Many visitors come to Monteverde, Costa Rica for the cloud rainforest, but that’s just one of the many reasons to plan a trip here.
Partly located in Guanacaste Province, Monteverde is the perfect place to see some of the country’s most famous plants and animals and appreciate Costa Rica’s rich ecological diversity.
This post is all about the five main reasons you need to visit Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Monteverde is a canton located in Puntarenas province, though part of the rainforest reserve lies in Guanacaste. It is part of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range, and the two main communities in the region are Monteverde and Santa Elena.
The drive from Tamarindo to Monteverde takes about four hours, much of which is along winding, sometimes unpaved roads heading up the mountain. The trip is long but very scenic, thanks to the green surroundings and the beautiful views as you make your way up.
Along with tourism, agriculture is the main industry in the area. In particular, Monteverde is known for its coffee production — beans grown here are some of the most popular in the world!
This area is located in the cloud rainforest and at a high elevation of 4,600 feet or 1,400 metres above sea level. For those reasons, Monteverde’s climate is quite different than in other parts of Costa Rica.
The area is windy, and while it is humid and misty the temperatures are cooler on average than in places like Tamarindo. Monteverde’s mean average temperature is 64 F or 18 C, and average rainfall is 118 inches or 3,000 millimetres.
1. The cloud forest in Monteverde
The community currently known as Monteverde was founded by American Quakers who defied the American draft before the Korean War, due to their pacifist beliefs. The land the Quakers farmed eventually became the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde or Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
That reserve is now a popular tourist destination. Cloud forests are tropical or subtropical moist forests, found on mountain slops and known for their cloud cover, which is usually found at the canopy level. These forests are some of the world’s most biodiversity-rich ecosystems.
Monteverde’s cloud forests and rain forests are home to seven different ecological life zones. The region is home to 500 orchid species — the most in the world — along with 58 species of amphibians, 91 species of migratory birds, and 134 species of mammals.
Here are a few of the places to see the cloud forest:
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: This reserve is 26,000 acres or 10,500 hectares in size. Tours include bird watching, natural history, and a guided night hike.
- Children’s Eternal Rainforest: This large preserve and private land trust is run by a non-profit group. The initial funds to create the reserve were raised by Swedish schoolchildren.
- Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve: This is a smaller and quieter reserve than the larger two, and at a higher elevation. Santa Elena’s reserve is home to lush mosses and many great hiking trails.
2. Zip lining in Monteverde
If you love zip lining, or are interested in trying it for the first time, Monteverde is the place to do it!
This part of Costa Rica is actually the birthplace of modern zip lining. Home to some of the best cable runs in the world, Monteverde has zip lines for all ages and experience levels.
Along with being fun, zip lines are a wonderful way to experience the cloud forest. They give you the opportunity to zip along the rainforest canopy, getting an up-close view along the treetops. Zip lining is also a chance to view the incredible diversity of the different forest layers from above.
Want to give it a try? Here are some places to go:
- Sky Adventures Monteverde: With a reputation for safety and handlebar-style brakes, this is a great choice for kids and families. A visit includes a free ride in a sky tram.
- Selvatura Park: This extensive course is a great option for beginners. You’ll also enjoy some short hikes between the runs.
- 100% Aventura Adventure Park: This park has eleven different cables running through the cloud forest, including two that run Superman-style. Other features are a Tarzan swing and hanging bridge.
- Extremo Park: True to its name, this park has 16 zip-line runs, a Tarzan swing, rappelling, bungee jumping, and a swing that sails across a canyon!
3. Sloths in Monteverde
Costa Ricans love sloths — they are considered one of the country’s national symbols, and there are strict laws in place to help conserve the species. You can find even the three-toed sloth on their 10,000 colones bill!
Two different species of sloths — the brown-throated three-toed sloth and the Hoffman’s two-toed sloth — live in Costa Rica. However, these gentle animals can be difficult to spot in the wild. They like to hang out in the high canopy of the country’s dense rainforests, and they’re famously slow moving so it’s tough to catch them in action. On top of that, two-toed sloths are nocturnal so they aren’t active (relatively speaking) until the sun is down.
For those reasons, consider visiting a sloth sanctuary if you have your heart set on seeing one with your own eyes. Please note, you cannot pet, touch, or hold a sloth at these sanctuaries or in the wild. Sloth’s coats have a rich ecosystem on them that can be harmed if humans introduce bacteria. It is also stressful for the animals to be handled.
If you want to see sloths while in Monteverde, here are the best options:
- Selvatura Park: This park in the cloud forest has a sloth sanctuary on site. A guide will take you through, where you will see and learn about the sloths living on site, as well as several species of butterflies.
- Native’s Way Night Hike: Nocturnal two-toed sloths live in the higher altitudes in Monteverde. A guided night hike gives you a better chance of seeing them in the wild.
4. Hiking in Monteverde
It’s probably no surprise to hear that Monteverde is a dream destination for avid hikers. Exploring the cloud forest on foot is a relaxing, peaceful experience. You can view the forest’s mosses and ground plants up close, and wonder upwards at its canopy while savoring the clean, refreshing air.
Hikes are also a great way to see the enormous variety of wildlife living in Monteverde, at all times of day. Starting in the early morning, nature enthusiasts can combine a hike with bird watching. And once the sun is down, embark on a guided evening hike to see snakes, frogs, insects, and even sloths.
And hiking in Monteverde doesn’t have to mean sticking to trails! Reserves like Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve have hanging bridges that allow you to hike across the rainforest canopy. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a view you otherwise couldn’t.
These are some of the best places to hike on in Monteverde, for all ability levels:
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: The reserve has several different trails, with maps and friendly staff at the front desk. Guided tours are also available.
- San Luis Waterfall: The trail to this waterfall is located on private property near the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. You can also take this trail by horseback.
- Curi Cancha Reserve: This is a great option if you want a shorter hike, with a trail that is 2.5 miles or 4 kilometres. For a more accessible experience, guided tours in an electric golf cart are available.
5. Lodges in Monteverde
Monteverde’s beautiful lodges are a callback to the area’s farming and ranching history. Many of the lodges in Monteverde are up in the forest, so they offer peaceful surroundings with great views.
The cozy atmosphere of these properties is especially welcome in the evenings, when you might find it surprisingly cool thanks to the area’s high altitude.
If you want the lodge experience in Monteverde, look into one of these hotels or resorts:
- Monteverde Lodge and Gardens: At this secluded eco-lodge, you won’t feel like you’re just a short walk from Santa Elena. Make sure to check out its fine-dining restaurant.
- Selina Monteverde: The local outpost of this international company is done in a lodge style, with lots of wood and a cozy, relaxed vibe. The property’s great bar and restaurant often hosts fun local events like a beer festival.
- Hotel Belmar: Perched high in the cloud forest, this sustainable property features a protected rainforest and a waterfall. It’s worth a visit for the two restaurants alone.
This post gave you information about five of the best reasons to visit Monteverde. But there are far more than five reasons to spend time in this special part of Costa Rica!
