What to Wear Ziplining in Costa Rica — Complete Packing Guide

This packing guide is for our Los Sueños canopy tour in Jacó. Tips apply to most Costa Rica zipline operators.

Quick answer: For zip-lining in Costa Rica, wear closed-toe athletic shoes (no sandals or flip-flops), comfortable shorts or athletic pants, a fitted t-shirt or athletic top, and bring sunscreen, a small water bottle, and a bandana. Avoid loose jewelry, scarves, long hair worn loose, and anything in pockets. Most parks supply helmets, harnesses, and gloves. Plan for jungle heat (75–88°F / 24–31°C) and intermittent shade. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory at every Costa Rica zip-line operator — no exceptions.

The complete Costa Rica zip-line packing list

Required clothing

• Closed-toe athletic shoes — sneakers, trail runners, or hiking shoes. No sandals, no flip-flops, no Crocs. Required for boarding the platforms.
• Shorts or athletic pants — anything you can move in. Avoid super-baggy pants that could catch on harness.
• Fitted t-shirt or athletic top — moisture-wicking is great. Avoid loose flowing tops, scarves, or anything dangling.
• Sports bra — recommended for women due to harness and movement.

Bring with you

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+) — apply before tour; reapply after
• Bug repellent — DEET-based for jungle areas
• Bandana or buff — keeps hair contained and absorbs sweat
• Reusable water bottle — most parks provide refill stations
• Cash for tips — guides typically tipped 10–15%
• GoPro or phone — only if it's secured (chest mount or wrist strap)

What NOT to wear or bring

• Sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, slip-ons
• Loose scarves, ponchos, hoodies with dangling drawstrings
• Dangly earrings, necklaces, bracelets — they can catch in the harness
• Long loose hair (tie back or use a bandana)
• Loose phones in pockets — they fly out at speed
• Skirts or dresses
• Glass items (water bottles, etc.)

What the park supplies

At reputable Costa Rica operators (look for ICT & CST Elite certifications) you receive:

• Helmet (mandatory)
• Full-body or chest harness with double safety
• Leather gloves (you provide hand braking on cables)
• Bilingual safety briefing (English/Spanish)
• Certified guides on every platform

Weather considerations

Costa Rica has two seasons:

• Dry season (Dec–Apr): sunny mornings, 75–88°F. Sunscreen heavy. Most platforms in shade but transitions are exposed.
• Green season (May–Nov): rain mostly in the afternoons. Mornings are usually clear. Bring a packable rain jacket for the back of your daypack — even brief downpours soak you through. Tours generally operate in light to moderate rain. Lightning storms mean the tour pauses or reschedules (free with most operators).

Special considerations

For kids age 4–10

Closed-toe shoes that lace tightly (Velcro is fine). Bring a long-sleeve athletic top for sun protection. Vista Los Sueños accepts kids age 4+ with special children's harnesses.

For seniors and beginners

Lightweight athletic shoes with good grip. Avoid heavy hiking boots — too rigid for platform stairs. Light layers in case you cool off between platforms.

Wedding parties & bachelor/bachelorette groups

Yes, you can wear matching t-shirts. No, you can't wear a tutu, sash, or anything dangling. The harness must sit flush against your body.

For pregnant guests

Most operators do not allow pregnant women on zip-lines (insurance reasons). Confirm with your operator at booking.

Weight and height limits

Weight limits are typically 220–280 lbs (100–127 kg) depending on operator. Confirm at booking. Height: usually no minimum, but children must fit in the children's harness.

Camera and GoPro setup

Want zip-line photos and video? Best practices:

• GoPro chest mount — safest, hands-free, captures POV. Recommended.
• Helmet mount — shows your zipping perspective; check the operator allows it (some don't, due to weight on the helmet).
• Wrist or hand strap — phone or camera secured around the wrist, easy to drop otherwise.
• Selfie stick — most operators ban these for safety.

Most parks, including Vista Los Sueños, have professional photographers on the course who capture each rider — photos are available for purchase after the tour.

Day-of checklist

• Closed-toe athletic shoes (laced)
• Shorts/athletic pants + fitted top
• Sports bra (women)
• Sunscreen applied
• Bug repellent
• Bandana for hair
• Water bottle
• Cash for tips
• Camera secured (chest/wrist)
• Light rain jacket (green season)
• All jewelry removed
• Pockets empty (or zipped)

FAQ

Can I wear sandals on a Costa Rica zip-line? No. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory at every certified operator. You'll be turned away or given loaner shoes (varies by park). Bring proper athletic shoes.

Should I wear long pants or shorts? Either works. Pants offer slight protection from chafing under the harness on long courses; shorts are cooler. Choose what's comfortable for you. Avoid super-baggy pants.

Is there a weight limit for zip-lining in Costa Rica? Yes — most operators set a maximum of 220–280 lbs (100–127 kg) due to harness and cable engineering. Confirm with your specific operator at booking.

What if I'm afraid of heights? Zip-lining counterintuitively works well for height-fearful guests. The harness, helmet, and double-safety give a strong sense of security. Most parks let you rappel down at any platform if you decide not to continue (rare).

Can I bring my phone on the zip-line? Only secured to your body — wrist strap or zippered pocket. Many phones fly out and break (or land in the jungle, never recovered). A GoPro chest mount is the gold standard.

Will I get wet on a zip-line tour? Not directly — you're flying through the air. But during green season (May–Nov), expect occasional rain showers. Tours run in light rain and pause for lightning.

Ready to zip-line?

Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park operates a 12-platform, 10-cable zipline canopy tour in Jacó, rated 4.9★ from 4,641+ TripAdvisor reviews and CST Elite certified. Children age 4+ accepted. Hotel pickup included. Book online instantly, WhatsApp us, or call the park directly.