Last Updated: April 30, 2024
La Fortuna and the surrounding Arenal Volcano area is one of the best places in Costa Rica for zip lining. Here, you’ll find many tour operators offering exhilarating experiences that will have you soaring through the rainforest canopy. But what if you’re looking for something more mellow? Arenal Ecoglide is the perfect fit. It’s also great with younger kids. In this post, we’ll tell you about our family’s experience zip lining at Arenal Ecoglide.
Background
Arenal Ecoglide is located just outside downtown La Fortuna in Costa Rica’s Northern Highlands. Ecoglide has a large property of 136 acres (55 hectares) of jungle. It sits at the foothills of Arenal Volcano.
For more about the volcano and surrounding area, check out our post, La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination.
Arriving at Arenal Ecoglide
After arriving at the office, we checked in with the reception and were given a wristband and locker key. Our wristband was for the regular zip line canopy tour. Ecoglide also has a variation on the tour that includes a Tarzan swing. Jenn and Sam (age 7 at the time) would be doing the regular tour. Matt would be staying back with Evan (age 4) who didn’t want to try zip lining yet.
With our belongings safely stored away, we got geared up. Ecoglide employees quickly fitted us with harnesses, helmets, and gloves, and we were soon ready to start our adventure.
Practice Zip Line
The guides led the group, about 25 people in total, up the path to the practice zip line. This was a short line only about 20 feet (6 meters) off the ground so was a great introduction for our son, Sam, who had never done zip lining before.
After a short talk about the basics, we got started.
Sam was very nervous to try zip lining. It didn’t help that another boy ahead of us was so scared he was crying. Mustering up some courage, Sam walked up to the practice line and the guide clipped him in and got him in position.
We were told that the older kids and adults would have to hold onto one of the lines with our gloved hands slightly behind us. While the younger kids, like Sam, could just hold onto the top of the harness at chest level and not touch the line at all. This made it a lot easier for them. All they needed to do was lean back and the guide would send them on their way.
Before I knew it, Sam took off and safely landed at the bottom, finally smiling. Another guide at the bottom had him jump up and unclipped him.
The rest of us took a turn then loaded into the back of a couple of pickup trucks.
The Zip-line Experience
The trucks climbed up the steep hill behind the property, through the thick rainforest. We got to enjoy some nice views along the way and even saw some wildlife (a toucan and another bird called a Chachalaca).
In about 10 minutes, we reached the short path to the first zip line.
This line was 80 meters (263 feet) long and much higher off the ground than the practice line. Still, from the platform, you could easily see the end, making it a good first official zip line.
First Zip Line Nerves
Sam and I were the very last in the group. This worked against us, as the longer we waited, the more nervous he became. After about 10 minutes of waiting, it was our turn to go. Sam was now telling me that he wasn’t going to do it because he was scared of heights. I was trying to be encouraging, as I knew he really wanted to try it before and had done other activities high up without a problem.
Rafael, one of the guides, talked to him too. Even with his big smile and reassuring words, nothing was working. Eventually, Sam agreed to go tandem with one of the guides, Jefferson. This meant that he would ride along him.
The two made it across then Sam decided that he didn’t want to do it anymore. Ecoglide does have an emergency exit, but it isn’t until the third line. The problem was we were in between lines. If Sam didn’t continue to the second and third lines, he would need to go backwards on the first one, with the guide propelling the two of them with his arms.
After some negotiation, Sam agreed to do the next two lines with the guide then head back to the office to meet the rest of our family. The guides assured me that everything would be fine for me to continue the tour.
A few minutes later, after I had done some more lines by myself, Jefferson found me and reported that Sam was back at the reception enjoying an iced tea with his dad and brother. All was well.
Continuing on the Tour
The 10 other cables I got to do were super fun. It was very strange doing the tour by myself, but I did get to know some other families. A nice family from South America waited in line in front of me. Their kids were about five and eight and very brave. The other boy who had been crying before was all smiles now after getting a few zips under his belt.
The zip lines were from 100-430 meters (328-1,411 feet) long. This was definitely long enough to feel like you were getting a good ride and speed up.
The second to last line was my favorite. It was long (1640 ft/500 m), fast, and had an amazing view of Arenal Volcano. The volcano was just to the left, fairly far away, but because it’s so big, still felt close.
In addition to the zip lines, there was a hanging bridge to cross. This connected to one of the platforms. A photographer from Ecoglide was waiting on the far end to snap a photo while we crossed, two by two. She followed along during the entire tour and got some great pictures and videos.
Tarzan Swing
Midway through the tour, there’s an optional Tarzan swing. For this, they strap you into special equipment and you basically let yourself fall from a platform to swing through the forest. You swing back and forth a few times, then the guides at the bottom help you unclip.
I opted not to do this as I had been having some back problems, but others seemed thrilled with the experience.
Tour Logistics
Safety
Ecoglide uses a double cable system: one cable for sliding and the other to provide additional security.
Although the platforms are high up, you’re clipped in the whole time. When you approach the first platform, there’s a guide who clips you in and ensures all your gear is in order before sending you off. When you reach the other end, another guide catches you and immediately clips you onto a cable on the platform. This makes sure there’s no chance of falling off.
Braking
If you get going too fast, you can slow down using your gloved hand. Kids won’t have to do this because they don’t weigh much. All the younger kids I saw just had to hold onto to the top of the harness at chest level so they wouldn’t have to worry about touching the cable.
The cables have an automatic braking system. When you get near the end of the lines, your equipment will hit a brake that slows you down before coming into the platform. During the instructions, the guides explained that sometimes they may ask you to slow down if you’re coming in too fast. I didn’t have to brake at all, but heavier people may need to.
Kids
Children ages 2 and up can do the Ecoglide tour.
Younger kids will go tandem with a guide (not a parent for safety reasons). The guides are the ones who decide if a child needs to go tandem. I saw kids as young as 5 years old going on their own.
You need to be at least 5 years old for the Tarzan swing.
If your kids are nervous, keep in mind that this is really common. The guides were reassuring us of this the whole time Sam was scared. It’s a great tour to try out zip lining for the first time. All the guides were wonderful with the kids. And there is the emergency exit after the third zip line so that you can get off the course if needed.
Accessibility
The tour is fully handicapped accessible and wheelchair friendly. For wheelchair users, a staff member will carry your wheelchair in between lines.
There is minimal walking between platforms.
Booking Arenal Ecoglide Ziplining
If you’d like to book this tour, please use the booking links below. You won’t pay until the reservation is confirmed, and we’ll email you as part of the process. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website!
Cost
$84 per person with Tarzan swing. $56 per person without Tarzan Swing. No discount for kids.
Times
8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Duration
About 2 hours
What’s Included
Round-trip transportation from most hotels, bilingual guides, all necessary equipment, and drinks at the end.
You can purchase professional photos at the end for around $20 per person. They got some great ones of us.
Maximum Weight
300 lbs (136 kg)
What to Bring/Wear
Closed toe shoes
Lightweight long pants to avoid mosquito bites.
Apply sunscreen in advance as some parts of the tour are sunny.
No cameras (except GoPros) or phones are allowed. They have helmets where you can attach a GoPro.
Conclusion
The Arenal Ecoglide tour is a great zip line tour for first timers, kids, and anyone who is nervous. The guides are fun and encouraging, and the lines are thrilling but not too crazy. We highly recommend it if you’re in La Fortuna/Arenal.
Last Updated: April 30, 2024
Have a question about the Arenal Ecoglide tour? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more information to help you plan your trip? Check out these posts:
Things to Do in La Fortuna with Young Children: If you’re traveling with younger kids, this post has more activity ideas, including easy nature walks, river floats to see wildlife, and coffee/chocolate tours.
Mirador El Silencio Trail: If you’d like to walk the old lava flows and see the volcano close up, Mirador El Silencio is one of our favorite spots.
Hanging Bridges in Costa Rica: Where to Go for the Best Experience – La Fortuna is one of the best places in Costa Rica for hanging bridges. Get the options with this post.
