sactomama

we'll be in MA for six days in november. we'd love to do a canopy tour while there. some of the posts, especially in regard to riosparaiso or 5-in-1, mention steep passages while on horseback and "not for the faint of heart." is the Safari Canopy less strenuous? We are traveling with an adventurous 7 yr. old and want to be smart about our decision.

Dori

Two words. NO WAY. I did a canopy tour this past February in Puerto Vallarta. One of the sections was 500 feet high and 1,200 feet across a river connecting two mountain tops. I don't know where you are going or with what group. They may not have anything that "adventurous". But even the very first one from tree to tree I wouldn't let my 15 year old do, let alone my 7 year old.

nankar

Dear Mom: I have been on 2 canopy tours, last spring in PV! I was scared to death and am 48 years old but it was fun! I would have been scared just the same at 7. It was very safe and well run. There were children on the tour also. I don't think it depends on age as much as personality. If your child likes rollercoasters, etc., I would go for it!

MNP

There were lots of kiddos strapping up as we were coming off the tour. We went in Monteverde through Selvatura and their age range starts at 4 years old. So I know its possible to be done. I dont know much about that Safari Canopy in MA though. I suppose alot will be dependant on if you want your 7 year old flying through the trees!! I must say though, Im sure if your child does do it, they will have a blast... Good luck with your decision!

shillmac

Our friends said their 8 year old enjoyed the canopy 2 years ago. If you have doubts, one of the guides can always go with him.

tully

I went with Canopy Safari & a couple there had their 2 kids, 5 & 8. The younger one got a little nervous at the first rappel (but much less than I), just judging by their faces they had a great time.

trevorjoyce

Read Ivk's trip report..9 great days in this column. Her children are young; maybe she can help you decide. I think she may have been to 2 different canopies as well (Arenal and Turubari Park). I think she'll see this and respond.

lvk

Here I am. My kids are 9 & 11, and they loved it. The guides say they take kids as young as 5. As Joyce said, we did 2 (3 if you count superman at Turubari), Arenal Paraiso & Turubari. The other posters are right-- if anyone, any age has any apprehension, they can hook up with the guide. Frankly, I saw more Moms do this than kids. My 11 yr old went on a couple of the lines upside down, hooked to the guide.

The scariest part is the moment just before they let you go from the 1st platform. After that, it's a blast. My 9-yr old son didn't want to do it at first, but gave it a shot and loved it!

trevorjoyce

I admit, I am one of the moms that went a few times with the guide. Ivk, at Turubari did you do the short and long canopy tours? Trevor and Rich did it all, but I only did first canopy tour and went to butterfly garden. How did Turubari canopy compare with Arenal? Joyce

lvk

At Turubari, we just did the short one. We had already done one at the AP, and we were in a hurry to get to the Superman line. I think I liked the AP better, but that could be because it was our first. I wasn't crazy about those suspended sidewalk things at Turubari, but I liked their "braking system" a lot better. Joyce, I'm glad you decided to give it a try. Your family will always have those memories.

trevorjoyce

I was determined and actually surprised that I did get a little scared; guess I'm just getting old!(

kimschulze

If your child is adventurous - let him go for it...you'll be sorry if he misses out once you find out how fun it is! yes, the first "jump" is the worst. We did canopy safari - loved our guides. not a lot of wildlife to see, but interesting facts and very exciting.

sactomama

thanks so much to everyone for replying! my daughter is 7 and i know she would love it. she's very athletic/adventurous/loves rollercoasters/no fear of anything including heights etc. so we're going to "go for it!" the tour operators say there is no minimum age but i thought i'd be wise to get some more input and this talk board is great for that!! i will post our trip report when we get back in late november!

fluffnfold

We did an Original Canopy Tour at Mahogany Park/Iguana Park (near Jaco, about an hour from San Jose). There was a family with four children on our tour. The youngest daughter was probably no older than 8. One of the guides traversed with her, sort of holding on to a separate pulley behind her. It seemed really safe and well run. I'm not exactly adventurous, and I wasn't scared at all (not anywhere near as scared as I was mountain biking down Irazu!).