Over the years that I’ve traveled I’ve had the chance to do some amazing zip-lining. And so I wondered what are some of the best zip-lining tours in the world? I’ve decided to list some of the best places to zip-line drawing from some of my experiences and some I’ve read about. But first what makes a great zip-lining experience? After looking at numeous zip-lining videos, these are essential for a great zip-lining experience…

Tips for a better zip-lining experience:

It’s all about the height. The more height does mean the more climbing there will be but the rewards are more fun. Dropping down 300 feet and going the length of 3 football fields is a really good zip-lining experience. It seems mountainous regions give the best zip-lining.
Distance is the key. You want to have great distances so that you can soar for a long time. Usually the last zip-line on a tour will be the highest and the furthest that you’ll travel and some of them are more than a mile long.
Experience from the staff. Although it’s rare for a fatality, injuries are actually pretty common. Each company and country has different rules for what they feel like is best. You want to zip-line with a company who takes pride in the job.
Location, Location, Location. You need a beautiful background when zip lining to have an amazing experience. Seems like cliffs, canyons, snow, water, and mountains do the trick!

So here are some of the best zip-lining tours in the world.

Zip 2000, Sun City, South Africa

Never been to South Africa but this looks like a must when I do visit. This zip-lining experience, operated by Zip 2000, claims to have the longest zip-lining experience in the world and one of the fastest, if not the fastest. From the video it really does seem that this zip-lining experience would be unique as you barrel through a barren landscape from a mountain.

ZipWorld, North Wales, UK

Apparently the UK decided to one up the Sun City experience and now they claim to have the fastest and longest zip-lining experience in the world. This one in North Wales looks very fast from the videos I’ve seen and starts on a mountain edge while zipping through an old quarry. Simply a unique zip-lining experience that would be hard to experience anywhere else.

Superfly Zip-lines, Whistler, Canada

I just went to Whistler and this opened this year! And I’m sad that I didn’t even realize this zip-lining tour was here. It seems that Whistler is really stepping up it’s activities and offers all sorts of outdoor fun. Knowing that Whistler is simply breathtaking, I’m sure this zip-lining experience would be a real treat. Next time, Whistler, next time.

ZipRider, Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska

I just went to Juneau but didn’t do this tour and now I wish I had! Only 30 minutes from Juneau, Alaska, this zip-lining experience is different from the usual zip-lining experiences I’ve done. It seems you sit and coast all the way down which is great because it gives you the opportunity to take pictures and videos. And look at the views while coasting down! Alaska really offers some of the best photo and video opportunities you’ll ever get the chance to take.

ZipFlyer, Sarangkot, Nepal

Ok I’ve been to Nepal but never traveled near Pokhara, where the ZipFlyer is. It’s hard to get to these mountainous regions but it’s worth it as the Himalayas are in a league of their own in terms of beauty and grandeur. Honestly this zip-line looks pretty scary for people who fear heights but downright exhilarating with a drop of 2,000 feet! Look at the views on the website. Surely an unforgettable experience.

Flight of the Gibbon, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Anytime you zip-line over a rainforest, it will be a treat! This zip-lining tour in Thailand is one of the most popular zip-lining experiences in Asia because they offer a great range of zip-lines as well as climbing and other activities. The whole tour is really quite impressive. Even the reality show The Amazing Race went with this company and zip-lined as part of a race challenge.

Zip-lining Adventure Tour, Jamaica

Jamaica is a crazy but one essential Caribbean country that people must go to. From Montego Bay, I took the Zip-lining Adventure Tour which has one of the longest zip-line lengths in the Caribbean. It offers 5 zip-lines at a reasonable price and can be easily done within a few hours. So if you’re coming on a cruise you can easily do this tour within the time you have. Cruises usually use this company when docking!

Skyline Eco Adventures, Maui, Hawaii

Skyline Eco Adventures has zip-lining tours on several of the Hawaiian Islands but you can go to 2 zip-lines locations if you’re traveling to the island of Maui. I tried the Haleakala Maui Zip-line and remembered long zip-lining and exceptional views through the Maui Rainforest. The Ka’anapali Zip-line looks awesome because you zip-line near the rocky coast.

ZipRider, Grindelwald, Switzerland

This is the same company that operates from Icy Strait Point and the same type of experience. You sit in the seat and zip all the way down the mountain over cute little Swiss homes. The videos are impressive and if you’re going to zip-line in Europe you want to have beautiful mountains and green pastures on your way down. One of the longest and highest in the world, this zip-lining experience is a favorite among travelers.

Treetop Adventure Park, St. Lucia

I took this tour back in 2011 and really loved it. Treetop Adventure Park is rated the number 1 thing to do on TripAdvisor while in St. Lucia and offers a whole range of zip-lines. For the price, I remember you get a lot of zip-lining time and a very long and fast zip-line at the end of the tour. It’s not far from Castries but you will have to get arrangements so you can drive to Dennery. The drive alone is worth the trip because you stop through lush rainforests and sometimes get to taste cacao plants.

Canopy Tour, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Love Costa Rica! The people are friendly and the landscapes are just beautiful. The Canopy Tour, near the Arenal Volcano, is a very unique zip-lining experience and one of the top zip-lines in the world. People get to glide through canyons and rain-forest and have a chance to learn about the rain-forest around them. The longest cable is a half-mile long and you fly almost 600 feet above the ground. While you’re in the area check out the skytram as well! All are great activities to do while in Costa Rica.