Monteverde Costa Rica Info Center

Monteverde Cloud Forest Costa Rica

Monteverde Costa Rica area which comprises ten towns with 8,000 people, is situated on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The Monteverde region is well known for its commitment to the sustainable development of the community and the conservation of the cloud forest reserves. This area is a rural region and is a 4.5 hour bus ride from San José. Buses travel daily to and from Monteverde at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The average daily temperature is 65 to 75 F. The climate is typically cool and at times wet so it is recommended to bring rain gear and boots (especially if you plan to visit the reserves) as well as pants, long-sleeved shirts and a light jacket.

In this Costa Rica rainforest are found more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, tens of thousands of insect species (over 5000 species of moths) and 2,500 species of plants (420 kinds of orchids).

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve of Costa Rica is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics.Plan at least a few days to explore the cloud forest area, one of the most famous ecotourism orientated community in Central America. There is so much to do, choosing is difficult!

Hiking the Monteverde Reserve or Santa Elena Reserve - 24 kilometers of well maintain trails and abundant biodiversity: thousands of species of plants, insects, frogs, snakes and great bird watching.
Monteverde horseback riding tour in the area, or go to Arenal Volcano using a combination of 4x4, horseback and boat!
Fly over the canopy with Sky Trek canopy tour adventure. The most complete and thrilling tour in CostaRica.
Hiking the pre-mountain secondary rain forest: Children's Eternal Cloud Forest (Bosque Nuboso Eterno de Los Ninos) or the Ecological Farm (Finca Ecologica). Waterfalls, great bird watching and a lot off small mammals (including sloth).
Come to the rain forest area by bus or car, horseback riding tours, consult our bus schedule and maps for directions. Find weather statistics, and actual satellite photo and Costa Rica weather today.
Lodging: finding accommodation is easy, there is many Monteverde Hotels from budget to high-end. Take advantage off all services, tours, bank, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. All accommodations, just a few minutes away from the activities...
See one of the concerts of the International Monteverde Music Festival. (until the 18th of March).
Do some volunteering in one of the many community projects: schools, eco-tourism, biology research , nature conservation...
visit our Photo Gallery. Monteverde photos by residents, and visitors. Animals, plants, trees, insects, waterfalls, reserves, canopy tour, Arenal Volcano, Quetzal, frogs, fox, horseback, etc.
Visit the Butterfly Garden. Butterflies and insects from the area, plus trails and points of view on the Pacific Ocean.
Learn Spanish in one of the excellent Spanish schools. A relaxing an favorable atmosphere to study, tour and hike.
Visit some of the many Monteverde art and craft galleries, or take a course in ceramics, painting or wood sculpting.
Hiking to the San Luis waterfalls, maybe the highest in Costa Rica; 300 meters or 1,000 feet drop-off, see the Photo Gallery. Great bird watching, and lots of butterflies.
Visit the producing Cooperatives in Monteverde (best coffee and cheese in Central America).
Monteverde info was created to help you maximize your time, travel, and get the most out of your visit. Come and visit us again in a few days, we will have more info on the reserves, and more links and MAPS of Monteverde Costa Rica to offer.

Sounds of Monteverde Costa Rica

Three-wattled Bellbird Procnias tricarunculata (104K, wav file) Well, what can be said about one of the archetypical sounds of the Monteverde Cloud Forest? It's fantastic? Unworldly? Just wonderful! Bellbirds sit high, high in the canopy and are heard far more than seen. The sound is
extremely loud, often carrying a mile or more! The bird flies up and calls - listen for the "squeaky gate" as well as the "BONG" of his call.
Melodious Blackbirds Dives dives (71K, wav file) are well-named large blackbirds that have been spreading south through this country for several years. Their calls and songs are loud, piercing, and unmistakable
MP3 format: Howler Monkeys Monteverde forest sounds
The Sights and Sounds of Monteverde Costa Rica. Many thanks to to Naturesongs and Doug Von Gausig. Thanks to Beto Bertolini (from his CD).
If you can't hear those sounds, maybe you have to turn on your "wave" volume! See "Help", on your Start menu

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