rain forest aerial trams

We rode the Rain Forest Ariel tram as part of a full day tour with TAM. This was our last stop after going on a boat trip on the Sarapiqui River (the boat guy was great & we got to see howler monkeys, iguanas, bats, Cayman, birds etc) and also a trip to Selva Verde Lodge (we saw frogs, camouflage & blue jean). We arrived late in the afternoon and took the tram. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable & pointed out all the different flora/fauna. He was truly passionate about his job. The tram ride, seated 7 people, took about 90 mins & moved very slowly so it gave you the opportunity to look around. When our tram turned around at the end of the line, the guide pointed out a toucan. Unfortunately this was the only wildlife that we got to see so we were thankful for the previous encounters earlier on in the day with the other trips. It was great to be so far above the rain forest canopy & I think the concept is very good, we were just not lucky on the day.At the end we walked through the butterfly garden & saw hummingbirds.

The butterfly garden was really neat. Our guide "Jonathan" was very friendly and entertaining. He was very knowledgeable about the rainforest. He was only our guide through the butterfly garden and walking part. The aerial tram was ok. Very slow and boring. Didn't see any wildlife. Our guide for that part was nice but she didnt seem as knowledgeable as Jonathan. She really didn't say much unless we asked questions and a lot of times those were answered "I don't know". It makes me wonder if animals were right under our nose but we didn't see them because we weren't trained to spot them and she didn't point them out.

Just a regular ride, not added value to the experience itself, pricey and food was standard, souvenir shop with high $ prices, staff was nice and helpful.

nice area view of he forest do not see much walking tour is exhausted hot and raining must of the time

Given the saying "seen one rain forest...". However, the tram part provides a different perspective and the view looking level and down from the tree canopy is very interesting. The attraction is about an hour and half drive from limon. We skipped the zip line (too short a time) and opted for the comfortable, sit-down tram tour, a good choice. The ride starts at a lower level/height that goes out to the end point, then climbs and returns along the same route nearer the tree-top level. It is not a continuous motion, as the tram stops/starts at the distance interval between cars, allowing each car to stop at the terminal and board/discharge riders. Total time about 45 minutes or so? Surprisingly few animals, birds or sounds in what would seem an environment that would teem with wildlife, but this was no different than the jungles of the Amazon or Viet Nam. We did see one sloth, butterflies and one large raptor (so well camouflaged that until the guide pointed it out no one saw it, and even then it took a while to actually find it - this with optics).An interesting worthwhile experience, and the included lunch was good, featuring local cuisine. A sloth was in the tree right beside the restaurant...not sure if this is really a wild one or a 'pet' they feed. This tour can be combined with a jungle 'canal cruise' for a full day outing (which gets back to Limon in time for a cruise ship departure). The canal cruise also takes a little over an hour, and you take pot-luck on what animal life you see from the boat, certainly more than from the tree tops. We saw some sloths (both 2 and 3 toed), along with many water birds/crocodiles((not 'gators)/egrets/lizards and such.

We were on a Holland America cruise. The Coach ride was about an 1 hour and 45 min. On the way, we saw several banana plantations and beautiful scenery. The driver spotted a sloth and a tree full of Howler monkeys. He even pulled over to give us a better view. The guide was very knowledgeable, we learned a lot about Coast Rica and it's culture. Both he and the driver were determined to make this tour very special for us.Once we arrived at the Rain Forest, we boarded a 6 person (plus the rainforest guide) gondola, for about an hour's ride. We traveled first along the lower part of the rainforest and then along the canopy on the return ride. We were fortunate, it did not rain on us during the ride. There is a plastic cover on the top of the gondola but I think you would still get a little wet, so dress accordingly. Our guide, Miguel, was excellent! We learned a lot about the rainforest and how Costa Rica is trying hard to protect it. He took us for a short 30 minute walk upon our return where he pointed out a sloth, cutter ants, various plants and even a pit viper (which was way too close). The Pit Viper's are very small and very well camouflaged. We saw one on a leaf on the ground and one on a branch in a tree. We also saw a 2 toed and a 3 toed sloth. None of these would we have seen if not for the guides.We also had lunch in the restaurant there, where we were able to try Soursop, a sweet white liquid drink...not bad. The meal was buffet style and very good. There is also a gift shop and an orchid exhibit.

This is most definitely not a zip line, more of a slow ramble through the tree tops. It is very low key, but you can learn a lot from the guides and what you are paying goes to help maintain the Preserve. I liked it.

This was a 10 hour excursion also including a river tour. This was the only of 6 tours we booked through our Princess cruise that we were glad we went with Princess instead of on our own. We could not have done this on our own. The guide was excellent. Sadly, a rare exception in our experience with Princess cruise excursions.

My father and I took this tour while on a Princess Cruise. The drive from the ship to the rain forest is about an hour and a half by bus, so be prepared for that. Once at the Rain Forest you board an Aerial Tram that sits 6 + the tour guide. The guide was very knowledgeable and we learned so much about the rain forest. It was sunny when we go there, but on our way back is poured rain, so perfect for the rain forest. Best to bring a Rain Poncho just incase. You can buy one if your on a cruise ship for $3.50 or you can get them at the rain forest for a little more $. If your coming here thinking you are going to see a ton of animals, that is not the case. After the tour, you they server you a Costa Rican meal which is OUTSTANDING the food is Excellent and plenty of it. There is a gift shop also to by what you would like. Then the bus ride back to the ship. This is an all day tour. It's a must see while in Costa Rica, we very much enjoyed it.

Located near San José, this place is highly recomended for people that loves nature, birds and trees. The aerial trams are safe, in excelent conditions, this guide called Graivin was very kind with us. The real time in the aerial tram takes one hour and a half ( 45 minutes each way). After that you can choose to eat at the restaurant, shop some things at the Britt Shop, walk at the guided butterfly and frogs tour ( very short), or make canopy.

The Rainforest Aerial Tram is well worth the drive to the National Forest. The tram takes about 90 minutes. There are 6 passengers and a naturalist guide. All of the guides are extremely knowledgeable and personable. The tram takes you through the rainforest at a lower level on the way up the mountain then at a higher level on the way back. That way you get to see different aspects of the rain forest. It rained the day we took the tour (it isn't called a rainforest because it is dry). We took ponchos with us which worked well and I highly recommend all visitors take a small fold up poncho and wear hiking shoes. We had a Costa Rican meal after the tour. It was delicious and plentiful. There is also a small gift shop there perfect for picking up a few pounds of Costa Rican Coffee.

We had a nice tour of the rain forest butterfly gardens and a little nature walk all in the rain...rain coats are available for 11 dollars US...clean bathrooms and gift shop available..We were to go on a boat tour as well but the truck semi drivers decided to have a work slow down we were stuck in traffic for like 6 hours the police had to help get us back to the ship along with 3 other busses...so we didn't have time for the boat ride...Not the companies fault but it was unfortunate we didn't get to have that experience...The company did refund us half our money and the ship waited for us....

Had a great time in the aerial tram. It included a short film introducing what is being done to protect The rain forest. The tram goes on two levels and the guide is very I formative. It is a wonderful 70 minutes spent. If you can go very early in am as more opportunities to see birds. We have done several rain forest walks & this was very worthwhile.

We went through the National Park to get to this aerial tram. What an amazing feeling gliding over the rainforest in the quiet tram. We saw an ant eater, a very rare bird(blends into the tree) and many species of trees and plant life.Walking through the trails afterwards with Carla, our guide, will forever be one of my highlights of Costa Rica. She is passionate about the diversity of the rain forest and the most knowledgeable guide I have ever had the pleasure to be around! She knew every question we asked, every species of trees and plant life, the birds, the howler monkeys, the poison frogs,snakes and on and on.She gave me a totally different perspective on the environment around us...what an inspirational lady!!!When my husband and I are looking at the trees now, we see how trees have different trees within them, about "epi-fights" on trees, about" smart" trees who add colour and change their leaves to attract birds for pollination. We will forever hold this memory...Thank you Carla-for being so inspirational and passionate about the rain forest!!!Amazing value for the money.(The meal was huge and excellent, as well)

The trip from San Jose is nice when you enter the area of the National Park of Braulio Carillo, really amazing. The tram tour took about 1 hour and was wonderful to see one of the highest diversities in a forest in the world.. Guide was so knowledgeable and kind. We had a buffet lunch, simple but very good. We saw birds, frogs, butterflies, flowers, snakes, coati, After lunch, we could make a one hour trekking and see the forest from the floor. Very well organized. There is also a Britt shop.