Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Costa Rica
The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Feels like walking in a grandiose green Cathedral. 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 the famous elusive Resplendent Quetzal.
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.
After the Preserve's creation, the Tropical Science Center continued to secure the financial and human resources necessary to expand, consolidate, and properly protect and manage the non-profit Rainforest Preserve's current 10,500 hectares.
See some more Monteverde photos we took on a quiet morning in mid August 2005 (walking from the entrance (i on the trail map below) on the El Camino trail up to the bridge and back to the entrance via the Wilfrid Guindon trail)
Hours: For daily schedules and rates, please click the tour reservation options below. Children 6 and are free. Restaurant, souvenir shop, art gallery are also open from 7 AM to 4 PM. No restrooms on the trails but big & clean ones at the entrance. Note that it gets dark @ 6h pm in Costa Rica.
| Private Guided Tour of the Monteverde Reserve Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Guided Tour Monteverde Reserve | Explore the enchanted Monteverde Cloud forest with a set of expert eyes during this guided walk. We will explore different trails in search of birds and mammals and discuss the amazing diversity of plants. | |
| Private Guided Tour Monteverde Reserve | Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest with your own private guide in search of birds and mammals | |
| Early Morning Birdwatching Tour Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Early Morning Bird Watching Tour | From start to finish the goal of this tour is to identify as many birds as possible | |
Guided Tours:: Group Tours (max of 8) are available (see reservation options above) and last about 2 1/2 hours in English or Spanish does not include the entrance fee to the reserve. Write to guide@monteverdeinfo.com. On the Early Morning Bird Watching Tour, the goal is to spot as many birds as possible as you make your way through different elevations on the way to the Monteverde Reserve, entrance to the reserve is included in the price.
Location: 6 Km (3.6 Mi) SE of Santa Elena, Monteverde. See Monteverde map
Getting there: Bus leaves from the Banco Nacional in Santa Elena, Monteverde every hour starting @ 6h AM daily the last one being @ 1h15 pm and cost $1 per person. Returns from the reserve every hour starting @ 9h45 am, last one being @ 4h pm. You can board the bus anywhere along the road between the Village of Santa Elena & the entrance of the Monteverde Reserve, just wave the driver. Or take a local taxi for $7 (up to 5 passengers) all hotels, restaurants or businesses will gladly call one for you.
Monteverde trail map. They are very well maintained, regular comfortable shoes are fine, no need for rubber boots or special hiking boots except if you plan on staying overnight in the huts.
TRAILS DESCRIPTION
Sendero Bosque Nuboso (Cloud Forest Trail): 1.9 km (1.2 mi) ; Rise 65 m. (213 ft.); 1.5 hours. A self-guided tour booklet of this trail is available @ the entrance for $1 and is available in English or Spanish. One of the most popular trail because it's one of the prettiest. Very good examples of strangler figs.
El Camino (The Road): 2.0 km (1.2 mi.); Rise 45 m. (148 ft.); 1 hour. Wider & more open than the other trails so gets more sunlight and this attracts butterflies. Ecellent 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 El 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 George Powell: 0.2 km (0.1 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: 0.3 km. (0.2 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: 0.6 km (0.4 mi.) Lovely narrow trail with a beautiful Heliconia grove. Uphill in northerly direction.
Suspended Bridge 100 meters (300 feet) spectacular views from this suspended bridge where you can observe the canopy, bromelias & orchids form a bird's view. For a tour with 5 suspended bridges, see Sky Walk
Wilford Guindon: in honor of one of the founder of the reserve: rising & falling with patch of sun teeming with life.
See some Monteverde photos we took on a quiet morning in mid August 2005 (walking from the entrance (i on the trail map above) on the El Camino trail up to the bridge and back to the entrance via the Wilford Guindon trail)
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. You must be accompanied by a reserve's guide, cost is $20 per group and you must reserve at least one day in advance. For reservations & more details about the huts: montever@racsa.co.cr
Eladios Hut (Portland Audubon Center) - Most developed of the three, it features 3 separate dorm rooms , large deck and trails for bird watching nearby. 5 hours hike.
La Leona (The Germans or Aleman) - Beautiful setting on the Rios Penas Blancas with a cable car upstream for crossings. 3.5 hours hike.
El Valle - Shortest hike to a hut. 2.5 hours hike.
Huts have bunks with mattresses, running water, propane and wood stoves, cooking pots and utensils. No sheets or blankets. Don't forget to bring candles and toilet paper!
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