above one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse stretches of Pacific rainforest, with the ocean visible through the canopy on clear days. The courses here sit outside Manuel Antonio National Park in the forested hills above Quepos and the coast, operating on private land adjacent to the protected area. Five main operators serve the zone, ranging from a 2-hour private jungle adventure starting at $80 to a 6-hour combo tour adding waterfall rappelling and canyoning at $158. This guide compares all five on price, duration, what's included, and who each tour suits best.

For most travelers, El Santuario is the best zipline tour in Manuel Antonio: 14 platforms and 10 zip lines totaling over 3.6 km, Central America's longest twin zip line, hotel pickup, lunch included, and the highest review volume of any operator in the area.

All five operators serve the same general area and include hotel pickup, so the main decision, in our view, comes down to how long you want to spend, how much adventure you want, and your budget.

Zipline tours in Manuel Antonio range from $80 to $158 USD per person, all including hotel pickup and gear. Four of the five operators also include a meal.

See current prices to compare what's available on your dates.

• Wear closed-toe shoes: All operators require them. Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted on any zipline course. If you're traveling light, buy cheap sneakers in Quepos rather than miss the tour.
• Book at least 2–3 days ahead in high season: December through April is peak season in Manuel Antonio. El Santuario in particular fills up quickly given its review volume and family-friendly age minimum, and its live calendar currently shows open dates only from mid-November through April.
• Pair TiTi with a morning park visit: Manuel Antonio National Park opens at 7:00 AM and its guided tours typically finish by noon. TiTi's 2.5-hour course fits cleanly into an afternoon without overlapping. This combination covers both the main wildlife experience and the main adventure activity in a single day.
• Check the weight limit before booking El Santuario: The 275 lb (125 kg) limit is clearly stated, but it catches some travelers off-guard. If anyone in your group is near that limit, confirm directly with the operator before booking.
• Morning departures are cooler: By midday the humidity in the forest is noticeably higher. If you have the choice, earlier pickup slots are more comfortable, especially on the longer courses. That said, the last tour of the day is often cooler than mid-afternoon slots if morning doesn't work for your schedule.
• Apply sunscreen and insect repellent before you leave the hotel: Once you're harnessed and moving between platforms, stopping to apply either is impractical. Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen given the proximity to coastal waters.
• Phones and cameras are welcome on the course: Multiple guests carry phones throughout and some operators offer GoPro-compatible helmets. Keep your device in a secure pocket or waist pack rather than loose in your hand. If photos matter to your group, ask at check-in whether a course photographer is available, since some operators include one and others do not.
• Leave cash and valuables at your hotel: Storage at the course is a shared trunk, not individual lockers. Bring only what you are comfortable keeping on your person or leaving unsecured. A credit card, ID, and phone are sufficient for a typical tour day.
• Wear quick-dry athletic clothing: The hike between platforms in humid rainforest heat is genuine exercise. Multiple guests flag moisture-wicking fabric as making a meaningful difference on longer tours.
• Most courses run year-round, including in the rainy season: Manuel Antonio's rainy season runs roughly May through November. Sukia, TiTi, ADR, and Quepo Canyoning show dates across the year; El Santuario's calendar currently opens mid-November through April. Tours are not cancelled for rain, and guests who have done courses in wet conditions consistently describe it as atmospheric rather than unpleasant. Lightweight rain layers are useful on longer courses; the forest provides some natural cover between platforms.
• If you are nervous about heights, El Santuario is the most supportive environment: The high guide-to-guest ratio means there is almost always someone at your side on the first few platforms. The ground practice during gear fitting is specifically designed to build confidence before anyone goes up. Most first-timers report that after the first line, the anxiety is mostly gone.
• Visiting in June? Our Manuel Antonio in June guide covers the green season, when ziplining runs rain or shine and the canopy gives cover from an afternoon shower.
• Visiting in December? Our Manuel Antonio in December guide covers the return of the dry season, when firm trails and reliable sun make for excellent canopy conditions.
• The ziplines are not inside Manuel Antonio National Park: All courses operate on private land adjacent to the park. If you search "Manuel Antonio National Park zipline," what you're finding is tours departing from the Manuel Antonio area, not tours running inside the park itself. The national park does not have zipline infrastructure.

Ziplining pairs well with the other activities available in the area. Our Manuel Antonio day tours guide covers the full range of options including wildlife walks, boat tours, and waterfall excursions. If surfing is on your list, our Manuel Antonio surf lessons guide covers the best schools on the beach below the park. Staying in Jacó instead? Our Jacó zipline guide compares the canopy tours there. For an afternoon on the water, our Manuel Antonio snorkeling guide compares catamaran, sailing, and kayak options from Quepos. For wildlife in the estuary, our Damas Island mangrove tour guide covers boat and kayak tours including a night safari. For a low-key half-morning that works in any weather, our Manuel Antonio chocolate tour guide covers cacao, coffee, and sugarcane farm visits from $54. For a jungle trail ride with a waterfall swim and ranch lunch, our Manuel Antonio horseback riding guide compares the main operators from $90 per person. For hands-on cooking with local ingredients, our Manuel Antonio cooking class guide covers two bookable formats from $97. If you're still planning your arrival, our San José to Manuel Antonio transport guide compares shuttles, private transfers, and the bus. To compare guided options for the national park itself, our Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour guide covers seven tours from $22.95 to $95. For white water rafting on the Savegre River, our Savegre River rafting guide compares four operators from $125 with hotel pickup included. For a half-day off-road adventure through private jungle land, our Manuel Antonio ATV tour guide compares three operators from $85 with hotel pickup and lunch included. Comparing zipline destinations across Costa Rica, our La Fortuna ziplining guide covers the longer, faster canopy circuits around Arenal Volcano. Doing the same trip from Monteverde? See our Monteverde zipline guide for the cloud forest canopy tours. For everything else in the area, our things to do in Manuel Antonio guide covers every activity, beach, and tour.

Staying in Manuel Antonio or planning a trip? Here are three well-reviewed hotels, with live prices from our booking system. Rooms at the best-rated hotels are usually the first to go, especially in peak season and over holidays, so it's worth locking in your stay before availability fills up.