Best 12 Things To Do Near Monteverde Rainforest
Monteverde is in the Tilarán Mountain Range, Province of Puntarenas. Renowned worldwide since the arrival of Quakers in the 1950´s, Monteverde is home to the most famous cloud forest in the world. The mystic combination of towering trees, and hundreds of epiphytes shrouded in mist that covers the canopy, creates a unique habitat; the cloud forest. In addition to forest hikes, visitors enjoy a variety of area attractions including horseback riding, numerous dining options, live butterfly exhibits, bird watching including famous resident birds like the Resplendent Quetzal, zip line- canopy tours, hanging bridges, walks in forest canopies, and more!
Find below a list of the best 12 things to do in the Monteverde Cloud Forest:
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the premier natural history destinations in Costa Rica. The forest is dominated by trees densely covered with mats of small plants known as epiphytes that include mosses, lichens, orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. This cool, very green, and often misty forest is home to a variety of wildlife. On your guided 5 km trail you may encounter monkeys, coatimundis, agoutis and mystical birds such as the Resplendent Quetzal!
Highlights: Variety of cloud forest wildlife. A privileged place to look for toucanets and quetzals. Continental divide trail. Beautiful lookouts to the Pacific Ocean.
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide and entrance fees.
Bring: Binoculars, walking shoes, water, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, and camera.
Santa Elena Rainforest Reserve
Owned and maintained by the Santa Elena High School, this private reserve concentrates on establishing forest corridors leading to lower altitudes—helping the populations of diverse cloud forest fauna such as the Resplendent Quetzal, pumas, and jaguars, among many other creatures, that require large territories in which to forage and breed. On this 6 km nature walk, delve into the mysterious cloud forest with its unique inhabitants including the Black Guan, the Silver-throated Tanager, and the Fiery-throated Hummingbird.
Highlights: A lush natural garden of mosses, ferns, flowers, and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Lookouts to the Arenal Volcano.
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide and entrance fees.
Bring: Binoculars, walking shoes, water, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, and camera.
Curicancha Wildlife Refuge
With gentle inclines, well-kept trails, rest benches in hummingbird gardens, and amazing lookouts to the Nicoya Gulf and the Pacific waters, this local and family- managed wildlife refuge is a must- visit in Monteverde. With our private access to a series of more than 8 kms of paths that other visitors are not permitted to explore, our guides know exactly where to look for wildlife and in addition to the emblematic cloud forest birds, you can search for monkeys, sloths, armadillos, agoutis, and coatis; each creature is a usual inhabitant of these secret paths. The Curicancha experience is even more special at twilight! Look for sleeping birds, night mammals, plus a symphony of frogs, insects, and flying bats!
Highlights: One of the most important wildlife reserves in Monteverde. Private access to hidden paths, wildlife diversity at day or night!
Length: Half day with morning, afternoon, and twighlight departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, entrance fees, gear as needed.
Bring: Binoculars, walking shoes, water, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, and camera.
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
The Sky Tram is a 20-minute aerial tram (Gondola) tour through the rain forest to an observation deck where you take in spectacular views of the Golfo de Nicoya and the Arenal Volcano. The Sky Trek is a secure system of a 5 km trail, featuring two observation towers and seven zip lines whizzing through the Monteverde Cloud Forest; offering visitors the opportunity to observe and appreciate nature from different vantage points in the canopy! Finally, the Sky Walk covers six hanging bridges and a 5 km trail highlighting an amazing variety of canopy plants such as orchids, mosses, and tank bromeliads. Encounters with troops of howling monkeys, quetzals, and blue morpho butterflies are common.
Highlights: Amazing views and adrenaline guaranteed! Zipping in the cloud forest. Eye level view of monkeys, flocks of colorful birds, orchids, and butterflies.
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, entrance fees, gear as needed.
Bring: Walking shoes, comfortable clothes, raincoat optional.
Selvatura Walkways & Butterfly Garden
Walking across eight hanging bridges and along 3 kms of trail, visitors will appreciate the wide variety of flora and fauna of the cloud forest canopy of Monteverde. The endemic biodiversity here is not found anywhere else in the world. The treetop walkways provide the best vantage point to observe the beauty of the cloud forest in all its levels and is perfect for bird watching. Later enjoy one of the largest butterfly gardens in the Americas, with a special dome that host more than 30 different species of butterflies from different altitudes and climates found throughout Costa Rica.
Highlights: Walk the cloud forest canopy at your own pace. The largest butterfly garden in Costa Rica.
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, and entrance fees.
Bring: Binoculars, walking shoes, water, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, and camera.
Don Juan Coffee Tour
Expand your knowledge and your palate when you discover what’s behind the gastronomical appreciation for Costa Rica’s most famous products: coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane! On this “three-in-one” tour, learn about processing these valued goods, cultural aspects, traditions, and history in the highlands of Monteverde cloud forest!
Highlights: Coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane in one tour! From bean to cup, seed to bar!
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, and entrance fees.
Bring: Walking shoes, water, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, and camera.
Monteverde Frog Pond
The Monteverde Frog Pond has nearly 30 frog species in their collection including the famous, red-eyed tree frog. During this two-hour guided tour, learn about the natural history of these unique amphibians that are housed in large terrariums that simulate their natural habitats. We highly recommend visiting the frog pond in the afternoon (after 5 pm) when frogs become more active and often quite vocal!
Highlights: A unique collection of native Costa Rican frogs. Great opportunity to appreciate and learn the natural history of tropical amphibians. Listen to amazing frog calls during night tours!
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, and entrance fees.
Bring: Camera.
El Tigre Waterfalls
El Tigre Waterfalls are located a short drive from Monteverde towards the Caribbean watershed of the Tilarán Mountain Range. On clear days, spectacular views from a lookout point show off several volcanoes, including Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Miravalles. The four main falls are located along an 8 km loop trail and range from 15 to 30 meters in height. Prepare for an active 3-hour hike with moderate ascents and descents. The beautiful trail winds through forest habitats with hiking on gravel and wet, rocky substrates. This 60-hectare preserve is a healthy habitat for monkeys, agoutis, coatis, and other forest creatures. Crossing hanging and natural tree bridges, refreshing dips in natural pools, and riding a 30-minute section on horseback or by 4X4, add to the adventure!
Highlights: Spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and lake and several volcanos in the Guanacaste Cordillera. Picturesque waterfalls in the rainforest. Great for wildlife and activity close to Monteverde.
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, entrance fees.
Bring: Binoculars, walking shoes, water, swimsuit, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, change of clothes, and camera.
Cerro Pinocho - A Secret Spot!
Only 20 minutes from Monteverde is a magnificent look out, situated within a private farm. Boasting some of the best sunsets and vistas of the Pacific coast in Costa Rica, this secret spot is just a short stroll from the road. With only the silence of nature around you and excellent views of Puntarenas and the dry lowlands of Guanacaste, we think it’s an ideal place to relax and enjoy! Let us take you to Cerro Pinocho with wine and cheese to enjoy after a great hike in the misty cloud forest!
Highlights: Expansive view toward the Pacific waters of Costa Rica. Private family farm. The best sunset in Monteverde.
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, entrance fees, wine and cheese.
Bring: Binoculars, walking shoes, water, insect repellent, sun block and camera.
Monteverde Pacific Trail
The Pacific side of Monteverde and the San Luis Valley encompasses a network of lesser-known trail systems, conservation properties, a variety of ecological life zones, land uses, communities, and agriculture initiatives—all with a conservation focus and a vision to link the upper elevation cloud forests to the lower elevation dry forest, wildlife corridors, and rural communities. A spectacular example of this unique mosaic is the Pacific Trail. This challenging adventure will cover 14-15 kms along dirt roads, wet and rocky substrates, muddy sections, and narrow forest paths. Cross through a variety of different habitats from the cloud forest belt near the Monteverde Reserve to second growth forest, patches dominated by old strangler figs, oak ridges, open grass hill tops, to guayabón forest and the lowlands near the much drier area of San Luis River Valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife and breathtaking lookouts to the Pacific watershed and cloud forest ridges. The walk ends with a warm welcome from a Costa Rican family who invite you to enjoy a nice meal before returning to the cloud forest!
Highlights: Great lookouts to the Pacific watershed and cloud forest ridges. A unique hike with dramatic changes in elevation, diverse habitats, and wildlife opportunities with an expert guide. A delicious Costa Rican meal prepared by a local San Luis family!
Length: Full day with morning departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, and lunch.
Bring: Binoculars, hiking shoes, walking sticks, water, insect repellent, raincoat, sunblock, hat, and camera.
Horseback Riding
Take it all in from another vantage point on horseback along the Monteverde plateau. This two-hour tour explores private paths through an 80-hectare family-owned farm. Ride through grasslands, rainforest, and coffee and sugar cane plantations, with plenty of pauses to spot wildlife such as sloths, toucans, and monkeys! A special tour will be at sunset, to enjoy the superb views of the Golfo de Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean. We have horses for every level of rider. Minimum age is five.
Highlights: Friendly and healthy horses. Explore different habitats in Monteverde. Amazing lookouts at sunset!
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local guide, entrance fees, gear as needed.
Bring: Long pants, insect repellent, walking shoes (no sandals), and camera.
The Women's Cooperative Of Monteverde
Try your hand at painting during a private two-hour workshop with the Commission of Artisans of Santa Elena de Monteverde (CASEM)! These amazing artisan women are predominantly residents of the Monteverde district, they are mostly housewives who want to continue taking care of their families and craft their products in their own homes. They are skilled producers of handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, recycled materials, and paintings depicting the ecology of the area. A special opportunity indeed!
Highlights: Learn to paint with artisan ladies of Monteverde. Be part of local cultural experience!
Length: Half day with morning and afternoon departures.
Includes: Round trip transportation, local artist, painting materials.
Bring: Camera.
