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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica. Wind-sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas protected cove Monteverde rainforests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Poorly drained areas support swamp forests, while parts of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, dissected by deep gorges, have numerous crystal clear streams tumbling over rapids and waterfalls. The variable climate and large altitudinal gradient has helped produce an extremely high biodiversity. Spectacular wildlife includes the Jaguar, Ocelot, Bairdīs Tapir, Three-wattled Bellbird, Bare necked Umbrella bird and Resplendent Quetzal. LOCATION: 6 Km (3.6 Mi) SE of Santa Elena de Monteverde CostaRica. See map. GETTING THERE: Bus leaves from the Banco National in Santa Elena de Monteverde at 6:15 AM and 1:00 PM daily (except Sundays in the low season, only at 6h15 am) . Returns at noon and 4 PM. Or take a taxi for $5, one way. HOURS: 7 AM to 4 PM daily. COST: US $12 adults, $6.50 for students with ID & children over 11, free for younger. Restaurant, souvenir shop, art gallery. no restrooms on trails. GUIDED TOURS: are available for $15 pp and last about 3 1/2 hours ($12 pp for groups of 5 or more) in English or Spanish. Write to guide@monteverdeinfo.com. Guided night tours are $13, entrance, and guide included. Every night. Meet at 7:15 P.M. at reserve entrance, no reservations needed. Note that if it rains, the night tour is not recommended. BACKPACKING: 3 backcountry huts are available for a fee of $3.50 pp per night plus the entrance fee for each day of stay (see below for details). For reservations & more details about the huts: montever@racsa.co.cr Monteverde map of trails.
SENDERO BOSQUE NUBOSO - CLOUD FOREST TRAIL 1.9 km (1.2 mi) ; Rise 65 m. (213 ft.); 1.5 hoursA self-guided tour booklet of this trail is available for 300 and is available in English and Spanish. Most popular trail. Good examples of strangler figs. EL CAMINO - THE ROAD 2.0 km (1.2 mi.); Rise 45 m. (148 ft.); 1 hour More open than the other trails, so sunlight attracts butterflies and is a good place for bird watching. SENDERO PANTANOSO - SWAMP TRAIL 1.6 km (1.0 mi.); Rise 40 m. (131 ft.); 1.25 hours This trail passes through a swamp forest while traversing the Continental Divide. Numerous light gaps, magnolias, plants with stilt roots and podocarpus, the only conifer in the preserve. SENDERO RIO - RIVER TRAIL 1.9 km (1.2 mi.); Rise 65 m. (213 ft.); 1.5 hours This trail leads along the Quebrada Cueda with a short trail to a waterfall. Near the waterfall are good examples of zapote trees with buttressed roots. SENDERO CHOMOGO 1.8 km. (1.1 mi.); Rise 150 m. (492 ft.); 1.25 hours Highest trail reaching 1,680 m. (5,510 ft.). Oak, bamboo and heliconia are common around the higher areas. Hot lip plants abound. SENDERO BOSQUE ETERNO - ETERNAL FOREST TRAIL .6 km (.4 mi.); Rise 35 m. (115 ft.); 20 min. Good examples of strangler figs. SENDERO GEORGE POWELL .2 km (.1 mi.); Rise 20 m. (66 ft.); 10 min. Area of 2nd growth forest. Trail named after one of the founders of the preserve. SENDERO BRILLANTE .3 km. (.2 mi.); Rise 16 m. (49 ft.); 10 min.Takes you along the Continental Divide to La Ventana, an overlook with a wide view of the elfin forest. Bamboo is common. SENDERO ROBLE Lovely narrow trail with a beautiful heliconia grove. Uphill in northerly direction. BACKPACKING: 3 backcountry huts are available in Monteverde Cloud Forest for a fee of $3.50 pp per night plus the entrance fee for each day of stay:
History In 1972 under the threat of homesteading in the surrounding rain forest, visiting scientists George Powell and his wife joined forces with long-time resident Wilford Guindon to promote the establishment of a nature preserve. The Tropical Science Center was receptive to these efforts and accepted institutional responsibility for ownership and management of the protected areas. An initial land purchase of 328 hectares formed the core of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica. In 1975 the 554-hectare community watershed reserve, founded in the mid-60s by members of the Quaker community and named Bosque Eterno S.A., was annexed under an administrative contract to the Preserve. To contact the Monteverde Reserve: montever@racsa.co.cr |
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