JenAndo

Hi.
We are travelling to CR in mid-February for the first time, staying at Occidental Grand Papagayo.
We want to explore a bit and take some tours -- especially a canopy tour in the rainforest.
Can anyone vouch for a particular tour operator or organization?
Has anyone stayed at the Grand Papagayo? Is it best to wait and book the tour when you get to the hotel?
Thanks!

Heliconiaceae

I live in Arenal and have not heard of zip lines in the Guanacaste area. Selvatura is in Monteverde and Aventura is in Arenal and MOnteverde. they are both very reliable and provide transportation from the hotels in the area.

The North Pacific coast is rather dry and like you said you want a "rain forest canopy tour" as the country is famous for them. There are a lot of really nice National Parks close by so you can go on some very nice hikes and see the "dry forests" that characterize this region of the country.

Here is a link to give you an idea of the Papagayo Gulf.

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/pap...ica/travel.htm

If you can change your itinerary to include some of the central areas of the country you will get to really see what Costa Rica is famous for! The beaches are beautiful too of course. I recommend doing the rain forest adventure part of the trip first and then take the last few days to recover on the Beach!

lereynolds

The Congo Trail Canopy tour is $45 for adults and will pick you up in Papgayo. Here is their website.

http://www.vacationcity.com/costa-ri...ivities/20150/

shillmac

Once you get to the hotel, check out the Mega Combo tour of Rincon Parque Nacional. Includes ziplines, horseback (I think), lunch, big waterslide down the mountain--it's a great deal. Definitely wait until you get there.

Bill Beard's Witch's Rock Canopy Tour is also very close to your hotel. But going into the Rincon is pretty neat.

JenAndo

Thanks everyone for the great tips and advice.

Much appreciated!

Shillmac -- have you personally tried the Mega Combo tour? I think I've read other reports about it -- one man thought the slide was dangerous. Other than his comment, I thought it sounded like a pretty exciting way to spend a day in CR!

Percy

Hi JenAndo:

I can (almost!!?? ) answer for shillmac.

I did the Combo Tour and yes it is a nice way to spend the day.

The slide is terrific and hardly dangerous... kids go down the slide and have a ball!!

You will sit in the slide and behind the slide is a huge tank of water...as the tank fills up from water running down the mountain side...the fellow will pull a lever ,then

water will gush into the slide taking you along with it...is it a nice curvy ride all the way down and then you slide into the pool at the end !!!!
You will love it.

The Combo Tour gives you a bit of everything.

Here is the website for the Combo Tour.
e-mail Ricardo and please mention my name and say hello to him .
He just send me Christmas wishes a few weeks ago.

http://www.ricardocostaricatours.com/

When you are in the web page,then read "About Us".
then
click on "Enter" and on the left hand side is a list of choice for tours.
You will see the Combo Tour second from the top.

( Hi shillmac ) sorry to answer for you, I am not in your league .

Percy