Monte Verde Cloud Forest Tour
Let us take you to the famous Monte Verde cloud forest tour. Location is almost in the middle of Costa Rica in the central mountain range of Puntarenas province. You will see the most incredible wild life and plants in the rainforest. This is one of the very best Guanacaste Costa Rica tours!
Monteverde is a town in mountainous northwest of Costa Rica. This is an area known for the remarkable biodiversity within its cloud forests. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to a great many wildlife species. This includes big cats such as jaguars and ocelots, plus a variety of exotic birds such as the brightly colored quetzal. The reserve has many pleasant walking trails that meander through forests rich in ferns and orchids. Monteverde is considered one of the main ecotourism destinations in Costa Rica. National Geographic has referred to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve as “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves.”
Monteverde – translated as “Green Mountain” – is appropriately named for its lush reserves of verdant cloud forests. Within Costa Rica, it is regarded with national pride as an example of ecotourism at its best. It was voted as one of the country’s seven wonders.
A cloud forest is defined as a high-elevation forest with ongoing canopy-level cloud cover. Warm wind from the Atlantic Ocean rises up the dividing ranges where it cools and condenses to form clouds. By the time they reach the summits, the clouds are heavy and moisture-filled. The forests are therefore shrouded in a constant supply of wet mist. The annual rainfall is approximately 12 feet. This endless cloud cover provides the forests with a perpetual delivery of water which in turn supports the plants and animals that live within the forests.
A trip to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve can be an enriching experience. You will discover the secrets of the world’s best known cloud forest reserve, famous for its biodiversity. There are;
- more than 130 mammal species
- over 500 bird species including the spectacular Quetzal, three-wattle Bellbird, bare-necked Umbrella bird, keel-billed Toucan
- long-tailed Manakin
- 120 species of amphibians and reptiles
- more than 3000 plant species of which some 500 are orchids
- thousands of insect species
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is one of the most important protected areas in Costa Rica. It is enjoyed by nature lovers from multiple countries who appreciate and study the abundant biodiversity within it’s ecosystems. Plant growth is abundant and luxurious, hanging roots and vines dangle across the trails. Trunks, branches and even roots of trees are covered with other plants such as;
- epiphytes
- lichens
- liverworts
- bryophytes
- mosses
The endless chorus of birds echos throughout the forest. Not to be outdone, the insects, reptiles, mammals and birds that live here can be found in fantastic numbers as well. White-faced and howler monkeys reside here, as do jaguars, agouti, and the three-toed sloth.
Opening Times: The Reserve is open year round every day from 7:00 am. to 4:00 pm.
In the midst of natures richness, there are adventures to be had, as hanging bridges allow walks amid the forest canopy.
Activities available in Monte Verde:
- Canopy tour
- Hiking through hanging bridges
- Butterfly garden
- Hummingbird garden
- Serpentarium
- The third biggest collection of insects on the planet
We are sure that this journey will be one of the highlights of your trip to Costa Rica and we’d be happy to be your tour guide in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province!
What to Bring: Copy and original Passport, hiking shoes, raincoat, camera and bug spray.
Includes: Air conditioned transportation, bilingual tour guide and the rest depends on what activity you choose.
More information on Monte Verde: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteverde_Cloud_Forest_Reserve
