Monteverde, or Green Mountain as it translates to in Spanish, is a popular destination for nature lovers in Costa Rica. With its unique position on the continental divide between the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts, the cloud forests offer a very particular micro-climate for the many species that inhabit this area.
The scenery is striking with the almost constant mists covering the trees in water droplets and mosses. Clear days offer stunning views across to both coastlines and Arenal Volcano.
With over 400 species of birds, more than 100 mammal species and at least 1,200 amphibians, the cloud forest has an incredible bio-diversity. It is one of the few places that is home to all six species of wild cat in the country, although it’s rare to see one.
The remote mountain tops were first home to indigenous tribes, but more recently were settled by Quakers fleeing conscription in the U.S.A. in the 1950s. The Quakers built up a community in Monteverde based around dairy farming and cheese production. Visitors can tour the cheese factory which is now the second biggest cheese producer in the country. The community is commercially successful, however, their energies were also directed towards preserving the delicate environment around them. There are now the Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserves established in the area with the aim of conserving the cloud forest and the flora and fauna that thrive there.
Activities
The main focus of Monteverde is the opportunity to visit one of the reserves to see the rich diversity of wildlife that flourishes here.
- Coffee tour: see how your morning cup is produced from the bean to the aromatic beverage.
- Night tour: beginning at sundown, a night tour is the chance to see nocturnal animals such as frogs, owls and even wild cats which aren’t seen during daylight.
- Butterfly farm: surround yourself with hundreds of these brightly colored winged insects, and learn more about their life cycle.
- Hanging bridges: long metal bridges allow visitors to stroll along at canopy level to observe life in the tree tops and to appreciate the views from the mountain tops.
- Zip-lining: if flying through the air along cables high above the trees is your idea of fun, then try zip-lining.
How to get here
From Liberia: Take Route 2 from Liberia in the direction of San Jose for about an hour until reaching Cañas. Then take the Pan-American Highway (Route 1) to Limonal, and then continue on for approximately 30 minutes before turning off towards Santa Elena. Take the unpaved road for a ten minute journey to Monteverde. Approximate journey time: 3 hours
From San Jose: Take the Pan-American Highway (Route 1) in the direction of Liberia for about 3 ½ hours. After the turnings for Caldera and Puntarenas, look for the road to Santa Elena and follow it. Take the unpaved road for a ten minute journey to Monteverde. Approximate journey time: 3 ¾ hours.