High on the Continental Divide, the lush green mountains of Monteverde cloaked in cooling cloud forest mist, give sanctuary to many rare species of wildlife such as the Resplendent Quetzal and a multitude of orchids. Those wishing to explore the cloud forest canopy will find sky trams, hanging bridges and high speed ziplines allowing access to the forest treetops. On the forest floor you can go hiking, ride through sparkling rivers and down into canyons by horseback or ATVs, or take a challenging mountain biking spin. A mecca for travelers, this area offers more outdoor adventure in its magnificent old growth forests rich in wildlife, unlike anywhere else on earth. At its center, the quaint town of Santa Elena originally a settlement of Quakers seeking a pastoral life, invites you to many farm-to-table tours or to visit numerous nature exhibits. Plan to stay awhile!
Birding
Over 850 species of birds have been recorded in Costa Rica and half of them can be found in the cloud forests of Monteverde. Because of the rich diversity of birds and other forms of wildlife, sanctuaries were established here starting in the 1970s to protect the virgin forest environment and its inhabitants. Your professional bilingual guide, whose vast knowledge and daily observations of the ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Birding, Wildlife Hike
This bird watching expedition for bird lovers begins early in the morning when the birds are most active. Home to half the bird species in Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is an ideal place to search for both endemic and endangered bird life. Straddling the continental divide with an altitude around 1400 meters, Monteverde hosts a rich biodiversity and is considered to be one of ...
Suggested age range: 5+
Extreme
If you are ready to truly try something different, then you are probably ready to Bungee jump. And what better place to do it than from Monteverde, with an altitude of 1500 meters, making it one of the most scenic areas in Costa Rica. Touted to be the highest bungee jump in Central America, this adventure begins high above a sweeping canyon from a suspended tram 143 meters above the ground. ...
Suggested age range: 12+
Zipline
Ziplining through the Monteverde cloud forest canopy is an exhilarating experience. This mountain community perched 1800 meters above sea level, offers spectacular expansive views of Costa Rican landscapes.Your trained professional bilingual guides will welcome you upon your arrival, explain the tour, go over safety precautions and fit you into a harness.When you arrive at the fir ...
Suggested age range: 6+
Zipline
If you want extreme, this fast paced zip line adventure complete with Tarzan Swing, bungee cord, giant rappel and Superman cables will surely get your heart pumping. Set in the magnificent Monteverde mountain range with cables up to 3400 ft long and 600 ft high, you’ll be zooming through this unique cloud forest canopy as if you were on top of the world.You’ll meet your professional ...
Suggested age range: 5+
Zipline
The Original Canopy Zipline offers a truly authentic experience combining nature and adventure with its tree house style wooden platforms. Built in the original manner nestled high up in the branches or mounted around heavy trunks, these platforms allow you to appreciate the size and stature of being in a canopy of rain forest giants. Located in a private reserve of lush primary trees, t ...
Suggested age range: 5+
Adventure, Zipline
This thrilling zipline, high up in the Monteverde mountains at 4,000 feet above sea level, is one of the best adventures in Costa Rica. It is the only canopy tour available within the Monteverde Cloud Forest in a conservation area surrounded by 850 protected acres of land.This high speed, half day tour features 15 cables with 18 platforms as well as a chance to try out the now famous Tar ...
Suggested age range: 4+
Canyoning
Looking for a challenge? This thrill seeking adventure will have your adrenaline pumping as you rappel by secured ropes down 6 different natural waterfalls deep in the heart of a tropical cloud forest. Surrounded by the lush jungle environment you’ll discover your inner warrior as you step off the top of each spectacular waterfall and work your way down through the tumbling cascades into the ...
Suggested age range: 15+
Nature, Learning Family, Birding, Wildlife Hike
The Curi-Cancha Reserve is a birdwatching paradise for those interested in highland and cloud forest species! Located near the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, this independently owned reserve is quite similar but is not as well known. This means fewer people and more animals! Birdwatchers will be delighted as over 200 species of birds have been observed within the reserve! Resplen ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Nature, Learning Family
Today you can enjoy a leisurely hike through the rain forest crossing 8 hanging bridges with amazing views then meet the live snakes and amphibians that live there! Upon arrival you will meet your friendly professional bilingual guide who will accompany you along the almost 2 mile trail and make sure you do not miss seeing the treasures of the day.You will be encouraged to go slow to tak ...
Suggested age range: 1 - 70
Nature, Learning Family
This fascinating two hour guided Reptile and Frog tour showcases the colorful, sometimes poisonous indigenous snakes and amphibians found in Costa Rica. Do you know the difference between a salamander and a lizard? You will after this entertaining and educational experience. (Answer: A salamander is an amphibian and a lizard is a reptile. Who knew!)Meet one of the most dangerous snakes i ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Canopy Bridges
If you would like a leisurely hike though the forest canopy and want to learn all about what lives there, then this is the hike for you. Compared to the extreme zip line adventures, here you are encouraged to go slow, listen and look at the exquisite details of life in the forest. Because this is a guided tour, your attention will be directed to a myriad of beautiful tiny orchids, interesting b ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Canopy Bridges
The Hanging Bridges Guided Hike is a mixture of terrestrial trails through an old growth forest and safely constructed suspended walkways high up in the tree tops where you can experience the cloud forest canopy at every level. With a professional naturalist guide, who won’t let you miss a thing, you’ll learn more than you ever knew existed in this magical setting.You’ll meet with ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Adventure, Nature, Learning Family, Culture
Horseback riding is a way of life in many rural Costa Rican communities and annual rodeos are a national pastime. Take the reins and explore the beautiful cloud forest trails high up in the mountains near the continental divide in one of the most unique places on earth.You’ll meet your guide and be introduced to your horse before being assisted as you mount up. The horses are very gent ...
Suggested age range: 4+
Nature, Learning Family, Hiking, Birding, Wildlife Hike
This amazing old growth cloud forest, rescued from the threat of mining during the 1970s by a visiting scientist and resident Quakers, retains a unique ecosystem found nowhere else in the world. This region, believed to have the highest density of orchids on earth, with over 500 species of exotic birdlife, over 100 species of reptiles, and hosting animal life from both North and South America, ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Nature, Learning Family
This magical guided hike into the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge is sure to bring a thrill when you suddenly discover the world of nocturnal nightlife. This is a one mile hike along an easy trail to observe the active wildlife in the unique cloud forest environment. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you to the places with the most recent animal sightings.The tour will begin when you a ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Nature, Learning Family, Hiking, Wildlife Hike
This amazing old-growth cloud forest, rescued from the threat of mining during the 1970s by a visiting scientist and resident Quakers, retains a unique ecosystem found nowhere else in the world. This region, believed to have the highest density of orchids on earth, with over 500 species of exotic birdlife, over 100 species of reptiles, and hosting animal life from both North and South America, ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Nature, Learning Family
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve sits high up on the continental divide where it receives moisture laden Caribbean winds creating a constant mist supporting an abundance of life found nowhere else on earth. This soft blanket of cloud cover causes an intense competition in the understory where trees are almost entirely clad in plants providing sustenance for a variety of wildlife. The giant old ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Zipline, Canopy Bridges
Today you will mix it up with the extreme thrill of ziplining, a must do for anyone coming to Costa Rica, and a relaxed guided hike in the unique Monteverde cloud forest complete with 8 hanging bridges. High up on the continental divide overlooking the world, this is the place to do it all!Your awesome full day of adventure begins at Selvatura, a private conservation area sharing the sam ...
Suggested age range: 4+
Adventure, Zipline
Slowly ascending to the top of the Continental Divide in the luxury of an enclosed cable car gives you ample opportunity to gaze at the stunning scenery surrounding you. Your knowledgeable guide will reveal a wealth of information about the unique cloud forest canopy and its inhabitants as you pass through on your way high above where on a good day you might see the Pacific Ocean ...
Suggested age range: 5+
Adventure, Nature, Learning Family, Zipline, Birding, Canopy Bridges, Wildlife Hike
Today the sky’s the limit as you head outdoors to totally immerse yourself in this once in a lifetime adventure. (Unless you come back to do it again!) You’ll leisurely walk the hanging bridges at the top of the cloud forest canopy exploring the old growth forest from top to bottom. Your professional guide will identify bird calls and help you spot the exotic winged creatures as wel ...
Suggested age range: 5+
Nature, Birding, Canopy Bridges, Wildlife Hike
This Sky Walk half day excursion features a guided hike through Monteverde’s lush primary and secondary forests with 6 well designed hanging bridges allowing you to cross into and over the tree tops for a magnificent view. Your bilingual naturalist guide will introduce you to the rich biodiversity of life from ground level up to the canopy top in this unique cloud forest adventure.Your ...
Suggested age range: 1+
Adventure, Nature, Learning Family, Birding, Canopy Bridges, Wildlife Hike
This adventure starts off by taking a gondola style cable car some 1600 meters up through the cloud forest canopy to a hilltop near the Continental Divide. You will then go on a moderate level guided hike over trails and bridges that will give you a birds eye view of the cloud forest canopy. This 3 hour tour includes transportation and guide.
Suggested age range: 1+
Here are some of the best tours in Monteverde:
Selvatura Hanging Bridges: Explore the remarkable Monteverde Cloud Forest from a unique perspective as you walk along a series of hanging bridges suspended in the treetops. This guided tour allows you to observe the diverse flora and fauna of the cloud forest canopy and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Aventuras Canopy Zipline: Experience the exhilaration of soaring through the treetops on a zipline adventure. This thrilling tour takes you on a series of ziplines, platforms, and hanging bridges, offering breathtaking views of the forest canopy and providing an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Guided Hike at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Discover the wonders of the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a guided hike through the reserve. With the help of an experienced guide, learn about the unique ecosystem, spot fascinating wildlife, and immerse yourself in the beauty of this misty forest.
Guided Hike at Curi-Cancha Reserve: Explore the Curi-Cancha Reserve on a guided hike and witness its incredible biodiversity. This reserve is known for its abundant birdlife, including the resplendent quetzal, as well as a variety of mammals, insects, and plant species. Your guide will provide insights into the natural wonders of the area.
Birdwatching Tour: Monteverde is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 400 species of birds found in the area. Join a birdwatching tour led by knowledgeable guides who will help you spot and identify a wide range of colorful bird species, including toucans, hummingbirds, and the elusive quetzal.
Canyoning Tour: Get your adrenaline pumping with a canyoning adventure in the rugged canyons of Monteverde. Descend down waterfalls, rappel through narrow gorges, and jump into natural pools under the guidance of experienced guides. This thrilling tour combines adventure, nature, and stunning scenery.
Coffee Farm Tour: Delve into the world of coffee production with a visit to a local coffee farm. Learn about the coffee-making process, from bean to cup, as you explore the plantation, witness the harvesting and processing techniques, and savor the rich aromas and flavors of freshly brewed coffee.
These tours offer a range of experiences, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty, adventure, and cultural aspects of Monteverde. Whether you're seeking breathtaking views, wildlife encounters, adrenaline-filled activities, or a deeper understanding of the region's coffee industry, these tours provide an unforgettable exploration of Monteverde's treasures.
Unsure of what to do? Let us make you a free custom trip plan!