Canopy Tours in Costa Rica.

The canopy is home to an enormous amount of flora and fauna that inhabits the rainforest. In their eagerness to search for light and space many plants have colonized the tree tops turning them into "small ecosystems", these plants are known as "epífitas", which means, "plants that grow over other plants". Orchids, "bromelias", different types of moss, ferns, lianas and the bejucos, etc, are just some of the species which make up the canopy.

Fauna is also very abundant throughout these tropical rainforests, however it is much harder to observe. The most common species found here are: many types of butterflies, different bird species such as, toucans, parrots, wood peckers, sparrow hawks, eagle-hawks, tanagers, "reinitas" and many others. Reptiles, like snakes and lizards, as well as amphibian species such as "tree frogs" can also be found in the Fauna of the rainforest.

The canopy also attracts a very attractive group of mammals. In this category there are three monkey species, two kinds of sloth, two kinds of anteater bears and of course a great number of bat species.

There are several different canopy tours around Costa Rica giving tourists the opportunity to view the rainforest at a unique up close angle. This cable system for travel was first used by spelunkers (cavers) and by canyon dwellers in providing a secure passage over the earth's floor and has now been adapted in the environmentalist tourism industry.

Mahogany Park Canopy Tour

Located in a privately owned biological reserve, one of the very few places where you can observe adult mahogany trees, an endangered specie that has almost disappeared from the world's tropical areas, and just one and a half hours from downtown San Jose. This tour gives you the opportunity to ascend deep into the forest canopy and see Mother Nature from a different and rarely seen perspective. After a 10 minute hike through primary rainforest you will reach the canopy facilities. Tour consists of 10 platforms, 7 horizontal traverses and a rappel. The canopy tour follows a small stream and wildlife sightings are common in this area. The climate is very warm and usually humid. It is recommended to dress lightly, to bring an extra change of clothing, raincoat, bottled water and insect repellent. The place has restroom facilities. This canopy tour departs from the hotel at 7:20 a.m. and returns back to the hotel around 4:00 p.m., depending on traffic. Lunch is provided on this tour.

Mahogany Park Canopy Tour $75.00

(Canopy Tours are available while visiting other areas of Costa Rica such as Monterverde, Arenal and the Caribbean coast).

Aerial Tram & River Wildlife Combination Tour

   After an early morning pickup at your hotel, you'll enjoy a scenic 1 hour from San Jose, with a portion of it being through the impressive Braulio Carrillo Rainforest National Park. Set in a private forest reserve bordering the national park this tram is a unique way to see and learn about the rainforest canopy in a 6-man gondola with a removable canvas top. The aerial tram runs a 1 hour and 20 minute circuit through the rainforest.

   A 10 minute introductory video precedes your ride into the canopy showing how the tram was conceived and built. An optional 30 minute or less guided walk through the rainforest is a nice finish to this unique rainforest experience. During the aerial tram, you should see a variety of wildlife.

Just 10 minutes after leaving the aerial tram, you'll have a delicious lunch in a quaint Costa Rican restaurant. 30 minutes after lunch, you'll arrive at the river town of Puerto Viejo. Here you'll take a covered motorboat ride for 2 hours down the calm waters of the shaded, jungle lined banks of the Sarapiqui River. You should see monkeys, colorful tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles or caimans and other tropical animals. A knowledgeable guide will point these out and embellish the tour with his interesting facts about these animals. You'll see life on a tropical jungle river, with children swimming and fishing at the occasional home along the river bank.

Immediately after the boat trip, you'll be taken to a souvenir shop near by to make use of their restrooms and have the opportunity to purchase beautiful art and wooden crafts. Guests of this tour should arrive back to their hotels at approximately 6pm. A full compliment of refreshments will be available during the entire tour.

Aerial Tram & River Wildlife Combination Tour $105

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