Jungle
Flight
Experience the exhilaration of soaring high above the tropical canopy.
The Ultimate Rush
Ziplining is rapidly becoming one of Belize’s premier adventure activities. Originally developed by biologists in Costa Rica as a way to study the inaccessible canopy layer of the rainforest, the technology has evolved into a global eco-tourism phenomenon. In Belize, zipline courses thread spectacularly over rushing rivers, dense mahogany forests, and dramatic limestone valleys.
Suspended hundreds of feet in the air, you are clipped into a steel cable and launched across vast expanses of raw, untouched jungle canopy. The view—and the adrenaline rush—are entirely unparalleled, offering a bird's-eye perspective of an ecosystem most humans only ever see from below.
The Launch
Stepping off the platform into the void.
Defying
Gravity
Most zipline courses in Belize (often called "canopy tours") consist of a series of platforms built directly into the trunks of massive emergent trees. Between these platforms run high-tension steel aircraft cables. Riders wear a specialized climbing harness, helmet, and heavy-duty leather gloves used for braking. After a safety briefing, you clip onto the cable via a pulley system, step off the wooden platform, and gravity does the rest, accelerating you up to 30mph across the valley.
Premier Locations
While the Cayo District boasts several excellent zip lines, especially near the heavily trafficked Nohoch Che'en Archaeological Reserve, the deepest and most spectacular courses often lie to the south. Bocawina National Park in the Stann Creek district is renowned for having the longest zipline course in Belize, stretching over 2.5 miles through pristine rainforest and frequently incorporating waterfall rappelling into the itinerary.
2.5 mi
Longest Course
Double
Cable Safety System
Nohoch Che'en
Most Popular Hub
Redundant Safety Standards
A common concern for first-time zipliners is safety. Belizean tour operators adhere strictly to international safety standards established by groups like the ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology). All modern courses in Belize use a "double-cable" system. You ride on the primary tension cable, but your harness is simultaneously clipped onto a secondary, slightly slacker backup cable capable of holding thousands of pounds. Daily inspections of gear, harnesses, helmets, and cables are mandatory. You are in expert hands.
The Anatomy of a Combo Tour
Ziplining is extremely high energy but physically short—a 6-platform course might take less than an hour to complete. Because of this, ziplining is almost universally booked as a "Combo Tour." By far the most popular combination is Ziplining and Cave Tubing, as both activities use the same primary location at Nohoch Che'en. You spend the morning flying above the jungle canopy, break for a traditional rice and beans lunch, and spend the afternoon floating lazily through the subterranean rivers of the Maya underworld. It is the perfect balance of adrenaline and relaxation.
What to Wear: Avoiding the Dreaded Chafing
The climbing harnesses used for ziplining secure around your waist and tightly around the tops of your thighs. If you wear very short shorts, the thick nylon webbing can pinch or chafe against your bare skin during the ride, which becomes uncomfortable very quickly. We highly recommend wearing longer athletic shorts, leggings, or lightweight hiking pants.
Additionally, closed-toe shoes with strong laces (like sneakers or trail runners) are mandatory. Stiff-soled shoes are best, as you need them to solidly grip the wooden platforms when landing. Sandals, Crocs, and flip-flops are strictly prohibited, as they will undoubtedly fall off over the trees below.