Something for Everyone in Monteverde
Owing to its location on the Continental Divide, Monteverde hosts a range of distinct habitats, which give refuge to thousands of animal species. The region’s main attractions center around its stunning scenery and outdoor adventures – this is a whimsical place where you can soar like bird, hear sound waves like a bat, and encounter some of the world’s most unusual creatures. Welcome to Monteverde, where regardless of age or interest, there’s something for everyone!
read more closeAdventure Seekers
Canopy tours combine zip-line cables, hiking trails and lookout towers for an incredible adventure packed with adrenaline and nature. The area’s tours range from relatively tame to full-on extreme. First-time zip-liners may opt for the original canopy tour that features fast cables, a tree-trunk rappel, and a rope ladder climb inside a hollowed-out fig tree. On the other end of the spectrum, Monteverde’s self-proclaimed “extreme” canopy tour includes 14 cables – one of which stretches almost half a mile! You’ll hike nearly two miles as you test your limits and scream with glee. The tour’s highlights include a Tarzan swing, where you leap into free-fall from several stories above the ground, and a 90-foot rappel down the side of a tree. If you’re feeling especially bold, try the Superman cable, and enjoy views of the Nicoya Gulf while you fly, arms outstretched, just like the Man of Steel.
Birders
Home to 400 kinds of birds – almost half of Costa Rica’s total avian species – Monteverde is an ideal destination for the avid birder. Common sightings include bare-necked umbrellabirds, three-wattled bellbirds, blue-crowned motmots, hummingbirds, emerald toucanets, and the resplendent quetzal, which nests between March and June. Guided birdwatching tours are an excellent way to get the most out of your visit. Seasoned naturalist guides are highly skilled at identifying species by a fallen feather or melodic song. Many of the private reserves, including the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, offer early morning bird tours, where you will look for interesting species as you explore the reserve’s varying elevations.
Foodies
Coffee lovers rejoice: Monteverde’s cool mountains and fertile soil yields some of Costa Rica’s finest Arabica beans. Begin your day with an interactive coffee tour, where you’ll learn how red coffee cherries make their way from the field to your cup. You’ll meet local coffee growers and visit the roasting co-op before finishing the tour with samples of delicious coffee products. Next, stop in at the Monteverde Cheese Factory, which produces more than 3,400 pounds of cheese every day. Taste some of the factory’s goodies, like their ultra-rich ice cream before heading back into town for dinner. Monteverde’s culinary offerings are a surprising treat – Latin fusion, Middle Eastern and traditional Costa Rican restaurants line the streets. You can’t miss dining in one of the town’s Italian eateries, which feature thin crust pies baked in wood-burning ovens. Buon appetito!
Inquisitive Youth
Both parents and kids love Monteverde’s Bat Jungle, an educational exhibit that explores bat life and conservation. Almost one hundred bats live onsite, representing eight Costa Rican species, and if you time it right, you can watch these flying mammals dine on fresh fruit. Your kids will giggle when they put on a pair of bat ears, but the exaggerated sounds will give them the opportunity to hear like a bat. Discover the massive quantities of food you’d have to consume each night, if you were a bat. (Gallons of insects, hundreds of bananas and liters of liquid nectar collected from thousands of flowers!) The Bat Jungle’s “dark room” is the highlight of the tour; walk into simulated nighttime cloud forest, and observe the bats flying, hanging and feeding in their native habitat. You’ll even hear the sounds of bat echolocation, amplified for human ears.
Wildlife Buffs
The enormous biodiversity found in Monteverde’s private reserves has earned it international praise. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve alone protects some 100 species of mammals, such as white-faced and howler monkeys, coatimundis, agoutis, tapirs, wild cats and sloths. Before you set out on an independent or guided hike, stop by one of the area’s animal exhibits, which include a serpentarium, frog pond, butterfly garden, world of insects and hummingbird gallery. These museums and gardens offer a great foundation on local flora and fauna, and will arm you with the skills necessary to identify species in the wild. Book day and night hikes at your choice of local reserves – we highly recommend Santa Elena Reserve and the Santuario Ecologico, both of which have fewer crowds and engaging tours.
Best Hotel Deals in Costa Rica!
Get up to 30% off Hotels & Resorts worldwide compared to other major booking sites like Expedia and Priceline with our exclusive pricing ...