Rainforest Aerial Tram

The Rainforest Aerial Tram (tel. 506/2257-5961, North America tel. 305/704-3350, www.rainforesttram.com [1], 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon., 6:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Tues.–Sun., $55 adults, $27.50 students/children), on a 475-hectare private nature reserve on the northeastern boundary of Braulio Carrillo National Park [2], is an unforgettable experience.

Constructed at a cost of more than $2 million by Dr. Donald Perry, author of the fascinating book Life Above the Jungle Floor, the tram takes visitors on a guided 90-minute excursion through the rainforest canopy. The mysteries of the lush canopy unfold with each passing tree.

Your ride is preceded by an instructional video. Then it’s 2.6 kilometers via cable car (each car holds six people, including a naturalist guide) in the manner of a ski lift, giving you a new vantage on the “spectacular hanging gardens of the rainforest roof.” Bird excursions are also offered.

There’s also a zip line with seven cables and six platforms ($45 adults, $30 children); several trails; an open-air serpentarium with some 20 species of snakes ($10); plus a butterfly and frog garden.

The fee includes all the facilities, plus as many tram rides as you wish. On suuny days in high season expect a wait of up to one hour, as the lines are long (coffee, fruit drinks, and cookies are served). It has a restaurant and accommodations.

The tram is on Highway 32 [3], four kilometers past the Braulio Carrillo National Park [2] ranger station and 15 kilometers west of Guápiles. The parking lot is on a dangerously fast bend!

The bus between San José [4] and Guápiles [5] will drop you off at Chichorronera la Reserva or “El Teleférico” ($1.50), but be sure to tell the driver to drop you at the entrance to the tram. Many unfortunate guests have had to trek back uphill after the driver passed the entrance and kept going!