Canopy Zipline with Horseback Ride

This Arenal Canopy Zipline and Horseback Ride combination tour near La Fortuna offers an excellent mix of outdoor activities for people of all ages in the beautiful Arenal area. The horseback ride to El Silencio’s private rainforest reserve winds through well maintained trails at the base of the towering Arenal Volcano. You will also embark on a thrilling zip lining course, gliding high above the jungle canopy safely assisted by professional certified guides.

The tour begins when you are picked up from your La Fortuna hotel and driven to the location of your first activity. The order of events will be known on the day of your visit and you’ll dive right into your first adventure. Your host will be Athica Canopy and Horseback Riding adventures.

At the horse corral your Costa Rican “cowboy” and guide will introduce you to a set of beautiful, well cared for, calm horses. You’ll be matched with the horse that is best suited for your level of experience, getting a boost up into your saddle as you settle in for the ride through the Arenal Conservation Area.

Inside the private reserve of El Silencio, you will be surrounded by lush jungle vegetation and hear interesting bird and insect calls. Many animals live in this area, such as three species of monkeys, peccaries, agoutis as well as jaguars and pumas. Typically you will not see the nocturnal cats but you may be lucky and see one of the curious monkeys although it is sometimes easier to hear them than to see them. Your guide will be helping you look for and identify any wildlife that may be visible on the day of your visit.

El Silencio has over 500 acres of protected woodlands, half of which is considered primary old growth forest. Several movies have been filmed here including: “After Earth” starring Will Smith and his son, Jaden, as well as “Spy Kids 2” and “Congo”.

You will arrive at the El Silencio Mirador, or observation point, which is the closest you can safely get to the Arenal Volcano. On a clear day you’ll see a spectacular view of the majestic volcano. You will also be able to see the dried up lava flows from the 1968 eruption. After a short break at the mirador, your group will head back through the rainforest to return to the ranch.

Your ziplining adventure is often described as a must-do tour while visiting the Arenal area. It’s an exciting way to explore the Costa Rican tree canopy and see the rainforest from a completely different perspective than you would see on a traditional hike. Your bilingual guides will provide you with safety harnesses and helmets, and go over safety instructions with you.

As you arrive at the first platform, your guides will demonstrate how to use the zip lining equipment. Your harness will be securely hooked onto each steel cable that attaches from one side of the canyon to the other. When you are ready, your guide will send you off to glide above the forest where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beautiful scenery. At the other end, a second guide will be there to receive you and give you a high five! This thrilling course is a series of platforms and cables ranging from a few hundred meters up to one kilometer long, and optional Tarzon Swing.

Round trip transportation, entrance fee, bilingual guides, safety equipment and bottled water are all included on this tour. One way transportation from hotels in the La Fortuna area can take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on hotel location, making the combined time of tour and transport approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours long. For both activities you should wear long pants and fully enclosed hiking shoes. Please bring sunscreen, insect repellent, rain jacket, camera and possibly your binoculars.