Guided Group Tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Guided Tour Experience
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the most famous reserve in the area. It is located at the Continental Divide, the point where the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Costa Rica converge. The varied climate and high altitudes of this reserve create an extremely biodiverse ecosystem.
White-faced monkeys, coatis (raccoon-like animals), and many kinds of birds can sometimes be spotted. Bird species include Crested Guans, Emerald Toucanets, Three-wattled Bellbirds, Bare-necked Umbrella birds, Blue-crowned Motmots, Quetzals, and several species of hummingbird. Your naturalist guide will teach you about the native plants and animals and point out the interesting wildlife that you may see.
On this 3-hour hike, you will have the opportunity to explore the diverse Heart of the Forest Trail (2.8 km/1.7 miles) that weaves through the cloud forest. You’ll pass by wild avocado trees (food for the iconic Resplendent Quetzal bird) and enjoy elevated canopy views.
You will also visit the photo-worthy Wilford Guindon hanging bridge, which stretches over 325 ft (100 meters) above the treetops. Here, you will have the opportunity to look down over rivers and forest and see a number of plants and flowers, such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns, vines, and mosses.
Important Notes
- Trail Access: Under the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve’s current rules, you can only use the trail you have a ticket for. For this guided tour, you will need to purchase tickets for the Heart of the Forest Trail. You will be able to go on the trail in only one direction, and once the tour is over, you will need to exit the reserve and won’t be able to explore other trails (unless you have purchased separate tickets).
- Purchasing Tickets: Admission tickets can be purchased through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve’s website. Instructions on buying tickets and meeting the guide will be in your confirmation.
- Advance Reservations: Due to ticket limits, we require that all Monteverde Reserve tours be booked at least 5 days in advance.
- Peak Season: If you are visiting during a busy time of year (Christmas/New Years or Easter week), the Monteverde Reserve can be very busy. If you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, we recommend the Curi-Cancha Reserve or Santa Elena Reserve.
- Minimum Group Size: There is a 4-person minimum for this group tour. For 2-3 people, you can book a private tour.
Tour Details:
Cost of Small Group Tour (up to 8 people): $40 per person + 13% tax + entrance fee. You will pay your own entrance fee on the day of the tour ($29 pp adults; $16 pp children ages 5-11). Free for children under 5.
Offered: 7:30 a.m.
Duration: 3 hours (approximate)
Includes: Certified, bilingual naturalist guide with spotting scope.
*Transportation available for an additional charge. We will let you know the cost from your hotel or vacation rental by email after you request a booking.
To learn more about the Monteverde Reserve, read our post, The Famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
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Two Weeks in Costa Rica, Inc. is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST41024.
Emily (Verified Customer) –
My two kids (18 and 16) and I had a really great tour with Esteban in Monteverde Cloud Forest. We saw a huge list of animals, birds and insects. He was pleasure to hang out with and very personable: he answered our questions thoughtfully and provided a wealth of information about the creatures we saw and heard. I doubt we would have seen much without Esteban’s expertise about what to look and listen for — it really was essential. And now we have lots of photos and videos from the scope as mementos of the day! This was our favourite activity in Costa Rica.