Things to Do in Monteverde

Monteverde is one of Costa Rica's most well-known and important destinations, attracting eco-tourists for years. The area is one of the original eco-destinations, home of Costa Rica's original zip line canopy tour and natural reserves protecting verdant cloud forests to hike through and explore.

Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts love the Monteverde area with its cooler climate and cozy boutique hotels and eco-lodges.

If you're all about discovering rare orchids, checking out lush vegetation, and experiencing a unique natural habitat alive with butterflies, hummingbirds, amphibians, and other creatures, then Monteverde is a must-visit. 

The cloud forest reserves of Monteverde are the area’s most fantastic attractions, drawing visitors with promises of resplendent quetzals, two-toed sloths, and howler monkeys. 

Guided day hikes reveal a world of brilliant green epiphytes, orchids, and wildlife, while night tours introduce you to Monteverde’s nocturnal residents. There are also specialized guides for birdwatchers looking to check all manner of species off their lists.  

Outside of the wild reserves themselves, you'll find a number of nature exhibits around the Monteverde area and its main village of Santa Elena. Stop at the butterfly garden to meander through multiple habitats and, if you're lucky, even release a newly-emerged butterfly. 

You’ll learn all about Monteverde’s incredible amphibians at the frog pond, from massive toads to the red, green, and blue poison dart frogs that sprinkle the forest floor. 

At the serpentarium, you can get close to snakes and learn all about these misunderstood reptiles. You’ll  discover that color patterns often predict whether a snake is venomous, but there are exceptions to every rule, so if you see any snake in the wild, you should assume it is venomous. 

Then there’s the bat museum. Bats are so fast, they're difficult to spot in the wild. In the museum, you can observe their little eyes and how they move… and even see how they care for their young. 

Monteverde’s natural attractions are the main draw, but if you seek adrenaline adventure, the area won't disappoint. After all, it's here in Monteverde that Costa Rica's signature adventure activity - the zip line canopy tour - came into being.

Today, Monteverde is home to one of the fastest zip-line canopy tours in the country. Climb up sky-high towers and zig-zag over the mountain. All around you, the cloud forest brims with life, and panoramic Pacific views paint the horizon in the distance. 

Other activities like horseback riding are also available for travelers preferring to stay closer to the ground.

For nature lovers and birdwatchers, Monteverde is well worth visiting. It's a low key, quiet area, where tourists visit to get close to nature and explore a unique environment. 

Monteverde is known for its cloud forests, above all. With that comes a whole set of wildlife not found in many places. The cooler climate also lends itself to agriculture, so you can go on tours to see how cheese, chocolate, and coffee are made and taste test some of the best milk, ice cream, and yogurt in Costa Rica.

We normally recommend at least three days in Monteverde but it depends on how long you have, where else you're traveling in Costa Rica, and what you want to do. Contact our travel consults for advice on whether Monteverde is good for you.

You should visit Monteverde because it offers a different Costa Rica than the tropical beaches and sweltering rainforests you'll find elsewhere. The cool cloud forests are so refreshing and plenty of activities await. The village of Santa Teresa is also a cute place to hang out in and enjoy. 

Two-toed sloths live in Monteverde. They sleep 15 hours a day and are nocturnal, so you'll more likely spot them on a night tour. Three-toed sloths are found in warmer areas of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is home to four species of monkeys, three of which are found in Monteverde. White-faced capuchin monkeys are spotted most commonly. Howler monkeys and spider monkeys are also here, but less widely seen.