Monteverde Cloud Forest

The 10,526. hectareas Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve nestled in moisture-fillied hanging clouds, provides a home to a thousand of species of plants, animals and insects. It offers an unique opportunity to experience, up close, the beauty of nature spoiled.

The Monteverde Cloud is a diverse biological wonderland that contains old-growth trees, favored habitat of the spectacular quetzal.But it is also home to 400 other kinds of birds, including 30 types of hummingbirds and such odd specimens as three-watted bellbirds and bare-necked umbrella birds. Ground-dwelling residents include the powerful jaguar, the ocelot and the tapir, 2,500 species of plants - including 420kinds of orchids - and 1,200 amphibian and reptile species.Because there is so much to see, it´s best to hava a guide who knows where to look for wildlife in the wild.

The foggy forest boasts six distinct ecological zones. Since its inception, the preserved region has grown rapidly - both in size and fame - and now covers 10,500 hectareas and sees well over 50,000 visitors annually. Bordered by Santa Elena and Children ´s rainforest, plus Arenal and San Ramón forests, the are is one the Costa Rica ´s most important protected ecological zones. Entrance into the park is stricted to 150 people at any one time.

Monteverde, a natural beauty to explore.

With extensive development and industrialization of nations across the world, the idea of coming across a Natural Paradise can seem like a yearning for the past - but some destinations, such as the Monteverde Costa Rica, have managed to hold on to their natural beauty, making them a favored choice for travelers seeking a real natural holiday experience.

Monteverde Cloud Forest has long been a destination chosen by the thousands, the initiatives by the government to boost tourism; it is now attracting a wider range of travelers than ever before. While there may be many reasons for choosing the Costa Rica - from sampling its spa resorts to getting involved in local sustainability measures to combat the threat posed by global warming - one thing tends to unite all visitors: the chance to explore the unspool natural landscape and its national parks.

It's no wonder the Monteverde Cloud Forest is such a popular destination among couples, families, friends, adventurers and researchers seeking a dreamy escape for their holidays and other romantic breaks, particularly as many resorts offer the sort of seclusion that would not be possible in more densely populated countries. It isn't just travelers who can appreciate the natural beauty of the cloud forest, which still manage to entrance even the most experienced world travelers, who keep coming back to seek out new experiences opening all the time in Monteverde and other regions.

Moneteverde has much to offer beyond mere escapism, as visitors will find when arriving to Monteverde a very rural and friendly atmosphere. Home to many natural museums, adventure tours, great home-made food and other attractions extolling the country's history, Monteverde combines the best features of an international destination with the charming and otherworldly atmosphere of a natural eco-friendly haven.

Things to do in Monteverde.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Led by bilingual naturalist guides, cloud forest tours acquaint visitors with the ins and outs, as well as the ups and downs, of this unique tropical ecosystem. Typically, a small group will be led along the reserve’s forested trails, combing over plants, trees, insects and animals as they are encountered. This sort of hands-on, interactive education allows participants to ask questions and receive direct answers.

The guides will encourage participants to use their senses while exploring the forest – to listen for the call of birds, touch the bark of trees, and smell the aroma of tropical flowers. A wide range of animals lives within the reserve, including sloths, agouti, jaguars and several types of monkeys—and it’s your guide’s job to help spot as many of these creatures as possible. Additionally, over 2,500 plant species and tens of thousands insect species reside here as well, providing even more educational fodder for your trek through the forest.

Price per person: USD$49.00

Departure: 7:00am and 1:00, Duration: 4hours

Coffee Tour & San Luis Waterfall

The tour then descends some 500 feet down “La Trocha” – a steep road with sweeping views of the Gulf of Nicoya – into the San Luis Valley, where the crops of coffee are grown. A local farmer will speak with the tour group and explain the harvesting process and how the fruit is graded for quality. Participants can pick and taste the ripe coffee berries, a shade-grown Arabica variety of bean. The tour will then continue on through some of the cooperative’s other sustainable crops, including bananas, plantains, oranges and limes.

The processing mill, or beneficio, is the next stop. Here, the seed is separated from the fruit and dried in the sun. Once fully dried, the beans are then roasted and exported.

Then we are heading to the San Luis Waterfall, a 40 minutes hike through the forest, crossing a river in 4 points and then arriving to the one of the most beautiful natural scenery; TheWaterfall

Price per person: USD$60.00

Departure: 8:00am and 1:00, Duration: 4hours

Hanging Bridges

The Treetop Walkway guides visitors both through and above the rainforest. A series of 8 suspension bridges, connected by trails totaling 1.9 miles (3 km) in length, provides a birds-eye view of the rainforest canopy. From these bridges – which vary from 150 ft (50 m) to 500 ft (170 m) in length and are suspended from heights ranging from 36 ft (12 m) to 180 ft (60 m) – visitors will easily be able to study this unique tropical ecosystem, catching glimpses of birds, monkeys, sloths and more as they make their way across.