Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [156]
Drivers will need a 4WD to ford the little river and climb the muddy road out. You can park (US$6 per car) at a private farm, which is next to the trailhead. Several horseback-riding companies offer excursions to the falls (US$50 per person), but note that much of the road is now paved and this is hard on the horses’ knees. A taxi from town to the falls will cost about U$12.
CANOPY TOURS
Wondering where the whole canopy tour craze was born? Santa Elena is the site of Costa Rica’s first zip lines, today eclipsed in adrenaline by the nearly 100 imitators who have followed, some of which are right here in town. You won’t be spotting any quetzals or coatis as you whoosh your way over the canopy, and questions remain over the ecological value of this type of adventure tourism, but this is the best way to burn your holiday buck.
Before you tighten your harness and clip in for the ride, you’re going to have to choose which canopy tour will get your hard-earned cash – this is more challenging than you’d think. Much like the rest of Costa Rica, Monteverde works on a commission-based system, so be skeptical of the advice that you’re given, and insist on choosing the canopy tour that you want. We provide basic information on the five major players in town below, though it’s good to talk to the friendly, unbiased staff at the Pensión Santa Elena if you want the full scoop.
Aventura (2645-6388; www.monteverdeadventure.com; adult/student US$40/30; 7am-4pm) Aventura has 16 platforms that are spiced up with a Tarzan swing and a 15m rappel. It’s about 3km north of Santa Elena on the road to the reserve, and transportation from your hotel is included in the price.
Extremo Canopy (2645-6058; www.monteverdeextremo.com; adult/child US$40/30; 8am-4pm) The newest player on the Monteverde canopy scene, this outfit runs small groups and doesn’t bother with extraneous attractions if all you really want to do is fly down the zip lines. There’s also a new Superman canopy ride (US$5 extra), allowing you to fly Superman-style through the air.
Original Canopy Tour (2645-6950; www.canopytour.com; adult/student/child US$45/35/25; 7:30am-4pm) On the grounds of Cloud Forest Lodge, this has the fabled zip lines that started an adventure-tourism trend. These lines aren’t as elaborate as the others, but with 14 platforms, a rappel through the center of an old fig tree and 5km of private trails worth a wander afterward, you can enjoy a piece of history that’s far more entertaining than most museums.
Selvatura (2645-5929; www.selvatura.com; adult/child US$45/30; 7:30am-4pm) One of the bigger games in town, Selvatura has 3km of cables, 18 platforms and one Tarzan swing through primary forest. The office is across the street from the church in Santa Elena.
SkyTrek (2645-5238; www.skywalk.co.cr; adult/student/child US$75/60/48; 7:30am-5pm) If you’re not buying the whole ‘eco’ element of canopy tours, then this is definitely for you. This seriously fast canopy tour consists of 11 platforms attached to steel towers that are spread out along a road. We’re talking serious speeds of up to 64km/h, which is probably why SkyTrek is the only canopy tour that has a real brake system. The price includes admission to the SkyTram gondola and SkyWalk hanging bridges; cheaper ticket options are available.
HANGING BRIDGES, TRAMS & TRAINS
OK, so you’re too scared to zip through the canopy on a steel cable, but fear not: the makers of eco-fun have something special for you – hanging bridges and trams, the safe and slightly less expensive way to explore the tree tops.
Aventura, Selvatura and