Monteverde was first settled in the 1950’s by North American Quakers who chose Costa Rica primarily because it had no standing army. Although Monteverde's founders came here to farm the land, they wisely recognized the need to preserve the rare cloud forest that covered the mountain slopes above their fields, and to that end they preserved the largest adjacent tract of cloud forest today known as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Located in the Tilarán mountain range, it´s about a 4 hour drive from San José and the final part of the trip is on gravel road leading you the breezy and cool cloud forest with more than 400 species of birds, thousands of species of insects, and innumerable plants, reptiles and mammals, including jaguars, tapirs, agoutis, coatis, toucans, sloths, howler monkeys, poison dart frogs, tarantulas, and of course the area’s most famous and beautiful bird, the Quetzal.

Monteverde offers exciting optional activities such as canopy tours and hanging bridges, and interesting attractions such as the butterfly garden and the hummingbird garden. Make sure that when you visit Monteverde you try the cheese produced in this area. Monteverde’s popularity not only relies on its pristine forests but on its cheese industry.

Both, researchers and nature lovers will find it to be a biological paradise thanks to the tremendous variety of flora and fauna and especially birds that can be seen within its boundaries, and in its two protected areas: Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve and Santa Elena Reserve.

Santa Elena is located at a higher altitude than Monteverde so expect more clouds and rain. A SUV 4x4 vehicle is recommended when traveling to Monteverde or Santa Elena.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve covers 26,000 acres of forest, including several life zones that are characterized by different types of plants and animals. A walk through the cloud forest reveals a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift in and settle among the slopes, giving the continuous moisture required for such exuberant plant growth. Dangling roots and vines sweep across the trails. The air is rich with the magical sounds of birds and the occasional scurrying of small mammals.

Santa Elena Reserve
In the early 1990’s Santa Elena Reserve (765 acres) was created out of a community's determination to help preserve the unique cloud forest surrounding them and to use tourism as a tool to benefit community development in Monteverde. Entrance fees are used for the protection and management of the Reserve and to provide higher quality education for local schools.

The Santa Elena community owns this reserve and is home to quetzals, deer, sloths, ocelots and howler monkeys. From Santa Elena Reserve you will be able to see the Arenal Volcano, weather permitting. Trails along this second reserve were built with the help of students from the Canadian Youth Challenge Organization.

Estimated Driving time from San Jose to:
Monteverde: 4 hours

Access by domestic flights: Not available