Rain Forrest Ariel Tram

[DavietheScot]

Has anyone been to the Ariel Tram in the rain forrest ? Whats it like and is it worth it, we are considering doing a trip that has this as its main part. It look good on the web but would like to hear from anyone who has been there.

[wiscwood]

Hi there. DH and I did the rainforest aerial tram tour with a cruise line a couple of years ago. We were actually just talking about it the other day! We both really enjoyed it. It's a slow-paced tour, and we're in our early 30's, so we thought it might be a little too boring for us... but I ended up loving it. Kind of a scary ride on vans up some steep and narrow roads (I thought the ride was fun, DH was a little nervous!), but then they drop you off at the tram. I think each tram compartment carried 6 or 8 people, seats fit 2 people each. Bring a camera or camcorder, very very pretty. You get pretty high off the ground, but it was sturdy, felt safe. The cool part was you got to get off the tram and follow a trail for awhile (I think it was optional, you could probably stay on the tram if you wanted.) Guides explain the local vegitation, which is very neat, and we got to walk across a very long suspension bridge - that was the highlight for me.

If you've never done a tour like this, I definately recommend it. Have fun!

[DavietheScot]

Thanks for that, we are looking forward to this excursion so it is good to know others have enjoyed the tram. Thanks.

[skiiergirl]

Originally Posted by DavietheScot

Has anyone been to the Ariel Tram in the rain forrest ? Whats it like and is it worth it, we are considering doing a trip that has this as its main part. It look good on the web but would like to hear from anyone who has been there.

Thanks so much for asking this. I had just booked this yesterday for our trip next week. Don't know for sure if I can get Mr. Ski to do it. If we do, I'll give you our thoughts when we get back.

Originally Posted by wiscwood

Hi there. DH and I did the rainforest aerial tram tour with a cruise line a couple of years ago. We were actually just talking about it the other day! We both really enjoyed it. It's a slow-paced tour, and we're in our early 30's, so we thought it might be a little too boring for us... but I ended up loving it. Kind of a scary ride on vans up some steep and narrow roads (I thought the ride was fun, DH was a little nervous!), but then they drop you off at the tram. I think each tram compartment carried 6 or 8 people, seats fit 2 people each. Bring a camera or camcorder, very very pretty. You get pretty high off the ground, but it was sturdy, felt safe. The cool part was you got to get off the tram and follow a trail for awhile (I think it was optional, you could probably stay on the tram if you wanted.) Guides explain the local vegitation, which is very neat, and we got to walk across a very long suspension bridge - that was the highlight for me.

If you've never done a tour like this, I definately recommend it. Have fun!

Thanks for answering this. Great information. A little scary about the van ride but the rest of it sounds fun. Did you book independently or through the cruise line?

[DavietheScot]

Ski, let us know how you both get on.

[skiiergirl]

Originally Posted by DavietheScot

Ski, let us know how you both get on.

I will. I told him last night I booked it. He rolled his eyes at me. (Remember he likes to golf and shop on the islands and this island doesn't appear to have either of those.) I told him his choice was this tour or the cooking tour. And since he doesn't even know where the kitchen is in the house, he voted for this tour. LOL! We'll see how that holds up once we are onboard. Will let you know when we get back.

[skiiergirl]

Originally Posted by DavietheScot

Ski, let us know how you both get on.

Unfortunately we didn't get to do this as the excursion was cancelled due to operational issues. Guess the tram is broken again. We didn't receive/find the cancellation notification until we got back to the room around midnight the night before. The notice said there were other excursions available but we didn't want to have to hustle around and pick another one early in the morning, etc. so we just slept in and then wandered around the dock area at the vendors' market. The compass said we would dock about a mile from downtown but we got lucky and got to dock at the downtown dock instead so we were right at the market. Items were different than many of the vendors' markets on the other island and for the most part the prices were great. I am a good "bargainer" and for the most part here the prices were so good I couldn't even bring myself to start to bargain.

Sad we didn't get to do the tram but overall had an enjoyable day anyway!

[DavietheScot]

Sad to hear that, just hope it gets fixed by the time we get there in 3 weeks or so. Glad you had a good day anyway.
Anyone else know if this happens on a regular basis.

[jantoby]

Hi Dave, I did the tram a couple of years ago. Took a half-day tour of the island in a local taxi. They charge per person so as I was on my tod it was like having a personal chauffeur. I don't remember how much it was, but it worked out cheaper than ship's excursion, and was able to stay longer or less time in places as I chose. Paid for the tram separately & the driver waited there for me to get back. Was terrified by the rope bridge at the half-way point as I'm not good with that sort of thing, but I can see people could get a kick out of it. It seems that it's not obligatory to cross it these day. Wouldn't do the tram ride again though, as it's a lot of money just to be cable-car'd over the tops of trees that you can't see through.

[1970s chopper]

you say you did the tram ride independently and it was expensive,what sort of money did you pay for your day out...

[jantoby]

I pre-booked the taxi with Fredo, having seen several recommendations from people who'd used him. Charge is per person. I think it was about UD$40 for about 4 hours, and I paid the Aerial Tram separately at the tram. Fredo was a great guide and happy to stop for photos wherever I wanted. Tram is around $65. Here are websites for Fredo and the tram. Have fun!

http://freddy536.tripod.com/
http://www.rainforestrams.com/dominicaintro.html