Activities

As the sun sets, the Cloud Forest comes alive. Tune into the impressive chorus of our nocturnal wildlife with a Forest Night Walk.

Don Juan Cruz was born to one of the first pioneering farming families that arrived to the Monteverde area. For the most part of his life he has been associated with coffee and for sharing his history and the culture of this land with frequent visitors to his small farm.

The El Rodeo stable is among the best stables for horseback riding in Costa Rica. Their healthy horses are great looking and well taken care of; they are also quite well trained. You will be met in the lobby of Monteverde Lodge for the 10 minute drive to the stables.

Enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna with relatively short distance and easy walking, this reserve is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. From January to July, you have possibilities to observe the Resplendent Quetzal at the reserve.

Curi Cancha is a mix of fully recovered and recovering secondary forest. Several large open areas make good points to stop and look for birds. This reserve offers shorter hikes with easier access, and only allows 40 visitors at a time.

The lesser known Santa Elena Reserve is a cloud forest that should not be missed. Its higher elevation makes it cooler with more wind you often hike in the clouds, giving you a real sense of a Cloud Forest.

Sky Adventures Monteverde is the adventure park of the cloud forest – a place with lots to do for a fun packed day.

A big attraction in Monteverde are zip line tours through the tree canopy. For your concern only Sky Trek has met with our safety requirements.

Another big attraction is walking with a naturalist guide across bridges strung through the upper levels of the forest canopy. This allows for a different perspective of the cloud forest than hiking, and increased opportunities for wildlife viewing.

The Monteverde Butterfly Garden experience is based on hands on education. Highly educated guides will help you learn about spiders and insects from all over the Monteverde region.

Visitors can admire more than 25 species of native frogs, toads and other amphibians living in large, naturally-simulated terrariums. A bilingual guide accompanies visitors during each tour and teaches them about the frogs’ history, habitat, and unique characteristics.

This amphibian and reptile zoo is a perfect place to learn about the fauna of Costa Rica. The facilities are spacious and care has been taken in recreating the natural environment for animals. Here you can appreciate more than 40 species of snakes, reptiles, lizards, spiders, iguanas, amphibians and land-turtles.

The Orchid Garden located in Santa Elena offers a rare opportunity to see orchid species that are normally found in the Cloud Forest canopy and almost impossible to see.

The intellectual’s chocolate tour, this provides an in-depth look at chocolate and its history. As you watch the chocolate making process, trace the history of the cacao bean from pre-Columbian times to Europe.

El Trapiche is run by a local family who will show you the process that was used at the turn of the century to grow and process sugar.

The tour begins with a short trip around the farm where you can observe the different plantations within. Cross a small patch of forest where occasionally wildlife can be found. During the farm tour, see a small tilapia pond, banana plantations, plantains, “arracache root” (local produce), macadamia, oranges, sugar cane and coffee.