My first visit to Costa Rica did not include the Monteverde Cloud Forest, so it was first up on my radar after landing at Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela. After a night at the Alajuela Backpackers, we jumped a bus to Monteverde at 7 a.m. – no small feat after an extended happy hour at the rooftop bar in our hostel. We were told the bus was 6 blocks away, but when we got there we were told it was another 6 blocks. We ended up jumping a cab and paying $5.00 for a 5 minute ride. The three hour bus trip only cost $3.00 a person. So it goes when you don’t know exactly where you are going.
A few of the Monteverde Cloud Forest while approaching by road
Related: Hiking Santa Elena Rainforest in a driving rain
First stop is Monteverde Cloud Forest
Costa Rica has a fantastic bus system. It is very affordable and safe. I would keep an eye on your bag at all times, but you should do that anywhere. The seats were comfy and roomy enough for our trip to Monteverde. We arrived in the bus station, hailed another $5.00 bus to our hotel – the La Colina Lodge. The lodge was only 1 kilometer from the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We checked in and got situated. My friend opted for a zipline tour while I decided I needed to explore the rainforest ASAP.
Walking the road from LaColina Lodge to the Monteverde Cloud Forest
No need for a $5.00 cab from here. I took off on foot and within a half hour I was at the gates greeted by a coati. The entrance fee is $18.00 and the reserve closes at 5 p.m. so get there early. I read in one guidebook that they cap the number of people in the reserve, so if you are here during the high season from Christmas through April, you really want to get started early. I was here in the ending of the rainy season and before the busy or high season, so there was no problem entering the reserve.
The entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Hiking Monteverde
There are probably about 6-8 miles of trails that circle the reserve. They are incredibly well maintained and well marked, so a guide is unnecessary from a fear of getting lost standpoint. It always helps to have one though as they are trained at spotting animals and birds.
Greeted by a coati at the gates of the park
On the first trail there is a waterfall less than a half mile away from the entrance. I saw a lot of people on this part of the trail, but after that I felt like I had the reserve to myself. There were times I went hours without seeing people on the loop trails on the far end of the park.
It seemed only a few colors existed inside the forest besides green
Incredibly lush rainforest
I have been to rainforests and jungles in Thailand, Borneo, and Guyana, but I have never seen such amazing vegetation and such vibrant green as I did in Monteverde and Santa Elena. This was my first time in a rainforest during the rainy season, and I was completely in awe. The rainy season technically ends in Costa Rica in November, but Monteverde is at a higher elevation and a misty rain is still common in December, so the forest is still in full steroid green mode. December is also the windy season, so the mist was blowing horizontally at times.
The trees in Monteverde were absolutely amazing
Besides the amazing vegetation, I saw two coatis, a black guan, an agouti, and a few hummingbirds. Monteverde has a full array of mammals and exotic birds, but you really need to get up early and perhaps get a guide to have the best opportunity to see macaws, toucans, and the prized resplendent quetzal. Even though I did not see a lot of birds and mammals, I was not disappointed. As you can see from the photos, the main attraction in Monteverde is the flora.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Photo Essay
More trees at Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Definitely the greenest place I have ever visited
Monteverde Cloud Forest
A second coati sighting
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Beautiful cascading waterfall through a sea of green
Enjoying the beautiful scenery at the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Spectacular foliage in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
The trail leading out from the waterfall
One of the 70 species of flora found on the trees at Monteverde
Power tree in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Well maintained trail through the Monteverde Cloud Forest
There is some elevation in Monteverde, but it is not too bad
One of the few places where you have a view of the rainforest
More of those 70 species of flora that lives on the trees
Monteverde Cloud Forest
From the canopy walkway
Even if there was a view, the overlook only showed mist, fog, and a few trees
Monteverde Cloud Forest from the canopy walkway
Adventure on!
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Incredible pictures! I love the mood of the forest there – the mist shrouded trees gives it a mystical feel.
JP recently posted..10 Bizarre Christmas Celebrations From Around The World
Thanks JP,
The mood is very peaceful and it attracts those type of people too.
Beautiful. I’ve been hearing a lot of wonderful things about Costa Rica lately. I actually met reps from their tourism board recently and learned about the green efforts of the country. Sounds like they are leaders in really taking care of the natural beauty of their country.
Trips By Lance recently posted..London Experiences: My Do-Over List
Fifty percent of the country is protected; however, they could use some work cleaning up the other half.
I did a canopy walk in Monteverde and couldn’t get over how every square inch had something growing on it. You fared better with mammals than I did but you’re that this place is all about the vegetation.
Leigh recently posted..Backpacking in the Tombstone Mountains: Day 3
There was one place where there was a wooden bridge that was covered with moss. I felt like if I stood too still for too long something green might grow on me.