Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
RAINFOREST AERIAL TRAM
The brainchild of biologist Don Perry, a pioneer of rainforest-canopy research, the
Rain-
forest Aerial Tram
( 2257-5961, in USA 1-866-759-8726;
www.rainforestadventure.com
;
adult/
student & child tram US$60/30, zip line US$50/35; ) carries visitors to the heights of the
forest canopy in a gondola. The 2.6km ride takes 40 minutes each way, affording unusual
plant-spotting and bird-watching opportunities. The fee includes a knowledgeable guide,
which is helpful since the dense vegetation can make observing animals difficult. A vari-
ety of other organized adventures, including a 14-platform, 10-cable zip-lining tour and
the new 2000m AdrenaLine (longest zip line on Costa Rica's Caribbean slope), are also
2257-5961; Av 7 btwn
Calles 5 & 7;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri).
Guápiles & Around
Pop 36,500
A pleasant and decidedly nontouristy (if not terribly scenic) lowland agricultural town,
Guápiles lies at the base of the northern foothills of the Cordillera Central. It serves as a
transportation center for the Río Frío banana-growing region and also makes a convenient
base from which to explore Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo - a 20-minute drive away -
or to organize excursions to Tortuguero.
The center of town is about 1km north of Hwy 32, reached by a pair of well-marked
turnoffs on either side of the impossible-to-miss Burger King restaurant. Guápiles' two ma-
jor streets are one way, running parallel to each other east and west. Most of the services
are on the loop that these streets make through the busy downtown.