Monteverde Costa Rica
The enchanting cloud forests of Monteverde are among the most amazing places in Costa Rica. For many nature lovers they are a must visit destination when visiting the country.There are only few places in the world where cloud forests exist and only few are as easily accessible as Monteverde where you can explore the nature on hiking trails in different nature reserves.
Tours and Activities
Monteverde is a paradise for any outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, bird watcher, adventurer and adrenalin junkie. Besides hiking the cloud forest reserves, there is a panoply of other activities, from nature or cultural tours to zip-lining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. You also find various exhibitions and small zoos with snakes, frogs, insects, bats or butterflies.
Right next to our hotel is the Monteverde Orchid Garden, a collection of 450 orchid species.
Below are some recommended activities. For more information please talk with our staff. We can arrange any of these or other tours and activities for you.
Guided Nature Tours
We can organize morning hikes in the company of our naturalist guide. Visiting the reserve with an accredited guide transforms a walk through pretty forest into an amazing look at the life of the cloud forest and a great learning experience.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Considered as the most well-known cloud forest in the world for its wide variety of biodiversity, important conservation contributions, and scientific research. The park is divided into 3 different circuits to choose from (reservation from their website is required, guided or self-guided)
Guided Hike: Adults US $49 per person / children US $36 (5-11 years)
Self-Guided: Adults US $29 per person / children US $16 (5-11 years)
In the Santa Elena Reserve
Located in the Caribbean part of the continental division, at an average height of 1600 meters above sea level, this Reserve is bathed by the northern trade winds creating a cloud system that lasts almost all year. Entrance fee is $20 per person adults and $15 per person students, guided tour has an additional charge of $20 per person. Tours at 7:30 am, 9:15 am, 11:30 am or 1:00pm.
In the Curi-Cancha Reserve
Curi-Cancha is a birdwatcher’s paradise (see Birds in Monteverde) At an altitude between 1450 – 1615 meters this lovely private reserve protects 83 hectares of virgin and secondary growth forest. On 10 km of well maintained trails through the cloud forest you can often see the Resplendent Quetzal, Three-Wattled Bellbird, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Orange-bellied Trogon, and many others. Frequently sighted mammals include armadillo, coati, agouti, kinkajou, ocelot, two-toed sloth, and three species of monkey: mantled howler, white-faced capuchin, and spider monkey.
Visitors are welcome to browse the trails by themselves or take a guide to enhance the experience. Entrance fee is $25 per person adults and $15 per person students (5-20 years), guided tour has an additional charge of $30 per person. Tours at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm
Nature and Canopy Tours
Selvatura Park
Selvatura is located about 4 miles from the town of Santa Elena on the road to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve. They also offer a sloth sanctuary, a butterfly garden, and exhibitions of amphibians and reptiles. Prices include free roundtrip transportation from / to your hotel. Pick-up times at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 am, 2:00 pm.
Treetop Walkways: Breathtaking views into the cloud forest on a self-guided walk on eight suspended bridges through the canopy. Open daily from 7:30 am to 4:00pm. Rates are US$ 55.37 for adults, US$ 49.83 for students and US$ 38.75 for children.
Zipline Canopy Tour: With 13 cables and Tarzan Swing is the largest zipline canopy tour in the region. The longest cables measure 800mts. and 1km. Rates are US$ 90.4 for adults, US$ 81.36 for students, and children US$ 63.28
Gold Package: This is a combination of the treetop walkways and the zipline canopy tour. Rates are US$ 131.19 for adults, US$ 118.07 for students, US$ 91.83 for children.
100% Aventura
Transportation available ($5 extra per person), pick up times in the hotel: 7:20am, 10:20am or 1:20pm
Canopy Tour: 9 regular cables, Mega Tarzan swing, rope bridge, 2 Superman cables including the longest in Costa Rica (1600 mts.), and rappel. Rates $72 adults / $60 children (ages 6 to 12) Tours at 8:00am, 11.00am or 2:00pm.
Hanging Bridges (Guided): 6 bridges along the way through a 2-mile-long trail in the forest. Rates $45 adults / $40 children (4 to 12 years old) Tours at 8:00am, 11.00am or 2:00pm.
Transportation available ($10 extra per person), pick up times in the hotel: 7:20am, 10:20am or 1:20pm
The Original Canopy Tour
10 cables (60 – 800 mts long) Rappel, Tarzan Swing, Hammock bridge, and Hollow tree climb. Rates $80 adults / $68 students / $57 children.
Tours at 7:30am, 8:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am or 2:00pm
Tree Topia
Transportation available ($11.30 extra per person), pick up times in the hotel: 7:30am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
Sky Walk (Hanging Bridges): This activity combines trails and suspension bridges. Rates $55.37 adults / $44.07 children (5 – 12 years old)
Tree Tram: The tour takes place accompanied by a naturalist guide that will teach you about the flora and fauna of the area. Rates $66.67 adults / $55.37 children (5-12 years old)
Tree Tram + Sky Trek (ziplines): Sky Trek is an adrenaline zipline tour. Rates $111.87adults / US $89.27 children (5-12 years old)
Tree Tram + Sky Trek + Sky Walk : Rate $145.77 adults / US $111.87 children (5-12 years old)
Arboreal Challenge Course: Zipline Bike, 2 climbing trees, monkey bridges, Tarzan swing. $78.97 adults / $66.67 children (5-12 years old)
Guided Night Tour
Transportation included, pick up time 5:40pm (tour starts at 6:00 pm). The tour starts at twilight and continues into darkness allowing observation of activity in both conditions. An experienced guide will lead you through the nightly forest with its strange sounds. You might see sloths, opossums, sleeping birds, porcupines, coatis, armadillos, snakes, tarantulas among others. Rate: $45 adults / $38 children (6-12 years)
Don Juan Coffee Tour
Actually this is 3 tours in 1! The Coffee Tour is the wonderful history of coffee and its importance in Costa Rica’s development. See all the processes of the coffee production, from the seed to the delicious final product. On the Chocolate Tour you will have an experience between aromas and history. You participate in the chocolate process and can enjoy, share and taste the fruit of the cocoa, until arriving to its magnificent transformation, becoming a delicious drink. On the Sugar Tour you’ll learn about the history of sugar cane, plantations, different types of harvest, processing, obtainment of various products. Transportation available ($6 extra per person), pick up times in the hotel: 7:40am, 9:40am, 12:40pm or 2:40pm. Price $45 adults / $15 children (7-12 years)
Equus Horseback Riding
Transportation included, pick up times at 7:30am, 10:30am or 3:00pm. Enjoy magnificent views from a private farm. Tour duration 2 hours approx. Rates: $50 per person
El Trapiche | Coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane mill
A Costa Rican family run business where you can enjoy a 2 hour guided tour. The tour begins with a walk through a farm where you can learn about the plantations that grow sugar cane, coffee and other crops such as bananas, plantains, root vegetables, oranges and more.
Tour includes an ox cart ride to the Sugar Mill “Trapiche” where the sugar cane is processed. Throughout the tour you will have the opportunity to taste the various products that are made from sugar cane as well as enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Tours at 10:00am, 1:00pm or 3:00pm, Transportation available ($7 extra per person), pick up times in the hotel: 9:40am, 12:40pm or 2:40pm. Price $45 adults / $15 children (6-12 years)
At our hotel reception you will receive more information and can make reservations for all tours and activities.