Panoramic vistas, emerald forests, rambling nature reserves and diverse flora and fauna paint the Monteverde landscape, offering endless ways to fill the day. Tours and hikes take visitors to worlds rarely seen, introducing them to the sights and sounds hidden in the area’s dense jungles.
Private Parks and Wildlife Refuges:
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Founded by Quaker settlers in the early 1950’s, this 26,000-acre private reserve is the largest and most popular park in the area today. The cloud forest is a prime location to spot wildlife – eight miles of groomed trails lead visitors to monkeys, coatimundi, sloths, frogs, insects and even the elusive resplendent quetzal – though only 160 people are allowed inside the reserve at a time.
During the dry season (December-April), be sure to arrive before 10 a.m. to guarantee a spot on the reserve’s green trails. Read more about the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve or explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest on our travel blog
 Santa Elena Reserve
Dwarfed by the Monteverde Cloud Forest in both size and popularity, the 766-acre Santa Elena Reserve deserves more attention than it receives. The cloud forest’s trees drip with emerald-green epiphytes, and its quiet acres are home to 10% more wildlife species than its more famous cloudy neighbor. In addition, all proceeds from ticket sales go towards funding local high schools. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes, since the rustic trails are often muddy. Read more about the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve or visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest on our blog
Children’s Eternal Forest
This conservation project began when a group of Swiss school children committed to “save the rainforest” and is today the largest reserve in the area. The 55,500-acre Children’s Eternal Forest – a combination of evergreen forest, seasonal cloud forest and seasonal rain forest – is fully funded by children and said to belong to every child in the world. (Cerro Plano. 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.; $8; 2645-5003) Discover the Children's Eternal Forest on our travel blog
Cerro Plano Ecological Sanctuary
Once a working farm, the Ecological Sanctuary now plants four to five million trees per year for reforestation. In addition, the park takes a natural approach to attracting animals – instead of baiting them with food, the reserve plants specific trees and bushes to lure coatimundis, white-faced monkeys and many other animal species. June and July are the best months for viewing the resplendent quetzal. (7 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.; $9; 2645-5869) Walk through the Ecological Sanctuary on our travel blog
Hidden Valley
The small wildlife reserve, once home to farms and banana plantations, is now forested by 27 acres of secondary tropical forest. The private park is relatively quiet during the day, but has one of the most popular night tours in town. To catch a glimpse of the resident coatimundi, agouti, sloths and porcupines, make sure to reserve a night tour in advance. (Cerro Plano. 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.; 2645-6601)
Visit Hidden Valley on our travel blog
Tranquil Path Reserve
Located between the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Guacimal River, this 200-acre private reserve promotes true ecotourism. Narrow trail paths minimize environmental impact, and tours are limited to six people per group, allowing visitors to experience the tropical forest in its natural state. ($35/person guided day tour; 7:20 a.m. or 1 p.m.; 2645-5010)
San Luis Research Station
Administered by the University of Georgia, the 173-acre research station is one of the Monteverde area’s best birding spots. Birdwatchers have reported seeing more than 230 avian species here, including the elusive, jewel-toned resplendent quetzal. Several trails wind through primary and secondary rainforest, and a working, on-site farm harvests tropical fruit year-round.
Waterfalls:
San Luis Waterfall A strenuous hike leads to the 330-foot tall San Luis waterfall, a tumbling cascade of clear, rushing water. The area is perfect for picnics, and several swimming holes lend themselves to leisurely afternoon swims. Guided horseback tours and walking tours to the waterfall are available, but adventurous travelers often hike the 1.5-mile rustic paths alone. (Road to San Luis.)
Cerro Plano Ecological Sanctuary 
This private reserve is home to three waterfalls, each detailed on the sanctuary’s complementary maps. Be sure to ask at the front desk, as one of the waterfalls is difficult to reach during the rainy season. (Cerro Plano. 7 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.; $9; 2645-5869)
Museums and Gardens:
Ranario (Monteverde Frog Pond)
135 frog species make their home in Costa Rica, but many can be almost impossible to see in the wild. Monteverde’s famous frog pond – housing 28 frog species and two toad species – is the ideal place to spot those amphibians that elude you in the forest. (Santa Elena. 9 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.; $10 adult; 2645-6320) Explore the Frog Pond on our travel blog
 Serpentarium
Home to snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs and other cold-blooded animals, the Monteverde Serpentarium gives an ideal introduction to Costa Rica’s reptile and amphibian species. The venomous snake exhibit is especially informative, and many visitors will catch their first glimpse of the terrifying fer-de-lance here. (Santa Elena. 8:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.; $8; 2645-6002)
Monteverde Butterfly Garden
The butterfly garden’s volunteer-run tours are full of enthusiasm and the perfect introduction to the country’s 14,000 butterfly and moth species. The garden also has a small please-touch bug exhibit, where visitors will get to know tarantulas, millipedes, cockroaches and other creepy-crawlies. (Cerro Plano. 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; $10; 2645-5512)
Hummingbird Gallery
Located just outside the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, the gallery’s many feeders attract a multitude of hummingbird species. The small area is often so clouded with hummingbirds that the air buzzes with the sound of their wings. (Monteverde. 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; free; 2645-5030) Enjoy the Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery on our travel blog
Orchid Garden
Learn about Costa Rica’s 400+ orchid species at Monteverde’s small orchid garden. Rare orchid species, such as the Plztystele jungermannioides, the world’s smallest orchid, are also found here. (Santa Elena. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; $10; 2645-5308)
Bat Jungle
Visitors to the bat jungle often forget their fears while learning about these tiny mammals. An open bat habitat and bilingual exhibits round out the informative exhibits, educating and entertaining at the same time. (Monteverde. 9:30 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.; $8; 2645-6566) Read more about the Bats of Costa Rica
World of Insects
If you don’t get enough crickets, katydids and walking sticks on Monteverde’s myriad night tours, the World of Insects will be the perfect addition to the cloud forest’s many insect and other arthropod species. Tours are conducted in both Spanish and English, and show off impressive species such as water cockroaches, arachnids and scorpions. (Santa Elena. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; $8; 2645-6859)
Selvatura
Plan to spend an entire day enjoying Selvatura’s diverse offerings. Begin with one of the area’s most popular canopy tours, followed up by an almost 2-mile walk along the facility’s hanging bridges.
After lunch, visit the largest private collection of insects in the area, known as the “Jewels of the Rainforest”, and observe thousands of six-legged critters, including beetles, stick bugs and butterflies, from all over the world. Later, visit Selvatura’s butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, reptile and amphibian exhibits and forest pathways. (Santa Elena. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) Visit Selvatura on our travel blog
Historical and Cultural Sights:
Friends Meeting House
Encouraged by Costa Rica’s recent army dissolution, nine Quaker families settled Monteverde in the early 1950’s. Their legacy still lives in Monteverde, and anyone interested may visit the Friends Meeting House that they founded more than 60 years ago. (Services 10:30 a.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Wednesday)
Monteverde Cheese Factory
Before the arrival of the Quakers, Santa Elena’s main industry was coffee farming. In 1953, the Quaker settlers founded the Cheese Factory, which would soon become the area’s largest employer. Today, tourists enjoy ice cream cones, cheese samples and a healthy helping of pacifist, Quaker history on Cheese Factory tours. (Monteverde. 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday, to 12:30 p.m. Sunday; $10; 2645-6565)
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