Monteverde Cloud Forest is located on the continental divide about 180-km (110 mi) north of San Jose. Monteverde crosses and is protected by two reserves — The Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve and The Santa Elena Reserve.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica's most popular inland travel destinations because the forest reserves are rich in ecological diversity and have a large wildlife population. In addition, Monteverde Cloud Forest is a birding paradise as there are an estimated 1,000 resplendent quetzals living in Monteverde.

Monteverde Cloud Forest — Quetzal

Found in Monteverde, the resplendent quetzal species of bird is endangered throughout Central America and has been called one of the most magnificent birds in the western hemisphere.

Quetzals have been valued by ancient societies such as the Aztec and Maya nobility who worshipped a deity known as Quetzalcoatl (this figure was a mythical plumed serpent). The bird's tail feathers are found on this mythical figure.

Monogamous pairs of quetzals nest in holes of trees in the mountain forests of Monteverde. The best time to see these birds is during the months of January to September. The quetzals are most abundant in Monteverde during mating season — March and April.

Mammals are more difficult to spot in Monteverde Cloud Forest, as Monteverde has limited visibility because of rain and mist but also because many humans are passing through the reserve.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is important for the protection and maintenance of wildlife corridors in Costa Rica. The animals that can be found include:

• sloths
• agoutis
• coatis
• white-faced (capuchin) monkey
• howler monkey
• squirrels
• 490 species of butterflies
• 400 species of birds
• thousands of insects
• snakes

Quakers of Monteverde

Monteverde was established by a group of Quakers who arrived in 1951 from Alabama. Eleven families migrated to Costa Rica because the military had been abolished and they did not want to serve in Korea under forced conscription by the U.S. government. In addition, the climate in Monteverde was perfect for grazing cattle. They have produced cheese and dairy products since their arrival.

What's of more significance is the contribution of the Quaker community to the preservation efforts in Costa Rica. The Quakers decided to preserve the watershed and mountaintop rainforest above their land in Monteverde when they first arrived.

Although this effort was admirable, further conservation measures were needed because of squatters who threatened the area. The Quakers worked with the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund to purchase 328-hectares (800-acres) adjacent to their already preserved land.

This new reserve was called the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Later, Monteverde's lands were expanded as a result of an International Children's Rainforest project that encouraged children throughout the world to raise money and buy the tropical rain forest adjacent to the reserve. Today the Monteverde Cloud Forest is 10,500-hectares (26,000-acres) in size.

Below is a list of Monteverde travel activities & attractions:

• 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 visitor through various stages of a butterfly's life. There is also a leaf cutter ant colony busy at work.
• The Ecological Sanctuary (Santuario Ecologico): A small private reserve with four loop trails, this is an easy to visit spot with opportunities to see wildlife and birds. There are 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. There are natural history, birding and night tours, which are offered by guides from the reserve and by private naturalist guides.
• Bosque Enterno de los Ninos (Children's Eternal Forest) has a trail (Sender Bajo del Tigre) that hooks 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.
• Sendero Tranquilo Reserve (Tranquil Path Reserve) is a 81-hectare (200-acre) private reserve with trails that are narrow and reduce the environmental impact, as it allows only six people at a time to hike.
• 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 Riding in Monteverde Area

Rent an ATV from Montverde Off-Roader. For more information, email Monteverde Off-Roader.

Canopy Tours in Monteverde

Canopy Tours in Monteverde are found in Santa Elena where the site of Costa Rica's first zip line was built. 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

Horse back riding in Monteverde is offered by operators near the cloud forest. You can also arrange a trip that departs from Monteverde and goes to La Fortuna near Volcano Arenal.

• Caballeriza El Rodeo offers local tours on private trails. Also has a trip to San Luis Waterfall.
• Desafio Adventure Company takes groups on local trips around Monteverde and longer treks.
• Sabine's Smiling Horses comes highly recommended and offers local trips, multi-day treks and specialty tours, such as a moon ride.

Trams & Hanging Bridges in Monteverde & Area

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.

• Aerial Adventures & Natural Wonders Tram offers a one-hour ride in a tram and is great for those with limited mobility.
• Selvatura and SkyWalk have hanging bridges that allow visitor to bounce along the tree tops.
• Monteverde's Selvatura and SkyWalk has hanging bridges that allow visitor to bounce along the tree tops.

Learning Spanish in Monteverde

Monteverde offers Spanish language courses at the following places:

• Centro Panamericano de Idiomas which offers two additional campus' in Costa Rica and allows students to transfer.
• Monteverde Institute is a nonprofit educational institute offering courses in biology, sustainable development and Spanish. There is a volunteer program for travelers wishing to teach English in local classes.
• Monteverde Studios of the Arts offers classes and workshops on woodworking, papermaking and pottery.

Festivals & events in Monteverde

Monteverde Music Festival is held annually on variable dates, from late January to early April. It is one of the top music festivals in Central America.

Monteverde Travel Info

Review additional Monteverde travel info, tips, history and travel planning tools listed below:

• Monteverde: things to do: Get info about things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
• Monteverde travel info in detail: Detailed travel information and trip planning tools for travel to Monteverde.
• Costa Rica cloud forest: Information about the cloud forests in Costa Rica, including Monteverde Cloud Forest.
• Monteverde Costa Rica hotels: List of hotels, lodging and accommodations for Monteverde, Costa Rica.
• Monteverde Costa Rica hostels: List of hostels and affordable accommodations for Monteverde, Costa Rica.
• Monteverde Arenal trip: Don't miss the scenic Monteverde Arenal trip through the cloud forests to the explosive Arenal Volcano.
• Monteverde & Santa Elena: Learn about the quakers who settled in the Monteverde village of Santa Elena.
• Monteverde tours: Review a list of tours that include Monteverde. Monteverde Tours also has some independent tours and day tours.
• Monteverde vacation: Get a list of vacatiopn ideas and longer tours.
• Monteverde Lodge: Have a look at this unique and beautiful cloud forest lodge. It's a good lodge option.