MONTEVERDE | COSTA RICA

Monteverde and the nearby Costa Rican village of Santa Elena were originally small Quaker settlements. They are located up in the Tilarán mountain range surrounded by cloud forests. For those cosidering a Costa Rica wildlife photography holiday the area has two protected reserves that are home to hundreds of species of birds including the iconic but rare Resplendent Quetzal. Although shrouded in cloud for much of the time, on a clear day it is possible to see right across to the Pacific Ocean and Nicoya Peninsula. Fantastic for hiking and zip-lining, this is one of Costa Rica’s highlights and most popular destinations.

Monteverde is located at 1440 metres above sea level which is not high altitude, but higher than most destinations in Costa Rica. Therefore the climate is considerably cooler and can sometimes feel a bit chilly, especially at night. The hotels here do not have air conditioning as it is not required. As it is shrouded in cloud most of the time it can also be quite wet at any time of year.

Monteverde and Santa Elena are Costa Rica’s famous high mountain cloud forest reserves. There are two excellent reserves plus hanging bridges and several zip lines.

★ A choice of rapid zip-lines including the highest in the country

★ Misty and mysterious hanging bridges

★ Hiking in the cloud forest nature reserves of Santa Elena and Monteverde

★ Night tour of the hidden valley

★ Discover Don Juan chocolate on a tour and tasting

Check out our selection of breathtaking destinations in Costa Rica from the mysterious jungle canals of Tortuguero in the north to the vibrant and remote rainforests of the Osa Peninsula in the south. During your guided Costa Rica tour package you will find volcanoes, idyllic beaches and misty cloud forests all teeming with wildlife!