The delight of all the body and mind sensations, the breathtaking views and the fun and team vibration are merely some of the multiple gifts of adventure travel.
Also, when we add to the adventure the thrill of the rainforest around it, the emotions multiply exponentially.
However, adventures are serious business. So we take them seriously in Terranova.
If you are traveling with Terranova, this is not a problem, as we are very strict on our supplier’s quality control by continuous inspections and we require all documents before any tour operation.
However, sometimes it happens that you decide to go on your own to one of the multiple experiences offered throughout the country and even though we discourage all our passengers from doing so, here are some tips -coming from our experienced tour guides- that we must give to minimize as much as possible the high risks that nature adventures imply.
Probably the first and most important:
Even though you may not have the knowledge, follow your gut if the weather, the gear or anything on tour seems to be going wrong.
Sometimes fear play tricks in our minds and make us see threats where there are none, but if you are rafting and it has rained a lot, and the river seems to be violent or if you are ziplining and there is a storm, follow your instinct and get away.
The guides always try to convince you to go (It is their job to do so). If you don’t feel comfortable at all, don’t go.
Don’t worry about what other people may think. Safety is more important than popularity.
In all adventure tours, there is one guide named as the “head guide.” Identify him, and you can ask him doubts or questions. As well as tell him anything that you may think it’s important, like if there is a disability or a dietary limitation.
Even though this may sound unfair and many times appearances are not the most important thing.
However, in the case of adventure tours, it is a bad sign to see guides without uniforms, bared footed in the river or doing all sorts of acrobatics in the ziplines.
If they play with their safety… Who tells you they won’t play with your security?
Professional guides don’t play games while on an adventure tour.
Even if you don’t know anything of adventure, all gear must look complete and without patches. It may look used but never broken or fixed.
In the case of rafting, rappelling, horseback rides and other activities that require all gear to be ready at the beginning of the tour, it is essential to ask the guides if there are replacements for the paddles, the saddles or the lines.
5 Ask questions
It is more important to be safe than to be smart or popular.
Ask as many questions as you like, never mind if they seem stupid or repetitive.
Make sure you understand everything before starting.
It is vital that you understand and apply the instructions. As well as if there is an emergency that you understand every single word they tell you.
Please make sure you understand the English of your tour guides.
It happens when we are with friends or close family that we tend to think that we can race the horses or we can prove that we do acrobatics in the zip line… Forget about it. Not while in adventure tours through the rainforest.
Now, check the following and read if you are thinking about any of these adventures while in Costa Rica:
Equipment:
Make sure the equipment is well maintained, including helmets, harnesses, ropes, gloves, carabiners. Have in mind the following:
Awareness:
Verify the operator is legit, make sure it has demonstrated licensed professional background. Ask questions about the course, make sure the platforms and lines look steady and sturdy. Have in mind the following:
Equipment:
Make sure the gear is well maintained, including helmets, harnesses, ropes, gloves, carabiners. Have in mind the following:
Awareness:
Verify the operator is legit, make sure it has demonstrated licensed professional background. Ask questions about the climb.
Rappel ropes are threaded through metal anchor material carabiners, and steel rings instead of nylon slings, which can melt, break or fail if it gets in direct contact with a rope.
Have in mind the following:
Equipment:
Make sure the equipment is well maintained, including helmets, like a jacket. Have in mind the following:
Awareness:
Verify the operator is legit, make sure it has demonstrated licensed professional background. Ask questions about the training of their guides, make sure they count with CPR knowledge and first aid. Have in mind the following:
Equipment:
Make sure the equipment is well maintained, including helmets, stirrups, ropes, carabiners. Have in mind the following:
Awareness:
Verify the operator is legit, make sure it has demonstrated licensed professional background. Ride a suitable horse for your riding experience level. (Beginners should ride a well-mannered horse). Have in mind the following:
Adventures in nature are fun and fantastic; however, they are not a game, and you should not play with your safety.
Please call us and talk to one of our travel consultants and we will guide you into the adventures that you will enjoy the most and with the best and safest tour operators in the country