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The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

Home » What To Do In Costa Rica » The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

Last updated on May 13th, 2022 at 09:31 am GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)

canopy tour meaning

Written by Nikki Solano

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Want to save money in costa rica, our sister site, pura vida eh inc., has  canopy zipline tour discounts.  con mucho gusto (you’re welcome) and pura vida.

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Is there a difference between zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica?

What’s more important than how you define the activity.

One of the most common questions we are asked about adventure tours, as well as one of the most common misconceptions that travelers have about tours in Costa Rica, focuses on zipline tours and canopy tours. Most people assume the two activities are unique experiences, so if you’re one in the crowd, you may be surprised to learn that zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica are one and the same.

Confusion regarding whether or not there’s a difference between zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica stems from the fact that the two terms are used interchangeably by tour operators and travel agencies to describe the same event. No wonder travelers (perhaps you included) routinely question how zipline tours and canopy tours differ. To help clarify things, here’s how each can be defined:

Ziplining is the act of gliding across one or more suspended cables. Therefore, a zipline tour is a tour during which you engage in the activity of gliding across one or more suspended cables. A canopy tour is a tour during which you engage in ziplining, so in effect, it’s also a tour during which you glide across one or more suspended cables.

Technically, if we focus on language, the two terms can be split ever so slightly in the following way:

The term “zipline tour” references the essence of the activity (i.e., ziplining) whereas the term “canopy tour” references the place where the activity takes place (i.e., the treetop canopy).

Regardless of what they’re called, though, in Costa Rica, zipline tours and canopy tours are the exact same thing. Tours advertised as “zipline tours,” “ziplining tours,” “canopy tours,” or “canopy ziplining tours” provide the same type of experience.

Although every zipline tour in Costa Rica can be defined as a canopy tour (and every canopy tour can be defined as a zipline tour), where differences do exist are in the design, quality, inclusions, and location of each tour. Zipline tours and canopy tours exist in nearly every tourist town in Costa Rica yet some are higher, faster, longer, more adrenaline-pumping, and/or more breathtaking than others. (For inspiration, don’t miss our related blog post: Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde ). Some provide better views (of lakes, oceans, volcanoes, and forests), more modern equipment (including newer handlebar braking systems), and extra amenities (such as aerial tram rides, superman cables, rappel routes, and Tarzan swings) to provide participants with more bang for their buck. Regardless of which tour you choose and your reasons for selecting it, know this: it doesn’t matter if it’s called a zipline tour or a canopy tour, you’ll enjoy the experience just the same.

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you participated in a zipline tour or canopy tour in Costa Rica? Which one did you choose and why?

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The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

Tagged:  arenal , canopy tour , canopy tours , caribbean , costa rica , costa rica travel , costa rica travel tips , la fortuna , monteverde , nature , nikki , pura vida! eh? incorporated , rainforest , ricky , travel tips , zipline , zipline tour , zipline tours , ziplining

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Hi – I wish I had stumbled upon this excellent blog prior to booking my vacation! We are staying in Guancase area – 2 families with 3 teenagers and 2 11 year olds. The hotel has recommended a bunch of trips yetI am completely confused (and a little dismayed) that we are far away. Which zip lines, rafting, adventures would you recommend that are not more than 2 hours ways from playa flamingo? Thanks so much for your help!

Hello Bonnie!

Thanks so much for the kind compliment! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll have a great time regardless of where you plan to stay (Playa Flamingo is a good area with a beautiful beach). Your point is a valid one; it’s the reason we have been recommending since 2007 that travelers decide which tours and activities they would like to experience before settling on destinations and accommodations. (Actually, this point is the foundation of our related blog post: Planning A Trip To Costa Rica? READ THIS FIRST! ) Our perspective differs from what most other travel resources suggest (to choose hotels first), but we’ll continue defending it because it truly can turn a good Costa Rica vacation into a great one.

As for activity recommendations, these depend largely on your specific interests. Since you mentioned zip-lining, I can let you know that the Congo Trail Canopy Tour is only a half-hour drive from Playa Flamingo. Though it doesn’t provide the same level of zip-lining that you’d get in La Fortuna or Monteverde, it’s an option if you aren’t interested in traveling far. For rafting, this will require more travel on your part because the rivers are further away from Flamingo. The best option would be to raft the Tenorio River; trips typically depart from the Canas area (transportation to/from Playa Flamingo can be arranged), which is an approximate 1.5-hour drive from Playa Flamingo.

Pura vida! 🙂

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We hope you enjoy your visit to our junk-free blog as much as your time in Costa Rica. 😊

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Zip Line vs Canopy Tour

This question is often asked, "What is the difference between a zip line tour and a canopy tour?"  Originally, canopy tours (when speaking of tourism related activity) involved hiking, other obstacles, a naturalist guide, etc... Zip lines were just that...zip lines. Strap you on, zip you over to a platform...done!  Eventually however, people have interchanged the two so much that when searching for an "adventure on a zip line" it's almost indistinguishable as to what someone is actually searching for.  This is why you'll often see companies use the term "zip line tour" when, in fact, it's actually a canopy tour.

In the end, we do know that the term "canopy" came from the 1970s when biologist and ecologists set up traveling lines in the tree tops above the canopy. It was actually just a practical way for scientists to do their work more efficiently and quickly.  The thought was, travel above the canopy quickly or trudge through thick forest below.

However, this was not the origin of zip lining.  It's difficult to trace but we do know that the Chinese have been using zip lines to transport goods across rivers and streams since the 18th century.  Being such a simple concept, we are confident that people have been using zip lines for centuries, not as a recreational activity, but for many other practical uses.  As a quick anecdote, did you know zip lines were the "secret" way H.G. Wells had his infamous Invisible Man move so quickly?

More on Zip Lining vs. Canopy Tours:

Zip Line:   A cable or rope line suspended between two support structures with an elevation drop between the beginning and end points sufficient to allow a rider attached to a pulley through which the line has been reeved to roll downward by the force of gravity from a launch station to a landing point. Riders may traverse a zip line as a way to travel at altitude, sometimes for the purpose of exploration but more frequently for the thrill of the ride.  A Zip Line tour is zip lines strung  from man-made towers or ground anchors.

Canopy Tour: A guided exploration or transit of the forest canopy, most commonly by means of a series of zip lines or aerial walkways and intermediate viewing platforms. Such tours feature views of the forest canopy, but they are also generally designed to afford scenic views of the surrounding landscape including local flora and fauna and landmarks that may be of cultural or historic interest. The focus of such tours is generally educational and interpretive, but it may also be primarily recreational.

Did your eyes glaze over when you were reading those definitions?  Many people read those definitions and still don’t get the difference so we found an explanation online that we think is fantastic from Lake Geneva Canopy Tours :

Ziplining: Leaping off a high platform and going really fast down a cable.  Usually from pole to pole in an open area.

Canopy Tour: Experiencing what the biologists did to explore the ecosystems of the tropical rainforests (and pretending to be Sean Connery),  all with the comfort of trained guides doing all the work of making sure I’m secure and encouraging me to overcome my fears in a patient and caring manner.  Other benefits include having a strong, massive tree to hug (if needed) between zips, getting high on the adrenaline rush and having the experience of a lifetime (especially when you DO IT with friends and family).

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Take a Zipline or Canopy Tour

Ready to soar like a bird from tree to tree in a rain forest? Zipline or canopy tours give you a bird's-eye view of the forest, allow you to soar across canyons, and give you a glimpse of scenery below from a bird's eye view. Before you hook onto a line and start flying through the air, however, any reputable zipline tour operator will give you basic training, an orientation to the equipment that is used, and other tips on how to control your descent. All of that is important for safety of course, but it helps to heighten the anticipation too. 

Difficulty:  Easy to Average depending on the course, although your nerves may think otherwise.

Time Required: 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the course and the number of lines zipped.

Here's How:

What is a zipline tour.

One zipline lover described the experience as "being as close as you can get to flying across the top of the jungle." Participants don a harness with a caribiner that is attached to a wheel on a cable strung between two trees or suitably tall posts. You push off from a platform suspended on one tree and zip along the cable to a second platform attached to another tree. You can be anywhere from just a few feet off the ground to hundreds of feet in the air depending on the location, literally flying between the trees at a height where only birds and climbing animals typically dwell.

Different Types of Zipline Tours

Zipline tours vary both in length and style. Many tours in Costa Rica , and other countries with jungles or rainforests , include a jeep tour to the zipline site during which a guide tells you about the wildlife and flora while en route. At some mountain resorts, the zipline experiences are near the base of ski slopes during the summer, and the first zipline is reachable via a chairlift. Some locations only have only two or three ziplines, while others have more than a dozen strung between the trees.

What Does the Basic Training Include?

Ideally, the experience will include some "how to" information plus a safety briefing. You'll learn how to put on the harness, latch onto the cable, and how to brake if you want to slow down mid-flight or as you approach the landing zone. After you learn the basics and watch a demonstration, you may get a chance to practice once or twice on a short zipline suspended just a few feet off the ground prior to heading off to the actual zip course itself. 

Who Enjoys Zipline Tours?

Many zipline experiences can be enjoyed by entire families, but before you book be sure to ask about the number of ziplines and the heights at which they are strung. That way you can ensure that your entire party is comfortable with the experience before setting out. Also, be sure to inquire about any age, weight, and height restrictions too. It's no fun arriving onsite, only to learn someone in your group can't join in on the fun.

What Do I Need to Wear and Bring?

You should wear long pants and gym shoes or hiking boots on your biplane adventure. Shoes must not have open toes. If you have long hair put it in a pony tail. Use a strap to keep your glasses secure. Don't have any sharp objects, such as keys or pens in your pockets. Keep your camera in a case close to your body, not dangling on a strap and it is often best to leave your smartphone behind. The company should provide the harness, a helmet and gloves. But, confirm that they provide all three.

Do I Need to be in Great Physical Condition?

The answer depends upon the tour. A basic zipline experience requires little physical exertion, although it's not for anyone who has a serious fear of heights. If the tour you want to take includes hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, or other activities, you'll have to be in the proper shape to participate in those sports. Many zipline courses at least require a walk uphill to reach a starting position. 

What's the Minimum Age?

Always verify the minimum age before you book the tour. Most tours will accept kids over 6 years of age, but some require participants be 18 years or older.

Are There Minimum and Maximum Weights?

Brad Morse of Canopy Tours, Inc. , says that anyone on the big side concerned about fitting into a harness properly should check in advance with any waist-size requirements and ask if there is a chest harness or full body harness. Usually there are maximum weight allowances for the cables as well, so ask ahead of time if that is a concern. Weight limits will vary depending on the zipline course, with some able to accommodate larger guests than others. 

How Much Do These Tours Cost?

Prices vary dramatically depending upon whether it's just a zipline experience, or if the zipline tour is part of a longer itinerary that might include a jeep safari or walking tour to the site where the ziplines begin. Some operators offer snacks, drinks, or lunch, which could impact the price too. Basically there are many variables that impact cost, with prices ranging from as little as $25 to more than $200 depending on the experience. 

Companies Offering Zipline Tours

Zipline tours are offered in many places around the globe and these days it is possible to find one just about anywhere. Top destinations include  Whistler and Alaska in North America, as well as Hawaii, Costa Rica and New Zealand. Canopy Tours, Inc. has a directory of Zip Line tours around the world. 

How Do You Find Zipline Tours?

Start at Top Zipline and Canopy Tours . If you already know where you are vacationing, many travel packages offer a zipline tour option and in many places you can usually book them through the hotel concierge or front desk. You can also book before you go directly with a company via its Internet site. Ziplining has become so popular that chances are you'll find an option to try it just about anywhere you go. 

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Summit Director Dan McCarthy

– Tell me about The Summit’s canopy tours and zip lines?

Maybe I’m the only one in this category, but I didn’t know much about canopy tours when I first got involved in developing the program for the Summit. I know a lot more now!

On the off chance there may be others out there that are new to the subject I thought I’d focus this week’s blog on canopy tours .

Wikipedia defines a canopy tour as: “… an established route through a wooded and often mountainous landscape making primary use of zip lines and aerial bridges between platforms built in trees. [Participants] are harnessed to a steel cable without interruption throughout the entire tour for safety.”

As I searched for information on canopy tours in the U.S., I discovered that, in most cases, sites with canopy tours also had free standing zip lines . The same will be true at the Summit.

Canopy tours tend to be measured in terms of hours on tour, zip lines in terms of length. The most extreme U.S. zip line I found was 3300 feet long. The longest canopy tour was 5.5 hours. The Summit will be able to hold its own in both categories. We will have 5 zip lines that are over 3500 feet in length. We will also have 10 shorter zip lines of about 1200 feet in length.

In the case of canopy tours, the Summit will have 8 courses, 4 of which will be 3.5-hour tours and 4 of which will be 2-hour tours.

No matter how you measure it, the Summit will be among the top zip and canopy tour sites in the U.S. when we open for the 2013 National Jamboree. Come soar at the Summit.

There’s still time to register for the jamboree at www.BSAJamboree.org .

Good Scouting!

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Canopy tour vs. zip line adventures.

Say “Zip Line” and visions of soaring through the air on a cable tends to be the first thought – accompanied with a grin.  This is just what a Zip Line is.  Merriam-Webster defines it as, “a cable suspended above an incline to which a pulley and harness are attached for a rider.”  A basic Zip Line Adventure offers just that; guests typically ride a Zip Line from one platform to the next and it is generally described or marketed by the distance of each Zip.  Rates vary by the number of “rides”.  Zip Line Adventures are an excellent introduction to Zip Lining offering a fast, thrilling experience.

An example of a Zip Line Adventure would be our Dual Racing Zip Line (DRZ).  The DRZ is 1,200 feet long and takes you from one tower platform to the next.  This is a popular choice for guests who are limited on time or just want to try Zipping for the first time.  The DRZ offers the chance to Zip just once or up to three times per person.

canopy tour meaning

A Canopy Tour takes the Zip Line Adventure to a completely different level.  Just like anything, breaking down the definition helps to better understand the overall concept.  We visit Merriam-Webster once again and see that “Canopy” can be defined as, “a protective covering: as the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest.”  “Tour” is pretty self-explanatory, but just to be official, “an activity in which you go through a place in order to see and learn about the different parts of it.” (Merriam-Webster)  Put it all together and you have Zip Lining through the trees!

Canopy Tours commonly are described by the number of hours it takes to travel the entire course and include multiple Zip Lines, Platforms, Sky Bridges and Spiral Staircases.  A true Canopy Tour will always be an adventure throughout a heavily wooded area where the trees become part of the course.  You are literally Zipping from tree to tree.  This offers an unparalleled experience, especially if the Canopy Tour operates in all four seasons like we do at Lake Geneva Canopy Tours (LGCT).

Spring – The trees begin to bud as the fresh spring scents fill the air.

canopy tour meaning

Summer – The lush green leaves offer shade from the hot sun creating a cozy, peaceful serenity.

DSCF1181

Fall – The vibrant colors surround you creating a feeling of being inside a Monet painting.

canopy tour meaning

Winter – The trees are bare allowing views of the blue sky while undisturbed snow creates a breathtaking winter wonderland.

DSCF5944

LGCT’s Canopy Tour is approximately 2.5 hours long and includes 8 Zip Lines, 5 Sky Bridges, 3 Spiral Staircases PLUS a one-of-a-kind “floating” Double Helix Stairway wrapping around an ash tree.  The DRZ is also included as the grand finale to the full Canopy Tour.

While traveling across the country or internationally, you will see various Zip Line Adventures and Canopy Tours being advertised.  Now you will be able to choose the right experience for you.  Will you want a quick, energizing thrill ride or will you be looking for a longer excursion elevating you to new heights?

Whatever you choose – ADVENTURE AWAITS!

N3232 County Road H Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262-248-9271

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Meaning of canopy in English

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canopy noun [C] ( COVER )

  • antimacassar
  • loose covers
  • reupholster
  • scatter cushion
  • scatter rug
  • soft furnishings
  • table runner
  • throw pillow
  • upholstered
  • upholsterer

canopy noun [C] ( OF TREES )

  • afforestation
  • agroforestry
  • carbon sink
  • the treeline
  • tropical rainforest
  • understorey

canopy noun [C] ( OF AIRCRAFT )

  • automatic pilot
  • flight deck
  • multi-engine
  • safety belt

canopy noun [C] ( OF PARACHUTE )

  • barrage balloon
  • hot-air balloon
  • weather balloon

canopy | American Dictionary

Examples of canopy, collocations with canopy.

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How Canopy Tours Boost Ecotourism

Canopy tours – ecotourism efforts | empower adventures.

Ever dream of zipping through the trees, cutting through the warm tropical air, eye level with magical birds and stunning canopy creatures? Zip lining was once reserved for wildlife biologists studying forest canopies, or for tribal people in rainforest villages crossing rivers and traveling steep mountainsides.

However, in recent years zip lines and canopy tours have quickly gone mainstream, popping up in amusement parks, camps, malls, and just about anywhere with a steep incline. They’re fast, they’re fun, and they’re exhilarating. But they’re also great for ecotourism efforts across the world. Here’s exactly how zip line canopy tours have helped boost ecotourism efforts.

Impacts of Canopy Tours on Ecotourism

As sales for commercial zip lines skyrocket, so do the ecotourism benefits of canopy tours. Ecotourism offers low impact attractions in delicate ecosystems, cultural awareness of the surrounding areas, and great environmental conservation benefits.

Canopy tours are low impact attractions, meaning they don’t take up too many of Earth’s materials to build and operate. As they’ve evolved from simple scientific tools to breathtaking tourist attractions, they still remain unobtrusive to the surrounding natural environment. A basic harness, pulley, and cable allow you to soar through the air and take in the sights.  

Cultural Awareness

In rural countries and exotic tourist destinations, canopy tours do wonders to promote cultural awareness and increase economic benefits for local communities. A vacation to a new and exciting place often provides insight into how people and animals from other areas of the world live. Seeing that firsthand helps you understand the needs of others, and gives you the chance to help improve quality of life and promote economic development.

Environmental Conservation

Zip lines and canopy tours have done wonders for conservation efforts in many areas, with some organizations feeding the proceeds of these tours back into sustainable environmental efforts. Many parts of the world have remained untouched by human destruction. Ecotourism is a way of boosting economies while protecting and conserving delicate ecosystems.

Empower Adventures

The perfect adventure activity, canopy tours have become a popular eco-tourist option for the budding conservationist. They are a great way to learn and discover more about the surrounding natural environment without doing much damage, and they’ve created a culture of conservation that can be appreciated by all. No matter where you decide to take your next zip line or canopy tour adventure, you can ride easy knowing that your choice benefits local ecotourism efforts.

For more great blogs like this one, visit our blog page here , or sign up for your next zip line adventure with Empower Adventures here .

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Our Canopy Tour is a guided zipline tour where participants travel from tree platform to tree platform across seven ziplines. Our course features ziplines, aerial bridges, spiral staircases, a floating staircase and a rappel to bring you back to the ground after about 2.5 hours in the air!

Participants must be 10 years of age or older. The weight requirement is between 70 and 250 pounds. This restriction primarily has to do with speed, as participants under 70 lbs won’t make it all the way across each zip, and customers over 250 will build up extra momentum.

The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete, But before zipping, we’ll teach you everything you need to know in “ground school.” This takes about 30 minutes, so plan to spend about 3 hours with us.

Yes, otherwise we can’t guarantee a place for you on a tour! You can make reservations here or call us at 440-707-2044 .

Cancellations made at least 7 days in advance of a tour date will receive a refund, less a $10 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 7 days in advance will not receive a refund.

We can reschedule your tour one time at least 2 days in advance of your scheduled tour date.

We ask participants to arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour time to ensure time for checking in, reading and signing waivers, and using the restroom. We will not ask other guests on a tour to wait for a late arrival, so if there are open spots on another tour later in the day, we may be able to accommodate you.

If Common Ground is forced to cancel a tour due to weather or other unforeseeable conditions, we will provide a choice between rescheduling for another available time, a gift card to use for a future date, or a refund.

Reservations and gift cards are transferable, so you may allow another individual to participate in your place.

No refunds will be issued if participants: -Arrive late or don’t show up for your scheduled adventure. -Are denied access for failure to meet screening or participation requirements (see FAQs). -Choose to depart the course early. -Are removed from the course for their inability to follow instructions or participate safely. -Cancel a reservation less than a week in advance

Our trained and professionally verified guides will be with you the entire time, making sure that you remain properly geared-up and that you remain securely tethered for the whole tour!

It’s a good thing to have a healthy respect for heights! Our guides are experienced in coaching cautious guests through the course and some of our favorite tours have been spent helping people overcome their fears. Also, remember that if you decide it’s not for you, we can get you back to the ground anywhere on our course!

Yes, we have trails on the ground that lead to our tree platforms, and we’re happy to provide you with a map at our Welcome Center desk.

Dress for the weather! That might mean a raincoat, winter jacket, or shorts and a t-shirt. Remember that you’ll be wearing a full-body harness. Harness webbing can be uncomfortable against bare skin, so avoid short shorts or tank tops. Also, wear close-toed, close-heeled shoes, such as tennis shoes. You’ll be on your feet for about 3.5 hours, so comfort and support is key!

You can bring a GoPro along with a strap to attach it securely to the helmet you will be wearing.

We invite you to unplug for a few hours and leave your phone in the Welcome Center or in your car. We’ve had participants lose phones on tour, slipping out of pockets. It really is refreshing to connect with your friends and loved ones without texts and notifications distracting you, and to take in the beauty of the forest, without filters or emojis! And if you’re thinking about capturing your experience in photos, your guides will be taking photos throughout the tour, so there’s no need to risk dropping your smartphone into a river!

Yes! We offer 10% off for groups of 8 or more. Since our cap on tour size is 8, special arrangements need to be made to accommodate large groups. Give us a call at 440-707-2044.

Yes, children ages 10-15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Your hard-working guides would certainly appreciate it, so feel free to bring some cash to tip them after the tour! The industry standard is 10%.

The tour requires light-to-moderate physical activity, including climbing stairs, crossing bridges, and walking over uneven terrain. If you have further questions, we’re happy to talk in detail about some of the physical requirements of the tour. If you are unsure whether you are able to participate, please consult a doctor.

There are inherent risks in everything we do, from driving a car to ziplining. Our course was built according to industry standards developed by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and is inspected regularly by industry professionals. All guides have been trained and then verified through Project Adventure along ACCT guidelines.

We are rain or shine! Our canopy helps form a leaf umbrella over us that keeps off most of the rain, and on a hot day it can really help us cool off. Of course, we cannot zip with lightning storms nearby, high winds, or monsoon-level rain. If any weather requires us to cancel your tour, we will provide you with a raincheck to join us on a nicer day!

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14240 Baird Road, Oberlin, Ohio - United States, 44074

(440) 707-2044

canopy tour meaning

Costa Rica Guide

Travel information and maps, history of canopy tours.

Modern canopy tours were invented in the 1970’s when the rain and cloud forest canopies were the last remaining frontiers of botany, zoology, entomology and ecology.

Ph.D. students Donald Perry and John Williams first strapped on their rock climbing harnesses, clicked their carabineers on to a belay line, and grabbed onto their jumars to ascend a tree instead of a granite face.

Epiphytes take advantage of the energy that trees put into producing roots and trunks, growing in the much brighter light hundreds of feet off the forest floor. Fallen leaves like the one seen here are valuable sources of nutrition as they decompose without ever reaching the ground.

Many early canopy tourers were graduate students.  They were lithe, strong, youthful and perhaps most importantly driven by the dictum that they must make a completely novel and unique contribution to science in order to earn their degrees.

I’ve known graduate students who would have climbed burning trees in the middle of a lightning storm if they believed there was a novel contribution at the top (I may have been one…).

It wasn’t long before the techniques began to improve and specialize.  Someone introduced the Tyrolean traverse (sliding along a horizontal rope) so the researchers could move between trees without returning to the ground.  The inclined Tyrolean made it much faster and more fun to get back to the ground at the end of the day.

Soon entrepreneurs saw the entertainment value and the commercial canopy tour was born. The development of new methods has continued as well, and today there are a number of different ways to explore or exhilarate in the tree-tops.

Types of Canopy Tours

At first all canopy tours were cobbled together with climbing gear and ropes with small platforms nailed to the trunk where one could wait their turn. Now there are at least half a dozen techniques for exploration and entertainment in the tree tops.  To a certain degree equipment for commercial tours and scientific explorations diverge.

Commercial: Not all Canopy Tours are Created Equal Zip-Lines

Far and away the most popular type of tourist canopy tour is a series of traverses and slides that has little to do with exploration and everything to do with exhilaration. Steel cables, some measured in kilometers descend entire mountainsides and riders fly along at hair-raising speeds and heights where the trees look like tiny dots.  The chances of spotting any canopy residents are nil.

Zipline over the Rio Savegre

Sliding along cables through the treetops gives a unique perspective on the rainforest, but zip-lines like this one have become more of a thrill ride, while suspension bridges and platforms allow naturalists more time for exploration.

Some of these courses are pure adrenaline rides, but others mix in some bridges, trails, platforms and quieter traverses along with guides trained in natural history so you can do some exploration and observation of the unique treetop ecosystems in between sixty second rushes.

For the most part these tours are very safe, but you should be aware that the equipment required to put together this kind of course only costs a few hundred dollars and small ones have sprouted up everywhere.  There is no licensing or safety inspection required, but you can be certain the course you’ve chosen is safe by looking for design standards by the American Challenge Course Technologies (ACCT), and/or or voluntary certification by the ICT.

Canopy Zip-Rails

The latest innovation to hit the canopy zip is switching out the cable for a rail so the harnessed rider can plummet down stomach churning free fall drops and sling around corners in the tree tops.  El Avatar is a new ride outside Manuel Antonio National Park .

Tirimbina Rainforest suspension bridge

Bridges are an excellent choice for extended treks through the treetops.  If you’re a birder or simply fascinated by nature you can easily while away an entire day watching and relaxing.

Most bridge based tours include nature trails along the ground to give you another perspective while you walk from bridge to bridge.  Some require ladders, ropes and platforms to move from bridge to bridge, but others can be navigated by simply walking.

Rainforest Aerial Tram Pacific

The most accessible way to explore the treetops is suitable for small children and people with limited mobility or athletic ability.

The cars are more open than ski gondolas, but it’s the same basic system.  You’re accompanied by a guide who uses radio communication to get updates on what interesting wildlife is hanging out near tower seven or is headed up the trail under tower eleven.

The Gondola based operations in Costa Rica have extensive trails, educational displays and even theaters on the ground.  This is an excellent way to get an introduction to all levels of the tropical rainforest.

Tree Climbing, Traverses and Rappels

Still my favorite method of exploration, perhaps because in my younger days I was a climber.  Some of the more unique challenges are located on the smaller canopy tours where you can climb up the hollow inside of a strangler fig, rappel waterfalls, or soar on a Tarzan swing between times of quiet observation on platforms or horizontal traverses.

Scientific Cranes and Booms

Essentially identical to the construction cranes that dot the skyline of any growing modern city they are an odd site indeed perched in the rainforest.  Instead of a load of girders, a cage filled with graduate students and instruments can be slid in and out, raised and lowered, and rotated around the central tower to give essentially unfettered access to all the volume in a cylinder of rainforest.  The ability to thoroughly cover all levels and areas makes this one of the best techniques for long term investigations.

Cables, bridges and walkways, and platforms are also still common in long term scientific research in a fixed location, but many of the other techniques developed for exploration are more suited to temporary investigations in a number of trees.

Balloons and Blimps

If there is a next type of canopy exploration to move into the tourist realm this has to be it.  The appeal is undeniable.  A helium filled dirigible is used to lower an inflated wagon wheel shaped platform onto a section of the canopy.  The wheel can be a hundred feet or more in diameter and the “spokes” are joined with lightweight netting that spreads the load over such a large area of treetops that the twigs barely bend.  Investigators can walk across the treetops gathering samples and data.

Booms and Bosun Chairs

Economical and effective, this is just a chair suspended on the end of a long aluminum pole mounted on a fulcrum and balanced by a counterweight.  In a way it’s the poor investigators version of the construction crane, but it has the distinct advantage that it can be easily disassembled and moved to a new location in a relatively short time and by hand if necessary.

Ladders and Scaffolds

With a few tie-ins to a trunk regular old aluminum extension ladders can be stacked one on top of the other to dizzying heights.  This technique can be somewhat destructive though.  The ladders, and hands and feet on them, often dislodge bark and epiphytes along the trunk.

Ropes and Ascenders

Usually a bow and arrow launches a lightweight monofilament line over a sturdy branch then a more substantial climbing rope can be hauled up.  This is a low impact technique because nothing is permanently attached and the epiphytes along the trunk need not be disturbed.

The “Original Canopy Tour”

Little did we know, but my brother, I and the two girls from across the street were pioneers in thrill ride engineering.

zipline

It wasn’t as big, or as fast as some of the modern rides, but it had elements of excitement thankfully absent from the commercial ventures.  We found that my little sister’s new plastic beaded jump rope worked perfectly to toss over, hang from and slide down the inclined line.  The little cylindrical beads rolled along like bearings and we could really fly.  Unfortunately we didn’t foresee that all that rolling and rubbing would wear on the fibers.

It was probably only a twelve or fifteen foot drop when the jump rope gave way, but that’s a long way down when you’re seven.  Fortunately seven-year olds bounce, and I’m pretty sure no one ever broke a bone.  From then until my mother caught us and threatened to kill us if we didn’t kill ourselves first, we used a doubled over length of jump rope and checked our equipment carefully before each run.  Sort of like the real tours do now…

Adventure Travel Planning

What You Need To Know About Zipline Canopy Tours

Zipline canopy tours are some of the most thrilling adventures out there, and chances are you won’t have to go too far to find one.

Zipline canopy tours though the trees.

The terms zip lines (wires) and canopy tour are heard and seen a lot these days. Just like many other words, the term canopy tour can mean different things depending on the situation and who is using them.

Ziplining originated simply as transportation in the Tyrolean Alps to get through the mountains in the late 18th century and has been used for its functionality for hundreds of years throughout the world.

The commercial zipline canopy tours have just been introduced within the past 40 years, however, and have been growing rapidly ever since. They have recently been popping up all over the United States increasing from nine in 2005, to more than 80 in 2011.

What makes a canopy tour different from ziplining is that there are series of zip lines that typically travel from platform to platform positioned high in the forest canopy and may entail other adventures such as rappelling, aerial trekking, and other physical challenges.

A zipper taking off on a zipline canopy tour - up to 80 feet in the air

Another concentration of zipline canopy tours is ecology, which was the original goal of the first commercial canopy tour in Costa Rica . While on the tour, participants will build a greater appreciation for their natural surroundings and can learn about the eco-system.

The proper attire for this activity would be layers so you can make adjustments as you warm up and cool down because the temperature changes with altitude and shade.

In general, wear comfy, loose fitting clothing that does not restrict your movement and short shorts are not recommended. Also, long hair would need to be pulled back while on the tour. As far as footwear, sturdy athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots/shoes are ideal, while sandals and Five Fingers are not.

The only things a zipper should bring along would be a small daypack with water and snacks, sunscreen, a camera (optional), and rain gear if necessary.

Zipline canopy tours are for just about anyone.

Something else to consider is the weight requirement of between 70-250 pounds, however there is no age limit.

For each zipline canopy tour, there is often a maximum of guests (10 is generally a reasonable maximum number) per tour departure time, and it is a good idea to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled time to prepare for the tour.

It’s now time to get geared up. You will be properly fitted with a seat and chest harness and a helmet. Nelson Rocks safety gear will also include a double pulley trolley system for the zip lines and a Y-lanyard system for the platforms and bridges.

After you’ve been issued your gear, you’ll be taken to the start of the zipline canopy tour. There may be a hike to the first platform and this is where a complete orientation is often given on how to go ziplining safely from platform to platform.

You’ll probably start with a few shorter zips to get you used to equipment. Before long, the zips will increase in length and speed until you’re flying through the air!

Wayne Berger has a BS degree in Outdoor Recreation, a MS in Administration of Leisure Services and over 25 years of experience leading outdoor adventure activities. He is the Director of Operations at Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center and helped design and construct the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour.

Wayne has been recognized by numerous professionals in the field of adventure recreation for his dedication and for his passion for program quality that leads to superior outcomes for the participants.

Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center (NROC) is located in the beautiful North Fork Valley of Pendleton County, West Virginia. For more information you can visit their Web site at  www.nelsonrocks.org

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TourTheTropics.com | 8 of the Top Canopy Tours in the Amazon Rainforest

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Top Canopy Tours in the Amazon Rainforest

canopy tour meaning

The Amazon Rainforest’s canopy is the richest level for forest life.

The trees can reach 145 feet (45 meters) into the sky, with some emergent species growing even higher.

They branch out in competition with other plants to get as much sunlight as possible.

As the trees spread out to catch the light, they forms a canopy over the forest. This canopy of leaves and branches creates many homes and habitats for an incredible amount of animals and plants.

The canopy is a great place to scout for wildlife and to get an angle of the forest seen by few others.

The canopy is the where many different birds spend their time. These include the Amazon’s most famous avian predator, the harpy eagle, which often wait high in the trees scouting for prey.

Sacha Lodge Canopy Walkway, Coca, Ecuador

We have selected a few of the canopy tours in the Amazon Rainforest for exploring the canopy in a variety of different ways. These include canopy towers, canopy swing bridges and a canopy zipline.

Amazon Rainforest Canopy Towers

The luxury La Selva Lodge gives access to their 120 foot high (36 meters) canopy tower. This was built around a very large rainforest tree to provide 360° rainforest views for seeing monkeys and birds.

There are two trails that lead to the tower where you can find Amazon animals and medicinal plants. The lodge is nestled in connected rainforest with the Yasuni National Park and accessed from Coca in Ecuador.

La Selva Lodge Tower, Coca, Ecuador

La Selva Lodge

I wanted to let you know that we had an amazing experience at Le Selva! The service, accommodations, guides, tours, ...

Includes: all meals, accommodation, guided tours, transfers from and to Coca airport. | 4, 5 days+

The Refugio Amazonas Lodge is in a 200-hectare private reserve in the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. This is in southern Peru and accessed from the town of Puerto Maldonado. The lodge is a great choice for an intro to the rainforest or a family Amazon tour.

The Refugio Amazonas features a 30 meter canopy tower for fantastic views of the Amazon Rainforest. Guests frequently see toucans, parrots, macaws or mixed species canopy flocks.

The Refugio Amazonas also offers aerobotany activities to explore the rainforest canopy with a drone. This helps provide researchers with important rainforest information.

The Refugio Amazonas Lodge

The Refugio Amazonas Lodge

The best end to a fantastic intrepid trip in Peru…!! Wish we had of spent more time there… Staff were ...

Includes: all meals, accommodation, selection of guided tours, transfers from and to Puerto Maldonado airport. | 3, 4, 5 days+

Another lodge accessed from Puerto Maldonado, the Posada Amazonas provides a 30 meter canopy tower. This provides wonderful views of the rainforest’s canopy and Tambopata River. The Posada Amazonas Lodge is community owned by the indigenous Ese-Eja of Infierno. And it’s located in the communal reserve next to Tambopata National Reserve.

The Posada Amazonas Lodge

The Posada Amazonas Lodge

We went to Posada Amazona in August and we were not expecting this place. This is a beautiful lodge, incredible ...

In the Brazil, the Cristalino Lodge features a 50 meter (165 ft) canopy tower for exceptional views out and over the Amazon Rainforest’s canopy. If one tower wasn’t enough, the lodge have built two gigantic galvanised steel canopy towers at different points within the Cristalino Reserve.

From the towers, you have spectacular views from the top of the tower, especially during sunrise and sunset. On the tops of the towers, you can see birds such as macaws, parakeets, parrots, tanagers and cotingas. You can also spot monkeys, such as the white-whiskered spider monkey (Ateles marginatus) and the white-nosed saki monkey (Chiropotes albinasus). The lodge is located in an incredible section of Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, accessed from the town of Alta Floresta.

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The Cristalino Lodge

Currently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.

Amazon Canopy Swing Bridge

For a fantastic way of experiencing the canopy, you can look at the canopy swing bridge of the Sacha Lodge .

The Sacha Lodge is located within a 5000-acre private ecological reserve in Ecuador’s Amazon region. From this fantastic rainforest lodge, you have access to a 940 foot (275-meter) long walkway. This stands 94 feet (30 meters) above the ground for an exciting way to experience canopy life.

Just take a look at the video below.

Sacha Lodge

Here you can spot many different animals and epiphytes hard to spot from ground level. Guests can see hundreds of colorful birds and lucky guests also spot troops of monkeys making their way through the canopy. After walking across the bridge scouting for animals, you emerge onto a canopy platform. You can stop where you like with your guide to see animals with the bird-spotting scope.

Sacha Lodge

The Sacha Lodge

Located in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your ...

Includes: all meals, accommodation, selection of guided tours, transfers from and to Coca airport. | 4, 5 days+

Amazon Canopy Zipline

– The Lobach Family

As an exciting way to experience the Amazon Rainforest’s canopy, you can whiz between different large Amazon trees on the Tahuayo Lodge ’s canopy zipline.

The lodge is located 150 km from Iquitos, Peru, at the border of the wildlife-rich Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve. The zipline is 100 feet (34 meters) from ground level and is the longest in Amazonia.

Built around old-growth emergent trees, canopy platforms are placed at different stages of the zipline. This allows you to rest and enjoy treetop life. When you are ready, you launch off again zipping through the canopy.

The zipline is very secure and was made by an American canopy company. The construction team was composed of scientists, arborists and construction specialists.

For an introduction, you can click the video below.

Tahuayo Lodge

The zipline, guest satisfaction, private guide and custom itinerary helped us select the Tahuayo Lodge as one of the best Amazon Jungle Adventures tours in Peru .

Tahuayo Lodge Canopy Zipline, Iquitos, Peru

The Tahuayo Lodge

From the Tahuayo Lodge, you will explore the Amazon Rainforest’s wildlife-rich Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve with a private guide on a ...

Includes: all meals, accommodation at 2 rainforest lodges, private guide, custom activities, transfers from and to Iquitos airport. | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 days+

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The 5 Best Zipline & Canopy Tours in Costa Rica [2024 Reviews]

Ziplining is safe, and yet exhilarating at the same time. You always get a huge adrenaline rush when rushing along a steel wire 100 feet above the ground at 40 mph.

Exploring new and exotic locations is also really enjoyable, especially if the environment you are visiting is rich in beautiful geography, tropical plants, and unusual animals.

If you take a ziplining tour (also known as a canopy tour because of the view over the “canopy” of the forest) in Costa Rica, you can combine both of these fun activities.  And zipline tours are fun for all ages.

See all Zipline Adventure Tours

Best zipline & canopy tours in costa rica, quick answer: the 5 best zipline & canopy tours in costa rica.

  • Zipline Tour from Jaco: 25 Cables Over 11 Waterfalls
  • Zipline and Rappelling in Monteverde
  • Sarapiqui River Sightseeing Cruise and Zipline Canopy Tour from San Jose
  • San Jose Zipline Canopy Tour
  • Ziplining and Whitewater Rafting Combo Tour from La Fortuna

Best Zipline & Canopy Tours in Costa Rica Reviews

1. zipline tour from jaco: 25 cables over 11 waterfalls.

Very professional guides and equipment make this a safe and worry-free excursion. You can also swim in a mountain pool and have a cool beverage in the El Tucan restaturant.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. zipline and rappelling in monteverde.

Zipline is an excellent way to see the rain forest from vantage points that are otherwise unavailable. Even more panoramic and scenic is the view from a hammock bridge stretching across a long expanse of the jungle.

This set of ziplines and the 15 meter vertical rappel line that follows are considered medium difficulty, so anybody can participate without being uncomfortable. The guides and equipment are top notch, as Monteverde has long been an adventure traveler destination.

3. Sarapiqui River Sightseeing Cruise and Zipline Canopy Tour from San Jose

After your hotel pickup in the morning you will be taken to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui for a full day of adventure of a river boat ride and zip lining through the rainforest canopy. On the 2 hour boat ride you will see colorful toucans, howler monkeys, sloths and crocodiles.

After the boat ride you have your choice of a horseback ride or a zip line tour of the canopy. Here you will get a birds eye perspective of the rainforest as you soar from platform to platform.

 4. San Jose Zipline Canopy Tour

On this half day tour from San Jose, see the best of Costa Rica on the jungle canopy zipline adventure. You will take a short hike into the rainforest to the first platform where you will suit up.

Then you will soar through the jungle canopy from platform to platform enjoying views of waterfalls, exotic birds and lush vegetation. After your zip line adventure, enjoy lunch before heading back to your hotel.

5. Ziplining and Whitewater Rafting Combo Tour from La Fortuna

Here you will combine two things two things Costa Rica is famous for: zip lining and white water rafting. Start out with a zip line adventure where you will soar through the air for almost 2 miles at almost 40 MPH!

Then move on to white water rafting on the Balsa River. Experience some challenging rapids combined with a scenic tour of the jungle. This tour combines adventure along with seeing jungle wildlife like monkeys, sloths and many tropical birds including toucans.

Zipline and Canopy Tours in Costa Rica

In this guide you will learn: • Why people love to go on canopy tours in Costa Rica • Some places where you can find interesting and unique sights • What times of year are best for you to go • Some background information on ziplining • A selection of handy tips about enjoying canopy tours in Costa Rica

Why Should You Go on a Zipline or Canopy Tour in Costa Rica?

With increases in global tourism, zipline canopy tours are now available on five continents, but the revolutionary idea to see interesting locations through this particularly unusual and unique viewpoint all began in the 1970s in Costa Rica.

Because canopy tours were pioneered there, today Costa Rica offers a huge variety of sites in different kinds of location that can offer you a monkey’s eye view of the world.

This is a country where you can stand on thick branches 100 feet above the ground and gaze down at the surrounding lush tropical jungle. Alternatively, you can zipline around one of the world’s most active volcanoes, or take a tour where you zipline in front of 11 beautiful waterfalls.

The name Costa Rica can be translated as “rich coast”, and this small nation truly is rich in magnificent vistas. Where else could you gaze out over both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on the same holiday?

And why not do that from high up in the canopy? But it’s the lush flora and exotic fauna that draws many tourists.

Costa Rica contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. A whole quarter of the country is designated as a protected forest or forms a nature reserve.

Fifty-two unique and beautiful species of hummingbird hover around the flowers, and 500 kinds of orchid and many endangered bird species may be found around the Monteverde cloud forest.

Canopy tours are the best method to experience this magnificent world, because in rain forests 50% of plant species grow in the highest branches of trees, and the habitats of 90% of the animals in Costa Rica are found within the forests’ canopies.

Zipline tours are so well established in this country that you will find experienced and knowledgeable bilingual guides at all the fascinating locations where canopy tours have been organized.

Of course, not everybody wants the exhilarating adrenaline rush of a speedy zipline. That’s why there are also aerial trams to take people on tours where they just have to stand still and also hiking tours that include hanging bridges high up in the canopy in many beautiful locations.

Almost anybody, whatever their physical condition or age, can enjoy a canopy tour.

And canopy tours are not the only reason you might want to visit Costa Rica. This tiny nation has developed a well-deserved reputation for being the happiest country in the world.

The lifestyle is so great there that the life expectancy of 79 years is the highest in Central America. And the population are so peace loving that not only is the United Nations University for Peace based there, but they don’t even have a standing army.

While you are there, you might like to try your hand at some of the other wonderful activities many tourists enjoy, such as mountain climbing, swimming, surfing, hiking, and horse riding.

A great way of trying zip lining is combining it with a yoga retreat !

With its tropical climate, Costa Rica offers great weather for surfing or swimming. The sea is around 78 degrees fahrenheit time of year! And there are locations with suitable waves for surfing all year long.

The many forests, mountains, and volcanoes make great places to hike, and many canopy tours combine hiking with ziplining. The two long coastlines provide excellent beaches for riding a horse along and enjoying beautiful sunsets.

Where to Go On Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

There are literally hundreds of places you can go ziplining in Costa Rica, and many of them feature magical landscapes with unique flora and fauna. To whet your appetite for adventure, here are a few details about four great places you can consider visiting while you are there.

The Arenal Reserve in the northern province of Alajuela is fascinating not only because of the pristine rain forest but also the fact that this is the location of the Arenal Volcano, one of the world’s most active in recent years.

If you ever had to draw a diagram of a volcano in school, a perfect cone with a hole on top, then that’s exactly what this marvel of the natural world looks like.

A zipline tour at the Arenal Reserve begins with an aerial tram ride through the forest canopy to a starting platform elevated high above the ground. Aerial trams transport you safely and in comfort inside a covered cab.

From that first platform, you use ziplines to glide you through the canopy from platform to platform, enjoying the scenery from a monkey’s viewpoint as you descend through the trees. This tour allows you a unique view of the Arenal Volcano from the very top of the surrounding forest’s canopy.

If you feel like a slower paced view of the Arenal Reserve, then there are 15 suspension bridges built within the canopy. Some reach as high as 200 feet above the ground. You may walk from treetop to treetop to obtain a bird’s eye view of the forest.

This allows you to take in the many wonderful views at the speed you choose, and you can linger at your favorite places if you so wish. This enthralling walk ends at the Arenal hot springs, where waters heated by the magma laying not far beneath your feet can be used to relax your sore muscles after your long hike.

In the northwestern province of Guanacaste, on the Pacific Coast, you’ll find the Diamante Superman Canopy Zipline. If you’ve ever watched the movie Divergent, you’ll understand what I mean.

The ziplines on this tour are similar to the one Tris uses to fly through that half-ruined building as she flies down from the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) in a post-apocalyptic Chicago. Yes, you fly everywhere head first, just like Super Girl, hence the name of the tour.

The ziplines here fly you across the tropical forest, and allow you views of both the Pacific Ocean and the mountains.

In the Central Highlands of Costa Rica you can find the famous cloud forests. These are lush forests in high elevations that seem to float in the clouds. Seeing these, you might be reminded of the Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron’s movie Avatar.

Because they are cooler than the tropical rain forests found at lower elevations, these forests offer a rich palette of biodiversity that differs significantly from that seen in other areas of Costa Rica.

In San Luis there are a series of 12 ziplines that can whisk you across a beautiful river landscape within the cloud forest. Nearby, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is deservedly famed for its lush flora. National Geographic Magazine once called this reserve “the jewel in the crown of cloud forests”.

A visit to any of the cloud forests is an opportunity to cool down from the tropical heat of lower laying rain forests. If you are accompanied by a bilingual guide who is knowledgeable about the unique flora and fauna of this location, you will take home many memories that will last a lifetime.

Further south, near the town of Tajo Alto you can find the Vista Golfo Adventure Park where what is claimed to be the longest zipline tour in Costa Rica can glide you along 25 ziplines through the rain forest canopy and across the front of no less than 11 gorgeous waterfalls.

On this tour, you also have the invigorating option to go swimming in a mountain spring fed pool.

There are many, many more wonderful places where you can zipline in Costa Rica. Click on this button for details on all of the zipline tours in Costa Rica.

When to Go On Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

The peak tourist season in Costa Rica is from December to April. That’s when the country experiences its “dry” season. From May to November, Costa Rica sees heavy rainfall. Often, hotel prices and airfares are cheaper during this “green” season.

The plants and animals are there whether it’s raining or not, so the rain might not be a problem for you. However, be aware that some tourist sites may be closed during the green season, and visibility may be poor in the rain.

In spite of this, you will find that many, if not all, ziplining adventures still operate right through the green season. The green season is when many plants exhibit interesting periods of their growth cycle, so you might find them more interesting at that time.

Also, those 11 waterfalls near Alto Rico will most certainly be much more dramatic and impressive when it’s been raining a lot.

Check with our tour operator to ensure that all the sites you want to visit are open at the time you wish to visit. If you have particular events you’d like to experience, like the turtle eggs hatching on the Pacific Coast beaches, ask the experts when the best time is for you to go there and exactly where you can find what you most want to see.

Ziplining 101

Ziplining has a long history. Historically, Ziplines have found practical use as a means of crossing natural barriers, such as gullies or rivers, in places where building a bridge was not economically viable.

Also, they have been used by people who must work in high locations, such as steeplejacks or roofers, for rapid descent to ground level. However, in recent decades ziplines have become increasingly more popular as both items of playground equipment and as part of adventure obstacle courses.

In the 1970s, someone in Costa Rica realized that using a zipline would be a great way of exploring the otherwise inaccessible rain forest canopy. This idea led to the creation of many fascinating canopy tours around the country.

In its simplest form, a zipline comprises of a stainless steel cable mounted between two solid and sturdy objects on a slope, and a pulley suspended from that cable. A person holding or attached to that pulley may then slide from the higher object to the lower powered only by gravity.

More complex ziplines use a “trolley”, which is a frame holding two or more pulleys. This allows the weight of the passenger to be spread over more than one point on the cable, reducing cable wear and increasing the security of the harness and overall safety.

Ziplines on canopy tours are often operated at higher speeds than the small ziplines close to the ground in playgrounds. They also tend to be much higher above the ground and run over a longer distance. For these reasons, users will probably be required to wear a safety helmet while on the tour. Passengers are firmly attached to the trolley by a harness, which sometimes will hold them like a baby carried by a stork, but sometimes will allow them to fly through the air like Super Girl, suspended horizontally with their chest pointed downward.

Around Costa Rica, you will find several very long and very high ziplines, maybe as long as 1,000 feet and as high as 30 feet. With longer cables, some sag will be obvious. This is not something to be concerned about. The tension of cables may be adjusted to obtain an optimum quality of ride.

Given that you’ll be hurtling along a cable at up to 50 mph and whizzing past thick tree trunks, you may harbor some concern about how you will stop. Don’t worry. All ziplines have some means of stopping built-in.

The breaking system you’ll most likely come across is powered by gravity. A gravity stop makes use of that sag mentioned earlier. Once the trolley passes the bottom of the sag, its belly, then you will be gliding up rather than down.

At that point, gravity will work to slow you down. The termination point, where you must get off, will be placed somewhere where the natural deceleration caused by gravity means you arrive at a comfortable speed to stop.

Helpful Tips When Ziplining in Costa Rica

Be careful to read through all the literature provided by your tour company, especially for any health requirements and things you are recommended to take along with you for the particular sites you are going to visit, as well as for any visit to Costa Rica.

Here are a few important facts that you might need to know:

• Some ziplines have a maximum weight limit, for example 280 lbs on the ziplines at Tajo Alto. • For more demanding tours, you are also expected to be in relatively good physical condition, with at least average mobility in your arms and legs. Some tours may even include such activities as abseiling or mountain climbing along the route, so please do make sure you know what you are signing up for and make sure that it is exactly what you want. • Sometimes there are also rules on what clothing you may wear on ziplines for safety reasons, so flip flops and other kinds of sandal, for example, will not be allowed. • When you turn up at some tours you’ll find that they require a minimum number of people to operate the tour because they will have to send a guide along. • Research each location a little before going, and you’ll get a lot more out of your visit!

One final but important note. Given that Costa Rica is a tropical country, there are a lot of insects, and up above the canopy, you will have little shade. Please do remember to take along a bug spray and some suitable sun protection, especially if you have fair skin or are allergic to insect stings. What now?

Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to observe the magic of Mother Nature up close, and you can’t get closer than flying through the canopy on a zipline.

If you love the thrill of ziplining, and you enjoy seeing exotic plants and animals in their natural habitat, then you won’t find a better country than Costa Rica to indulge in your passions.

For that reason, I strongly advise you book a canopy tour holiday in Costa Rica right now.

Also, see these Costa Rica tour reviews:

  • The Top 15 Things to do in Costa Rica
  • Kayaking and Paddleboarding
  • Whitewater Rafting  
  • Horseback Riding

Tour Guides

The Zipline Tour from Jaco with 25 Cables Over 11 Waterfalls is our top pick for the best zip line tour

Richard Moore

Related articles, top 15 things to do in costa rica, the 8 best costa rica white water rafting tours [2024 reviews], 🐎 the 7 best costa rica horseback riding tours [2024 reviews], 7 best kayaking & paddleboarding tours in costa rica.

The Original Canopy Tour

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The original canopy tour information.

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canopy tour

  • Thread starter Cedarcanoe
  • Start date May 17, 2009
  • May 17, 2009

How would you say "canopy tour"? This is in the context of adventure tourism: a canopy tour usually consists of a series of hanging bridges or wires high up in the treetops (i.e. the forest 'canopy'). People walk along the bridges and admire the canopy of the trees from an 'insider's perspective'. You are not actually above the tops of the trees, but right among the branches. It would seem something like 'una visita del dosel del bosque', but is there a catchier phrase used by tour companies? Gracias!  

Senior Member

Hello, I'd use "una visita por la copa de los árboles"  

CARIELOS

ETcallHome said: Hello, I'd use "una visita por la copa de los árboles" Click to expand...
  • May 25, 2009

Muchas gracias! We've had fun with this one - my students are always amused when we have to look up an expression and there isn't an obvious, quick answer.  

canopy tours: http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/  

  • Aug 22, 2009

In argentina we use the word "tirolesa" rather than canopy.  

vanesa25 said: In argentina we use the word "tirolesa" rather than canopy. Click to expand...

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Definition of canopy

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of canopy  (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

Examples of canopy in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canopy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle English canope , from Medieval Latin canopeum mosquito net, from Latin conopeum , from Greek kōnōpion , from kōnōps mosquito

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing canopy

Articles related to canopy.

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Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom

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Dictionary Entries Near canopy

Cite this entry.

“Canopy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canopy. Accessed 2 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of canopy.

Kids Definition of canopy  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on canopy

Nglish: Translation of canopy for Spanish Speakers

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canopy

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What is a canopy in construction.

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🕑 Reading time: 1 minute

A canopy is an overhead structure typically intended to provide shelter from rain or sun. It is usually seen as a covering attached to the outside of a building. It is also used for decorative purposes and to emphasize a route or part of a building.

An Aluminium Canopy Structure

Canopy in construction evolved as an architectural feature during the Renaissance. During that period, it was employed as a fixed structure supported on pillars.

Canopies can be supported by the building attached to ground mountings cables, upright support posts, and stanchions. Today, canopies are also constructed as independent structures.

Canopies constructed with a fabric covering a stand-alone structure are called a cabana or a gazebo.

Design Criteria for Canopy Construction 

Canopies can be of different sizes, shapes, and materials based on the requirements of the project. Design criteria for canopies include:

  • Material selection
  • Construction method
  • Attachment Method

1. Material Selection for Canopy Construction

The material used to construct a canopy can either be wood or metal. A simple wooden structure covered with traditional roof tiles or a metal canopy structure covered using  glass  or metal or any other conventional cover materials are common types of canopies.

Wooden Canopy Structure

Canopies are commonly constructed using fabric coverings as they have to meet various design needs. The modern fabrics used are strong, flame-retardant, highly durable, and can be easily cleaned. The material can be vinyl, acrylic, polyester, or canvas. 

A Fabric-Covered Canopy Structure

When using roof tiles to cover canopies, special consideration should be given while designing the support structure to bear the dead loads of tiles.

2. Construction Method for Canopies

Canopies can be either built through gable construction or flat roof construction; gable construction involves making a self-supporting structure. In flat roof construction, the canopy is constructed flat where single metal plates or glass plates are used as a canopy.

3. Attachments for Canopy Construction

Canopies can be built on a framed structure or attached to building walls. The former uses frame made of wood or metal. Depending on the weight of the canopy, outriggers can be used for extra support. 

Wooden Canopy Structure Covered With Metal Tiles

When the wall mounting method is employed, individual glass plates or metal plates are attached to the building walls using metal structures or wires. For small canopy construction, the support structure is directly anchored in the masonry.

Small Canopy Structure Fixed to the Masonry Wall

Canopies can be built either through gable construction or flat roof construction. Gable construction involves making a self-supporting structure. In flat roof construction, the canopy is constructed flat where single metal plates or glass plates are used as a canopy.

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COMMENTS

  1. The Difference Between Zipline Tours And Canopy Tours In Costa Rica

    A canopy tour is a tour during which you engage in ziplining, so in effect, it's also a tour during which you glide across one or more suspended cables. Technically, if we focus on language, the two terms can be split ever so slightly in the following way:

  2. Zip line

    Canopy tours are largely marketed under the banner of ecotourism, although the environmental impact of any type of zip-line is a disputed topic. The terminology varies (canopy tour, zip-lining, flying fox), and the distinction between using zip-lines for ecotourism and zip-lining as an adventure sport is often not clear. Zip ...

  3. Zip vs Canopy

    A Zip Line tour is zip lines strung from man-made towers or ground anchors. Canopy Tour: A guided exploration or transit of the forest canopy, most commonly by means of a series of zip lines or aerial walkways and intermediate viewing platforms. Such tours feature views of the forest canopy, but they are also generally designed to afford scenic ...

  4. How to Take a Zipline or Canopy Tour

    Different Types of Zipline Tours. Zipline tours vary both in length and style. Many tours in Costa Rica, and other countries with jungles or rainforests, include a jeep tour to the zipline site during which a guide tells you about the wildlife and flora while en route.At some mountain resorts, the zipline experiences are near the base of ski slopes during the summer, and the first zipline is ...

  5. What's The Difference Between A Canopy Tour And A Zip Line?

    The same will be true at the Summit. Canopy tours tend to be measured in terms of hours on tour, zip lines in terms of length. The most extreme U.S. zip line I found was 3300 feet long. The longest canopy tour was 5.5 hours. The Summit will be able to hold its own in both categories. We will have 5 zip lines that are over 3500 feet in length.

  6. Canopy Tour vs. Zip Line Adventures

    A Canopy Tour takes the Zip Line Adventure to a completely different level. Just like anything, breaking down the definition helps to better understand the overall concept. We visit Merriam-Webster once again and see that "Canopy" can be defined as, "a protective covering: as the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest." "Tour ...

  7. CANOPY

    CANOPY definition: 1. a cover fixed over a seat or bed, etc. for shelter or decoration 2. the branches and leaves that…. Learn more.

  8. Canopy tour

    Canopy tour. A canopy tour is an established route through a wooded and often mountainous landscape making primary use of zip-lines and aerial bridges between platforms built in trees. Tourists are harnessed to a steel cable without interruption throughout the entire tour for safety. Although canopy tours date back far back into history for ...

  9. Canopy Tours and Ecotourism Efforts

    Canopy tours are low impact attractions, meaning they don't take up too many of Earth's materials to build and operate. As they've evolved from simple scientific tools to breathtaking tourist attractions, they still remain unobtrusive to the surrounding natural environment.

  10. FAQ

    Our Canopy Tour is a guided zipline tour where participants travel from tree platform to tree platform across seven ziplines. Our course features ziplines, aerial bridges, spiral staircases, a floating staircase and a rappel to bring you back to the ground after about 2.5 hours in the air! ... That might mean a raincoat, winter jacket, or ...

  11. What is a Canopy Tour

    What Does Zipline Canopy Tour Mean? A zipline canopy tour is an eco-adventure that typically takes place in the rainforest. Participants zip from platform to platform high up in the trees, enjoying bird's eye views of the forest below. Canopy tours are a great way to get an adrenaline rush while also getting up close and personal with nature.

  12. Canopy Tours History and Origins

    History of Canopy Tours. Modern canopy tours were invented in the 1970's when the rain and cloud forest canopies were the last remaining frontiers of botany, zoology, entomology and ecology. Ph.D. students Donald Perry and John Williams first strapped on their rock climbing harnesses, clicked their carabineers on to a belay line, and grabbed ...

  13. Canopy Tour Definition

    Related to Canopy Tour. Canopy sign means a sign attached to or constructed in or on a canopy.. Design torso angle means the angle measures between a vertical line through the "R" point and the torso line in a position which corresponds to the design position of the seat-back established by the vehicle manufacturer;. Canopy means the total amount of square footage dedicated to live plant ...

  14. What You Need To Know About Zipline Canopy Tours

    Menu. Menu. Start Here; Blog; Destinations. Africa. Algeria; Kenya; Morocco

  15. 8 of the Top Canopy Tours in the Amazon Rainforest

    For a fantastic way of experiencing the canopy, you can look at the canopy swing bridge of the Sacha Lodge. The Sacha Lodge is located within a 5000-acre private ecological reserve in Ecuador's Amazon region. From this fantastic rainforest lodge, you have access to a 940 foot (275-meter) long walkway. This stands 94 feet (30 meters) above the ...

  16. Canopy Tour Costa Rica

    Canopy Combination, Canopy Adventure Costa Rica, is a premium canopy experience in Guanacaste and Tamarindo.They offer one of the longest cables in the area, making it one of the most popular zip lining tours in Costa Rica. This intense course has a total of 10 wires between 11 platforms that's perfect for adrenaline junkies.

  17. The 5 Best Zipline & Canopy Tours in Costa Rica [2024 Reviews]

    Quick Answer: The 5 Best Zipline & Canopy Tours in Costa Rica. Zipline Tour from Jaco: 25 Cables Over 11 Waterfalls. Zipline and Rappelling in Monteverde. Sarapiqui River Sightseeing Cruise and Zipline Canopy Tour from San Jose. San Jose Zipline Canopy Tour. Ziplining and Whitewater Rafting Combo Tour from La Fortuna.

  18. The Original Canopy Tour

    The Original Canopy Tour was by far the best zip lining excursion I have experienced. The guides were all very professional and reassuring. There were close to a dozen platforms... a variety of long/short/fast lines. Tons of amazing wild life and plant life to see. They take a ton of pictures and videos and sell them for $25 a person or $40 a ...

  19. canopy tour

    May 17, 2009. #1. How would you say "canopy tour"? This is in the context of adventure tourism: a canopy tour usually consists of a series of hanging bridges or wires high up in the treetops (i.e. the forest 'canopy'). People walk along the bridges and admire the canopy of the trees from an 'insider's perspective'.

  20. Canopy tours Definition

    Define Canopy tours. means a facility not located in an amusement park or carnival which is a supervised or guided educational or recreational activity including, but not limited to, beams, bridges, cable traverses, climbing walls, nets, platforms, ropes, swings, towers and ziplines, which may be installed on or in trees, poles, portable structures or buildings, or be part of self-supporting ...

  21. Canopy Definition & Meaning

    canopy: [noun] a cloth covering suspended over a bed. a cover (as of cloth) fixed or carried above a person of high rank or a sacred object : baldachin. a protective covering: such as. the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest. awning, marquee.

  22. What does War Machine's "Canopy! Canopy!" line mean in "Avengers: Endgame"?

    In Avengers: Endgame after Thanos arrives and destroys the Avengers base, we see War Machine yell out, "Canopy! Canopy! Canopy!" This appears to be a command which releases him from his suit and allows him to move freely. My question is what is the significance of the phrase? Why would that specifically be the command to set him free from the suit?

  23. What is a Canopy in Construction?

    A canopy is an overhead structure typically intended to provide shelter from rain or sun. It is usually seen as a covering attached to the outside of a building. It is also used for decorative purposes and to emphasize a route or part of a building. Figure-1: An Aluminium Canopy Structure. Canopy in construction evolved as an architectural ...