Explore the dense jungle of the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Explore the dense jungle of the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike, Monteverde

Roam biodiverse Monteverde Cloud Forest, a large natural reserve featuring 350 resident bird species, on a guided nature tour

Overview

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.

Highlights

  • Hike through a cloud forest and its various ecosystems
  • Spot colorful birds, butterflies, reptiles, insects, and more
  • Observe 2.5% of the world's biodiversity in a single place
  • Shop for handmade souvenirs at a women's artisan cooperative

Know before you go

Duration
4 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group

What you'll do

Transfer a short distance from your accommodations to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Meet with your guide at the reserve's entrance to start the hike.

Founded in 1972, the sprawling reserve is home to 2.5% of the world's biodiversity. The forest is divided into four ecological zones and a wide variety of ecosystems. As you walk, your guide will point out mammals, butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles, plus some of the reserve's more than 350 bird species. You'll also see a range of mosses, vines, and trees typical of the cloud forest.

After the hike, you'll make a short stop at a women's artisan cooperative before returning to Monteverde.

Start times

  • Daily
    7:00 am, 1:00 pm

What's included

  • Transportation
  • Entrance to the reserve
  • Bilingual guide

Traveler reviews

31 total ratings, 22 with reviews
4.7 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.7
C
Cynthia W.
Queensbury, NY | Reviewed on Mar 20, 2024
Our guide, Stephen, was very knowledgeable! We saw so many different types of animals. It was pretty amazing! Read more

Our guide, Stephen, was very knowledgeable! We saw so many different types of animals. It was pretty amazing!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
M
Mark H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024
Alex was awesome. Super thoughtful guy and a real student of the forest. Read more

Alex was awesome. Super thoughtful guy and a real student of the forest.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A
Andrew G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
The private guide was excellent the walk was enjoyable, lots of wildlife and information Read more

The private guide was excellent the walk was enjoyable, lots of wildlife and information

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
H
Harry K.
La Vista, NE | Reviewed on Feb 29, 2024
Excellent walk thru this unique experience with Rodrigo. Enjoyed the hike and views and the animal and plant life
Saw Coatis, peccaries, birds. Agouti and all sorts of birds. Plant and trees amazing thru this region.
Read more

Excellent walk thru this unique experience with Rodrigo. Enjoyed the hike and views and the animal and plant life
Saw Coatis, peccaries, birds. Agouti and all sorts of birds. Plant and trees amazing thru this region.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chris
Chris G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 04, 2024
Tips for future travelers The park has a max capacity and you have to wait for other tours to exit before you can enter. It would be best to show up as the park opens. The hummingbird garden is a good way to spend the wait time. Read more
Tips for future travelers

The park has a max capacity and you have to wait for other tours to exit before you can enter. It would be best to show up as the park opens. The hummingbird garden is a good way to spend the wait time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ian has an incredible knowledge of the forest, particularly the plant life. Would have preferred if he was a little more professional towards other guides/groups (they’re walking too fast and missed this orchid, he always takes groups too big to experience the forest, etc.)
Transport
Tyler
Tyler S.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
Our guide was great and found things we could have never seen. The forest was beautiful. He was very knowledgeable and his English was amazing. Read more

Our guide was great and found things we could have never seen. The forest was beautiful. He was very knowledgeable and his English was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
S
Sonja T.
Rosemont, CA | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2024
Andy (Andres) met us at the hotel in the morning and we all went to the park together - him on a motorcycle, us in a taxi. Worked out great! It's a very popular park and they only let in a certain number of people which meant we had to wait for maybe 45 minutes before we could get in . We spent that time drinking delicious coffee and learning about the local hummingbirds.
Once we were able to get in our guide heard from other guides that no one had had a successful sighting of the famous...
Read more

Andy (Andres) met us at the hotel in the morning and we all went to the park together - him on a motorcycle, us in a taxi. Worked out great! It's a very popular park and they only let in a certain number of people which meant we had to wait for maybe 45 minutes before we could get in . We spent that time drinking delicious coffee and learning about the local hummingbirds.
Once we were able to get in our guide heard from other guides that no one had had a successful sighting of the famous Quetzal so far. We tried our luck in the known spots, but it didn't look good. As we marched off Andy heard the tale tell sign and we immediately started running towards the landing spot (tree). He spotted the bird after a short while and helped us get some great pictures. He is super knowledgeable about all things Monteverde and a great photographer. We ended up spending more time with him than originally planned and enjoyed it a lot.

Tips for future travelers

Get a guide to get anything out of this park. We saw many people without a guide that walked right past some amazing plants and wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
G
Greg T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 27, 2023
The weather severely impacted this tour. It was raining very hard. Read more

The weather severely impacted this tour. It was raining very hard.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
E
Eric J.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 10, 2023
Great experience. Our guide taught us a lot about both the animals and plants/trees in the cloud forest. We saw many cool birds and trees, and even a couple of monkeys. Moved at an appropriate pace and got a good sense of the forest. Read more

Great experience. Our guide taught us a lot about both the animals and plants/trees in the cloud forest. We saw many cool birds and trees, and even a couple of monkeys. Moved at an appropriate pace and got a good sense of the forest.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Emelyn
Emelyn J.
Fullerton, CA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2023
Loved this hike! Carlos, our tour guide for the Monteverde Cloud Forest , was excellent, knowledgeable, and very interesting to listen to, and cared about climate change! I recommend this to everyone! You will learn a lot! Read more

Loved this hike! Carlos, our tour guide for the Monteverde Cloud Forest , was excellent, knowledgeable, and very interesting to listen to, and cared about climate change! I recommend this to everyone! You will learn a lot!

Tips for future travelers

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is a must trip for nature lovers and those who want to learn about the environment!

Quality of Experience
I also like the souvenir shop that supports the cloud forest and indigenous people.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Itineraries with Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike

Costa Rica Adventure & Wildlife Tour - 10 Days

Spend 10 days getting to know the diverse wildlife of Costa Rica's rainforests, with plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities, too. You'll zip-line through the rainforest, hike to waterfalls, and mountain bike on a volcano, with opportunities for kayaking and relaxing in hot springs.

Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon - 10 Days

This romantic itinerary is ideal for adventurous couples with more than a week to spend. Together, you'll bask in Costa Rica's biodiversity, take a whitewater rafting trip down the Río Pacuare, and go on multiple day hikes. Relax on Pacific beaches, soak in natural hot springs, and check into some of the country's best luxury resorts throughout your memorable stay.

Discover Costa Rica's Natural Highlights - 14 Days

Experience the country from both coasts on this two-week trip. You'll visit San José, Tortuguero National Park, the towering Arenal Volcano, Monteverde's cloud forest, and the remote beaches of Guanacaste. There will be plenty of activities to choose from along the way: watch sea turtles hatch on a Caribbean beach, sample locally produced chocolate, and take a surf lesson in the glittering Pacific.

Costa Rica's Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & Golden Coast - 14 Days

Explore some of Costa Rica's most classic settings on this adventure trip, from active volcanoes to the rainforest to its gorgeous Pacific beaches. You'll see volcanic fumaroles in Rincon de la Vieja, visit hot springs and cross hanging bridges in Arenal, encounter tons of tropical wildlife in Monteverde, and unwind on the beaches of the Gulf of Papagayo. Get ready to go hiking, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and more on this thrilling tour of Costa Rica's northwest.