Top Experiences in Monteverde

Unique things to do, curated by kimkim specialists
An adrenaline rush | Photo taken by seng K
4.8
(19)
5 hours
·
Small group
Venture into the cloud forest for an outdoor adventure that involves hiking, zip lining, and more. Start by boarding the open-air Sky Tram gondola at Sky Adventures Monteverde Park, an aerial amusement park set in the cloud forest. Take in the surrounding scenery as you ride up to the starting point of the Sky Walk. Follow your guide on a short hike along nature trails and suspension bridges, learning about the region's flora and fauna. Next, the exhilarating adventure of whizzing down the mountain begins. Connect to the Sky Trek zip line cable that stretches over cloud forest treetops. Soaring above the canopy is an unforgettable thrill!
Explore the dense jungle of the Monteverde Cloud Forest
4.7
(20)
4 hours
·
Small group
Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the jewels in Costa Rica's ecological crown, on this guided hiking excursion. Known as the "green lung of Costa Rica" due to its rich biodiversity, this 26,000-acre (3,500-hectare) reserve is high in the country's mountainous northwest region. On the tour, you'll get an up-close look at the incredible biodiversity of this region where upland and lowland rainforests meet. More than 350 bird species exist here alone, including the aptly named resplendent quetzal. With various mammals, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and insects, the reserve is a nature lover's paradise framed by views of the misty cloud forest.
4.5
(30)
2.5 hours
·
Small group
Visit a Costa Rican farm in the Monteverde area to learn about the process behind coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane cultivation. The tour begins with an introduction to the history of coffee in Costa Rica, including its cultural and economic importance. See how coffee cherries are harvested, washed, and dried in the sun, then try a deliciously fresh cup of coffee. Next, you'll visit the farm's chocolate processing center to see how small cocoa beans are transformed into chocolate. Learn about traditional methods used to roast and grind the beans, then sample a range of tasty chocolates. Finally, you will learn about the importance of sugar cane in Costa Rica. Your guide will help you extract sugar cane using a traditional press, and you'll enjoy a glass of pure sugar cane juice.
An exhilarating zip line ride takes you through the forest canopy
4.6
(8)
3 hours
·
Small group
Experience an exhilarating zip line adventure in the country where this thrilling activity was born! Your journey begins with an ascent, guiding you high above the jungle canopy via a network of trails and suspension bridges. Once securely fastened to a zip line cable, you'll zoom down several short segments before encountering the main attraction, the Big One. This colossal zip line cable stretches 5,216 feet (1590 meters) across Latin America's longest. For those seeking an even more superhero-like experience, the Superman zipline allows you to soar through the cloud forest with unmatched freedom. And if you're up for a bungee-inspired adventure, don't miss the Tarzan Swing, among other exciting options!
4.4
(16)
2.5 hours
·
Small group
Venture into the Children's Eternal Forest, the largest private reserve in Costa Rica, for a nighttime hike. Your naturalist guide will lead you along the park's trails after dark, pointing out nocturnal wildlife in the rainforest. In addition to mammals, reptiles, and insects, the reserve is home to more than 300 kinds of birds. The activity starts right after nightfall, allowing you to watch some animals awakening and others seeking their nests or caves to sleep.
5.0
(2)
4 hours
·
Private group
Bird-watching enthusiasts won't want to miss this early-morning excursion to Curi-Cancha Reserve, located near the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Beginning on the grounds of a private farm, the guided tour leads you along nature trails through various wildlife habitats. Your private guide will point out different species, including hummingbirds and the elusive quetzal, as you walk through forested areas.
4.5
(6)
4 hours
·
Small group
Discover the Santa Elena Cloud Forest on a guided hike. While the Monteverde Reserve is on the "must-see" list for most travelers to Costa Rica, the Santa Elena Reserve offers the opportunity to experience this rare ecosystem without waiting in lines for a photo or stepping off the path as large tour groups pass. During your guided hike, you'll have the chance to see an astonishing number of animals. Elusive feline species include pumas, jaguarundi, and the endangered jaguar, while more commonly spotted species include spider monkeys, sloths, bright red poison dart frogs, and tarantulas.
Coffee beans ready for the harvest.
4.3
(13)
3 hours
·
Small group
Experience Costa Rican coffee culture and wildlife observation on a single excursion. The tour starts with a stroll through a local coffee plantation near Monteverde, where you'll have the opportunity to identify and learn about the coffee plant first-hand. Your guide will walk you through every step of the process, from harvesting to roasting and brewing to serving the perfect cup. Enjoy a mug of coffee, then participate in a short chocolate-themed activity. Finally, head into the jungle. Exploring the rainforest after nightfall allows one to enjoy the sounds of undisturbed nature. It is common to observe frogs and various snake species along the trail. With some luck, you could observe forest dwellers such as the two-toed sloth or the kinkajou.
A relaxing horseback ride through the forest
5.0
(1)
6 hours
·
Small group
Mount up your horse and explore the picturesque back roads and forest trails of Monteverde's agricultural heartland on this full-day horseback riding adventure. Spot sloths and toucans, learn about the area's rich cultural heritage, and enjoy a picnic and a refreshing soak in a secluded clearing by a babbling river. End your journey with a quick stop at a local cafe before riding back to the ranch.
Hidden Tarantula | Photo taken by Rachel H
4.0
(2)
2.5 hours
·
Small group
Discover a magical forest ecosystem after dark on a private guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the jewels in Costa Rica's ecological crown. Called the "green lung of Costa Rica" due to its rich biodiversity, this 26,000-acre (3,500-hectare) reserve is high in the country's mountainous northwest region. During the hike, you'll get an up-close look at the incredible biodiversity of this region and the spectacle of nocturnal wildlife in the rainforest. More than 350 bird species exist here alone, including the aptly named resplendent quetzal. Equipped with a flashlight, your guide will point out various mammals, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and insects as the jungle comes alive at night.
Toucans
4 hours
·
Small group
Embark on an early morning birdwatching adventure in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a popular birding destination in Costa Rica. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, spot various species, including the resplendent quetzal, highland tinamou, and Chiriqui quail-dove. Don't miss the chance to explore the hummingbird garden, home to 30 species of these mesmerizing birds.
The elusive resplendent quetzal
2.5 hours
·
Small group
The Children’s Eternal Rainforest (BEN) is considered as the biggest private reserve in Costa Rica, it is part of the Water and Peace Biosphere (“Biosfera Agua y Paz”) from the UNESCO, as well as founding member of the Costa Rican Network of Private Reserves and also member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Its mission is to maintain, preserve and rehabilitate the topical ecosystems and its biodiversity, through environmental educational activities, reforestation, investigation, protection, and monitoring, as well as sustainable development and ecotourism (trails, talks, hikes, and biological stations).  The place has more than 22.000 primary and secondary forest hectare, as well as regenerating areas. This Reserve has been preserved thanks to the effort of children and adults, together with schools and other organizations in more than forty countries around the world.

Experiences in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Ziplining in Monteverde
Map of Monteverde Zip Lining—Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Option for You
Monteverde Zip Lining—Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Option for You

As the birthplace of modern zip lining, Costa Rica's Monteverde region is the prime location to zip through the jungle. With four main zip lining companies to recommend, you'll find adventure parks suitable for any traveler, including beginners, families with children, adventure-seekers, and nature lovers.

Monteverde Cloud Forest
Best Things to Do in Monteverde

Monteverde's Cloud Forests are certainly the area's highlights, and many visitors are surprised to discover there's more than one. Plus, you can experience these misty jungle and wildlife hubs in many different ways. Besides hiking through the forests, opt to visit the unique ecosystems via Latin America's longest zip line, on horseback, or with nighttime wildlife excursions. Monteverde is also a birding paradise and home to coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane farms.

San José from above
Top Cultural Experiences in Costa Rica

From vibrant cities to humble artisanal villages, protected jungles to stretches of farmland, and sweet chocolate to rich rum, Costa Rica is a country full of cultural experiences. You can enjoy cooking classes to discover traditional recipes; learn how farmers grow and process important exports like coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane; visit hamlets known for artisan crafts; or tour museums and beloved neighborhoods in the heart of San José.

Hiking in the Rainforest
Top Active Experiences in Costa Rica

Sporty travelers, adventure seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts will find endless active experiences in Costa Rica, a country filled with rainforests, beaches, coral reefs, volcanoes, national parks, waterfalls, rivers, and more—all waiting to be discovered. In Costa Rica, you can rappel into canyons, raft through whitewater rapids, mountain bike near active volcanoes, hike through national parks, surf at world-renowned beaches, snorkel above reefs, zipline through the rainforest, and more!

Hiking in Costa Rica
Top Family Experiences in Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers adventures suitable for all ages, making it an excellent choice for a family vacation. Kids and adults alike love spotting wildlife, ziplining through cloud forests, learning how to surf, touring organic farms, and much more. The unique experiences you can enjoy in Costa Rica—a country leading the world in eco-tourism and wildlife conservation—will leave a lasting impression on the entire family for years to come.

Learn more about Monteverde : Best of Monteverde · Top Hotels in Monteverde
Top experiences in popular travel destinations in Costa Rica: Osa Peninsula · San José · Manuel Antonio · Arenal/La Fortuna · Puerto Viejo de Talamanca · Tortuguero · Nosara · Tamarindo · Sámara
Top experiences in Costa Rica