Monteverde

Up one of the worst roads ever encountered you'll find the magical cloud forest of Monteverde, a quiet, peaceful area first settled by Quakers. The higher elevation keeps this area crisp and cool year round, the perfect environment for hiking and birdwatching - with a bit of luck, you'll spot a Resplendent Quetzal, the 'Holy Grail' of birders.

• Where To Stay
• What To Do
• How To Get There

Hotel Fonda Vela Luxurious and spacious rooms nestled on landscape property next to the Monteverde Cloud forest Reserve.

Hotel El Establo Experience breathtaking sunsets and views from the balconies of its comfortable rooms, located in a private 150-acre farm near the Monteverde Cloud forest Reserve. Click here for more details

Trapp Family Lodge Whether you prefer comfort, the feeling of being in the middle of a charming cloud forest, or genuine family hospitality, you have chosen the right place.

Hotel & Resort Heliconia Located near two of the most beautiful protected tropical forests in Costa Rica , the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Rain Forest Reserve, this hotel offers comfortable and spacious rooms and home-style service.

Hotel El Sapo Dorado Mountain suites located just minutes from the Monteverde Cloud Forest and other natural attractions in the area.

What To Do :

• Canyoneering Tour
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour
• Canopy Tour
• Bromelia & Orchid Tour

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour (4 hours) - $37 per person.

This reserve, founded in 1972 by George and Harriet Powell, is the better known of the two cloud forest reserves.  In 1975 the initial 328 hectares of the reserve were increased with the addition of the Quaker communities 554 hectare water shed preserve.  The reserve now covers around 10,500 hectares .  Elevation ranges from 600 meters above sea level to 1800 meters on isolated peaks.  This reserve, under the administration of the Tropical Science Center , is known world wide for its biodiversity and is visited each year by many tourists and scientists. Includes: round-trip transportation, bilingual guide and entrance fee.

Canopy Tour (4 hours) - $35 per person.

This attraction is an unforgettable experience that allows you to observe the rain and cloud forest canopy from different perspectives. Platforms connect from tree to tree, some with cables 1960-feet long, sliding the passenger at a height of 260-feet for a marvelous birds-eye view of the forest. Includes: round-trip transportation, bilingual guide and equipment.

Bromelia & Orchid Tour (4 hours) - $30 per person.

The Orchid Garden offers people the opportunity to view some 420 species of orchids endemic to the Monteverde area. Here you can see the world's smallest flower as well as the national flower of Costa Rica the Guardia Morada ( Cattleya skinneri ). Orchids, with such a wide diversity of size, color and smell are fascinating plants and many have evolved highly specialized methods for pollination. Touring the garden with the knowledgeable owner, Gabriel Barboza, adds even more to the experience.  Includes: round-trip transportation and bilingual guide.