Minimum age
Guests must be at least 5 years old.
There is no maximum age; participation depends on being physically able to complete the tour.
Plan your visit to The Original Canopy Tour
Everything you need to know before booking and before arriving for your canopy tour in Santa Elena, Monteverde.
Santa Elena, Monteverde · approximately 2.5 hours · Open daily
Before you book
No previous ziplining experience is required, and the tour is guided in English and Spanish. There are, however, a few participation requirements to know before booking.
Weight limits
The maximum weight for the canopy tour is 115 kg (250 lb).
The optional Tarzan Swing has a lower maximum weight of 90 kg (200 lb).
Children and minors
Children follow the same canopy route as everyone else. Minors can participate without their parent or legal representative joining the tour. Their waiver must be signed by their parent or legal representative. If the adult accompanying them is not, they must bring written authorisation from someone who is.
Physical requirements
Basic physical condition. You need to be able to walk for 10 to 15 minutes on forest trails with few slopes and to climb a few vertical ladders. Most of the movement through the course happens on the ziplines.
This includes a walk of about 10 minutes from reception to the start of the course, with your equipment already on.
Medical conditions
You cannot participate if you are pregnant, have had recent surgery, have a spinal, neck, hand or shoulder injury, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, balance problems or sudden fainting episodes, or are under the influence of drugs.
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes are required to participate.
When to arrive
The tour operates every day of the year.
If you're making your own way here, please arrive at reception 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. This gives you time to check in, sign the waiver and get ready before heading into the forest.
If you're using our included pickup service, contact us after booking so we can agree on the pickup time and location. Email · WhatsApp
The experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Tour departures
- 8:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 1:30 PM
During the rainy season, afternoon thunderstorms are common and may affect the 1:30 PM departure.
Getting here
The Original Canopy Tour is located in Santa Elena, Monteverde.
Come ready for the forest
You don't need specialized clothing or equipment, but a few things will make getting ready easier.
Wear
- Closed-toe shoes: required.
- Comfortable clothing suitable for an outdoor activity.
- In the rainy season, a waterproof jacket.
Bring
You can bring water during the tour, as long as you can keep the bottle secure.
Before putting on your equipment
- Apply sunscreen and insect repellent: once your harness is on, it is no longer practical.
- Tie back long hair.
- There are no restrooms on the course, so use the ones at reception before you start.
Leave in the locker
Free lockers are available for the belongings you won't take onto the course.
Phones and cameras
Phones and personal cameras cannot be carried on the course, so leave them with your other belongings before starting.
All the equipment you need is provided by The Original Canopy Tour. Personal equipment is not accepted: the company cannot guarantee that it meets its standards.
What if the weather or your plans change?
Rain
Rain is part of life in Monteverde, and the tour operates normally when it rains.
Thunderstorms
If there's a thunderstorm, the tour pauses and the group takes shelter. We measure how far away the storm is and wait 30 minutes before measuring again, more than once if needed. If conditions don't improve, the tour is suspended for the day and we offer to reschedule you once, for the next day, at a time we agree with you.
If your group hadn't started its first activity (the Tarzan Swing or the first zipline): you can reschedule, or receive a full refund.
If your group had already started: when you reschedule, you pick up where you left off. If you'd rather not reschedule, we refund 50% if your group had spent an hour or less on the course, not counting the time stopped for the storm; after more than an hour, there is no refund.
If we can't offer you a time the next day, the same refunds apply.
Changing your reservation
You can change your tour date or time at no cost at least 24 hours before your activity, subject to availability.
Cancelling your reservation
Cancel at least 24 hours before your tour for a full refund. With less notice than that, cancellations are non-refundable. That is our commercial policy; the Terms and Conditions also describe a statutory right of withdrawal that may apply to online bookings.
Running late
If you arrive late, we'll try to accommodate you on another departure the same day if space is available. If we can't, the booking is non-refundable.
No-shows
No-shows are non-refundable.
If you decide not to continue
You can leave the course at any point, and a guide will accompany you back to reception. If you voluntarily decide to leave after the tour has started, your booking is not refundable, including when the reason is fear or physical discomfort.