Rainforest Adventures Jacó aerial tram

Gondolas carry you slowly up through the forest canopy in the hills a few minutes east of Jacó town, a quiet ride above the treetops rather than a fast one. The tram-only pass takes about two hours and includes a butterfly garden and a medicinal plants garden at the base. A naturalist guide on the tram costs extra and is paid at the park; without one you ride and spot things for yourself.

The same park has a nine-cable zipline, a high ropes course 23 metres up and a descent wall, and combined passes pair any of these with the tram, up to a three-and-a-half-hour run of everything. Zipliners need to be in good physical shape. Closed-toe shoes are compulsory for every activity, under-18s must have an adult with them, and a raincoat and repellent are worth packing. Tram visitors have to be inside the park by 2 pm. The park sells round-trip transport from Jacó, Herradura and hotels up the coast, and parking is free for anyone driving.