Monteverde literally translates to ‘green mountain’ and this lush region of Costa Rica and its cloud forests have been called by National Geographic as ‘the jewel in the crown of all cloud forest reserves’. A cloud forest means a tropical or subtropical forest characterised by a low level of cloud cover usually at canopy level.
So of course you can’t come to Costa Rica and not visit Monteverde’s cloud forests and there are a number of trails to choose. From the very popular Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve which from the main town of Saint Elena is about a 20 minute drive or you can catch a shuttle bus and tickets can be purchased from the Monteverde Info Centre in Saint Elena for £4.80/€5.70/$6. You can book a variety of tours of the reserve on their website and as their trails have a maximum capacity of 250 its advisable to book a timed slot otherwise you’ll be put on a waiting list at the reception.
Another cloud forest option is Selvatura Park which has a number of tour options listed on their website including suspension bridges, butterfly walks and reptile and amphibian exhibitions. Selvatura offers a free transportation service from Monteverde’s main hotels and Saint Elena if you’ve booked a zipline or canopy tour or a hanging bridges hike the shuttle is free otherwise it costs £6/€7.15/$7.50.
Our preferred cloud forest adventure was to El Tigre Waterfalls which is about a 30min drive from Santa Elena via Route 619 or you can book a shuttle for a round trip cost of £9.55/€11.50/$12. Details of their trails, prices and a calendar to see availability and to make bookings are all on their excellent website.
El Tigre Waterfalls appealed to us as it’s a bit more adventurous and is arguably much more spectacular than the other cloud forest walks as you see four waterfalls, can swim in two of them and cross ten hanging bridges and swim in the river. There are plenty of places to stop to rest, have a picnic (spot a Blue Morpho Butterfly or maybe even a Jaguar!) and relax with no time pressure or crowds.
There are two options the ‘Full package’ which is £53/€63/$66 per person and takes 3-4 hours and includes a 5km hike with an additional 3km to finish which you can choose to do either via horseback or their 4×4. All followed up by excellent food options in their restaurant overlooking the spectacular mountains. Definitely do the horseback option if you’re up for it. The other option is ‘The Big Hike’ for £26/€32/$33 per person and takes 3-4 hours which is the full 8km hike without the horse/4×4 or food.
Monteverde has many adventure activities to choose from such as Ziplines or the highest bungee jump in Costa Rica (143mtrs) at Monteverde Extremo to Horseback Riding or White Water Rafting. For something a little more sedate check out Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane tour or a bird watching guided tour with Monteverde Nature Tours.
Saint Elena is the small town in Monteverde with a population of just over 2000 people and where most visitors to the area base themselves. There’s plenty of shopping, food and accommodation options and for dining we highly recommend Taco Taco with amazing tacos, cocktails and live music and the unique Tree House Restaurant built around a massive tree growing through the middle of it (highly recommend the Tree Top pizza). For breakfast go to Zuccaro Cafe and Bakery for a yummy breakfast bagel with egg, bacon and cheese or try their fruit bowl (its big and fresh!) with yoghurt and granola and of course delicious Costa Rican coffee.