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, "I could have done that in my back yard for free."

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 "towers", 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 "How fast is that?" 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;