Canyoning Tour in Jaco, Costa Rica
Are you traveling in Costa Rica and looking for activities to spice up your trip with an outdoor adventure? Canyoning in Jaco with Costa Rica Waterfall Tours might be the perfect choice for you. Here's our travel guide on the Jaco canyoning tour, which also involves rappelling, zip-lining, and hiking experience, including practical tips.
For a long time, jumping in the natural pools, canyoning, zip-lining, or rappelling the waterfalls have sounded to me like a nightmare, and I had never understood why people voluntarily signed up for this activity.
What more, they were even willing to pay for it! I am not much of an adrenaline enthusiast and never lived my life in pursuit of doing things I was not comfortable with, especially when it should have involved water and a slippery surface.
On the other hand, Martin always wanted to try an activity that was about water, jumping, and learning new skills, so when we found a company in Jaco, Costa Rica with excellent reviews, combining everything mentioned above, we decided to give it a try and signed up for a canyoning tour.
It was a big step for me, and I am so glad I overcame my fears as this tour happened to be one of the best experiences I had in Costa Rica, and it made me more confident with myself.
And this is what traveling is also about, and what we seek in it - it is not only about exploring new places, but it is also about pushing our limits, dealing with problems along the way, trying new things we are not entirely comfortable with and thanks to it we know we can solve obstacles in everyday life without stressing out.
If you plan on visiting Jaco that lies on the Pacific coast and is, by the way, a very interesting travel and surfer destination, make sure that canyoning or rappelling will be on your bucket list.
Simply put, canyoning is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica.
Here's everything you need to know about the canyoning tour in Jaco, with tips on what to expect and how to make a reservation.
ADVENTURE TOURS IN COSTA RICA
When visiting this beautiful Central American country, it can be pretty challenging to narrow down your perfect Costa Rica itinerary to get the most of your time.
Even though Costa Rica is a small country, you will be facing an unexpected difficulty: Costa Rica possesses over five percent of the world's total biodiversity, and you won't know where to jump first to see it all.
We will make it easier for you and tell you a secret: you won't be able to make it to every worthwhile place (though, you can read our guide on 11 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica) during one visit, but we will share with you an activity you shouldn't miss by no means, an experience you should immediately put on your list.
White sand beaches, volcanoes, cloud forests, jungles, waterfalls, and rain forests - that's in short, what you can experience during you trip in Costa Rica. This type of environment calls for action, and it attracts adventurous travelers who have since time immemorial arrive in the country seeking an exciting adventure.
If you are traveling along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, stop in Jaco, where you can enjoy not only relaxation on the beach and nightlife but also many adventures, same as we did.
CANYONING TOUR IN JACO, COSTA RICA
There are several things to do either directly in the coastal town or its vicinity, but in this travel guide, we would like to inspire you and tell you more about the canyoning tour that we found very entertaining.
It is always better to make a reservation in advance, as you do not need only a guide and transport, but also reliable gear. Early in the morning, we showed up in the office, where we met our two guides for today's adventure from Costa Rica Waterfall Tours, Eduardo and Joaquin.
That day it was six of us, and it turned out to be a perfect group size as the group was small enough to get to know each other, plus everything went smoothly without waiting and standing around.
We jumped on a car that took us to the company's base camp. We had a delicious traditional breakfast Gallo Pinto served on banana leaves and consisting of rice with beans, eggs, fried bananas, and beverages.
You can decide whether you prefer to join the morning or the afternoon trip. When doing canyoning later, you can expect lunch instead! I was unsure if eating before the tour is a good idea, but I appreciated it later when I had enough strength and energy for the four hours of physical activity.
After breakfast, we switched cars and continued on a 4x4 safari vehicle, alias jungle limousine, for another approximately 20 minutes. We drove up to the mountains as we needed to reach the zip-lining platform more than 300 meters above sea level. Views along the way were stunning.
One of the significant advantages of taking this tour is that it takes place in Costa Rica Waterfall Tours private property, so you won't be sharing space with other groups.
When we arrived, our guides provided us with Black Diamond gear and helped us to put it on safely. From that moment, the real adventure had started.
We were thoroughly instructed on the safe use of the equipment, and when everything was clear, we headed to the zip-lining platform, five minutes walk from the parking lot.
ZIP-LINING
Until this moment, we were probably one of the last people on the planet who had never done proper zip-lining before.
Although zip-lining is not the main attraction of this tour, it was fun. We did two zips, both about 60 meters long, over the river and surrounded by greenery. Before we knew it, we were on the other side of deep depression, and we could continue for another task.
DRY TRAINING RAPPEL
The last zip-lining platform also serves as a training place to learn the basics of rappelling. It was another first time for us (as for the rest of the group), so our guides patiently explained the technique and rules on staying safe in case we slipped or did something unexpected.
Even when you don't have any experience with rappelling, do not despair; neither did we, and we managed to do this dry rappel and another four wet ones without any trouble.
All you need to do is try to keep your legs wide and steady all the time at the angle of ninety degrees if possible (it is more like sitting and leaning backward) and steadily loosen the grip of rope you are holding behind your back. When you move wrongly or loosen your grip too fast, there is always a guide backing you up, so it is almost impossible to get hurt.
When the training was over, we had to rappel down the rock one by one. It was an awesome feeling when my feet touched the ground, and from this moment, I knew that I would be able to finish the tour and, more importantly, enjoy it.
CLIFF JUMPING
We walked a short distance right after we got safely through the dry rappel and soon reached a small waterfall falling into a deep natural pool.
Here we had two options (when we don't count an alternative not to jump at all): jump from a platform four meters high or almost ten meters high one. I made it from the lower cliff but knew that, the higher one would be too much, so I did not even climb there. But Martin, a guy from our group, and our guides made it bravely from the nine meters (30 ft) high platform!
Remember that no one will ever press you to do anything you don't feel comfortable with; you should only jump from your free will!
WATERFALL RAPPELLING
After jumping off the cliff, it was finally time for conquering four rappels through the waterfalls.
Prepare yourself to get wet here! We visited Jaco during summer, which is the dry season, but there was still enough water running down as this cascade never dries out.
The advantage of doing rappelling in this area, especially in the summer, is that the water is not that cold; it is refreshing - and we do not mean sarcastically refreshing as we used to say on the Galapagos Islands.
The first section out of the four was quite challenging as we were still getting used to the movements and did not exactly know what we can expect and how slippery the surface will be, but the lower we descended, the more confident we felt with every step.
First, two parts are a bit longer than the last two sections, but the shorter ones are, on the other hand, a bit steeper.
When we finished the last section, we all agreed that we wouldn't mind carry on for even longer, but unfortunately, our time was almost up.
In case you already know this adventure is for you, but looking for something even more challenging, you don't need to book the classic Canyoning Tour, but perhaps another product called Extreme Canyoneering would be the right choice for you.
HIKING IN THE RAINFOREST
After the best and most sought-after activity, we had to hike back to the car.
The hike was quite short - it took us approximately 20 minutes to get to the starting point, but it was considerably steep with many steps on the way. But as our guides said, this is also part of the adventure, and we couldn't agree more.
After we got back to the vehicle, we drove to the basecamp, where we switched cars, and our guides drove us to Jaco.
Then we had to do only one thing - check off canyoning from our bucket list and feel overly satisfied with ourselves.
FAUNA & FLORA
During the canyoning tour with Costa Rica Waterfall Tours, you will not only enjoy the exciting physical activity but will also have a chance to observe Costa Rica's diverse and spectacular flora and fauna.
Both our guides were incredibly knowledgeable, and it was clear that if they had decided to quit their jobs, they could undoubtedly have become naturalists guides in a heartbeat.
During our short time in the reserve, we could see a white hawk, beautifully colored toucans, a green dart poisonous frog, or morpho butterflies - hope you will be as lucky as we were.
WHAT TO PACK
It is absolutely up to you what you want to wear during the tour - anything you feel comfortable in and any clothing that you do not mind getting wet.
Also, keep in mind, that the weather in Jaco is hot and humid year-round.
I wore a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts with a swimsuit underneath, and think it was a wise combination.
Martin wore only a t-shirt and swimsuit.
It is possible to rappel the waterfalls in water shoes, regular runners, or even barefoot.
If you plan on taking pictures, use a waterproof dry bag for your camera, phone or simply bring GoPro.
In case you don't have it, there were several dry bags we could borrow at the basecamp.
WHERE TO STAY IN JACO
Jaco is a famous beach city in Costa Rican among travelers and locals. Therefore, finding a room, especially when traveling on a budget, can be a daunting task, so plan ahead and make your reservation in advance.
The good news is that every type of traveler will, in the end, find the best spot.
For us were the most important price and location as we wanted to be within walking distance to the beach, restaurants, and bus stations. Here's a list of the best hotels in Jaco.
Budget | Selina Jaco - An unusual hotel concept you must check out when in Jaco. It offers a co-working space, and you can watch the sunset right from the hotel as it stands on the beach!
Mid-range | Bamboo Boutique Hotel - An excellent modern hotel that offers a swimming pool, terrace, and free wifi throughout the property - these are the main features of this reasonably-priced accommodation.
Luxury | Best Western Jaco Beach All Inclusive Resort - Great location on the beach, helpful staff, and the fact that you don't need to worry about anything as all meals are included make this hotel a real luxurious retreat.
GUIDES
We couldn't be happier we made a choice to go canyoning with Costa Rica Waterfall Tours as their guides were knowledgeable, easy-going, friendly, supportive, and professional.
They also spoke English well, which was important when helping us and navigating us when rappelling down the waterfalls, and explaining how to use the equipment.
We couldn't be in better hands as they went above their duties to ensure our experience will be perfect, and thanks to them, we will always keep a fond memory of canyoning in Costa Rica.
SAFETY
A great experience comes hand in hand with safety. For the whole tour, we were well-taken of and did not experience a single moment that could lead to an injury.
We were in a harness and attached all the time to a rope, even when we were waiting for our turn.
Of course, the rule of thumb is always to pay attention and not to get distracted by members of your group. Once it is your turn, focus on yourself and your strength - this is the way how to stay safe.
GEAR
In this case, safety is tightly connected with the gear quality, which we had to trust entirely as the gear is included in the tour price. We had excellent gear from the harness to a helmet, ropes, and gloves during our tour.
The equipment looked new, so we knew we could rely on it entirely. We mention it here specifically, as it is not a norm, especially in South and Central America.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
IS THE TOUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY?
People of all ages can join the canyoning tour, so this activity is without exaggerating for the whole family! So far, the youngest participant was a seven-year-old boy and the oldest 78 years young legend!
You don't need to worry that you won't make it - no experience is necessary, and all you need is a slight sense of adventure.
In case you have any doubts regarding your age or your health, contact the Costa Rica Waterfalls Tour directly and discuss your situation with them. Employees will always be ready to help, give you advice and find the most suitable tour for you!
COSTA RICA WATERFALL TOURS INFORMATION
To make a reservation or ask any question you have, fill out this contact form or send them an email directly.
Costa Rica Waterfalls Tour offers more than this particular tour, so if you find this adventure either too extreme or too easy, there is always an alternative that will be suitable for you.
If you prefer using Getyourguide for your reservations, you can book the tour directly here: Jaco: Canyoning and Canopy Tour.
This post was written in collaboration with Costa Rica Waterfall Tours. As always, all opinions are our own.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
