The Aerial Tram Tour at Rainforest Adventures glides visitors through three levels of rainforest canopy on the edge of Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica.
This guide was updated in July 2026. The adult ticket price has risen to $69, up from the $59 that several independent guides still quote, so check current rates before you travel. You can book in advance through Viator to secure your preferred time slot.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Route 32, next to Braulio Carrillo National Park, Guápiles, Limón Province, Costa Rica |
| Hours | 8:15am–4:00pm daily (last park entry 2:00pm) |
| Tram departures | Every 30 minutes, 9:15am–2:00pm |
| Adult ticket | $69 |
| Child ticket (3–12) | $46 |
| Infant (0–2) | Free |
| Nearest transit | No direct public transport stop; shuttle transfers available from San José |
| Typical visit duration | 2 hours |
Why book Aerial Tram tickets?
- 🏛️ A rainforest landmark: ride the original aerial tram built into the private reserve bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park.
- 🎟️ No minimum age: babies and pregnant travellers can take the tram, unlike the park’s zip line.
- 🌿 Four experiences in one ticket: the tram flight, a nature walk, a butterfly garden, and an orchid garden.
- 📜 Free parking: no extra charge for visitors arriving by car.
- 💰 Lock in today’s rate: prices have risen recently, so booking now avoids paying more later.
Opening hours for the Aerial Tram
The park opens at 8:15am and closes at 4:00pm every day of the week. There’s no separate weekend schedule.
Last entry to the park is 2:00pm. The aerial tram itself departs every 30 minutes between 9:15am and 2:00pm, so plan your arrival around these slots. Arrive 15 minutes before your confirmed tour time, as the park will not hold your slot beyond this.
Ticket prices for the Aerial Tram
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $69 |
| Child (3–12 years) | $46 |
| Infant (0–2 years) | Free |
| Costa Rican resident, adult | $47 |
| Costa Rican resident, child (3–12) | $27 |
Costa Rican residents must show ID at the entrance to claim the local rate. The official site does not state whether these prices include tax, so confirm this at checkout.
Two optional extras cost more and are paid at the park: a visit to the sloth centre costs $5, and a private guide for your tram car costs $20 per reservation, for up to six people. Book in advance through Viator to save the hassle of walk-up bookings.
How to get to the Aerial Tram
By car: take Route 32, the Guápiles Highway, northeast from San José. The park sits directly on this road, roughly 45 to 50 minutes’ drive, with signage for Rainforest Adventures at the entrance.
By public transport: buses running from San José to Guápiles or Limón pass the park entrance along Route 32. Services are infrequent, so ask the driver to stop, as this isn’t a scheduled stop.
By organised transfer: Rainforest Adventures offers round-trip shuttle transport from San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, or Cariari, at $36 per person with a minimum of two travellers.
Parking
Parking at the Aerial Tram is free. The official site does not mention any restrictions on space or payment method.
How long to spend at the Aerial Tram
Budget around two hours for the standard visit, covering the tram ride and the included nature walk and gardens. Add extra time if you plan to visit the optional sloth centre or eat at the on-site restaurant.
Accessibility at the Aerial Tram
Rainforest Adventures states that it caters for visitors with limited mobility and keeps a wheelchair on site for guest use. There’s no minimum age for the cable car ride itself, and pregnant travellers and babies can take part, though neither the zip line nor the longer guided walks allow this. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory for all visitors, which is worth noting if you use adaptive footwear.
What to see at the Aerial Tram
The tram flight takes around 80 minutes in total, 40 minutes ascending and 40 descending, carrying you through the mid and upper layers of the rainforest canopy. Guides point out wildlife such as toucans, sloths, and monkeys along the route, though sightings aren’t guaranteed.
The butterfly garden covers roughly 200 square metres and houses dozens of tropical and exotic species in a controlled habitat. It’s a gentle stop either side of the tram ride.
The orchid garden displays examples from the vast Orchidaceae family, which spans thousands of species worldwide. A guide explains the differences between terrestrial and epiphytic varieties.
The snake and frog exhibitions let you see native reptiles and amphibians up close, alongside background on their role in the rainforest ecosystem.
The nature walk links these attractions together on paved trails suitable for most visitors, including those with limited mobility.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book tickets in advance | Booking in advance secures your preferred tram slot rather than risking availability on the day. |
| Wear closed-toe shoes | These are mandatory for every activity at the park, including the gardens and nature walk. |
| Carry cash for extras | The $5 sloth centre and $20 private guide add-on are paid at the park, not online. |
| Pack for rain | Insect repellent, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a raincoat are all recommended by the operator. |
| Arrive with time to spare | Check-in is 15 minutes before your tram slot, and last park entry is strictly 2:00pm. |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to book in advance? | It isn’t compulsory, but advance booking is recommended to guarantee your preferred tram time. |
| What’s included in the ticket price? | The tram ride, nature walk, butterfly garden, orchid garden, and snake and frog exhibits. The sloth centre, private guide, meals, and photography cost extra. |
| Is the Aerial Tram wheelchair accessible? | Rainforest Adventures says yes, and keeps a wheelchair on site, though it’s worth calling ahead to confirm your specific needs. |
| What should I wear? | Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Comfortable clothing and a raincoat are recommended given the rainforest climate. |
| How does this differ from the 6-in-1 Tour? | The 6-in-1 Tour adds zip lining and other activities across a longer, more expensive full-day pass. The Aerial Tram Tour is the shorter, gentler half-day option. |
Things to do nearby
Braulio Carrillo National Park’s Quebrada González trails are a short drive away and offer proper rainforest hiking for visitors wanting more than the tram’s paved paths.
The Canopy Zip Line Tour runs from the same reserve as a separate ticket, for travellers who fancy pairing the calm tram ride with a faster-paced adventure.
The Frog Night Tour operates from the same site after dark, focusing on the nocturnal amphibians that the daytime exhibits only hint at.
Guápiles town lies a short drive further along Route 32, with simple local restaurants serving Costa Rican staples away from the tourist prices at the park.
La Selva Biological Station, near Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, sits roughly 30 to 40 minutes further along the highway, and welcomes visitors for guided walks through its research trails.
What to visit tomorrow
Genuine open-gondola aerial trams are rare in Costa Rica, so options within two hours of Braulio Carrillo are limited.
Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, near Limón, runs its own sky gondola through Caribbean-slope rainforest, around 90 minutes from Braulio Carrillo. It pairs the tram with a biological research station and waterfall trails.
Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific, near Jacó, is run by the same operator and offers a similar tram experience with Pacific coastal views, though it is closer to two and a half hours away via San José.
Beyond these two, Costa Rica’s remaining aerial trams, including Arenal’s Sky Tram near La Fortuna, are closer to three hours from Braulio Carrillo, making them better suited to a separate base than a same-region day trip.
More Central America travel
Other Central America travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting the National Museum of Costa Rica in San Jose.
- What to expect at the Museo del Jade in San Jose.
- A cruise to Las Isletas on Lake Nicaragua.
- A day trip to Volcan Masaya from Managua.
- Getting the beach town vibes in San Juan del Sur.
