- Flying through the air with the greatest of ease
- A long hike in the jungle to get to the zip lines is a terrific and picturesque warm up
- The drive up a steep road through tiny jungle villages is enlightening and very photogenic
- Primal screaming while whipping through the jungle on a tether is unbelievably energizing
- Offers a unique perspective on Jamaica's wild side
- Large groups can mean delays between zip-line stations
- Long, calf-burning walks up and down steep stairs in rugged terrain
- Cost is steep for a few hours' experience, of which only a minute or so is cumulatively spent in air
- Bugs, bugs, bugs, at certain times of the season; BRING SPRAY!
- Children under 10, pregnant women and anyone over 264 pounds not allowed
- Address: Ocho Rios, Jamaica (resort and cruise-port pickups available)
- Phone: 877-424-8552
- Admission: $88 per person
- Hours: Two daily excursions by advance reservation only
- Other amenities: Shopping, snacks at company’s way station on the trip back from jungle.
The tour begins with a long bus ride up a steep, bladder-busting mountain road through tiny villages and past smiling schoolchildren walking the same road to school, making you think you don’t have it so bad. The ride itself is an adventure thanks to the wonderfully entertaining and informative banter of the tour bus driver, who will stop to allow you to take pictures of the stunning coastline.
Upon arrival you’re cinched tightly into safety gear and begin a long walk down a series of steps to the first zip-line station (your calves will throb the next day unless you’re in good shape). Here, the real adventure begins. There are a series of nine traverses -- some seemingly straight down -- that take you soaring through the trees using a system of harnesses, pulleys and carabiners. Safety is key here; Chukka guides are at each end to keep things moving quickly yet safely. One drop brings you flying feet first at the face of a guide who smiles and lets you drop toward him as quickly – or slowly – as you want, as he stands on belay below you.
The traverses are of varying lengths, from 105 to 660 feet, the last one the longest. By the time you reach the end you've learned to do what the guides do -- thrust your arms and legs out wide, spin yourself upside down, and let nearby tree branches slash at you on the way by. Go for it: it doesn’t hurt and it is an absolute blast.
