Soaring through the trees in Costa Rica

Rincón de la Vieja, which could be translated as “The Corner of the Old Woman”, is located about 25 miles north of Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste. While for many the highlight of the park is the viewing the volcano, waterfalls and the famous ‘rio celeste’, there are many other activities there which make it one of the most interesting places to visit in Costa Rica.

I visited Rincón de la Vieja a couple of years ago for my son’s 15th birthday, and we decided to do the canopy tour. As I suffer from vertigo, I thought that this experience would cure me forever! First, you get harnessed, which is rather reassuring. The fact that the guides informed us that all the equipment used came from Chamonix was even more reassuring; it basically consists of Pulleys, gloves, harnesses, rappelling systems, etc.

At that point I realized that there was no way back. We soon found ourselves on the first of 21 platforms, where one of our guides gave us the final instructions. What really retained my attention was “how to break”!

I decided to be brave and show a good example, or maybe I just wanted to show off, either way, I went first. Of course, I did it all wrong and found myself on what looked a rather thin line, stuck, suspended in mid-air, a long, long way up. I had slowed down so much that I had stopped, right in the middle of the ride! I put my feet up Tarzan-style like they instructed us to do in such a case, refrained from looking down, and managed to reach the next platform. My son was next and his face betrayed excitement and a little fear, maybe!

Once on the next platform, I realized why it was all worth the effort. I was standing there, on top of this magnificent tree, up in the jungle canopy. The silence was mystical. The view, simply breathtaking… I will never forget it. The rest of the tour went smoothly. I got a little dizzy at one point, climbing one of the ladders, and felt literally paralyzed and unable to move, but soon got over it; there is no choice, you have to go on, if not for your pride, to reach firm ground again!

I soon got the hang of it and flew from platform to platform; it is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. As for my son, what a terrific birthday present! It was really something to remember forever, with so much emotion, awe, fear and peace, and a little pride too. I did it! My vertigo is almost cured!

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Filed under: Travel on February 21st, 2008