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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 06 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Spread across rugged mountains 1,400m above sea level, this private reserve (and adjacent protected areas) covers more than 10,000 hectares of wildlife-rich, misty cloud forest.

This is where dedicated twitchers come to combe the 15kms of trails in search of the resplendent quetzal, the brightly-plumed bird sacred to the Mayas.

But there is plenty of other wildlife to discover – from spider monkeys and over 400 bird species, to wild orchids and prehistoric ferns – and a variety of ways to explore Monteverde.

Walking trails lead through a forest encrusted with orchids and covered in thick carpets of dripping moss (there are day and night safaris available). Canopy walkways and cable cars run through the trees, affording an eagle’s eye view of the extraordinary landscape, or you can see it at high-speed on a zip-line experience.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The reserve lies at the end of a bumpy mountain road. Most travellers come via Santa Elena, a small dairy town located 6km west of the park entrance. While maps and well-maintained trails make independent hiking easy, spotting wildlife is challenging in the misty forest – better to go with a naturalist guide.

Binoculars are a necessity, along with long sleeves, trousers, hiking boots and a jacket for when the mist descends.

A basic café at the main entrance serves Costa Rican food. If you want to hit remote trails, pack food and water. There are no services inside the park.

If travelling to Monteverde from the Arenal/Fortuna area, a number of companies can arrange a day-long journey to Monteverde on horseback. It’s a rugged, beautiful trip skirting Lake Arenal.

When to do it

The dry season (Dec-May) is the best time to see wildlife. The ideal time to see quetzals is in March and April, when they’re nesting.

Even in the dry season, the cloud forest is wet and damp. However, during the wettest months (September to October), it can rain for days on end.

For the best chance of spotting wildlife, walk the trails around dawn or dusk.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk

Monteverde Rain Forest Night Walk

Puntarenas

The Rain Forest Night Walk provide you a fantastic tropical forest experience with allot of great surprises since the 80 percent of the tr...

$24 | Rating 4.70 / 5 [213 ratings]

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Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour

Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour

Puntarenas

This great tour all ways provide a good oportunity to watch allot of the local wild life, specially in a Tropical Cloud Forest a unique in t...

$31 | Rating 4.77 / 5 [166 ratings]

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100% Adventure Park Combo: Zipline, Superman, and Mega Tarzan Tour in Monteverde

100% Adventure Park Combo: Zipline, Superman, and Mega Tarzan Tour in Monteverde

Monteverde

Visit 100% Aventura adventure park, during this 2-hour experience in the Costa Rican rainforest. This combo canopy tour includes the park's ...

$54 | Rating 4.68 / 5 [562 ratings]

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The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde

The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde

Puntarenas

The Original Canopy Tour offers Canopy Tour, Rappel, Tarzan Swing and  an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the treetops high above t...

$55 | Rating 4.86 / 5 [631 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hidden Canopy Treehouses Boutique Hotel

Monteverde, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica[3.8 miles]

A well-appointed B&B with cosy wooden treehouses built right into the cloud forest canopy, close to Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Official star rating:

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Arenal Volcano National Park, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica[17.8 miles]

Originally built for scientists, this is the only hotel inside Arenal National Park; which guests have to themselves until gates opens at 8am. Volcano views are astounding.

Official star rating:

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica[22.5 miles]

A gorgeous, sustainable rainforest retreat, close to the Arenal Volcano National Park, that harnesses the healing power of the Tabacon Thermal River.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Rainforests, powdery beaches, white-water rivers and towering volcanoes: this relaxed Central American country offers exceptional wilderness adventures in stunning landscapes.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Best National Parks in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Stringently protected, crawling with life, astonishingly diverse, Costa Rica’s protected forests and reefs have inspired successful conservational tourism worldwide.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Butterfly Conservatory
Experience

Butterfly Conservatory

El Castillo, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica[14.2 miles]

This small centre just outside the Park has atrium habitats housing hundreds of colourful rainforest butterflies, as well as other small rainforest fauna and an orchid exhibit. You’ll leave with a full appreciation of the extraordinarily diverse range of butterflies you may not see in the wild. Open daily.

Best for ages: 4+ | £11

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La Fortuna Waterfall
Experience

La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal National Park, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica[20.9 miles]

A beautiful 75m-high waterfall that drops into a refreshing, clear-water pool surrounded by moss-covered boulders. A wonderful place to swim.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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