Monteverde CloudForest
3
Day Itinerary •
Costa Rica
Three days in Monteverde and the Costa Rica cloud forest delivers the most extraordinary highland ecosystem experience in Central America, where the remarkable Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve harbours an extraordinary concentration of biodiversity in a dramatic cloud-shrouded landscape of outstanding epiphyte-laden trees, remarkable hanging bridges and the finest ziplining in the Americas. This focused route covers the essential Monteverde cloud forest. The extraordinary Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve with its remarkable resplendent quetzal habitat, the fine Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, the extraordinary Sky Walk hanging bridges, the remarkable Extremo zipline, the fine Monteverde hummingbird gardens and the extraordinary cheese factory established by the Quaker community.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season for clearer views
Getting There
Fly into SJO then 4 hours by shuttle to Monteverde
Getting Around
Walking in Santa Elena, taxis and shuttles to reserves
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, cloud forest trails can be muddy
DAY 1
CLOUD FOREST
MORNING
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST BIOLOGICAL RESERVE DAWN WALK
The most extraordinary cloud forest in the Americas, a remarkable 10,500-hectare private reserve at 1,440 to 1,800 metres. The extraordinary diversity of 500 orchid species, 400 bird species including the remarkable resplendent quetzal, 490 butterfly species and 100 mammal species including the fine baird's tapir makes this the finest cloud forest reserve in the world. Dawn guide walks give the finest quetzal sightings. Entry approx 24 USD. Book tickets online. 30 min walk
MIDDAY
MONTEVERDE HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN AND ORCHID GARDEN
The extraordinary hummingbird gardens of Monteverde where remarkable species including the green-crowned brilliant and fine purple-throated mountaingem feed simultaneously. The extraordinary Monteverde Orchid Garden contains the finest collection of cloud forest orchid species with remarkable micro-orchids viewable only through magnifying glass. Entry approx 10 USD each. 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
CHEESE FACTORY TOUR AND MONTEVERDE VILLAGE
The extraordinary Monteverde Cheese Factory established in 1953 by the remarkable Quaker community who founded Monteverde, producing the finest artisan cheeses in Costa Rica. The fine factory tour reveals the remarkable history of how Alabama Quakers created the extraordinary environmental sanctuary of Monteverde. Tour approx 8 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bajo del Tigre nature trail at the Monteverde reserve edge, a remarkable 1.5km walk through outstanding secondary cloud forest with fine interpretive signs on the extraordinary biodiversity, is almost entirely missed by visitors who go straight to the main reserve. The finest bird activity is at dawn on this trail. Entry approx 10 USD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Monteverde Outstanding breakfast in Santa Elena. Fresh Costa Rican coffee and gallo pinto before the dawn reserve walk. | Lunch: Soda Monteverde Outstanding casado and fresh fruit juice after the hummingbird gardens. | Dinner: Tree House Restaurant The finest restaurant in Santa Elena. Outstanding contemporary Costa Rican cuisine in an extraordinary treehouse.
DAY 2
SKY WALK
MORNING
SKY WALK HANGING BRIDGES
The extraordinary Sky Walk system of six hanging bridges and eight nature trails through remarkable old-growth cloud forest giving outstanding above-canopy views of the extraordinary Monteverde landscape. The fine 3km trail crosses 16 bridges including 6 extraordinary hanging bridges. The outstanding 330-metre suspension bridge is the longest in Costa Rica. The remarkable sloth and toucan encounters are the finest. Entry approx 29 USD. 15 min drive
MIDDAY
EXTREMO MONTEVERDE ZIPLINE
The extraordinary Extremo Adventure Park, the finest zipline in Costa Rica, where remarkable cables cross the extraordinary cloud forest canopy at heights of up to 125 metres and speeds of 120 kilometres per hour. The fine 12-cable Tarzan swing and the remarkable Superman position give extraordinary views over the cloud forest and Pacific lowlands. Zipline approx 55 USD. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST NIGHT WALK
The extraordinary night walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest with a specialist naturalist guide, revealing the remarkable red-eyed tree frog, extraordinary olingo, the fine glass frog and the remarkable porcupines. The fine Monteverde glass frog visible through its transparent skin is the most extraordinary wildlife encounter on the night walk. Tours approx 22 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Curi-Cancha Reserve adjacent to the Monteverde boundary is the finest alternative wildlife reserve in Monteverde, with outstanding quetzal sightings, remarkable three-wattled bellbirds and the fine bare-necked umbrella bird in a less-crowded setting. Entry approx 20 USD. The finest hidden birding reserve in Monteverde.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Sky Walk opening. | Lunch: After Extremo zipline Outstanding smoothies and casado at a Santa Elena soda. Remarkable appetite after the extraordinary zipline. | Dinner: Morphos Restaurant Outstanding Costa Rican cuisine with fine cloud forest atmosphere. Excellent river fish and local vegetables.
DAY 3
SANTA ELENA
MORNING
SANTA ELENA CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
The extraordinary Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve 6km from Santa Elena at higher elevation than the Monteverde Reserve with more dramatic cloud forest character. The remarkable tower viewpoint at 1,700 metres gives extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano on clear days. Far less visited than Monteverde with equally outstanding wildlife. Entry approx 15 USD. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MONTEVERDE SKY TRAM GONDOLA
The extraordinary Sky Tram gondola descending from the Monteverde cloud forest ridge down the remarkable Pacific slope, giving outstanding aerial views of the extraordinary cloud forest canopy above and the fine Gulf of Nicoya coastline below on clear days. The remarkable transition from cloud forest to lowland forest is extraordinary. Tram approx 35 USD. 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
FAREWELL AND RETURN TO SAN JOSE OR ARENAL
A final extraordinary afternoon in Santa Elena's remarkable village exploring the fine artisan shops and the outstanding butterfly garden before departure. The remarkable drive down from Monteverde on the extraordinary mountain road through outstanding coffee and sugar cane farms to the Pan-American Highway is the finest farewell to the cloud forest highlands.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bajo del Tigre trail at the Children's Eternal Rainforest boundary, the largest private reserve in Costa Rica at 22,000 hectares, gives the finest independent birdwatching near Monteverde away from crowds with remarkable resplendent quetzal sightings during the nesting season. Entry approx 10 USD. The extraordinary Children's Eternal Rainforest purchase story is remarkable.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Santa Elena Reserve. | Lunch: After Sky Tram Outstanding fresh fruit and casado at the Sky Tram base with fine views over the remarkable lowland landscape. | Dinner: La Cantina, Santa Elena Outstanding Costa Rican restaurant near the village centre.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Santa Elena, All Nights Monteverde Lodge or Hotel Fonda Vela. Cloud forest setting. Approx 80 to 200 USD. Luxury El Establo Mountain Hotel. Finest views in Monteverde. Approx 150 to 350 USD per night. Budget Camino Verde Hostel or Pension Santa Elena. Approx 20 to 60 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Monteverde Reserve entry online. Daily visitor limits apply. Sell out in peak season.
2. Dawn guided walks give the finest resplendent quetzal sightings. Book the 6am guide slot.
3. Bring full waterproof gear to Monteverde. The cloud forest is almost always wet underfoot.
4. The zipline at Extremo is the finest in Costa Rica. Book ahead in December and January.
5. The Santa Elena Reserve is far less crowded than Monteverde. Quetzal sightings are equally fine.
6. Monteverde nights are cold at 1,500m. Bring warm layers even in the dry season.
Total Budget
80 to 500 USD/day