Summary For Zipline Adventures
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ – 3 adventure travel stars (rounded up)
When you jump off the platform you’ll feel like you just went over the top of a peak on a roller coaster. Then you’ll hear the wind roaring in your ears as the speed builds, and you may think you’re flying. And in a sense, you are.
Here’s a great adventure travel experience where I took the liberty to round it up to the next adventure travel star. If you’re just looking for pure fun it rates a five, but the lack of skill and risk involved lowers the score.
Zipline adventures combine spectacular aerial views with the thrill of a zipline experience. They vary in length, style and the speed they can reach, so you should be able to find one that’s a good fit for you.
Some of the best zipline experiences take you through lush rainforests and jungles where frisky monkeys and exotic birds sit on branches and watch you zip past them.
If you have issues with motion sickness or heights you might want to rethink a zipline tour, but for the rest of us, this is one heck of a ride that you need to add to your bucket list.
Zipline canopy tours are an easy way to indulge in some truly incredible thrills, and almost anyone can do it. This is one experience where you should consider taking the whole family.
Risk Factor
Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ – 2 adventure travel stars
You’re dangling from a wire high in the air and whizzing down the line at speeds that can exceed 45 miles per hour (some claim much higher speeds). That sounds pretty risky, but it really isn’t if you adhere to two simple rules: only hook yourself to a zip line provided by a reputable operator, and follow the instructions given to you by your guide.
So, how do you know if the operator runs a safe canopy tour? Ask questions about the insurance status of the tour, and see if there is any accreditation.
You can also ask for the credentials of the company that did the installation and the one that operates the zipline tour. Do your due diligence ahead of time, and play it safe.
Many countries, like the USA, have strict requirements for safety and building codes, so you’ll be safe with these tours. Other countries don’t necessarily take the same precautions, so buyer beware.
Skill & Physical Factors
Rating: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – 1 adventure travel star
Responsible canopy tour operators will give you a briefing on safety issues and show you how to put on the harness, latch onto the cable and how to use the brake.
You might be given an opportunity to practice a little, and you should also be provided with a helmet and gloves along with the harness. This isn’t rocket science, so you don’t need much skill for a canopy tour.
Physically speaking, once you get hooked up all you need to do is jump off the platform, hold on and enjoy the ride. If you have a fear of heights, this may not be the best experience for you. Otherwise, you are going to have a blast!
Fun Factor
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 adventure travel stars
Zipping through the air at breakneck speeds with incredible aerial views everywhere you look, this is an adventure travel experience that would get an extra start for the fun factor if extra credit were allowed.
There are some zipline adventures that can be enjoyed by the whole family. If you’re thinking about taking the kids, ask ahead of time about any restrictions regarding height, weight and age.
Ziplines are a great way to introduce the next generation to your love for exciting adventure experiences, and zipline adventures are a safe way to get an adrenaline rush and have the time of your life doing it.
So, strap on the harness, take the plunge and let your adventure spirit soar across the treetops, through the jungles and over the canyons.
This is an epic thrill ride and an experience for the ages.
Popular places for zipline adventures
For exciting zipline experiences, try one of these destinations.
- Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
- Heavenly Resort in California
- Tsitsikamma, South Africa
- Maui, Hawaii
- Utah Olympic Park near Park City
- Flight of the Gibbon in Thailand
- Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska
- Costa Rica
- Dragon’s Breath in Labadee, Haiti
- Sun City, South Africa