canopy tours / zip lines
 

I am quite confused--are these the same things? IF not, what are the differences?

What kind of physical shape does one need to be in? According to one website, it claims everyone from 8-80 can participate in the canopy tours

thanks

Yes, they are one and the same. A Canopy Tour is a series of zip lines and platforms built into the treetops. You "zip" from one platform to the next. It is a lot of fun and doesn't require one to be "in great shape". Just breathing basically! And able to follow instructions for braking as you approach the platform! Most canopy tours have 10 or 12 ziplines. They usually take about 2 hours and cost around $50 or $60. Tons of fun!

There are differences.

If you are squeemish about the zip lines, some places have walking canopy tours as well. They are a series of bridges going over valleys between hills (where you can look down on the canopy) that connect with terra firma and you walk on trails between bridges. Places like Sky Trek and Selvatura up in Monteverde have both available. I believe Turubari has two options as well-gondola and zip. Some places have gondola canopy tours where you just sit and enjoy the ride. Aerial Tram Tour on the Caribbean slope is one. Most people have fun on the zip lines once they get the hang of it.

Most of the zip lines connect with platforms. Some of them you also do some rappelling. I have not seen them all but some do seem to be just a little more strenuous than others.

Don't expect to see much in the way of wildlife other than the human kind LOL if doing the zip lines.

I have a related question. Who has a better zip line tour Selvatura or SkyTrek? By better I mean more exhilirating, while still maintaining safety. Speedy responses would be appreciated as we are leaving Friday. WOOHOO!!!

plmrod : want to see pictures?

http://www.skytrek.com/

http://calypsotours.com/tours/canopy/default.htm

http://www.extreme-costarica.com/canopytour.htm

IF you use Google and search for this (or anything else in the world that you're interested in) you'll find it...

Bueno suerte

wow! thanks to everyone
any suggestions for a canopy tour / zip line in the Arenal area?

We did the canopy tour in Nicarauga and loved it. However, one factor that may come into play is weight. In Panama, they had a 200 pound weight restriction that left out a lot of the North American tourists.

Don't know if they are opened yet but Sky Trek from Santa Elena/Monteverde is opening up in the Arenal area. There is a Canopy Tour. Arenal Paraiso lodge has one.

I read someone's trip report about a month ago who did the Sky Trek one in arenal. He did the normal one (forgot the initials) and it wasn't exciting enough. Search for his trip report. I think it said something like "30 somethings..." in the title.

I did the canopy tour with Skytrek in Arenal. It was more of Zip lines going over Canyons rather than just from tree to tree - one zip line was over 800 meters - I thought it would not end!! It was unbelievable!! Started out going over a canyon and then you went back through the trees and then out over another canyon all on one line. I was suggest this one to everyone....

We did the one at the Arenal Paraiso and enjoyed it also. I believe there are 11 platforms and the last line travels over a river. The guides were fun and professional.

However, I believe the one at Skytrek is brand new and has better equipment. I don't think it was finished when we were at Arenal.

how strenuous was the one at arenal parais? Are there wight restrictions (as one poster said about Panama)?

At Arenal Paraiso, there is a short hike to the first platform and a short,uphill hike at the end (to a path where a tractor picks you up). There are some steps up to the first platform, which I remember being pretty easy.

The most difficult part on the AP canopy tour is the "braking" mechanism. It is basically a leather glove with two wooden blocks attached to it. You must squeeze these together to slow yourself down when the guide motions you to do so. If you brake too soon, you will stop too far from the platform and have to propel yourself hand-over-hand to the platform. (This can be quite strenuous). If you don't brake soon enough, you will be going too fast into the platform. The guides will try to catch you so you don't hit the tree or fellow zip-liners.

If you are nervous at all, you can go hooked up to a guide.

I think I read somewhere that the weight limit is 250 lbs. However, the harnesses and cables are able to hold thousands of lbs.

The newer canopy tour equipment has better braking systems, so you don't have to do to much thinking or work. We tried the newer one in Turu-ba-ri park, and it was much easier.

If you're worried about the braking systems, you might opt for the more modern system at SkyTrek.

We had a great time on all three of the Canopy tours we did, including the 1-kilometer "Superman" line at Turubari. Have a great time!

lvk : you omitted this information on the braking system : if you accidentaly place your hand in front of the pulley on the cable, you could lose a finger. It happens.
Also, you mentioned that the SkyTrek at Arenal was not completed, but you never said <i>when</i> you were there. This is important to note.

The final cable is installed and operational, I was told. When we were there 09/09/04, it was not installed, but didn't matter too much - as everything else is new and clean and functional.

I agree that the newer braking systems are preferable. Your hands are never near the cables. Recommend any that has the <b>handle&lt;/&gt; braking system, such as SkyTrek at Arenal.

I'm pretty sure that the weight limit is higher than 250lbs, since they offer to put two people on one pulley - if that customer is nervous. Two people would have to be quite petite to weigh less than 250lbs total. Maybe you heard kilos?

jlh370: 230 meters/900 feet above ground at SkyTrek Arenal should be exciting to anyone. Maybe this person went on the canopy tour at AP. I have pictures of both AP and SkyTrek, if anybody wants them emailed...
</b>

TripleSecDelay - I think you confused my response. The poster said the Skytrek was great, not the HPA. They originally went to HPA and because of the disappointment, went to Skytrek. You can read his review here.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=6

TripleSecDelay - Can you email me pics of skytrek? Thanks. [email protected]

jlh370 : It's possible I did confuse your post...but this is what I was responding to :

Author: jlh370
Date: 11/03/2004, 08:19 pm
Message: I read someone's trip report about a month ago who did the Sky Trek one in arenal. He did the normal one (forgot the initials) and it wasn't exciting enough. Search for his trip report. I think it said something like &quot;30 somethings...&quot; in the title.

Also, It could be a Fodor's server error, but the link you posted didn't go anywhere. It showed a blank screen with the index at left, as normal. Does it work for you?

Pix are on their way...

TripleSecDelay
I would LOVE pictures also!!

[email protected]


Thanks

Anyone have a website for Skytrek in ARenal? I can only find the one in Monteverde

Thanks for all the help

Yeah the &quot;normal one&quot; with the initials, I mentioned in my original post was, was HPA.

Hopefully, this link works.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...xt=peace+lodge

I think on the skytrek page there is an Arenal button.

I'll put in my two cents about the Arenal Paraiso canopy tour. My family did it, but I chickened out. They had some difficulty with the braking mechanism and did have to pull themselves to the next platform. They did another canopy tour somewhere else, later in the trip, and thought the second one was a lot easier. That said, they still loved the Arenal Paraiso one. Word of warning: I ordered the canopy line photos on a cd, paid with cash, got home and the photos weren't on it. I've tried getting a refund or a new cd, but finally realized it wasn't worth the aggravation. So, if you buy the cd at Arenal Paraiso, have them play it for you and then hand the same cd to you before you pay!

Sent the photos to your emails. Yahoo! consistently gives me problems with large files being sent with photos. I sent them to a friend who forwarded them to you. There's more available for other locations in CR.

Regards,

Can anyone give me a recommendation in either Arenal or Manuel Antonio or Turubari of a canopy tour through the trees with a braking system. I think the Skytrek scares me if it is from canyon to canyon.

A very basic canopy tour where your hands do not touch the cable and you are not too high is at the Villa Lapas hotel near Carara. The guides are very professional.

jquentzel : Yes, it's a little scary. But, then, that's what you're paying for. If it was a low altitude cable, you'd get back into your car and drive away thinking, &quot;I could have done that in my back yard for free.&quot;

Part of the idea is that you're safely flirting with danger. There's no need to worry; If you fall, you'll die instantly and painlessly. If you don't fall, you'll be able to tell your kids something. And, have pictures to prove it. The CR government inspects these things because they are quite concerned with the safety record of the tourists. It's their #1 source of income for the country.

There is a quite different one at Turu Ba Ri, the Superman Zip line, see the video on the website: http://www.turubari.com/videos.html

I have to admit I am scared but I do enjoy doing challenging activities. In my mind I have imagined it to be like taking a zipline across the Grand Canyon. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and do it.

Honestly, the scariest part is the few seconds before you are released from the first platform. If you can get past that moment, you'll have a great time.

How fast are you going? Can you enjoy the scenery at all, or is it like being on a roller coaster?
Laurie

The speed on all zip lines varies, even within all the zip lines at one location.
For example, the speed is dependent on the length of the line, the difference in height of the two &quot;towers&quot;, and the rider's weight - since this is a gravity event.
I'm no great estimator of speed, but I would say its about the same as a bicycle ride. So, then, you ask &quot;How fast is that?&quot; Let's say 20 mph - and the sensation of speed is heightened because the wind is touching most of your body (as on a bicycle).
Yes, you can enjoy the scenery. I was tempted to stop midway and take out my expensive camera (strapped around my neck and under my rainproof jacket) to take photos from a perspective I <i>knew</i> I would never again enjoy. (a person could finish the ride by pulling himself hand-over-hand on the cable) My senses returned and I argued with myself against this idea.
Some people close their eyes and some people look only straight across. I looked down, around, everywhere. My eyes &quot;got my money's worth!&quot;