People travel for various reasons.
Some travel to fill up the pages of the passport and check out awesome travel destinations, such as Tokyo, Japan and Stone Town, Tanzania. Others hop on a plane or hit the road to temporarily get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Then, there are travelers who follow the You Only Live Once (YOLO) philosophy. They’re adventure travelers. People who are into adventure travel seek out road-less-traveled and out-of-the-ordinary vacations or trip itineraries. They usually opt for extreme sports activities or something that requires significant effort and involve some degree of risk.
If you’re a thrill-seeker looking to do something grand or awesome in your next vacation, consider adding bungee jumping to your travel itinerary.
Is Bungee Jumping Safe?
Asking this question is perfectly fine. After all, this activity has risks involved.
The likelihood of a bungee jumping accident is approximately 1 in 500,000. This is pretty low when you compare this extreme sport to other recreational activities. The probability of a hang-gliding accident, for instance, is 1 in 560.
If you’re trying out this extreme sport for the first time, take note of the following safety pointers to minimize the risk of harm coming to you:
- If the bungee jumping location doesn’t feel right, back out. Follow your inner voice.
- Only sign up with a reputable bungee jumping service. Google them and find out what people are saying about the experience.
- Check if the company you’ve signed up for abides by the local bungee jumping
- Check first with your doctor before seriously considering this extreme sport. Individuals with hypertension, seizures or other medical problems shouldn’t take part in this sport.
What Does Bungee Jumping Feel Like?
Bungee jumping experiences differ from one person to another, but this is how many people would describe the activity from beginning to end:
- Possible panic and nerves before you jump
- Screaming, adrenaline-powered fear and massive euphoria as you fall
- Smooth jerk back up and boisterous laughter
- (While hanging) feeling calm but buzzing at the same time
- A feeling of an insane natural high (and the desire to do everything all over again) for the rest of the day
Why Should You Try Bungee Jumping?
Having second thoughts about giving this action-filled recreational activity a shot? Here are a few reasons to take the leap of faith:
Feel Truly Alive
This reason may sound cheesy, but bungee jumping gives you that adrenaline rush that starts even before the jump.
Once you’ve completed the plunge, your body will release endorphins, also known as feel-good hormones. They’ll give you a feeling of euphoria. When combined with adrenaline, this will make you feel truly alive, happy and even fulfilled.
Make Memories
The whole bungee jumping experience will be one that you’ll remember for months or even years to come. Every time you rewatch the video or look at the photos, the experience will come flooding back as if you leaped yesterday.
Take Pride in Your Achievement
Not everyone is courageous enough to take the proverbial leap of faith. Bungee jumping is a major personal achievement and definitely gives you bragging rights over your friends, family and colleagues at work.
Having completed this adrenaline-pumping activity isn’t something to be quiet about. Be proud of yourself and let the world know of your accomplishments.
What are the Bungee Jumping Locations in the World?
Are you ready to test your courage or overcome your fear of heights? Add these bungee jumping destinations to your travel bucket list:
1. SkyJump
Location: The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod – Las Vegas, NV
Vegas, baby!
This popular travel destination isn’t just for gamblers. It also attracts adventure travelers and people looking to try something different.
SkyJump is an open-air, scream-inducing and heart-pounding leap from 829 feet above the Neon Strip. Although this is less of a bungee jump and more of a controlled free fall, the exhilaration of taking the leap is the same — just without the bouncing.
If you want to do extreme sports while in Las Vegas, bungee jumping may just be the activity for you.
2. Macau Tower
Location: Macau, China
Macau, just like Las Vegas, isn’t all about gambling and casinos. This tourist destination attracts adrenaline junkies, as well. Jumpers plunge from a platform 764 feet and enjoy a thrilling free-fall before slowing down 98 feet above the ground.
3. Bloukrans Bridge
Location: Western Cape, South Africa
This bridge in South Africa is the highest commercial natural bungee jump in the globe. Taking a leap from this spot offers a double dose of thrill — bridge walks surrounded by South African wilderness along with a leap from its infamous jumping pod.
4. Verzasca Dam
Location: Ticino, Switzerland
At 721 feet, the Verzasca Dam is a bungee jumping location that lets you test your leaping nerves in the wee hours of the night. The dam is well-lit with floodlights — and sometimes the moon.
5. Niouc Bridge
Location: Val d’Anniviers, Switzerland
Switzerland is also home to the highest bungee jump from a suspended bridge in Europe. Adrenaline junkies need the courage to simultaneously leap AND swing in all directions. This knife-edge bridge provides a shaky but exhilarating experience.
6. The Last Resort
Location: Bhote Kosi River, Nepal
Don’t let the name fool you. This won’t be the last time you’ll want to leap from the longest suspension bridge in Nepal. Taking a plunge will give you an upside-down but spectacular view of the Bhote Kosi River.
7. Navajo Bridge
Location: Marble Canyon, Arizona
This stunning bridge is one of the highest bridges in the United States. It’s ideal for true adrenaline seekers, as it provides mesmerizing views of the Colorado River.
8. Longqing Gorge Bungee
Location: Beijing, China
This bungee jumping destination is famous for the distinctive elevator people use to get from the bottom to the top of the dam. Jumpers will love the vast landscape dotted with temples, waterfalls and grottos before soaring into the grand abyss.
9. Danube Tower
Location: Vienna, Austria
The Danube Tower, locally known as the concrete needle, is the tallest structure in Austria. Jumping from the bungee deck of this soaring pinnacle will give you breathtaking views of the Danube River.
10. Volcano Bungee
Location: Pucon, Chile
You might be saying right now, “Jumping into a volcano? Are you crazy?”
Not to a few brave (and sometimes crazy) adventure travelers and extreme sports enthusiasts.
A company in Chile will fly you 10,000 feet up in a helicopter. Then, they’ll drop you above melting hot lava for 375 feet. You’ll be suspended hundreds of feet from the active Villarricca volcano, allowing you to have an up-close-and-personal view of the fiery landscape.
Bungee jumping is a recreational activity that’s not for the faint of heart. If you want to test your mettle, though, this extreme sport may just be the activity that will make your next holiday or vacation more memorable.