Rainforest Adventures Blog - Zip Line, Aerial Tram, Nature Trails and Canopy Tours

The Mystic Mountain Bobsled Experience

2012-03-05T04:45:00.001-08:00

Have you tried bobsledding? At the famous Mystic Mountain which is located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, you can try to experience having a ride on the bobsled in the middle of the rain forest! This attraction is inspired by the famous Jamaica National Bobsled Team which participated multiple times in the Winter Olympic Games.

Originally, bobsleigh is a winter sport in which teams of two or four make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled. The timed runs are combined to calculate the final score. The Jamaican national bobsleigh team represents Jamaica in international bobsledding competitions. The team first gained fame during their debut in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where they were seen as underdogs, representing a tropical nation in a winter sport. The team returned to the Winter Olympics again in 1992, 1994, and subsequent competitions.

Jamaica National Bobsled Team

Bobsledding in the Rain Forest

Riding on a bobsled is an exhilarating activity, and it is one of the favorite things to do by tourists and locals. Most people will put this activity on top of their lists of things to do in Jamaica, particularly in Ocho Rios.

At Rainforest Adventures, you’ll be safely strapped into a custom-designed, high-tech sled and whooshed down a 1000-meter long track installed into the side of the mountain, completely driven by gravity: yes, Newton, it really works! You have complete control of the speed of your bobsled while you slide through the dense tropical landscape on top of Mystic Mountain. Visitors can purchase tickets for bobsledding, or they can avail it in a package with other activities to do.

They can go bobsledding as well as zip lining on all 7 zip lines averaging 100 meters length each, and riding on a chairlift called the SkyExplorer that takes them soaring 700 feet above the Jamaican rainforest, giving them a chance to explore the treetops above the Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios.

Latest Bobsled Pictures

Before your bobsled ride ends, don’t forget to smile for your commemorative picture!

Book for Bobsled Tickets at Rainforest Adventures in Mystic Mountain, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and get 10% discount on every online ticket purchase!

A Relaxing Honeymoon in Costa Rica Yet Full of Adventures

2012-01-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

Being married is a very important event in one's life, for this is the moment when you take vows with your most beloved person in the very sacred sacrament. In fact, wedding ceremonies are the most highlighted moment of most couples in their entire life, and the celebration even goes beyond the honeymoon: it does not just stop at the receptions where greetings and good food are shared among close friends, relatives, and visitors who witnessed this life-turning event.

Planning Your Honeymoon in Costa Rica

Being considered as one of the top destinations in the world to go for honeymoon, newlyweds can find great romantic memories and unforgettable adventures and experiences in Costa Rica. In planning your honeymoon, you may come up with a question, what kind of bonding would you prefer to have with your partner? Would you like to have a fully-relaxing vacation for a week, or a thrilling adventure that would keep your adrenaline running? Choosing a package of 24/7 relaxation is a good choice, but you might be interested in having an adventure-filled honeymoon in Costa Rica. And the third options is that you can have them both, a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure!

Rainforest Lodge

The jungle of Costa Rica is a fun place to start with. Together with Parador Hotel and Resort, Rainforest Adventures in the Atlantic-side offers the Costa Rica Love Nest Honeymoon Package, which was featured by Destination I Do Magazine in their blog post, "Honeymoon in Costa Rica: The Perfect Balance of Adventure & Relaxation". This package includes:

Three nights in Rainforest Lodge and admission to Rain Forest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic
Three nights in Deluxe Room at Parador Resort & Spa (upgrades based on availability)
Daily breakfast at both properties
Lunch at Rain Forest Adventures
Guided Tour to Manuel Antonio National Park
Daily breakfast
Transfers
Sales and exit taxes

Whether you prefer to have a relaxing, luxurious spa environment, or whether you are the type that wants to have some action adventures and physical activities, you can find them all in Costa Rica.

Book for Costa Rica Love Nest Honeymoon Package Tickets at Rainforest Adventures Atlantic and get 10% discount on every online ticket purchase!

112th Christmas Bird Count Has Concluded

2012-01-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

BIRDS - They are considered as a very important indicator for the overall health of our natural environment. As stated by The National Audubon Society's State of Birds:

Like the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, they send an urgent warning about threats to our water, air, natural resources, climate and more.

And in order to identify bird population trends, as well as to highlight species and habitats at risk, the Christmas Bird Count is annually held. The National Audubon Society, as well as other organizations, use the data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action.

Recently, on the 14th of December of the year 2011, the 112th Christmas Bird Count started. This event has ended last week on the 5th of January of this year 2012, and we are now currently waiting for The National Audubon Society for the results, and how the counts went.

For the Love of Birds and For the Sake of Their Conservation

Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas participated in the annual bird watching event. This adventure has become a family tradition, generation after generation for over a hundred years. Completely equipped with their birding gears such as binoculars, bird guides, and checklists, they all go out on this annual mission, most of them starting to venture before the break of dawn. Ready to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season and to brave snow, wind, and rain just to take part in the Christmas Bird Count, they are all very dedicated to make a difference, to experience the beauty of nature, and to make an enormous contribution to conservation.

Everyone who takes part in this yearly event does it for the love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition -- and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.
- Christmas Bird Count

Great Horned Owl

111th Christmas Bird Count in Central and South America

Let's have a flashback on how the 111th Christmas Bird Count (Dec. 14, 2010 to Jan. 5, 2011) in Latin America, including Costa Rica. It was an exceptional one, with the total number of counts submitted topping out at 51. In this season, there were counts in the Latin American region that had tallied over 300 species (where we got the 3rd place!); needless to say these were the highest species tallies of all counts during the 111th CBC:

Mindo-Tandayapa, Ecuador, retains their spot at the top of the list with 423 species
Yanayacu, Ecuador at 412
Pacific Rainforest Aerial Tram, Costa Rica (that's us!) at 377
La Selva, Lower Braulio Carillo, Costa Rica at 358
the new Western Cloud Forest, Costa Rica at 346
and Monteverde, Costa Rica at 311

To read more about the 111th Christmas Bird Count in Central and South America, click and download this PDF file.

Get involved in the Christmas Bird Count! Since the Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago, it has relied on the dedication and commitment of volunteer citizen scientists. In other words, it all starts with you!

Book tickets online for the bird watching tour at Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific and get 10% discount on every online ticket purchase!

Experience St. Lucia

2012-01-06T02:09:00.000-08:00

The Pitons - one of the most famous attractions of St. Lucia

Planning your next trip to the Caribbean? Have you already visited St. Lucia? There are many attractions to see and lots of things to do in St. Lucia, so you may want to plan your next vacation to St. Lucia. And for the record, this place in the Caribbean is voted "World's Leading Honeymoon Destination" eight times by the World Travel Awards!

"The tropical island paradise of Saint Lucia is the perfect haven for romance, adventure and home to some of nature's most precious natural beauties. Be prepared to stimulate your senses surrounded by unblemished landscapes and postcard perfect scenery. But don't simply take our word for it; take the trip of a lifetime. Visit Saint Lucia today!" ~ Official Web Site of the St. Lucia Tourist Board

And while you're in St. Lucia, have an exciting excursion at Rainforest Adventures! Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia is located in the highland community of Chassin and offers visitors a unique opportunity for full immersion in St Lucia’s vivid rainforest. Guests can choose to amble along the hiking trail eavesdropping on nature’s conversations, soar up and away through the forest canopy on gondolas enjoying cooling breezes and a bird’s eye view of the island’s north, or they can thrill-seek, gliding from platform to platform, high on the trunks of the ancient sentries of the forest. As the island’s premiere eco-adventure company, they have created tours that appeal to all levels of interest and ability.

Check out the attractions and activities to do at Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia:

Rainforest Aerial Tram

The Rainforest Aerial Tram transports guests up and away from the heat and bustle of the lowlands to an ecological park located in the heights of St. Lucia’s forest reserve. Sixteen open-air gondolas ascend noiselessly through the rainforest, offering guests a magical view of nature in its majesty – towering gommiers, impressive chatanniers, and the remarkable phenomenon of the strangler ficus, alighted upon by playful hummingbirds and banana quits.

Bird Watching

The bird watching tour at Rainforest Adventures is designed to engage everyone from the serious birder to the casual enthusiast. The tour sets off just after sunrise to ensure the best sightings. Experienced Nature Interpreters guide you through the forest pointing out signature calls and keeping eyes peeled for even the most elusive of birds.

Adrena-Line Canopy Zip Line

The brand new Adrena Line canopy zip line tour is not for the faint of heart. This exciting new tour starts off with a short hike through the peaceful forest. This quickly turns into an adrenaline rush as you scramble across Floating Stairs past Eagle's Claw, zip through the canopy from tree to tree with 18 platforms, swing from the Tarzan Swing onto Tarantula's Nest, then rappel down on the Boa Rappel to the terra firma.

AdrenaLUNA Zip Line Tour at Night

Scramble up the Floating Steps around the corner past eagle's claw, zip through the rainforest from tree to tree, leap from the platform with a Tarzan's vine onto Tarantula's nest, then rappel down to terra firma to find your land legs again. Lit by the moon – enjoy AdrenaLUNA Zip Lining Tour in the NIGHT!

Jacquot Trail Hike

Named for St. Lucia's proud symbol, the Jacquot or Amazona Versicolor parrot, the Jacquot Trail immerses hikers in the wonder of the island's best asset: NATURE.The hike affords wonderful opportunities to learn about St. Lucia's flora and fauna as an experienced Nature Interpreter guides you across ravines and creeks deeper into the mature forest.

Our Planet Centre

A state-of-the-art visitor attraction, Our Planet Centre in St. Lucia is designed to engage visitors on environmental conservation in a fun, interactive way through the use of new wave technology. This multi-million dollar centre will donate all proceeds to local environmental projects on island.

Experience St. Lucia and the beauty of its natural environment! Buy Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia tickets now for 10% discount on online purchases!

Happy New Year From Rainforest Adventures

2011-12-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

New Year’s Eve is a reason to smile, to forget the troubles of the past, to be optimistic for the future, and more prominently, to put up a grand welcome to the New Year. The year 2011 has ended and it’s time for another year of adventures in our lives.

There are lots of speculations about what will happen in the year 2012, including the horrible prediction from scientists that there is a possibility that the world is about to end, backed-up by the Mayan calendar completing the 5,125 year cycle stating that the “end of days” for the earth will arrive by the year end. However, let us forget them for the moment and dump all of our worries. Instead, we should plan for a wonderful party for the celebration of the New Year, and hope for a prosperous year to come.

NEW YEAR IN COSTA RICA

Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic celebrates the New Year with a big dance in San Jose’s Parque Central.

In Costa Rica, people celebrate the New Year spending quality time with their close friends and families, letting themselves relax while they celebrate the festive spirit of the holiday. Most of the time, they prefer to have private celebrations in their houses more than spending time to party hard. There are also others that choose to party on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. New Year is a time when natives like to spend, travel, and celebrate. In fact, hotels and resorts at this time are mostly fully-booked with hardly any vacant rooms left.

There are certain New Year’s Eve traditions that are significant in Costa Rica, such as the following:

New Year’s Eve is a time for putting some extra efforts. Women of the make sure that their house gets into an absolute clean state at the time of the arrival of New Year, and thus, they put in adequate time to sweep every bit of a dust out and away. Traditionally, it symbolizes for sweeping the past evils and bad lucks, and welcoming good luck and optimism in the house.
There are many others who throw water contained in a pan over the shoulders, with a belief that it will leave behind all hard and bitter memories of the past, with the arrival of New Year.
Wearing yellow confers one with good luck in the coming year, while wearing red underwear confers one with a love partner in the coming year.
If one wish to travel in the coming year, then there is a tradition of walking two times around one’s house or walk down the neighborhood street with luggage in hand, on New Year’s Eve.
There is a widely observed tradition of eating twelve grapes on the midnight of New Year’s Eve in Costa Rica. Each grape is considered to represent for as month of the coming year.
With the clock turning twelve, everyone cheers and wishes all those present around. There is a tradition of singing the traditional song of ‘Ano Vejo’ on the occasion, the lyrics of which talk about all what past year left in life.

Source: New Year’s Eve in Costa Rica

NEW YEAR IN JAMAICA

In Jamaica, New Year’s Eve is a one big and extended celebration, and everyone is willing to become part of it. Most people make visits to the beautiful mountains and beaches of Jamaica, including the Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios where Rainforest Adventures eco-park is located. The celebration does not only end with the departure of the New Year’s Eve because it lasts for the entire month of January. With the unique style of celebrations and the ever smiling faces of the natives, Jamaica draws people from all over the world during the New Year.

There is also an old tradition of cleaning the house and decorating it with flowers, plants, trees, and handicrafts. Aside from this, the people also make sure to complete the renovation works and that the walls are painted a little time before the arrival of the day of New Year’s Eve. All the streets and buildings are also illuminated with lights and glittering decorative items. People greet all their friends, old and new, as well as all the members of the extended family. They all send out best wishes for the coming year.

Source: New Year’s Eve in Jamaica

NEW YEAR IN ST. LUCIA

St. Lucia welcomes the New Year with pomp and gaiety. A number of other festivals and activities follow once the New Year celebrations are through. It is customary for locals and visitors to find a number of things to do for the New Year celebration. Including in the activities is the Assou Square, a New Year’s Day and New Year’s Holiday Celebration party. The 2012 Assou Square activities will be held along the John Compton highway from the evening of Saturday 31st December to Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

Source: Assou Square 2012

NEW YEAR IN DOMINICA

Dominica has a grand and astounding New Year celebration every year. The fun-loving people make preparations for this event with great pomp and show. New dresses are a must on the New Year. Lip smacking food is prepared in every household of Dominica at the arrival of the New Year. Lights, streamers and dazzling fireworks are a major part of the New Year decorations. All the famous pubs, discs and restaurants of Dominica are beautified and special offers are announced on this occasion.

In fact this is the time when one can enjoy a luxurious stay at the lavish hotels of the country at affordable prices. To attract travelers during this peak season the hotel owners design special packages to suit the needs of all kinds if travelers. The major tourist destinations of Dominica remain full of local as well as foreign travelers during this time. The entire country plunges into festivities and different cultural activities are also organized for entertainment purposes.

Source: New Year in Dominica

Rainforest Adventures greet everyone a Happy New Year! May you all have a prosperous year this 2012! If you plan to have an excursion and adventure with mother nature, book your tickets with us online now!

Annual Christmas Bird Count in Costa Rica

2011-12-23T01:49:00.000-08:00

At Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica, the Annual Christmas Bird Count event brings a hundred ornithologists, tour guides, and bird enthusiasts around the world in order to have an adventure in the rain forests of Costa Rica, while they identify the new bird species in the area. This data also helps in illustrating the behavior of migratory bird species. In the Americas, this is one of the most important educational and scientific events since aside from bringing together about 50,000 bird watching aficionados in 2,000 spots in the Americas, the event also stress the importance of preservation.

The National Audubon Society, an organization which aims “to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity,” has been organizing the Annual Christmas Bird Count for years. This tradition started way back to 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman called to end the shooting of birds that took place during the holidays, and suggested that instead of hunting them, people should meet to count them.

At Rainforest Adventures, the species of plants in our parks that serve as food and shelter for the birds provide a sustainable habitat in which to stay. The Annual Christmas Bird Count event started December 21 on the Atlantic park and on December 27 on the Pacific park.

Together with the Union de Ornitologos de Costa Rica, we are pleased to invite you at the Pacific park to be part of this annual international event organized by the Audubon Society. R.S.V.P as soon as possible by calling (506) 2257-5961 ext. 214 or by sending your email to cbd.cr@rainforestadventure.com or you can also reach us through our online contact form.

Be updated with new bird count data, as well as new photos of the Annual Bird Count by subscribing to our Facebook page!

Book tickets online for the bird watching tour at Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific and get 10% discount on every online ticket purchase!

Gorge Zip Challenge - Featured in Dominica Weekly

2011-12-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

Dominica Weekly is a blog that provides information on what’s going on Dominica island, and attempts to Share Every Dominican Moment with the World; whether it’s News, Politics, tourism, Carnival, local events, or personalities – all tied together with a bit of Dominica vibe.

And lately on the 8th of Nov, 2011, the blog had featured our video of the highest zip line in the southern Caribbean on their post! Here is the link to the article: Gorge Zip Challenge in Dominica - Do You DARE Cross It?

And here is the video of the Gorge Zip Challenge:

Gorge Zip Challenge is the newly opened tourist attraction at Rainforest Adventures Dominica, and it thrills with the HIGHEST ZIP LINE in the southern Caribbean! The six-platform zip line course offers three adrenaline-pumping lines that glide through the rainforest canopy.

From the park’s top station, visitors receive a safety briefing and orientation, and then take a short walk to the first platform and a 125 ft zip line. The second zip line (250 ft) takes riders higher yet and is followed by a 40 ft rappel to the ground.

The highlight of the experience is the Gorge Zip Challenge: an 810 ft cable suspended over Breakfast River Gorge, a 350-foot cavernous drop flourishing with plants and waterfalls. Do you DARE cross it?

If you do dare cross the Gorge Zip Challenge at Rainforest Adventures Dominica, buy your tickets now and get a 10% discount on online bookings!

Rainforest Adventures - Zip Line, Aerial Tram, Nature Trails and Canopy Tours

2011-11-25T03:33:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Rainforest Adventures Blog!

Here, you can find articles, news, updates, pictures, and many more exciting things about everything related to rain forest excursions, conservation and sustainability matters, particularly in the locations of Costa Rica, Jamaica, Dominica, and St. Lucia.

You can also find articles about exciting adventures you can do in the rainforest, like zip lining, aerial tram ride, nature trail hiking and trekking, bird watching, and the famous bobsled ride in Jamaica.

Aerial Tram Tour

Bird Watching Photos

Gorge Zip Challenge in Dominica, the Highest Zip Line Tour in the Caribbean

Nature Trail Tour and Hiking

Bobsledding in Jamaica

Enjoy your stay on our blog!