# Canopy and zipline tours near Santa Teresa and Montezuma > There are 2 main zipline options near Santa Teresa: Canopy Mal País, a short 11-platform course on a forest farm by the Cabo Blanco reserve, and the waterfall canopy in Montezuma run by Sun Trails, which crosses above the Montezuma falls. Pick Mal País for a quick, easy outing close to town, or Montezuma if you want to pair ziplining with a waterfall swim. Source: https://www.santa-teresa.com/canopy-tours/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Closest course: Canopy Mal País, near the Cabo Blanco reserve entrance south of Mal País Canopy Mal País: 11 platforms, 5 to 30 meters up, about 1 hour 15 minutes Waterfall canopy: Sun Trails in Montezuma, with a route above the Montezuma waterfalls Wear: Closed shoes and comfortable clothes; swimwear if your tour includes the falls Age and weight limits: Not published on the operators' main pages; ask when you book ## The short answer Santa Teresa isn't a big zipline town, which is part of its charm. There's no huge adventure park with 20 cables. Instead you've got 2 good, compact options within reach: - **[Canopy Mal País](/canopy-mal-pais/)**, at the southern end of the coast near the [Cabo Blanco reserve](/cabo-blanco-national-park/). It's the closest, and it fits easily into a half day. - **The Montezuma waterfall canopy**, run by Sun Trails on the other side of the peninsula, where the route runs above the [Montezuma waterfalls](/montezuma-waterfall/). Both are guided. You don't need experience, just a reasonable head for heights and enough fitness to walk between platforms. ## Canopy Mal País Canopy Mal País, also called Canopy del Pacífico, sits on a forested farm close to the entrance of the Cabo Blanco reserve, past the village of [Mal País](/mal-pais/). The operator says the farm has more than 200 species of trees, so you're riding through real forest rather than over cleared land. The course has 11 platforms built into large trees, between 5 and 30 meters off the ground, linked by steel cables that add up to nearly a mile. 2 runs get special mention on the official site: a 300-meter crossing over a canyon and a 500-meter line that follows a creek through the forest. The whole tour takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. It's a good pick if you: - Want something short you can fit around a surf session or a beach afternoon - Are travelling with kids or a mixed group of first-timers - Plan to hike Cabo Blanco the same day, since they're close together You can book through the official website, by phone or by WhatsApp. Read more on our [Canopy Mal País page](/canopy-mal-pais/). ## The Montezuma waterfall canopy Montezuma, about 45 minutes' drive from Santa Teresa on the gulf side of the peninsula, has its own canopy tour on the river above the famous falls. It's run by Sun Trails, a Montezuma tour company that also runs transport and other tours; the easiest way to reach them is through [Sun Trails on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/suntrails_cr/). Zuma Tours in Montezuma also sells a waterfall canopy tour. What makes this one different is the setting. The route runs through forest above the waterfalls, and past guests describe stopping to swim in the falls during the tour. Reviewers also mention plenty of steep steps and climbs between sections, so it's more physical than a simple platform-to-platform course. It's a good pick if you: - Want to combine ziplining and a waterfall swim in one outing - Are happy with some steep walking in the heat - Plan to spend the rest of the day in Montezuma village Ask Sun Trails when you book whether swimming is part of the tour that day, how long it runs and where to meet. River levels change with the seasons. ## ATV and zipline combos If you'd rather make a whole day of it, 2 local ATV companies sell tours that include a zipline. [Pacific Dirt Road Adventures](/pacific-dirt-road-adventures/) at Playa Carmen has an 8-hour combo with the Montezuma falls, a nature reserve hike and a zipline, and [Savannah X-Treme Tours](/savannah-x-treme-tours/) offers an ATV and zipline tour. See our [ATV guide](/atv-tours/) for more. ## What to wear and bring Neither operator publishes a full packing list on its main page, so this is common sense rather than house rules: - **Closed shoes** that stay on, like trainers or sports sandals with a heel strap. Flip-flops are a bad idea. - **Comfortable clothes** you can move in. Shorts or light trousers work better than a skirt or dress under a harness. - **Swimwear under your clothes** for the Montezuma tour, plus a small towel in a backpack that sits snugly. - **Insect repellent and sunscreen**, put on before you arrive. - **Water**, especially in the dry season. - **Hair tied back** and no dangling jewellery. Leave valuables at your hotel. If you want photos, ask the guides what they allow. A loose phone dropped from 30 meters is a phone you won't see again. ## Age, weight and health Neither Canopy Mal País nor Sun Trails publishes minimum ages or weight limits on its main page. If you're bringing young children, or if anyone in your group is close to typical zipline weight limits, ask when you book rather than finding out at the platform. The same goes for pregnancy, back or heart problems, and recent injuries: every zipline has its own rules, and guides will want to know. ## Booking tips - **High season (December to April):** book a day or 2 ahead, particularly for groups. - **Rainy season (May to November):** tours usually run, but mornings tend to be drier. Ask about cancellations for heavy weather. - **Transport:** Canopy Mal País is a short drive from Mal País; for Montezuma, ask whether the operator includes pickup from Santa Teresa or arrange a [shuttle](/shuttle-services/). - **Combine it:** pair Canopy Mal País with [Cabo Blanco](/cabo-blanco-national-park/) (closed Monday and Tuesday), or the Montezuma canopy with lunch in the village. Our [day trips guide](/day-trips-from-santa-teresa/) has more ideas. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which zipline is closest to Santa Teresa? Canopy Mal País, near the Cabo Blanco reserve entrance at the south end of the coast. It's a short drive from Mal País. ### How long does the Canopy Mal País tour take? About 1 hour 15 minutes, according to the operator. ### Can you swim at the Montezuma waterfall canopy? Past guests describe swimming in the falls during the Sun Trails tour. Confirm with the operator when you book, since conditions change. ### Is there a minimum age for ziplining? The operators don't publish one on their main pages. Ask when you book, especially for young children. ### What should I wear? Closed shoes, comfortable clothes and sunscreen. Add swimwear for the Montezuma waterfall tour.