Thrilling Ziplining in Manuel Antonio: Our El Santuario Canopy Experience

El Santuario Canopy Tour: Our Experience

On our tour, we had all types of fellow participants, including families with smaller children. It was a fun adventure throughout, and here are the details of how it unfolded for us.

Arriving at El Santuario Canopy Tour Site

We booked the morning slot so we could dedicate the first half of the day to the canopy tour.

El Santuario picked us up from our accommodation at the pre-arranged time in an air‑conditioned minivan.

The van first stopped at their highway-side office for a quick check-in and waiver signing. After that, the same van took us and the rest of the group to the zipline site.

🌳 The last stretch is on an unpaved road that passes through farmland and then gets into the rainforest.

So if you are driving a rental car, you can leave it at the office and use their transportation for the rest of the journey.

🚗 If you are planning to rent a car in Costa Rica, check our Costa Rica car rental deal.

Safety Briefing and Equipment

The holding area of the tour site has a restaurant and bathrooms. We freshened up after the shuttle ride and were offered fresh fruits and beverages, iced tea and coffee and water.

After the quick break, we went to the preparation area where the guides helped put our gear on, harnesses and helmets.

They explained the gear, demonstrated each technique, and made sure everyone understood the procedures before we started.

⚠️ Tip: Listen carefully during the safety briefing. The techniques they teach you (like proper body position and braking) will make your zipline experience much more enjoyable.

I was carrying a GoPro, and our guide provided the helmet mount and helped attaching it.

If you have a GoPro, bring it. It is safer to capture videos while enjoying the ride.

The Tractor Ride

Following the safety briefing, it was time to hop on a tractor. The first zipline platform involved an uphill journey through plantations and dense forest along a gravel road.

The First Zipline: Leap of Faith

The initial step off the platform required a leap of faith, particularly for Pubali.

She has fear of heights, but still she chooses to try these types of tours anyway! However, our guide helped her stay calm and enjoy the ride.

I, Indranil, found myself excited and smiling with our guides’ contagious energy and enthusiasm. Adjusting the GoPro on my helmet, I started my ride.

As I accelerated along the cable, flying between the taller trees and rest of the forest canopy spreading around in various shades of green, the smooth glide, the incredible views, the rush of adrenaline, everything combined created for an unforgettable experience.

☁️ We had previously done zip-lining over Monteverde cloud forests. This was our first time doing a rainforest canopy tour.

Each Zipline: A Unique Adventure

As we progressed through the course, each successive zipline built upon the last, that maintained our excitement throughout the tour.

What we appreciated most was how the guides expertly paced the tour, allowing time between runs to catch our breath, share reactions with fellow adventurers, and build anticipation for what came next.

They provided personalized tips based on each cable’s characteristics, how to position ourselves for speed, or when to simply relax and enjoy the ride.

There was one zipline with the option of doing it upside down. I chose to go for it!

In between the zipline platforms, we refueled ourselves at the fresh fruits and water stations.

The longest run gave us time to really take in the surroundings while enjoying the extended sensation of flight, and the fastest zipline produced that roller-coaster feeling in my stomach.

The Hanging Bridges

The 6 hanging bridges are an added attraction in this canopy tour.

The bridges connected the ziplining platforms and provided an opportunity to appreciate the forest around.

The Giant Tree Drop

The tour ends with a Giant Tree Drop. We were clipped on to a safety line and a device that controlled our descent.

At our guide’s cue, I stepped off the final platform built around the giant tree.

There is a brief free‑fall sensation that gave an adrenaline rush. It was followed by a smooth descent to the ground.

Lunch and End of the Tour

Lunch was a traditional Costa Rican meal with rice, salad, beans and chicken, accompanied by iced tea. You can buy additional beverage from the restaurant.

After lunch, the minivan dropped us all back to our respective locations.

Our Tips for Making the Most of Your El Santuario Canopy Tour Experience

🕘 Book morning tour slot for cooler temperatures and lesser chances of rain.

👕 Wear comfortable, secure clothing that won’t flap excessively in the wind

🚶🏽‍♀️Avoid wearing shorts or skirts so that the equipment does not rub or chafe your skin and cause discomfort.

👟 Choose sturdy closed-toed shoes for the walks in between ziplines.

💧 Stay hydrated. The combination of excitement and tropical heat demands water, use the water stations.

🦟 Apply insect repellent before arriving to avoid distraction from bugs.

☀️ Apply sunscreen.

💪 Trust your guides. They are experts at helping you have the best experience.

😊 Embrace the fear. That initial nervousness makes the triumph even sweeter. Ask Pubali! 😊