Founded back in 1951 by Alabama Quakers who fled the draft and settled in peaceful Costa Rica, Monteverde is known as the place where ecotourism was born in Costa Rica. Located along the continental divide in North Central Costa Rica, Monteverde is famous for its rich biodiversity attracting both biologists and tourists to the area.

The area is home to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, considered one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the world.  Monteverde Reserve protects eight different life zones on its 25,730 acres which stretch from the Caribbean to the Pacific slopes, and it is home to over 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and almost 1,500 species of plants.

Plenty of activities are available in Monteverde, allowing visitors to truly enjoy a firsthand experience with nature in this beautiful area. Natural History walks with naturalist guides, horseback riding excursions, tree top walkways or night walks through the cloud forest are just a few of them.

Highlights

Monteverde Reserve
The 25 730 acres Monteverde Private reserve stretches from the Caribbean to the Pacific Slopes of Costa Rica.  The reserve is operated by the Tropical Science Center of Costa Rica and is a cloud forest rather than a rainforest because the mist actually goes through the woods due to the high altitude.  The area provides home to millions of birds, insects, jaguars, tapirs, toucans, howler monkeys, coatis, tarantulas and an endless list of animals and plants. More than 450 different species of orchids are part of its vegetation, along with 400 other species of epiphytes (parasite plants), mosses, bromeliads and ferns. Thousands of insects also live in the foliage contributing to the richness of the ecosystem.  This elfin forest used to be home of the golden toad, an endemic specie discovered in Monteverde almost 50 years ago.  In spite of the conservation efforts this amphibian was last spotted back in 1998 and is now believed extinct. One of the main visitor’s attractions is searching for the Resplendent Quetzal. Known for its emerald and ruby colored plumage, this endangered species is a permanent resident of the cloud forest and can easily be seen from December to August.
 
Santa Elena Rain Forest
The Santa Elena Rain Forest  located next to Monteverde Reserve in Costa Rica, is a true sample that conservation efforts could not be achieved if it wasn’t for the community’s involvement. This private non-profit refuge is operated by the Santa Elena Agricultural High School and it is dedicated to environmental education, conservation and eco-tourism.  Opened back in 1990, the 1440 acres reserve is located on the same mountain range as the Moneverde Reserve. Although they share plenty of their flora and fauna, the Santa Elena Reserve offers interesting options for its exploration including their conventional 7 miles trails to explore its natural wonders and gain a new perspective from the tree tops. The reserve higher altitude (5600 feet above sea level) offer visitors an impressive view of the Arenal Volcano and lake.

Children´s Eternal Rainforest
Founded by school kids from around the world and the Monteverde Conservation League, the 50,000 acres Children´s Eternal Rainforest encompasses a transitional habitat between wet and moist pre-montane forests.  One of the reserve´s main attractions is the Sendero Bajo del Tigre (Jaguar Canyon Trail) which due to its elevation and humidity creates a unique environment where thirty species of trees have been identified as new to science.