Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific

Overview

Description

Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific is located on the Central Pacific Coast, only two hours (108 km) by car from San José. We are en route to some of the main tourist destinations in Costa Rica, such as Jacó Beach, Herradura Beach, and Manuel Antonio (Quepos).

This ecotourism project encompasses 222 acres (90 hectares), allowing visitors to discover the hidden secrets and hanging gardens of the tropical forest from a different perspective. The property offers views of not only one of the most interesting and exuberant forests, but also small waterfalls and scenic views of the Pacific coast, which visitors can enjoy during the tram ride.

A cascading 40-foot (12-meter) waterfall, giant rainforest trees, and panoramic views of the ocean are all part of the ride at Rainforest Adventures Pacific. Costa Rica’s safest adventure tour destination, this park serves cruise ship excursions, independent and small group travelers, and incentive groups. Researchers and international and local students are also invited to take advantage of the opportunity to observe life in the forest canopy up close.

Open-air gondolas with canvas awnings seat eight passengers and a naturalist guide. The rugged topography of our forest means the modified ski lift skims the forest floor, and then soars to a maximum height of 130 feet (40 meters) above a rugged valley.

The Pacific tram takes about an hour to travel a half-mile (0.8 km) into the heart of a transitional rainforest. This 210-acre (85-hectare) private reserve is a transitional area between the drier climate of the northwest and the more humid climate of the southern coast.

A visit to Rainforest Adventures Pacific includes an hour-long tram ride accompanied by a bilingual naturalist guide (English-Spanish) and a 45-minute guided nature walk. Other languages can be accommodated with advance notice.

The area surrounding the Pacific rainforest tram is pasture land, where Brahman cattle graze serenely and egrets tag along behind them. During the wet season, the fields are lush and green and the dirt road leading off the main road to the aerial tram is muddy. In the dry season, the grasses are brown and the sky a relentless blue.

Located just 10 minutes from the tram is Jacó Beach, one of the country’s most popular seaside destinations for Costa Rican families and international visitors alike. Palm trees shade the wide beaches, and tumbling waves make children squeal in delight. Most of the area’s many restaurants specialize in seafood including succulent lobster, large shrimp, sea bass, and fresh local tuna. More than 30 hotels in the area provide lodging options ranging from simple cabins to luxury resorts. Jacó also boasts a thriving nightlife where you can go salsa dancing, sing karaoke, or enjoy a few cold beers at an open air seaside bar.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 11

Percentage of local employees: 98%

The rainforest is the richest living community on our planet, and we strive to protect it. Thanks to our wide-reaching initiatives and positive results, the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications awarded us with the Ecological Flag, which is given to businesses and institutions whose actions benefit the environment and encourage the implementation of environmentally-friendly systems. Several factors are taken into account when giving this award, including ensuring the development of a healthy and ecologically-balanced environment, as well as forging a path towards sustainable development through strong policies and environmental consciousness.

We truly care about the rainforest, and are proud to share a few of the conservation practices that we use and teach on a daily basis:

• Environmentally-sensitive construction: The towers of our trams were installed with helicopters to minimize environmental impact -- just one of several innovative procedures used during construction.
• Adopt an Acre program: Our company protects hundreds of acres around the world that are home to more than 2,000 species of exotic plants, 400 species of birds, hundreds of animals, millions of insects, and sources of fresh water.
• Plant a Tree program: Hundreds of trees are planted every year by children who visit our trams.
• Recycling solid waste: Waste classification is very important to us. Separate wastebaskets are placed throughout our parks, helping to promote this educational practice.
• Guarding the rainforest: We patrol our forest and surrounding areas to keep poachers and loggers out.
• Job opportunities: We have successfully recruited people who formerly cut down trees and hunted wild animals. Through education, they have become successful guides and models for their communities.
• Saving the scarlet m acaw (Ara macao): Rainforest Adventures Pacific is a nesting ground for this amazing bird. We are currently developing special techniques for its conservation.
• Providing a global example: The government of Costa Rica has declared our project of public and national interest.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: San José (SJO)

Travel time to nearest airport: 1 hour 20 min

We can be reached by car or bus and it is possible to reach our business year round. We provide transportation from Jacó, Quepos, Puntarenas, Marriott Los Sueños, and San José, and a public bus from San José also serves the area.

Additional Information

Rainforest Adventures Pacific offers:

• A trip on the aerial tram gondolas.
• Colorful, beautiful tropical flowers in the Heliconia gallery.
• Medicinal and aromatic plant garden.
• Snake exhibit in the heart of the forest.
• Tour guided by an expert naturalist guide.
• Well-groomed walking trails.
• Hiking adventures.
• An excellent option for families and groups.

Awards or Recognitions

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
• Meets Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) installation and inspection standards.
• Awarded with the Ecological Flag from the Costa Rica Minister of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications.
• Declared as a project of national convenience.

Files

• Information about Rates - Detailed information about rates for our tours and packages.

Date This Information Was Provided

January 2011.

Photos courtesy of Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific, Costa Rica, for SustainableTrip.org.

Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific