If you claim yourself to be a nature-lover, then putting yourself in one of those canopy tours is a must for you. Why? It's because most of the forest's diversity can be observed at the canopy level. Because of the abundance of light in that level, canopy trees are able to photosynthesize more, which is why it is able to support majority of productivity in the forests.
By putting yourself in a canopy tour, you will be able to see forest life from a unique perspective--that from the above of the forest or a bird's eye view. Usually, we are constrained to look at forests from below, which may lead us to not see much of what is above. For instance, monkeys and sloths call the canopy level of a forest their home. Through a canopy tour, you will be able to see the "great picture" that involves these canopy dwellers.
Most canopy tours are zip-line style tours, which are fairly common in Costa Rica. In this set-up, a cable, pulley, and a harness are used to guide you throughout the canopy. These zip-lines are supposed to lead you silently, though I understand that a fear of heights or the joys of seeing a jungle that way can bring in excessive noise.
Depending on your experience and own inclination, you can try out the different variations of a zip-line tour. These tours differ widely. One basis is that of the speed that you pass through the canopy. Some are children-friendly, while some even go as fast as 55 mph! The height of the zipline platforms also differ. Some even go as high as around 130 feet. Some tours also allow you to try out different orientations. Some will let you zipline while lying on your back, while some do it face down, to give you a greater view of the forest canopy.
Since they are fairly common in Costa Rica, it won't be difficult to find out that will suit your particular wants.
