Welcome to Monteverde

The Monteverde Region with the Santa Elena town as the center is situated in the Cordillera of Tilaran at an altitude of between 1200 and 1500 meters above sea level. Monteverde has a population of about 5000 people; average daily temperature is 15-24 with dry season from January to April and rainy season from May to November. Recommendation: to bring a rain gear as well as pants and a light jacket.

Monteverde with his protected cloud forest reserves, his extraordinary flora and fauna is known as one of the most famous ecotourism destinations in Central America. We recommend you to stay at least a few days to explore the Monteverde Region, one of the most interesting places to visit in Costa Rica.

Highlights

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The Monteverde Cloud Forest has earned its fame as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics. Positioned on  the Continental Divide in Northwestern Costa Rica, the Preserve extends down both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. The resultant combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients, which change dramatically over relatively short distances.The elevation varies from about 800 meters in the lowest reaches of the Peñas Blancas river, to 1842 m. at the top of Cerro Tres Amigos. Wind sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges, they are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas protected cove forests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Poorly drained areas support swamp forest, while parts of the Preserve, dissected by deep gorges, have numerous crystal clear streams tumbling over rapids and waterfalls. The variable climate and large altitudinal gradient has helped to produce an extremely high biodiversity >> more...

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is situated 7 km northwest of Santa Elena town. The Cloud Forest Reserve is an exceptional hiking experience. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is a wonderland of green lushness. Giant tree ferns, bamboo and palm trees grow abundantly in the under story,  while thick moss covered liana vines dangle from the canopy. Conservation of the unique biodiversity of Santa Elena is of primary importance. Use all your senses to enjoy the frequent sightings of birds and mammals, to hear the song of the Quetzal and the roaring of the Howler monkey and to identify the tracks of the shy Puma, Coati and Red brocket deer >> more...

The Childrens Rainforest

The Children's Eternal Rain Forest (CERF) is located in the Tilarán mountain range, in northwestern Costa Rica. This range presents a steep sinuous topography which is characterized by peaks and mountain ridges, valleys and canyons as well as abundant rivers of rapid currents that drain both Pacific and Atlantic slopes of the country. The CERF is 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) in size and encompasses primary and secondary forest as well as regenerating areas. The CERF, along with other private reserves and the Arenal National Park, forms a forest block under protection of about 50,000 hectares (110,000 acres). In general CERF can be categorized into three forest types: seasonal evergreen forest, Cloud forest and a seasonal rain forest. This latter type being the most representative within the reserve. However, within the CERF area 6 out of 12 life zones >> more...

Selvatura Park

Selvatura Park is a conservation project located in the famous area of Monteverde Costa Rica where a wide variety of Costa Rica Tours are hosted. Among these activities we have the: Educational Center Selvatura Park ’s latest addition is now open to the public, a must see for anyone visiting the Monteverde area! The center features biologist Richard Whitten’s world class educational exhibits “Jewels of the Rain Forest”, the largest private entomological exhibition anywhere in the world!

The Canopy Tour of Selvatura Park is one of the safest adventures in Costa Rica. Our guides of Canopy Tour start dressing our visitors with the right equipment; then they will take them through every one of the 15 cables and 18 platforms >> more...

The hanging bridges from Selvatura are in a trail of 3 kilometers that crosses the cloud forest. In this trail our visitants will walk through 8 different bridges from 50 to 170 meters long, and between 12 and 60 meters high >> more...

A different world... A world of butterflies. Take the adventure of exploring a different world. A world in which a controlled climate offers temperature of 28°C, so it is possible for its habitant to survive. Explore a community that has more than 20 species of butterflies. Learn about their life cycle and special abilities, which allow every specie to evolve in a unique way >> more...

Jewels of the Rainforest Exhibition Enjoy the world’s largest private insect collection. Take a close look at thousands of insects, butterflies and other wondrous specimens from all over the world presented in a way never seen before anywhere else. Appreciate the exhibition “Jewels of the Rain Forest” by world famous entomologist Dr. Richard Whitten who has been collecting insects since the age of five >> more...

Reptiles and Amphibians Selvatura Park will open soon its new attraction, the exhibition of reptiles and amphibians. Inside this exhibition our visitors will find toads, frogs, geckos, snakes and lots of more specimens of more than 30 different species >> more...

Hummingbirds.  Imagine yourself in a beautiful garden... now imagine more than 100 beautiful hummingbirds flying around you! This is what the incredible hummingbird's garden offers you. More than 14 species of hummingbirds will surprise you with their incredible flying tricks and amazing colors >> more...

Natural History Walk If you rather use the hanging bridges of Selvatura Park let us suggest a reservation for the guided walk. In this walk you'll learn about the natural history of Monteverde, its mammals, birds, and lots of plants including bromeliads, epiphytes, ferns and all about the cloud forest ecosystem >> more...

The Monteverde Butterfly Garden

The Monteverde Butterfly Garden represents about 40-50 species of local butterflies. It provides an excellent opportunity to take photographs. While in Monteverde be sure to visit our biodiversity center and butterfly gardens where you can observe and learn about some of the most beautiful and fascinating insects of the tropics. Our biodiversity center has a wide variety of exhibits, information, live bug cams and local insects on display.

Each of the four gardens represents a different local butterfly habitat. The majority are weatherproof so you can come rain or shine. We raise over 40 species of butterflies strictly for educational purposes. Our mission is education and all visitors receive and hour-long guided tour through the facility. Insects comprise over 75% of all animal species. Come and learn why cockroaches are truly wonderful neighbors and how jewel scarab beetles can twist light. We also have a leaf cutter  >> more...