Monteverde is perhaps not the most famous place in Costa Rica, but it’s definitely one of those which you have to visit during one of your trips to the country.
With that being said, if you are already planning to visit the community of Monteverde, then you may be overwhelmed by the selection of places to admire and things to do there. And having only so much time, you probably will be unable to see everything offered by Monteverde.
Well, if you will be in Monteverde for a limited time and want to have a memorable vacation, then let us introduce you to the top 10 things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica!
Ten Awesome Activities to do in Monteverde
1. Hike Through the Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is among the finest reserves in the world in regard to its biodiversity, conservation, and scientific research. The 3,500-hectare reserve accommodates 2.5% of the entire world’s biodiversity, which is an enormous number for such a small area.
The Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is home to 3,000 plant species, and interestingly, some of them drink the fog. In fact, the reserve has been the first ecosystem where trees drinking through their leaves have been observed.
Aside from the wealth of wildlife to see, the reserve has many activities for tourists to participate in. One way to admire the beauties of the Cloud Forest Reserve is to get on a guided tour or buy a comprehensive Costa Rica tour including a visit to this gem of nature.
2. Walk the Hanging Bridges
Among the most popular attractions of Monteverde are the hanging bridges in the Cloud Forest. Up to 800 feet long and situated at an altitude of 2,400 feet, these bridges allow you to see the forest from a different perspective and take some memorable photos. The bridges can be a little scary though due to their elevation!
3. Do Adrenaline-filled Zip Lining
Monteverde is particularly popular thanks to its zip-lining opportunities. Interestingly, locals claim to have invented the zip-line as a means to deliver lunch to the workers situated across canyons.
Whether this is actually how things went or not, zip-lining in Monteverde could allow you to see unparalleled views of the area, as well as get some adrenaline pumped through your body. The best spot for zip-lining along with activities like bungee jumping or Tarzan swinging in the Cloud Forest Reserve.
4. Venture Into the Forest at Night
Most Monteverde animals – around 80%, to be precise – are nocturnal, so a night walk in the Cloud Forest is the only way to experience the wildlife of the area in its full colors.
Of course, you should hire a professional guide for such kind of a tour – the forest, while adapted for tours, still is a wild place, and walking off the track speaks great harm to you.
You may opt for specialized Reserve night hikes or visit the Reserve at night within the scope of a comprehensive Costa Rica biodiversity tour.
5. Climb the Giant Ficuses
The Monteverde Ficuses are also a unique sight. As they take over another tree, ficus trees grow their roots downwards and lose their inner living tissue. A hollow ficus is still alive, but it doesn’t have inner material like trees usually do.
Well, a hollow ficus allows some excellent climbing and sightseeing opportunities. There are a few Ficuses near the Aventura hanging bridges and the Cloud Forest Lodge, so don’t miss out on the unique experience of glancing at the surroundings from their peak.
6. Go on a Bird-Watching Tour
Home to around 400 species of birds, Monteverde is one of the best bird-watching areas in Costa Rica. More precisely, the Curi-Cancha Reserve boasts the best bird diversity in the locality. On a tour through this reserve, you will get the opportunity to see some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful birds such as the keel-billed toucan, orange-bellied trogon, resplendent quetzal, and various hummingbirds.
7. Pay a Visit to the Frog Pond
Monteverde isn’t rich in just birds – there are plenty of frogs to see here too! Well, the frog species number is just 25 – incomparable to the diversity of 400 bird species – but you can still see many new things in the Monteverde Frog Pond.
During a guided tour through the pond, you will learn about the habitats, behavior, and diet of the frog 25 species native to Costa Rica. And since the frog populations of the country are under threat, part of the proceeds from the Frog Pond tour go toward frog & toad research and conservation.
8. Admire the Costa Rican Orchids
The wildlife of Monteverde just keeps on giving, and as the number 8 thing to do, we suggest that you pay a visit to the Monteverde Orchid House.
Some 1,400 orchid species are growing in Costa Rica, and about 500 can be found in Monteverde. The Orchid House, in particular, has over 460 species in their natural habitat on display.
During the tour, you will be able to learn about various orchid species, how they are cultivated, and even how to grow them at home!
9. Partake the Goods of the Taco Taco Restaurant
If you stop at the Taco Taco restaurant near Monteverde’s main supermarket, you will have the chance to eat perhaps the best tacos you will ever eat. Taco Taco is a quirky restaurant serving a few select Mexican dishes like burritos, nachos, guacamole, and, of course, tacos. If you do love Mexican food or even if you’ve never had it, stopping for lunch at Taco Taco is definitely worth it.
10. Take a Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica is home to delicious coffee and chocolate, and Monteverde is one of the country’s coffee & chocolate-making hubs. If you are a coffee lover, do make sure to hop on to a coffee & chocolate tour. Coffee & chocolate tours in Monteverde usually also include sugarcane demonstration.
At a coffee tour in Monteverde, you will be among other things introduced to the role of coffee in the socio-economic development of Costa Rica, the traditional role of coffee in the country, and the lifecycle of the coffee planting.
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