Last weekend Luis, Marta, Encarna and Javi, four friends from Valencia, Spain, who are clients of Costa Rica Vacations, had an incredible weekend in Monteverde that was set up by our agent Teresa Okecki. Monteverde Cloud Forest has one of the best parks for enjoying zip line and hanging bridges. In this cloud forest they had a deep encounter with nature. As a matter of fact, recently CNN listed Monteverde as one of the 25 most beautiful places in the world, next to Lost City of Colombia, Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi, Uganda and other wonders.
We offered our clients from Spain a day at Selvatura Park because it´s zip line is built entirely within the cloud forest canopy with large capacity cables suspended using specialized mountaineering equipment. This provides a wonderful experience and sensations that are only comparable to flying through the Monteverde cloud forest. If you think about the past, these views were reserved only for certain scientists brave enough to climb among the forest trees.
The Canopy Tour includes 13 cables, including a 1km long cable, 15 platforms and a Tarzan Swing. It is suitable for people of all ages, although it is not recommended for people who are overweight or are pregnant. At the beginning, our friends were a little afraid of the height but after the first zip line they were happy and enjoying every moment of this incredible feeling.
Before the last cable, Luis enjoyed the Tarzan Swing, an optional activity that is included in the tour that allowed him to swing while tied to a high security rope. If you want extra adrenaline you can partake in the Superman option and you will “fly” the last cable like the most famous superhero does. Javi was the only brave one that did this last cable like Superman and he said: “I felt like flying through the forest and I loved it.” As soon as they finished the zip line, they went to return the special gear. They felt brave, empowered and happy.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest hanging bridges were also a special moment of the morning. The guides encouraged our friends to use their senses while exploring the forest — to listen for the call of birds, touch the bark of trees, and smell the aroma of tropical flowers. Luis used his binoculars to have a better look at a sloth. Their guide told them that there are jaguars and several types of monkeys (including those howler monkeys with their loud greetings). Additionally, over 2,500 plant species and tens of thousands of insect species reside here as well.
Selvatura Park also offers: Butterfly Farm, Hummingbird Garden and Reptiles and Amphibians Exhibition. The Butterfly Farm has more than 30 different species of butterflies that come from different altitudes and climates while the Hummingbird Garden has more than 13 species. In the Reptiles and Amphibians Exhibition you can find lizards, snakes and frogs.
These friends from Spain felt the power of nature and enjoyed every minute of their visit at Selvatura Park. We are sure that on their way back home, they will talk about Monteverde as an incredible wildlife place and most surely one of the main reasons to visit Costa Rica