Monterverde Costa Rica has cloud forests rather than rain forests. Because of the elevation, a cloud forest develops differently than a rain forest. The ecological reserves of this area have been set aside
by private citizens of Costa Rica and funded with international help.
Both Monteverde Cloud Forest & Santa Elena Reserve are privately owned non-profit reserves.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Reserve was created in 1972 by scientist George Powell and supported by the local people. Monteverde contains 10,500 hectares of
reverse land.
Monteverde Costa Rica has the following animals:
- 100 species of mammals: 3 primates, 6 felines, 2 rabbits, 3 squirrels, 15 long-tailed rats & mice, one agouti, one porcupine, one spiny mouse, 3 muskrats, one pacca, 2 canids,
2 wild pigs, 2 deer, one tapir, and 4 procyonids (raccoon family) .
- 60 species of amphibians including the now-extinct golden toad.
- 400 species of birds of which 91 species are migratory birds, 30 hummingbirds, and the jewel Repledent Quetzal.
- tens of thousands of insects.
- 2,500 species of plants.
Planning a Monteverde travel experience should include a tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and,
if you have time, a tour of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
Monteverde Costa Rica ecology
Monteverde Costa Rica means Green Mountain and Monteverde contains eight ecological zones. Monteverde Cloud Forest is classified as a tropical lower montane wet forest in the Holdridge Life Zone System and has an annual rainfall of 2,000-2,500 mm per year with an additional 20%
contribution from mist. Monteverde Costa Rica
is one of the most studied neotropical montane cloud forests in the world and has been the focus of ecological studies. Some of the fascinating
numbers of plant life are as follows:
- 198 epiphytic bryphyte species 120 hepatics, 77 mosses, 1 hornwort).
- 178 primary forest (22 hepatics, 66 mosses, 1 hornwort).
- 84 species in the pastureland (47 hepatics, 37 mosses).
Monteverde Costa Rica plant life
Monteverde has some hepatics that are not common such as Adelanthus carabyens, Bazzania affinis, Calypogeia crenulata, Colura ulei.
Study in Monteverde Costa Rica
There are several conservation, ecology, cultural and language programs in Monteverde, Costa Rica. These are as follows:
- CIEE Tropical Ecology and Conservation Program in Monteverde, Costa Rica: 15-week program
offering students a comprehensive view of tropical systems through theory, empirical patterns, hands-on exposure, taxonomy and direct experimentations.
- CIEE Sustainability and the Environments in Monteverde, Costa Rica: a program
that offers students an in-depth understanding of sustainability and conservation biology, highlighting the challenges and reward of identifying and implementing effective projects in the local context.
- Conservation Biology in Monteverde, Costa Rica: students can join a non-profit organization and help restore native Costa Rican vegetation. Learn about the plight of native species and issues
around deforestation.
- Butterfly Garden in Monteverde, Costa Rica: interns can assist curators in running a butterfly garden. This is an opportunity to learn about the diversity of Monteverde's butterfly and learn
important skills in contributing to the environment.
- Tropical Ecology Maymester in Monteverde, Costa Rica: an interdisciplinary tropical field course involving stufy of tropical
environments, natural history and people, this program offers a hands-on approach to developing observation skills and analysis and critical thinking skills.
- Insect and Bird Natural History in Monteverde Costa Rica: learn about the biology of the New World of birds, including
taxonomy, behavior, ecology, evolution and conservation. Course work involves field exercises and emphases taxonomy and identification of neotropical birds.
- Summer International Studies in Monteverde, Costa Rica: a course of international studies for students
interested in Latin America. Students will learn about culture, ecology and spend time in the natural environment through activities like white water rafting.
- Nature and Environmental Design in Monteverde, Costa Rica: a program that combines travel and design exploration in Monteverde through the eyes of a landscape architect. The focus of the course is on environmental design and landscape architecture in tropical ecosystems.
- Tropical Ecology in Monteverde, Costa Rica: a interdisciplinary program about tropical environments, natural history and people, where students
learn through a hands-on approach. Field excuriosn include visits to multiple national parks and protects areas, icnlduing Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- Spanish in Monteverde, Costa Rica: learn Spanish at this
full immeriosn program where students can take small group or private classes. Classes start every Monday of the year. Courses are as short as one week and can be as long as several months. Students can choose what fits their needs.
Interested in taking Spanish in Costa Rica? There are a number of institutions throughout Costa
Rica that offer Spanish classes. Some combine Spanish with ecological studies or outdoor adventure studies.
Things to do in Monteverde Costa Rica
- Quiet Path Reserve (Reserva Dendero Tranquilo): Operating from Dec. to Aug.,
book a guided tour with an expert in nature.
- Butterfly Garden (El Jardin de las
Mariposas): Guided tours take visitors through the stages of a
butterfly's life. Check out the leaf cutter ant colony busy at work.
- Ranario: A frog pond where there's a full
array of frogs (30 species) and toads available for viewing, including poison-dart frogs.
Tours are offered in English and Spanish. Learn about the
extinction of the golden toad.
- Serpentarium: Biologist Fernando Valverde has
collected 40 species of snakes and a number of frogs, lizard and turtles. Don't
miss this display of venomous snakes.
- World of Insects: A great collection of creepy cloud-forest critters with a
serious yuk factor, this tour is available in English or Spanish and is best
done at night when the insects are active.
- The Ecological Sanctuary (Santuario Ecologico): A small private reserve with
4 loop trails, this is an easy-to-visit spot with a good change to spot
wildlife and birds. There are guided night walks available as well.
- The Sky Walk: A series of trails and hanging bridges atop the canopy, The
Sky Walk lets you have a bird's-eye view of Monteverde Cloud Forest. Visitors
can also try the high-speed zip line canopy tour.
- Orchid Garden: 400 types of orchid organized into taxonomic groups are on
display here.
- Monteverde Cheese Factory: A two-hour tour of Monteverde's oldest employer
will show the history of how Gouda, cheddars, yogurt and ice cream are produced.
- Selvatura: A huge ecocomplex, this place is filled with butterflies,
hummingbirds and a canopy tour. There are a series of hanging bridges and an
exhibit featuring Jewels of the Rainforest. This collection has a stunning
number of insects and the exhibits are displayed using art, video and music.
Hiking in Monteverde Cloud Forest & area
- Monteverde has 13-km (8 mi) of marked and maintained trails. There are free
maps at Monteverde's center. Visitors can go on a natural history, birding or night tour,
which are offered by naturalist guides.
- Sendero Tranquilo Reserve (Tranquil Path Reserve) is a 81-hectare (200-acre)
private reserve with trails that are narrow and reduce the environmental impact.
Only six people at a time can go on a hike.
- Bosque Enterno de los Ninos (Children's Eternal Forest) has a trail (Sender
Bajo del Tigre) that connects into a system of unimproved trails which are
primarily used by researchers.
- Santuario Ecologico (Ecological Sanctuary) has four loop trails offering
hikes of varying lengths through private property in premontane and secondary
forest. In addition to wildlife,
there are waterfalls and lookouts in this sanctuary.
- Valle Escondido (Hidden Valley Trail) begins behind the Monteverde Inn and
winds through a deep canyon into a 11-hectare (27-acre) reserve. This trail is
quiet and presents great opportunities to view wildlife.
- San Luis Waterfall is a popular but strenuous hike to a lovely waterfall
where there are a series of swimming holes — a great place to have a picnic. The
distance from the parking lot to the falls is only a few kilometers but it is
steeply graded.
ATV-ing in Monteverde Costa Rica
Rent an ATV from Montverde Off-Roader. For more information, email
Monteverde Off-Roader.
Canopy Tours in Monteverde Costa Rica
Santa Elena is the site of Costa Rica's first zip line. There are lots of
canopy tour providers and you'll have little problems locating these, as there
are people selling them on commission throughout the town.
Horseback riding in Monteverde Costa Rica
Several operators offer the chance to ride in Monteverde Cloud Forest. You can even
arrange a trip to La Fortuna near Volcano Arenal.
Trams & hanging bridges in Monteverde Costa Rica
It's possible to explore the tree tops via zip line and, for the less
adventurous, there are a series of trams and hanging bridges that will bring the
traveler up close to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
The Monteverde Costa Rica hotels are abundant with an incredible diversity of offerings
throughout the area. Travelers can choose from basic budget to five star.
The Monteverde Costa Rica hostels are an affordable option when traveling to Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Check out some of Monteverde's affordable accommodation and lodging.
