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

Overall Rating (17 reviews)
4.7 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.8
H
Hanna K.
Mooresville, NC | Reviewed on May 28, 2023

We had such a good time on this tour. We told our guide Carlos that we wanted a more active hike so he was able to find the best route for us. At the beginning of our hike we saw two rare birds, the Quetzal. They were so beautiful and Carlos told us that about 10% of folks who come to the forest ever get a chance to see them so we were pleasantly surprised! It was also great seeing how excited he got when he spotted the birds!
I told Carlos I also wanted to see the clouds and he said it might... Read more

We had such a good time on this tour. We told our guide Carlos that we wanted a more active hike so he was able to find the best route for us. At the beginning of our hike we saw two rare birds, the Quetzal. They were so beautiful and Carlos told us that about 10% of folks who come to the forest ever get a chance to see them so we were pleasantly surprised! It was also great seeing how excited he got when he spotted the birds!
I told Carlos I also wanted to see the clouds and he said it might be tough but was able to find a good place for us to see the clouds which was really nice. We ended the hike at the cafe which also has hummingbird feeders and there were hummingbirds everywhere which was really cool to see up close!

Tips for future travelers

Highly recommend the tour and Carlos as our guide!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Steve
Steve B.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on May 23, 2023

The cloud forest guided hike was good, although it was a bit crowded. We enjoyed being in the cloud forest and exploring the area. Read more

The cloud forest guided hike was good, although it was a bit crowded. We enjoyed being in the cloud forest and exploring the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Touraj
Touraj K.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on May 23, 2023

Amazing, and you need a guide to explain you about the importance of these forest and all it has to offer. Read more

Amazing, and you need a guide to explain you about the importance of these forest and all it has to offer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
J
Jan E.
Australia | Reviewed on May 05, 2023

A great experience with our guide Bernie. I would definitely recommend. Read more

A great experience with our guide Bernie. I would definitely recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chandni
Chandni K.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Apr 28, 2023

This was a nice hike, but it felt repetitive after the previous day's tour. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw many animals like birds, monkeys. Read more

This was a nice hike, but it felt repetitive after the previous day's tour. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw many animals like birds, monkeys.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M
marlyn C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2023

Guides were good at pointing out interesting birds, tarantulas and fauna

P
Protima W.
Mammoth Lakes, CA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2023

Great hike. Was extremely busy with bus loads of tourists everywhere on the trail. If possible book a tour at 6 or 6:30 am with a knowledgeable and trained bird guide. We could hear the legendary but elusive bird "Quetzal" but couldn't see it. The group that went earlier in the morning saw it. Read more

Great hike. Was extremely busy with bus loads of tourists everywhere on the trail. If possible book a tour at 6 or 6:30 am with a knowledgeable and trained bird guide. We could hear the legendary but elusive bird "Quetzal" but couldn't see it. The group that went earlier in the morning saw it.

Tips for future travelers

Book the tour as early in the morning as possible and request for a trained bird guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amy
Amy M.
Burlington, NC | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2023

This was one of our favorite hike. The cloud forest was so beautiful and we spotted so many animals and birds. The hummingbird gallery was so much fun. You will never see more hummingbirds in one place. Read more

This was one of our favorite hike. The cloud forest was so beautiful and we spotted so many animals and birds. The hummingbird gallery was so much fun. You will never see more hummingbirds in one place.

Tips for future travelers

Go as early as you can and bring your binoculars.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Joseph
Joseph M.
Grand Lake, CO | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

First introduction to all the ecosystems within Costa Rica - from dwarf forest mountaintops to dry lowlands. Our guide, Andreas, described in great detail all the ecosystems and what to expect. We chose to spend our time in the Rain shadow forest with greatest chance to see Resplendent Quetzal - we were not disappointed! We saw five differnet Quetzal (female, juvenile and male) - spectacular! We also saw the Motmot - beautiful! We also saw several other birds, including a variety of... Read more

First introduction to all the ecosystems within Costa Rica - from dwarf forest mountaintops to dry lowlands. Our guide, Andreas, described in great detail all the ecosystems and what to expect. We chose to spend our time in the Rain shadow forest with greatest chance to see Resplendent Quetzal - we were not disappointed! We saw five differnet Quetzal (female, juvenile and male) - spectacular! We also saw the Motmot - beautiful! We also saw several other birds, including a variety of hummingbirds and one special Coati sunbathing on a log. An amazing experience!

Tips for future travelers

Dress for rain!

Quality of Experience
Andreas asked us what we wanted to see. Our goal was to see the Quetzal and he put us in the right spot! Amazing spotting scope and took photos for us through the scope.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andreas is very knowledgeable and experienced!
Transport
He showed up a little late in a "very well worn" vehicle ... a little questionable at first, but got the job done.
Dani
Dani R.
Mexico | Reviewed on Dec 05, 2022

Loved the tour! 10/10 recommended! Our guide was super knowledgeable and we learned a lot! <3 Read more

Loved the tour! 10/10 recommended! Our guide was super knowledgeable and we learned a lot! <3

Tips for future travelers

Bring umbrellas, and good hiking shoes or tennis (if you're there during rainy season)

Quality of Experience
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.