HALs Rain Forest Canopy Adventure

[drtee]

I've done a search, and I've posted this on the Costa Rica forum, but that is one dead forum.

I'm going on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise in January and am interested in ziplining in Costa Rica. My only concern is the ascent. I need to know how many steps are involved to get to the top and how even or stable they are. I have balance problems and usually use a cane when going up steps.

Surely someone here has done this excursion. Anyone?

[The Tsar]

My wife and I took the HAL's Rain Forrest Tour in conjunction with the River Boat Tour earlier this year.

I do not have any walking difficulties, so did not pay any real attention. However to the best of my recall there were no or a very few entrance stairs to the Eating, Rest Rooms, and Gift Shop areas which are on a single main level. From there to the Canopy boarding area is a relatively short level walk.

There was an optional nature walking tour after the Canopy ride. IMHO should not pose a major problem.

http://photos.cruisecritic.com/showphoto.php?photo=12906&cat=510&limit=recent

[onthegogirl]

We did a canopy tour in Costa Rica but it wasn't a zip Line. It was a like a cable car if I remember correctly. Enjoyed the vistas but didn't see any wildlife. It was in the afternoon and I guess it was siesta time. ;)

[CaveDiving]

Hello drtee,

You say << I'm going on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise in January and am interested in ziplining in Costa Rica. My only concern is the ascent. I need to know how many steps are involved to get to the top and how even or stable they are. I have balance problems and usually use a cane when going up steps.

Surely someone here has done this excursion. Anyone? >>

I don't want to put this too strongly or to be misunderstood, so let me say this as simply as I can. If you are even considering ziplining (and here I am talking about actually sliding down the ziplines and not simply riding the tram up and back down the mountain,) when you have difficulty with balance problems and walk with a cane, DO NOT DO IT!!! For safety reasons, you will probably not be permitted on the ziplines anyway. I have been on several ziplines and they are always a series of say, five to fifteen cables strung high in trees with small (around three foot wide) platforms wrapped around the trees where you switch from one cable to another. The platforms can easily be up to fifty feet off the ground. I honestly believe THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR ANYONE WITH MOBILITY OR BALANCE PROBLEMS!!!

Often the tram ride to the top and back down is a great experience and a set of real Kodak moments. But please, DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE ZIP LINE EXPERIENCE!!!

I need to say that I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but I really am trying to warn you away from either wasting an excursion fee or getting into a bunch of trouble.

Take care, Scott

[Gonzo70]

Hello drtee,

You say << I'm going on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise in January and am interested in ziplining in Costa Rica. My only concern is the ascent. I need to know how many steps are involved to get to the top and how even or stable they are. I have balance problems and usually use a cane when going up steps.

Surely someone here has done this excursion. Anyone? >>

I don't want to put this too strongly or to be misunderstood, so let me say this as simply as I can. If you are even considering ziplining (and here I am talking about actually sliding down the ziplines and not simply riding the tram up and back down the mountain,) when you have difficulty with balance problems and walk with a cane, DO NOT DO IT!!! For safety reasons, you will probably not be permitted on the ziplines anyway. I have been on several ziplines and they are always a series of say, five to fifteen cables strung high in trees with small (around three foot wide) platforms wrapped around the trees where you switch from one cable to another. The platforms can easily be up to fifty feet off the ground. I honestly believe THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR ANYONE WITH MOBILITY OR BALANCE PROBLEMS!!!

Often the tram ride to the top and back down is a great experience and a set of real Kodak moments. But please, DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE ZIP LINE EXPERIENCE!!!

I need to say that I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but I really am trying to warn you away from either wasting an excursion fee or getting into a bunch of trouble.

Take care, Scott

I would mirror this sentiment. Although I have not done zipped in Costa Rica, I have zipped in three other port stops (Ochos Rios, Sitka and Punta Cana). It is definitely a physical activity. Sometimes you land at somewhat a high speed and your legs absorb the bulk of the impact - sometimes stopping involves putting significant strain and torque on the legs. Some of the platforms are also rather narrow, so require a fair amount of balance - and sometimes you have to duck and maneveur around tree branches.

[serendipity1499]

I've done a search, and I've posted this on the Costa Rica forum, but that is one dead forum.

I'm going on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise in January and am interested in ziplining in Costa Rica. My only concern is the ascent. I need to know how many steps are involved to get to the top and how even or stable they are. I have balance problems and usually use a cane when going up steps.

Surely someone here has done this excursion. Anyone?

My wife and I took the HAL's Rain Forrest Tour in conjunction with the River Boat Tour earlier this year.

I do not have any walking difficulties, so did not pay any real attention. However to the best of my recall there were no or a very few entrance stairs to the Eating, Rest Rooms, and Gift Shop areas which are on a single main level. From there to the Canopy boarding area is a relatively short level walk.

There was an optional nature walking tour after the Canopy ride. IMHO should not pose a major problem.http://photos.cruisecritic.com/showphoto.php?photo=12906&cat=510&limit=recent

Tsar....Your picture is NOT a ZIP LINE tour...

This one looks to me like the Sky Tram or Gondola Ride...Other than possibly getting very wet, which I did, the OP should have no problems with this one...You are seated in a Gondola & do not have to do anything physical..

However, I agree with CaveDiving & Gonzo, I don't think a ZIP Lining is safe for anyone who has balance or mobility problems..I don't have either one, but have had two abdominal surgeries in the past year, plus a back problem & will not do Zip Lining..You are on your own, in a harness on a zip line & must be agile & in my opinion strong enough to get from one platform to another & get on them..

Take a look at some Zip lining pictures here:

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations/monteverde-costa-rica/tours/selvatura-canopy-tour (http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations/monteverde-costa-rica/tours/selvatura-canopy-tour)

Betty

[drtee]

Dang!