Monteverde Costa Rica

“A Piece of heaven”
This is the phrase that thousands of national and international tourists use after visiting the beautiful area of Monteverde every year. Not just for its impressive landscapes or exuberant vegetation, but for the warm reception by the Tico population. People from Monteverde are typical Costa Ricans.

Monteverde Cloud Forest has become a tourist attraction all over the world, due the biodiversity of its forests, crystalline waters, fresh air and the existence of outstanding species such as the Quetzal, the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird and the Golden Toad (nowadays extinct).

For this reason, in 2007 Monteverde Cloud Forest is considered one of the Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, along with Cocos Island, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, Chirripo Mountain, Celeste River and Poas Volcano.

Flora and Fauna in the Cloud Forest

The biodiversity of Monteverde includes more than 400 bird species, including the magnificent quetzal, bellbird and black guan, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 490 of butterflies, 100 of mammals (60 being bat species). Some species of mammals like the tapir, ocelot and jaguar are nowadays threatened by extinction.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve was established in 1972 and it is a pioneer in environmental tourism. It’s administered by the Tropical Science Center (CCT), a non-profit scientific and educational association in Costa Rica.

The reserve covers 12.355 acres and is world famous for its extraordinarily rich cloud forest. This area was created to preserve the flora and fauna, as well as the water resources, and to conduct scientific studies and environmental education programs.

In the reserve of Monteverde you can enjoy this unique ecosystem through numerous well-maintained trails, surrounded by multiple species of plants and magnificent trees fully covered with epiphytes; crystal water and pure air.

Monteverde Costa Rica is known worldwide for the Golden Toad (Bufo periglenes), a deaf and voiceless endemic species, whose males present a bright orange coloration. It used to be seen in large numbers near ponds from late April to June. Unfortunately, this toad is considered virtually extinct nowadays, since it is believed that the appearance of a fungus made the small population of toads disappear quickly.
(It hasn’t been reported since 1989).

Flora and Fauna in Monteverde

In this beautiful and interesting reserve, there are 4 life zones. Its biodiversity includes more than 400 bird species (including the magnificent quetzal, bellbird and black guan), 120 species of amphibian and reptiles, 490 of butterflies, 100 of mammals (60 being bat species, some among which the tapir, ocelot and jaguar are highly threatened with extinction). There are also around 3000 species of plants (including ferns and orchids, flourishing mainly in March).

The biological diversity found in the Cloud Forest of Monteverde is distributed over an average altitudinal range of 393 ft, from 2165 ft in the hillsides of the Caribbean up to the 6102 ft in the summits of the hills.

There are natural dwarf forests, sculpted by the wind in exposed hills. The gallery forests possess majestic trees, adorned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, lianas and mosses.

Many birds are easy to see throughout the year, including the Emerald Toucanet, Black Guan, Collared Redstart, Blue-crowned Motmot, Kinkajou, Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth, and half a dozen or more species of dazzling hummingbirds.

Facilities & Services

A hanging bridge extends for over 325 feet and at a height of 80-100 feet.
A small mountain lodge with capacity for 48 people.
Restaurant and cafeteria.
A gifts shop with products made by local artisans.
A laboratory that supports the study of field work.
Environmental education workshops for student groups.

Daily schedule

The reserve is open to the public from 7:00AM to 4:00PM everyday.
You can enjoy night walks starting at 6:00PM (with previous reservation with us).

How to get?

There are several ways to get to Monteverde Reserve:
A) Public bus leaving from Santa Elena Towm every hour, starting at 6:00 AM and the last one at 1:15 PM. The bus leaves the reserve at a similar time, the last one at 4:00 PM.
B) Taxi service from downtown Santa Elena.
C) Or booking a guided tour with transportation included, from and to your hotel.

Entrance fee

Guided tour
Departures at 7:30AM and at 1:00PM. Check the rates
Guided Tour to Monteverde Reserve