Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike, Monteverde

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.

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 Treetopia Park Monteverde, 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!

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.

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!

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.

Combine a chocolate tour with a wildlife hike on this evening excursion! Head to a Costa Rican farm in the Monteverde region to learn about the process behind chocolate production, from seed to chocolate bar. After an overview of the process, you'll have the chance to grind cocoa, make your own chocolate bar, and taste several types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. Once the chocolate experience is complete, you'll go on a night hike to look for species of frogs and toads in the wild. You might also see sloths, raccoons, and other nocturnal animals.