Pure Trek Canyoning & Sky Trek Zip Line Combo

The most thrilling part of this La Fortuna combo comes in the canyon, where you rappel down several waterfalls, including one close to 100 feet tall, then finish with the unusual Monkey Drop, a zip line and rappel in one. Before that, Sky Adventures sends you across rainforest gaps as high as 600 feet and as long as 2,600 feet.

I like the smart pairing of two different activities in one day. The zip lines give you broad views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, while the canyoning puts you right in the wet, shaded forest. I also like the strong safety culture: guides use backup systems, explain the equipment, and can assist children or nervous participants when needed.

The catch is simple: this is a long, physical day. The canyon includes uphill walking between waterfalls and back to the top of the valley, and you will get soaked early. If heights, wet rocks, or moderate exertion are not your thing, this may feel like too much packed into one outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Two major La Fortuna activities in one day: Sky Adventures handles the zip lines, while Pure Trek runs the canyoning portion.
• The canyon starts with a serious rappel: Expect several waterfalls, with the first one described as the tallest and most dramatic.
• Views depend on weather: Clear conditions can reveal Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal from the zip line course.
• Plan for wet, uphill work: Good-grip footwear and quick-drying clothes matter more than stylish resort wear.
• Lunch and transport are included: You receive a Costa Rican meal, selected-hotel transfers, and professional guides.
• Photos are optional: A canyon photographer records the action, with images available to buy afterward.

One day, two very different kinds of adrenaline

At $259 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. It is a full-day package that combines a premium zip line course, a separate canyoning operation, transport, lunch, gear, and guides. I see the value if you want two of La Fortuna’s biggest outdoor attractions and would otherwise book them separately.

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. That timing matters. You are not squeezing in a quick zip line before lunch. You are committing most of the day to physical activity, changing clothes, road transfers, eating, gearing up, and moving through a canyon.

The combo works because the activities feel different. Zip lining is about speed, height, and wide views. Canyoning is more hands-on and close to the forest, with ropes, waterfalls, rock walls, and wet footing. You get a broad introduction to adventure around Arenal rather than repeating one type of ride several times.

Starting above the rainforest with Sky Adventures

After pickup, your first stop is the Sky Adventures zip line operation. Guides provide the equipment and instructions before sending you along the course. The lines reach heights of up to 600 feet and distances of up to 2,600 feet, so this is not a mild introductory ride.

The best reward comes on a clear day. You may see Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal from the elevated course, and one account even describes spotting spider monkeys near a station. The views are a key reason to choose this particular combo, but keep your expectations tied to the weather. Rain can soften the mountain and lake views, though the zip line still operates in wet conditions.

A tram ride carries you upward in part of the Sky Adventures experience, adding another chance to look across the forest and toward the lake. The course is designed for excitement, but the guides keep the process orderly. That matters if you are nervous about heights or have never used a zip line before.

I would wear long shorts, capris, or lightweight long pants here. Shorts work, but longer clothing offers more protection from harness straps and the ride itself. Apply sunscreen before starting, even though sections of the course are shaded. A small fanny pack may be useful if permitted by the zip line staff, but larger belongings should go in a locker.

Lunch and a useful break at Pure Trek

After the zip lines, transportation takes you to Pure Trek’s base offices and gardens. You can change clothes there before lunch, which is welcome because the canyoning portion will soon make you wet again.

The included meal is a Costa Rican-style lunch. The meal described by the operator includes arroz con pollo, beans, salad, and fresh fruit juice, with papaya and pineapple mentioned in the meal details. The portion is substantial enough to serve as a real midday meal rather than a quick snack.

This stop also breaks up the day. You have time to eat, use the facilities, and prepare for the second activity. Since the canyoning requires more physical work than simply sitting in a harness, eating before the next transfer is useful.

Lockers and Wi-Fi are available at the base offices. I would leave your phone and camera secured for the canyon. The photographer takes pictures during the rappels, and carrying a personal device around waterfalls and ropes creates more hassle than it is worth. Photos are sold separately, so include that possible extra cost in your budget if you want action shots.

Riding into the mountains for the canyon

After lunch, the group drives about 20 minutes out of La Fortuna, then continues into the mountains in 4×4 trucks. The road offers views of the forest and Arenal Volcano before you reach the ranch house where the canyoning team prepares you.

This transfer is part of the appeal. You are leaving town and moving into a more remote-feeling forest setting, though the activity remains professionally organized. At the ranch, guides fit your helmet, harness, and other equipment and explain how to work with the ropes.

The canyoning section includes waterfall rappels, a canyon-wall rappel, the Monkey Drop, and a rock climb. Several accounts describe four waterfalls, with the first one being especially tall. That opening descent sets the tone quickly. You do not spend the first hour on a tiny practice wall before the main event.

The guides control the rope and belay you as you descend. Your task is to listen, keep your feet against the rock, and follow the instructions. The safety setup is a major strength of the experience. Multiple backup systems are visible, and the guides focus closely on each person as they move down.

What the Monkey Drop actually adds

The Monkey Drop is the signature feature of the canyoning portion. It combines a short zip line with a rappel, giving you a sudden change from gliding across space to lowering yourself down the canyon wall.

That combination feels different from a standard waterfall descent. You are not simply walking to an edge and stepping backward. The Monkey Drop adds a quick burst of motion and a change in position, which is why it is often remembered as the wildest part of the course.

You also complete a rock climb within the canyon. The climbing is part of a larger route that includes wet rock, waterfalls, and forest rather than a separate indoor-style climbing wall. You should expect to use your legs and arms, but the guides manage the ropes and route.

Safety is handled well, but you still need to do your part

The strongest feature of this outing is the guide team. The equipment is described as high quality, and the belaying is handled with care. Guides are patient with people who are frightened, and assistance is available when a child is too small to manage a zip line alone.

That does not make the course effortless. You still need to follow instructions, handle some walking, and stay calm around height and moving water. A moderate fitness level is required, and the uphill sections are more demanding than some people expect.

The canyon is shaded, so you are not exposed to full sun all day. The tradeoff is wet footing and uneven trails. Closed-toe water shoes or sturdy closed-toe sandals with strong grip are the best choice. Chacos or Keens were specifically recommended by one participant, while ordinary smooth-soled shoes would be a poor match.

You may wear glasses if you need them to see, but glasses can be awkward during the zip line and canyoning. Secure them carefully if you bring them. Contact lens wearers and prescription-glasses users should decide based on their own needs, since the equipment and water create a real chance of losing loose eyewear.

Clothes that make the day easier

You should dress for two separate activities, but pack with the canyon in mind. You will get wet, and the clothing should dry quickly.

Good choices include:

• Quick-drying shorts, capris, or lightweight long pants
• A swimsuit or moisture-friendly base layer
• Closed-toe water shoes with good grip
• A spare change of dry clothes
• Minimal jewelry and no loose accessories

Longer shorts or pants help protect your legs from harness straps and wet rock. One useful tip is to choose the longest shorts you own if you prefer shorts, though quick-drying capris or long pants may be more comfortable during the canyon walk.

Do not bring your phone into the waterfall section unless the guides specifically allow it and you have proper waterproof protection. The official photographer covers the canyoning action, and free lockers are available at the base offices.

Transport, timing, and group size

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at selected La Fortuna hotels. It begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point, listed as Pure Trek Canyoning, 300 meters northeast of Hotel Volcano Lodge in La Fortuna. If your accommodation is not on the pickup list, you may need to reach the meeting point yourself.

Transportation is provided between the hotel, zip line operation, Pure Trek base, lunch, and canyon. The vans are described as clean and timely, and some arrangements may allow a drop-off at a different location if the operator can accommodate it. Confirm that request before relying on it for an evening plan.

The maximum group size is 50 people. That is a fairly large upper limit, though the activities themselves may divide people into smaller working groups. If you strongly prefer a small private outing, ask about the operating group on your date before booking.

This experience operates in all weather conditions. Rain is normal in the La Fortuna rainforest, and wet conditions may make the canyon feel even more natural, but they can also reduce volcano visibility and make footing feel harder. Dress for rain and do not build a tight evening schedule around the advertised eight-hour length.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this combo if you want a full action day and like the idea of trying two headline activities without arranging separate bookings. It suits couples, families with older children who meet the operator’s requirements, groups of friends, and solo participants who do not want to organize a complicated day alone.

It is also a good fit if you are nervous about heights but willing to try. Several people who began frightened found that clear instructions, patient guides, and visible backup systems helped them continue. The experience is not height-free, though. You will be high above the forest on the zip lines and suspended beside waterfalls in the canyon.

I would think twice if you dislike getting wet, have trouble walking uphill, or want a relaxed sightseeing day. The lunch and transfers make the day easier, but they do not reduce the physical demands of the canyon.

Is the $259 price fair?

The price makes sense for the right person. You are paying for about eight hours of organized activity, two operators, professional equipment, transportation, lunch, and a full canyoning route with a photographer present.

It is less compelling if you only want one short zip line ride or if waterfall rappelling sounds like an activity you may abandon. The combo is built around doing both, so the best value comes when you are ready to commit to the whole day.

I also like that lunch and selected-hotel transfers are included. Those details reduce the need to arrange meals and transport between separate attractions. Photos cost extra, but you can decide after seeing the images.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made later, as well as late changes, are not refunded under the stated policy.

Should you book this La Fortuna combo?

Book it if you want a serious, well-organized adventure day with broad volcano views in the morning and close-up waterfall action after lunch. The Monkey Drop, four waterfall rappels, and strong guide supervision give the canyoning a clear identity beyond a standard zip line package.

Skip it if you want gentle activity, dislike wet clothes, or are not prepared for uphill walking. For everyone else, this is a strong use of one day in La Fortuna, especially if your schedule is short and you want both the high forest views and the raw excitement of a rainforest canyon.

FAQ

How long does the Pure Trek Canyoning and Sky Trek combo last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Where does the activity start?

The listed meeting point is Pure Trek Canyoning, 300 meters northeast of Hotel Volcano Lodge in La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected La Fortuna hotels only.

What activities are included?

The day includes Sky Adventures zip lining, Pure Trek waterfall canyoning, waterfall rappels, the Monkey Drop, a rock climb, transportation between activity locations, lunch, and professional guides.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at Pure Trek Canyoning after the zip line portion and before canyoning.

What food is served for lunch?

The meal is described as a Costa Rican typical lunch, including arroz con pollo, beans, salad, and fresh fruit juice. Papaya and pineapple juice are mentioned in the meal details.

Do I need to be physically fit?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The canyoning includes hiking between rappels and uphill walking back toward the top of the valley.

Does the tour operate when it rains?

Yes. The activity operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately for rain and wet conditions.

Are photos included in the price?

A photographer is present for the canyoning section, but the photos are available for purchase separately.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.