The Monteverde area in
Costa Rica is world famous for its cloud forest. There are now two
reserves, the original Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the new
Santa Elena Rain Forest. In these forests you can enjoy the cloud
forest climate and hike the trails amongst the varieties of plants
and magnificent epiphytic laden trees, there have been over 450 bird
species seen in the Monteverde area. The native birds are joined at
certain time of the year by those which migrate through from North
America. The resplendent quetzals with their long tails feed at various
locations in the area and one can at times hear the "bong"
of the bell birds. These areas sit astride the continental divide
at an altitude a bit above 5000 feet. They protect and provide habitat
for hundreds of species of plants and animals.
The road to Monteverde from the international highway can be somewhat
bumpy, dusty and warm. But taken in stride, without hurry , you can
see variety of birds along the way and can see the change in habitats
as one ascends up into the mountains.
For those people who have sufficient time, the Monteverde Conservation
League operates as wonderful nature trail in the forest just bellow
the cloud forest. Here you can find a number of lower drier forest
bird species . The trail is called the Bajo del Trigre Trail.
THING TO DO IN MONTEVERE
1- The Hummingbird Factory
You will find several species of hummingbirds which are attracted
by feeders. This provides a great opportunity to take photographs.
There is also a small shop
at the Gallery where you can buy souvenirs , and where the work of
the will known British photographer , Michael Fogden can be viewed
and is available for purchase. Behind the Hummingbird Gallery there
are trails which you can walk without a guide.
2- The Quaker's cheese
factory.
In this factory, founded by a dairy family of Quakers and Costa Ricans
about 40 years ago, you can see cheese being made from behind a glass
observation window. There is also a shop where the products produced
in the factory are sold. The factory is very well known by producing
the best dairy products in Costa Rica.
HOURS : Daily 7.30am -
4.30pm
Sunday 7.30am - 12.30pm
Note : the production of
the dairy products does not begin until 9.00am
3-Serpentarium
Here you can see the variety of kinds of reptiles found in this region
of Costa Rica.
HOURS Daily 9.00am - 4.00pm
4- The Butterfly Garden
The various types of butterflies in Costa Rica can be seen here. There
is an entrance fee, but you may return as many times as you like within
the same day.
HOURS Daily 9.30am - 4.00pm
5- Finca de Aves
This farm is 12 meters in elevations and is a steep journey by 4-wheel
drive or motorcycle. There is also an eco-farm on the way where you
can see animals such as monkeys, sloths, armadillos , and birds. There
is an entrance fee
6-Bajo del Tigre Trail
100 meters right after CASEM at an elevation of 10 meters , this site
attracts visitors because of the views of the countryside that it
provides and the 2/3 km of hiking trails available. This trails are
part of the Children International Rain Forest. There is a voluntary
donation as entrance fee requested from the visitors.
7- Santa Elena Reserve
This reserve was opened one and a half years ago by a group of Canadian
students (volunteers). The owners of the reserve is the Santa Elena
High School . All profits from the reserve go to the help and support
of the education of Santa Elena's youth. The trails in this reserve
are more natural and more difficult to hike than those at THE RESERVE
OF MONTEVERDE. There is an entrance fee and special fee for students
There is also private guides. Price available upon request.
HOURS Daily 7.00am - 4.00pm
