Costa Rica Canopy Tours in Guanacaste

Canopy Tours in the Guanacaste Area

 

           

What exactly is a canopy tour and why is it so popular?

One of the most popular adventure tours in Costa Rica, a canopy tour allows you to soar effortlessly through the jungle treetops on a series of cables called "ziplines" stretched high above the jungle floor between platforms. The number and length of cables vary from one tour company to the next, so you may want to take that into consideration when choosing a canopy tour operator.

 

It's popular because it's fun and exciting! For many visitors to Costa Rica, this is the highlight of their trip and the story they will recount for years to come. 

History of the canopy tour

This is one of the fields where science meets fun. Developed by scientists to reach the tops of the tropical forest giants for research, it soon became popular, especially in Costa Rica. In fact it became so popular that one canopy owner claimed its invention and tried to patent it, as well as copyright the name Canopy Tour. This claim has been largely disputed, however.

Experiencing the rainforest from a unique perspective

With more than a 25% of Costa Rica's territory covered in rainforests, one good way to explore this fantastic and enchanting domain is a canopy tour. It really is a great way to explore a truly unique habitat without disturbing the wildlife or endangering the trees and plants that live in them.

 

Who can participate in a canopy tour?

The fact is that this fun and safe adrenaline tour can be enjoyed by people of all ages, even those that are afraid of heights! This fear can be overcome thanks to fully trained, bilingual, experienced guides. This activity can be enjoyed for anyone 8 to 70 years old with a normal fitness level. Safety is a top priority for these tour companies and strict standards are adhered to. Special equipment is also available for children.

 

Before you begin our journey, you will be fitted into your harness and helmet and given careful instruction on how to enjoy the ride safely. 

The rainforest

Costa Rica is rich in its biodiversity. The rainforests you will be sailing through are home to an extremely wide variety of wildlife. Some of the local residents of these jungles are howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, emerald tucanettes, toucans, 3-wattled bell birds, various parrots and parakeets, the almost vanished red poison dart frog, silky anteater, martillas and many more species of birds and mammals. The resplendent Quetzal (probably the most beautiful bird in Central America), resides in the Monteverde forests.

 

What are the best Canopy Tours?

 

Arenal Paraíso Canopy Tour

 

One of the best canopy tours near the Guanacaste area is in the Alajuela province, close to Liberia. It offers 12 platforms and its 150-foot cables are 263 feet high.  That's a lot of zipline action! Cooling pools of fresh water and eight hot spring pools are scattered throughout the 2 ½ hour course.

 

Monkey Trail Canopy

This tour is an exceptional attraction for residents of the Catalina Cove project. They will be picked up by a monster Mercedes Benz truck and driven through a typical rural road of Costa Rica. This ancient road has connected coastal towns since colonial days. Hundreds of howler monkeys make their home here. They can be seen more frequently in the dry season when they must forage more for leaves and food. Entire families of monkeys have been seen (and heard!) in their natural habitat in the jungle.

 

Cartagena Canopy Tour Less than 10 miles from Tamarindo, next to the Monkey Park, is another great canopy tour with 10 cables of increasing length through the course.