Selvatura, Sky Adventures Arenal, and Treetopia are three of Costa Rica’s most popular adventure parks. If you’re trying to decide between them for your Costa Rica zipline experience, this quick comparison will help. We’ve done all three tours (some multiple times) and share the main differences in this post. We also provide links to our full blog posts with much more detail, plus info on how to get a discount on your tour.
Map
Our map below shows the location of each adventure park in relation to Costa Rica’s two international airports.
Zipline Comparison Chart
Here’s a chart we made that breaks it down.
| Feature | Sky Adventures Arenal | Treetopia | Selvatura |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | La Fortuna/Arenal | Monteverde Cloud Forest | Monteverde Cloud Forest |
| Level of Adventure | High adrenaline | High adrenaline | Varied – mix of short/slow and long/fast cables |
| Best For | Thrill-seekers, volcano views, La Fortuna visitors | High adrenaline, cloud forest views, Monteverde visitors | Those who want variety in their experience and/or other activities onsite (wildlife exhibits, etc.) |
| Number of Cables | 7 | 7 | 13 |
| Longest Cable | 2,461 ft (750 m) | 2,461 ft (750 m) | 3,280 ft (1,000 m) |
| Views | Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, rainforest | Cloud forest canopy from above | Cloud forest canopy from above and between the trees |
| Braking System | Pulley system with handles | Pulley system with handles | Traditional hand braking (touching cable with gloved hand) |
| Walking Required | No | Minimal – one short walk between platforms | Yes – a few short walks between platforms (10–15 min total); some stairs |
| Tram Ride to First Platform | Yes | Yes | No (van ride) |
| Extras | None | Vertigo Drop (included) | Tarzan Swing (included), Superman (+$12) |
| Other Park Activities | Hanging bridges, tram, Hand of Arenal viewpoint | Hanging bridges with 1 glass bridge, tram, Arboreal Challenge Course | Hanging bridges, Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly Garden, Reptile & Amphibian Exhibit |
| Min. Age | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Max. Weight | 300 lbs (136 kg) | 300 lbs (136 kg) | 242 lbs (110 kg) |
| Price (Adult) | From $88 | From $95 | From $77 |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1.5–2 hours |
| Transportation | Not included ($22 pp) | Not included ($12 pp) | Included |
| Restaurant Onsite | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Feature | Sky Adventures Arenal | Treetopia | Selvatura |
More Information
For lots more information, including a cable-by-cable breakdown of what to expect and videos, read our detailed blog posts:
- Selvatura Zipline Tour: Cloud Forest Views and Adventure
- Sky Adventures Arenal: Adrenaline-Pumping Ziplining
- Treetopia Zipline Tour: High-Adrenaline Adventure in Monteverde
Booking Your Zipline Tour
We offer discounts on all three tours – typically $9-12 per person depending on the tour, with no booking fees! Book through our travel agency to get the discount. Learn more about us or read our reviews.
Book Your Sky Adventures Zipline Tour
Looking for the full experience? You can also combine the zipline with hanging bridges.
Book Your Treetopia Park Zipline Tour
You can also book Treetopia as a zipline and hanging bridges combo.
Book Your Selvatura Zipline Tour
Selvatura offers several combo options including zipline with hanging bridges and zipline with hanging bridges and sloths.
-
Selvatura Zipline + Self-Guided Hanging Bridges – From Monteverde
Price: From: $112.00 +VAT Select options -
Selvatura Zipline Tour – From Monteverde
Price: From: $77.00 +VAT Select options -
Selvatura Zipline, Self-Guided Hanging Bridges + Sloth Sanctuary – From Monteverde
Price: From: $148.00 +VAT Select options
Takeaways – Comparing Zipline Tours
If you’re visiting La Fortuna, Sky Adventures is the obvious choice. The volcano and lake views are spectacular and it’s one of the most thrilling zipline experiences in the country. If you’re in Monteverde and want pure adrenaline, Treetopia is our pick.
If you’re looking for the easiest zipline experience, Sky Adventures and Treetopia are our picks since you just hold the pulley, lean back, and go. These parks are also great choices if you’re traveling with people who don’t want to zipline because you can all do the tram ride and hanging bridges together.
If you’re nervous (especially about heights) or are looking for a more varied experience, Selvatura is the way to go. Its mix of short and long cables at different heights and speeds plus the option to do the Superman and Tarzan Swing make it good for just about anyone. Selvatura is also great for families and those looking to explore nature since it has wildlife exhibits onsite (butterflies, sloths, and reptiles/amphibians).
Conclusion
We hope this post has helped you decide where to zipline on your Costa Rica trip. All three tours are fantastic so you can’t really go wrong. The right choice really comes down to where you’re traveling and what kind of experience you’re looking for.
Have a question about which zipline tour to choose? Ask us below.
Looking for more information to help you plan your trip? Check out these posts:
Things to Do in La Fortuna – Read our full activity guide for the Arenal area, including other zipline options plus our favorite volcano hikes, safari floats, waterfall rappelling, and coffee/chocolate tours.
Monteverde: A Forest in the Clouds – There are many more ways to experience the cloud forest. Read our full guide to the area for more things to do.
Hanging Bridges & Ziplining – Browse all our hanging bridge and zipline options across Costa Rica.
Things to Do – Looking for activities beyond La Fortuna and Monteverde? Browse more than 150 activities across Costa Rica, with recommendations for waterfalls, national parks, cultural tours, and tons more.