Do you want to walk through a misty forest surrounded by colorful birds and monkeys climbing in the trees? Of course you do! Monteverde Costa Rica is wildlife central, a vibrant cloud forest zone in the mountains that’s perfect for nature lovers. I visited Monteverde on a group tour of Costa Rica, and I loved walking along the hanging bridges and exploring the laid-back town of Santa Elena. Here’s what you need to know to plan your own adventure in Monteverde!
Overview of Monteverde
Monteverde is an area of northern Costa Rica that’s famous for the cloud forest. This higher-altitude version of a rainforest is cooler and frequently blanketed in mist. It’s home to an incredible range of animals and plants: capuchin monkeys, sloths, hummingbirds, quetzals, snakes, miniature orchids, just to name a few. The climate in Monteverde is cooler than nearby regions on the Pacific coast and in the northern lowlands. You might need to wear a jacket!
In Monteverde, many of the protected areas are private forest reserves rather than national parks. Locals recognize that it’s important to protect the cloud forest and are eager for ecotourism to play a role.
The main hub for travelers is Santa Elena, a tiny mountain town with a nice collection of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. The town itself is easily walkable, though some of the hotels are spread out around the surrounding hills. Be prepared to get some exercise if you’re heading out on foot.
Things to Do in Monteverde
Wildlife Watching and Birding
The one must-see thing in Monteverde is the wildlife. And the best option to get the most out of your wildlife watching or birding is to go with a local guide. Guides are experts at finding animals in the dense forest and getting a clear view with their spotting scopes. More importantly, local guides are eager to share their knowledge. You’ll get a lot more out the experience learning about the animals as you go. Cost varies but I’d figure about $50-$80 USD depending on group size and where you’re going.
I went on a guided walk in Curi Cancha Reserve (Reserva Curi-Cancha) and was amazed at how much we saw in just a couple hours! Our guide Pepo was excited to show us the birds that live in the reserve. I think my favorites were the colorful hummingbirds–we saw two species out of more than 20 in the area. He also took us by some huge ficus trees where we found a group of capuchin monkeys climbing around. If you’re looking for a guide in Monteverde, I can highly recommend looking up Pepo on his Instagram.
The most popular forests are Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde) and Santa Elena Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena). Both of these reserves have hiking trails through the cloud forest, and both are great options for more wildlife watching.
Night Walk Wildlife Tours
If you thought wildlife watching during the day was cool, wait until you try it at night! Night walk tours take you through the forest for a couple hours to look for nocturnal animals like frogs, snakes, and the elusive kinkajou. There’s something really magical about getting to see nature when it’s dark out, like getting to experience a hidden world.
I went on a small group walk with Kinkajou Night Walk. It was actually included as part of the group tour I was on in Costa Rica, and it was one of the coolest things we did! We met our guide at sunset and armed ourselves with flashlights before heading into the forest. Our guide was so good at finding animals in the dark! He showed us sleeping birds, glow-in-dark bugs, and a green viper coiled around a tree branch. Towards the end of the tour, we even managed to find the cat-like kinkajou climbing through the treetops.
Hanging Bridges
Monteverde’s hanging bridges are partially a thrilling expedition into the treetops and partially a relaxing nature walk. Imagine hiking through the humid cloud forest, when suddenly the path turns and takes you high above a stream. On a huge metal suspension bridge. Yes, the bridges do move a bit as you walk over them, so folks with a fear of heights may feel nervous. But seeing the cloud forest from this perspective is a beautiful experience.
I visited the hanging bridges at Selvatura Adventure Park, and they were fantastic! It only takes 1-2 hrs. to hike their trail. You go over 8 different suspension bridges along the way ranging from 170 ft. to 560 ft. Admission is $49 USD. Selvatura has other activities like zip-lines too, plus they offer free transportation from Santa Elena and nearby hotels.
Looking for more exciting activities in Costa Rica? You should check out La Fortuna.
Monteverde Orchid Garden
I’ve covered animals, but another thing you should check out in Monteverde is the plant life. Monteverde Orchid Garden (Jardín de Orquídeas Monteverde) is your chance to get up close with beautiful orchids from the cloud forest and beyond. They have more than 450 different orchid species, including some that only grow in Monteverde. Many of the orchids are tiny, but don’t worry–they’ll loan you a magnifying glass.
Included in your entry is a guided tour, which I highly recommend you take. There’s a lot to learn about orchids! (And’s its easy to walk right by some of them.) You’ll hear how different orchids reproduce in the wild and where they’re from. After the tour, you’re free to roam the garden on your own.
The Monteverde Orchid Garden is centrally located in Santa Elena. Admission is $18 USD. Also, Orchid Coffee and Restaurant next door is a great restaurant/cafe.
Canopy Tours/Zip-lining
When you’re thinking of visiting Costa Rica, the first thing that comes to mind might be zip-lines. And there’s a good reason for that. The phenomenon of zip-lining through the jungle started in Monteverde! Researchers were using ropes, bridges, and zip-lines to get up close to the forest canopy when Canadian Darren Hreniuk got the idea to run “canopy tours” for the public. Since starting in the 1990’s, zip-line tours have spread all around the world.
To be honest, I ran out of time in Monteverde and didn’t get to do any zip-lines. So I can’t recommend a specific experience there. It’s something you should keep in mind if you’re visiting Monteverde though.
Eating and Drinking
Monteverde is known for it’s beautiful nature, but I was impressed by the tasty food and drink there as well. The stereotype of Costa Rican food is that it’s all rice and beans. While you’ll certainly find those local staples, you’ll also find that many restaurants embrace international flavors or create their own fusion dishes with local ingredients. A few places I enjoyed:
- Orchid Coffee and Restaurant – This unassuming cafe next to the Monteverde Orchid Garden serves up some of the best rice bowls and salads ever! Fresh ingredients and refined flavors make this an ideal spot for lunch or a cup of coffee.
- The Open Kitchen – A casual restaurant with an eponymous open kitchen serving a tasty array of international dishes from schnitzel to falafel. They have lots of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Breakfast is available all day, too.
- Taty’s Bakery – Excellent bakery and breakfast cafe along the road just outside of town. Stop here for a pastry or a desayuno típico before heading out on your daily adventures.
- Restaurante Thomas & Thiago – A classic restaurant serving big plates of seafood, steak, and pasta. Some of the food is Italian, some of it’s Costa Rican, but either way you’re sure to find something tasty for dinner.
- Bar Amigos – Centrally located bar and grill that caters to locals and tourists alike.
If you’re up for an (alcoholic) drink, I recommend trying anything with fruit juices. The locally grown fruits in Costa Rica are top notch. I had a passionfruit spritz that was the perfect ending to a day of exploring. If you’re a beer drinker, Monteverde is also home to a few craft breweries.
Getting Around Monteverde
Getting to Monteverde
Monteverde is about 3 hours’ drive from San Jose. The easiest way to get there would be renting a car and driving there. You can also book with a shuttle service for $50-70 USD per person from San Jose. There is a much cheaper public bus, but it’s slower and not very user-friendly for tourists.
Alternatively, you could do what I did and see Monteverde as part of a group tour.
Getting Around Monteverde
Santa Elena is small and walkable, but the area is very hilly. Check to see how close your hotel is to the town center before heading out on foot! Officially licensed taxis can get you to back and forth for $5-10 USD per ride.
Most major activities offer an option of included transportation either from your hotel or the town center.
Tips for Visiting Monteverde
- When to Visit Monteverde – The best time to visit Monteverde is during Costa Rica’s dry season from roughly December to April. You may find smaller crowds during the rainy season from June to November, but be prepared for some rainy days.
- Monteverde is Mountainous – From the streets of Santa Elena to the forest reserve trails, Monteverde is mountainous! Make sure you wear shoes that are up for it. The cloud forest climate is significantly cooler than the lowlands, so you may need a jacket too (see next point).
- What to Pack for Monteverde – The important thing to remember is that Monteverde does not have the same tropical climate as low-lying areas in Costa Rica. Afternoon highs can be 75-80F but evenings can be breezy and cool in the 60F range. Pack good sneakers or hiking shoes, a rain jacket, and a long sleeve shirt for layering.
- Slow Down – Monteverde is not a place where you want to rush around. With amazing wildlife and beautiful gardens everywhere, make sure to give yourself time to relax and enjoy the place. Watch the sunset, enjoy a cup of coffee, and soak in the pura vida vibes.
