Anna is a co-founder of Adventure in You and has been traveling the world for the last 9 years. She has spent time living in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain and is our local expert in these areas. Her expertise on travel, gear, and building businesses have been featured on Foundr, Business Insider, Yahoo Travel, and more.
While ziplining is a super fun and easy activity, let’s face it, it’s easy to look like a complete newbie and idiot. Like the time I started attaching my harness the wrong way around…or the time I showed up with a raging hangover only to be hung upside down across this high ravine. So without further ado, here are a few of our personal tips on how not to look like an idiot while ziplining.
Trust me, I’ve been there and it is NOT pleasant. At no point is zooming down cliffs and canopies fun when you’re hungover. So if you have plans on ziplining the next day, do yourself a favor. Go home early, lock your doors and get a good night’s sleep. Not only will you enjoy the experience more but you would also be able to fully appreciate your surroundings better. Although I am smiling in this photo below…I am secretly crying inside.
✨The 1 Thing We Never Leave Home Without…✨
Coming from someone who has been traveling the world for the last 8 years AND has been in the hospital 2x, travel insurance is something everyone NEEDS to get. Get a quote below!
Flip flops, mini skirts, short shorts…if at any point you think ziplining while wearing any of those things is a good idea, please think again. When you go ziplining, full body harnesses which wrap around your legs and go over your shoulders are placed. Wearing longer shorts or light trekking pants just make things a lot more comfortable. Closed shoes are also a must in some places. Otherwise, you would have to strap your flip flops on your harness every time you go shooting across a canyon which is a pain for the operators. Mini skirts….I think you get the picture.
Don’t Block off the Safety Instructions
I’m pretty sure that everyone reading this is guilty of blocking off the safety instructions given at the start of every plane ride. You’ve heard one before so you think every other one will be the same. Let me tell you what…they’re not. Some specifically have special safety instructions for specific lines that they have. Word of advice- listen carefully! You are hanging by a few ropes and cords while sliding down steep canyons and ravines after all.
We've scoured the internet for the best ALL-AROUND travel shoe and Tropicfeel wins by far. We've taken ours through rivers, jungles, and cities and they're still alive and kickin'. Check them out below.
Don’t Turn Up with A Million Accesories and Gadgets
When ziplining, it’s best to keep it simple. Tie your hair up in a pony tail, ditch the bracelets and bangles, and make sure you don’t have your keys or any sharp objects with you. If you wear glasses, make sure you have a strap to hold them up, otherwise, contact lenses are a better option. All these unnecessary accessories can just get in the way of your harness and other safety equipment. If you’re carrying a camera with you, make sure that it is properly secured. Wrap the strap around your hand (twice) to make sure it’s safe and secure.
Don’t Take a Million Selfies
While part of the fun of ziplining is being able to say “hey, I went ziplining yesterday”, don’t get caught up taking a million and one selfies. Instead, snap a few shots and take the time to appreciate the scenery. Gaze at that river below. Take in the waterfalls to your left. Look at the dangerously steep canyon and lush forest. Part of the experience of these ziplining tours is being able to enjoy the exotic wildlife around you. If you’re too engrossed taking selfies, you might miss out on the Gibbons, birds, and other wild animals that you might be able to spot during the tour.
While all of this seems pretty basic, you would be surprised at how many people have that awkward “I-don’t-know-what-to-do-face” while ziplining. However, after discussing all the things not to do while ziplining, here are a few of our tips on what to do!
As mentioned earlier, although ziplining is relatively safe, you are still dependent on equipment and the company’s safety regulations (if they even have any!) While there is currently no national standards for zipline construction and operations, basic things like examining the condition of the equipment and checking for the company’s safety record is a small step to take to ensure your safety. Surprisingly, ziplining can be quite dangerous (and even lethal in some cases) so going with a reputable company who has the best standards in safety is the way to go.
Do Lather on the Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent
Although it might not seem like much, you are still out in the sun for a while when ziplining and although you are often covered by treetops, putting on a layer of sunscreen is still a good reminder (your future self will give you a high five for it!) While you’re at it, spray on the insect sparay as after all, you are deep in the jungle. I made this mistake once while ziplining in Ecuador. The result? Hundreds of small forest fly bites which were itchy as hell for weeks to come.
Do Enjoy
The best part about ziplining is it is literally a no brainer activity. You don’t have to be a super athlete to do it, nor do you have to have the endurance of a bull. All you have to do is strap on some balls as you let go and enjoy every part of the experience.
Want to take it to the next level? Check out our skydiving articles all around the world
