Canopy Tours
Jul 15th, 2003, 05:04 PM
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My fiance and I are going to Costa Rica in January. I've done a little research on this and it looks like you want to stick with The Original Canopy Tours canopytour.com. They have the best reputation, which is important since CT's aren't regulated in Costa Rica. Have a great time!
Jul 15th, 2003, 07:50 PM
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Hi
My fiance and I used Skytrek based out of Monterverde. It's a more modern and new establishment that is well run with good guides. Also, the guides are much more cautious with everyone, not letting them run into trees and things. (This can happen if someone is riding a zip cord to another tree stand and there is no one there to stop them, or slow them down.)Also, their zip lines are higher up in the trees than Canopy Tours.
Contrary to Goppers posting, we have actually not heard that great of things about Canopy Tours, but that was just from hearing about a few people's experiences so don't let that taint your view.
I would recommend Skytrek over any other company. Have fun!
My fiance and I used Skytrek based out of Monterverde. It's a more modern and new establishment that is well run with good guides. Also, the guides are much more cautious with everyone, not letting them run into trees and things. (This can happen if someone is riding a zip cord to another tree stand and there is no one there to stop them, or slow them down.)Also, their zip lines are higher up in the trees than Canopy Tours.
Contrary to Goppers posting, we have actually not heard that great of things about Canopy Tours, but that was just from hearing about a few people's experiences so don't let that taint your view.
I would recommend Skytrek over any other company. Have fun!
Jul 16th, 2003, 07:03 AM
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These type of "tours" are fun once. We did the "Original Canopy Tour" in Fortuna. We felt very secure in the expertise of the staff. Flying by so fast was a disappointment for me, but the kids liked it. This year we are going to skip the Canopy Tour and do "The Hanging Bridges". I hear there are several places in Costa Rica that have these bridge networks in the tree tops. I'm sure you can see more, and go at a much slower pace. The Canopy tours are more "adventure sport" than "tour". It's cool once.
Jul 16th, 2003, 09:41 AM
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Selvatura is another good outfit with operations at Monteverde. In addition to the canopy tour, their complex contains hanging bridges, a hummingbird garden and Central America's largest butterfly garden.
Anita is right: these operations are more an adventure sport, but won't give you much opportunity to take in the vista of the cloudforest canopy. For that, you need to do one of the bridge tours.
Anita is right: these operations are more an adventure sport, but won't give you much opportunity to take in the vista of the cloudforest canopy. For that, you need to do one of the bridge tours.
Jul 17th, 2003, 05:20 AM
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If you are the least nervous about heights, don't do it! Even though its perfectly safe, I hated every second of the canopy tour. I had been told by everyone who had done the tour that it was great, but unfortunately, I could't get past the height thing and could't wait for it to be over!
Jul 22nd, 2003, 06:50 PM
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I've done Original Canopy Tour in Monteverde and enjoyed it. As opposed to Sky Trek (which is higher above the trees...as Cate mentioned) the Original outfit is more within the forest itself. Probably good for the slightly height-phobic.
Strongly agree with Jeff about Selvatura in Monteverde... great place. Their bridge system is fantastic; you get the real feel of the cloudforest.
Does anyone know if this is true: Someone told me that the Original Canopy tours were suing for exclusive rights to this activity (since they originated it) and that other operators are currently banned from giving tours. Is this a rumor?
Strongly agree with Jeff about Selvatura in Monteverde... great place. Their bridge system is fantastic; you get the real feel of the cloudforest.
Does anyone know if this is true: Someone told me that the Original Canopy tours were suing for exclusive rights to this activity (since they originated it) and that other operators are currently banned from giving tours. Is this a rumor?
Jul 23rd, 2003, 04:23 PM
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I have been to Costa Rica 4 times and going on my 5th. I have done several canopy tours. However, there are very few who do comply with the worldwide ruling association of Alpinism known as the ACCT based out of Michigan. Once you learn the different safety features you start looking around for them and start noticing the difference. Im very partial to 2 of them. Arenal Canopy Tour and GaiaLink's rioSPAraiso Canopy tour. The use the 1/2" steel cable, they dont grease the lines so you can move faster and then can't stop. rioSPAraiso's imported all of their equipment from all over the world and where everyone uses 1 safety clamp they use 3. They explain this to the visitors as they prepare to launch. They also have "Training cables" so you can prepare for the real thing. You cannot go by how many cables and how many platforms, go by length and height of the cables. RioSPAraiso has several in the 400 meter or 1300 ft runs at over 40 stories high deep in the jungles with the toucans flying next to you. Big difference!!
Jul 23rd, 2003, 08:50 PM
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I'm going to be in CR in a couple of weeks and will be in both the Arenal (staying at the Observatory Lodge) and Manual Antonio areas (staying up at Villa Caletas).
I'd like to do both a canopy tour and one of the hanging bridges tours. Does anyone know if both are offered in both places? Any ideas on which I should do at each location? It's a bit confusing.
Thanks!
I'd like to do both a canopy tour and one of the hanging bridges tours. Does anyone know if both are offered in both places? Any ideas on which I should do at each location? It's a bit confusing.
Thanks!
Jul 24th, 2003, 08:50 AM
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I also wholeheartedly recommend the canopy flight at Riosparaiso, which is right outside of Manuel Antonio. It has amazing cables that are VERY VERY high, and very long. I also know that like the other posting said, their canopy is as safe as they come.
I booked my trip through a company called Gaialink tours and they were great in every way. They are associated with Riosparaiso and offer a special full moon canopy flight there. If you book your trip at the right time, you can do the canopy flight at Riosparaiso at night, which as you can guess, is as cool an experience as could possibly be had. The hotsprings at Riosparaiso are amazing as well. The website is www.riosparaiso.com.
I booked my trip through a company called Gaialink tours and they were great in every way. They are associated with Riosparaiso and offer a special full moon canopy flight there. If you book your trip at the right time, you can do the canopy flight at Riosparaiso at night, which as you can guess, is as cool an experience as could possibly be had. The hotsprings at Riosparaiso are amazing as well. The website is www.riosparaiso.com.
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