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Do you want to go zip lining in Monteverde and wondering what 100% Aventura is like? You’ve come to the right place!
Canopy tours are a must do in Costa Rica and something you definitely need to add to your bucket list.
While they are great things to do, I also appreciate that it can be hard to choose a specific tour because there are so many of them.
I went to Costa Rica as a travel coordinator for an adventure tour company and decided to go to 100% Aventura in Monteverde to try their epic zip lines.
In this article, I tell you everything you need to know about it and my true opinion on this experience.
In a Rush? Yes, 100% Aventura is totally worth it!
If you don’t want to read the entire article, no probs! In short, yes 100% Aventura is a great experience and definitely worth your time and money. I actually thought that the price was more than reasonable.
What is the 100% Aventura?
100% Aventura is a canopy tour located in Monteverde, Costa Rica. It has 10 zip-lines in the cloud forest including 2 Supermans as well as a Tarzan style swing.
They are one of the most popular canopy tours in Monteverde and Santa Elena and have the longest zip line in Costa Rica (5220 ft – 1590 m).
The full canopy tour takes between 2 and 3 hours and can be booked here.
100% Aventura Information
Here is a quick summary about 100% Aventura.
- Tickets: here
- Address: Carretera a Reserva de Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Santa Elena, Costa Rica
- Opening times: 7AM to 4PM
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Languages spoken: Spanish and English
- What does it include? 9 normal zip lines, 2 Supermans, 1 Tarzan swing, short ATV ride, equipment and instructors
What to expect from your 100% Aventura Experience
Now that you know about the activity itself, it’s time to discover what you will be doing. You can find below a detailed description of the experience.
1. Get to 100% Aventura
It’s important to note that 100% Aventura does not provide transportation which means you need to make your own way to the site.
If you have a rental car, it should be no problem. It only takes 10 minutes from Monteverde. You can also get a taxi which would be quite cheap since it’s a short ride.
2. Check-in at the reception desk
Once you’re there, head to the reception so you can check in. You will need to show your booking as well as your passport (a photo is fine).
You will then be asked to move to the equipment space where the instructors can set you up.
Pro tip: there are toilets next to the reception. Make sure to go before the tour since you won’t get the opportunity once they put the harness on.
3. Equipment
The instructors will set up all the harnesses on you. You don’t have to do a single thing, they do everything for you.
They will also give you a helmet that you can tighten as you wish. If you’re not sure, they will do it for you.
4. Safety talk
Once you’re all equipped, an instructor will give you the safety instructions and explain how the tour is.
After that you can get started.
5. Normal zip lines
You will start with the short zip lines to get warmed up. They are in the trees so they don’t really trigger vertigo.
You don’t actually have to do anything, there is an instructor on each platform and they do everything for you.
The only thing you have to do (if you are a short person like me) is to jump when they ask you so they can get the pulley on the cable.
Once you get to the zip line number 6, this is actually a rappel one. Again, you don’t need to do anything but this will give you a tiny bit more of an adrenaline rush, preparing you for the first big zip line.
6. First long zip line
The zip line number 7 is the first long one. If you don’t feel like you can do it, you can leave at that point so make sure to tell a member of staff about it.
In that having been said, it’s one of the best ones so try to breathe and go for it.
Unlike the others, this one is a lot higher and open. You’re not in the trees anymore.
While I thought this would trigger my vertigo big time, it actually didn’t at all.
The views were so amazing, I absolutely loved it.
7. Short ATV ride
Once you finish the first long zip line, you will jump at the back of a big ATV and the driver will take you to the first superman zip line.
Once again, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to but it is fun.
8. Superman zip lines
Once you get to the first superman, the instructor will redo your harness and you will go (head first) on the zip line.
This one feels a bit scarier because you go head first but it is ultimately the same than the one before.
You don’t have to break, the zip line will do it for you but it’s a bit rough so be prepared.
You will then go back to the same spot using a zip line on the other side.
9. Tarzan swing
After the Supermans, you will be asked if you want to do the Tarzan swing. This one feels scarier because it’s more like a bungee jump.
If you have a bit of a fear of height, it will feel very daunting.
Personally, I said I wanted no information and just went there. Although I was petrified, I’m very glad I did it because I thought it was the best one.
You will be sent to a hanging bridge where the instructor will call you.
You then have to stand on the edge and jump.
PRO TIP: If you’re too scared you can ask the instructor to push you. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it myself so I preferred it that way but that’s a personal choice.
Jumping is the hardest part, everything after is just fun.
I absolutely loved it and if you think there is even a bit of a chance you can do it, go for it.
In that having been said, I would never recommend pushing yourself to that extent if you know you can’t.
A lot of people choose not to do it and even if everyone else decides to do it, don’t let yourself be pressured. The staff won’t ever pressure you. You do you and that’s all 🙂
100% Aventura Review: Pros and Cons
Now that you know what to expect from this adventure, it’s time to give you all the pros and cons so you can make a decision.
Pro 1: It’s great value for money
I honestly thought it was great value for money. Costa Rica is an expensive country, especially when it comes to tours and there are quite a few things that I can say were not good value for money.
This is not one of them.
The tour costs around 60 USD which means 6 USD per zip line. In the UK, we pay a lot more for that.
If you go to Zip World in Wales, you’ll end up paying that for one single zip line.
Also, with all these instructors and how easy they make it, I can genuinely say it was worth every cent.
Con 1: It’s not for everyone
If you are really scared of height and don’t like adrenaline experiences, this probably won’t be for you.
I do have vertigo but that’s something I like to fight and it doesn’t leave me completely petrified. If that’s your case though, it’s probably not for you.
Pro 2: It’s a lot of fun
I can honestly say this was one of the best activities we did in Costa Rica. It was so much fun! Everything is made so you have the best time.
Con 2: Some of us got bruises
This is not the case for everyone but I think it’s important to mention it.
While I didn’t have the issue myself, some of my friends got pretty big bruises from the harnesses.
Ultimately, you’re hanging in the void and only the harness holds you so that puts quite a bit of pressure on your skin and if you bruise easily, you will probably have some.
Pro 3: The staff is amazing
I loved the staff. There were so many instructors. Literally, one or more at each zip line.
They do everything for you so you never have to stress about doing something wrong.
You can simply focus on enjoying the experience.
They are also very friendly, understanding and never pressure you.
Pro 4: It’s beautiful
The views of the canopy and rainforest are simply stunning. Whether you’re in the trees or on the highest zip lines with views over the valley, it will take your breath away.
Pro 5: The zip lines are very long
As mentioned before, some of the zip lines are very long (around 1,500m) which means you get to enjoy the experience for longer and it feels worth your money.
They claim to have the longest zip line in Costa Rica which is quite a statement but there are actually 3 really long zip lines, not just one.
Pro 6: There is no waiting time
Since you book a specific slot and go one by one on the zip lines, there is no waiting time.
You can simply enjoy the experience without having to wait for others or feel rushed.
Pro 7: Non-participant can still wonder around
If someone in your group is not participating in the activity, they can still come and wait for your friends/family.
The grounds are beautiful and there are a few walking path in the forest. It’s very pretty.
They can also walk to the Tarzan swing (at the bottom) and see you jump.
Pro 8: They take photos for you
There are photographers throughout the tour who will take photos of you as you go on the zip lines.
You can then purchase these photos at the end (for an additional cost) but it’s a great way to capture your experience without having to worry about taking photos yourself.
Is 100% Aventura worth it?
Absolutely! It was one of the highlights of my trip to Costa Rica! We all had so much fun and would do it all over again many times.
The views were amazing, the staff was incredible and it’s great value for money. It’s also very easy to book online.
Tips to make the most of your zip-lining experience in Monteverde
Here are some tips to enjoy the tour canopy experience.
- Wear comfortable and appropriate clothing for outdoor activities. Closed-toe shoes are a must as well as trousers.
- Photographers will take pictures of you but if you have a phone with a strap that you can carry securely, you are allowed to take it. My phone was laced up around me and in my T-shirt so every time I’d finish a zip-line, I would take photos of my friends behind me.
- Go to the toilet before since you can’t during the tour
- Make sure to put mosquito spray on before
- Opt for an early tour (like 8AM) so it’s quieter, the sun is low and then you still have the whole day to enjoy
Other zip-lining tours in Monteverde worth considering
While I definitely recommend 100% Aventura, there are another couple of canopy tours in Monteverde that are worth checking out. Here they are.
The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde
Address: KM Norte del Banco De Costa Rica, 1, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, 60109, Costa Rica
Pros: Hotel pickup, great experience, higher rappelling, great guides
Cons: A bit more expensive, zip lines are a bit shorter
Sky Adventures Monteverde Park
Address: Sky Adventures, Provincia de Puntarenas, Tilarán, 60109, Costa Rica
Pros: Sky tram and hanging bridges
Cons: Only 8 zip lines, more expensive
We hope this article will help you decide which canopy tour to choose in Monteverde. Have fun!
Remember, zip-lining is just one of the many amazing experiences Costa Rica has to offer.
So make sure to also explore other activities and attractions during your visit! Enjoy the pura vida lifestyle and embrace all the adventure this beautiful country has to offer.
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