11 Unique Things To Do In Monteverde Costa Rica (2024)
Are you looking for fun and unique things to do in Monteverde? You’re in the right place.
Monteverde is a charming cloud forest town perched atop a mountain, and by far the most unique place I visited in Costa Rica. It’s at an altitude of around 5,000 feet, and has a misty, cool environment often referred to as an “eternal spring”.
This lush cloud forest environment is extremely biodiverse, and it’s home to over 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species, and over 100 mammal species!
I recently spent 2 days in Monteverde, and although the town itself is small, it’s surrounded by several natural attractions. This article will cover all of the best things to do in town to ensure you plan a memorable trip.
From cloud forest hikes to chocolate tours, there’s something on this list for everyone!
Here are 12 of the best things to do in Monteverde.
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1. Explore Monteverde’s Cloud Forest
Spend 1-2 hours exploring Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Reserve, a large private nature reserve with over 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species, and 100 mammal species.
This reserve has great hiking trails, and the iconic suspension bridges you can walk over to be in the clouds.
Although Monteverde has other nature reserves, this is the most expansive, so if you only have time for one hike, I’d highly recommend this one.
Entrance to the reserve cost $26/adult, $5 for parking, and it’s open daily from 7am-4pm. You can also book a guided tour at the reserve to spot tons of wildlife, and learn about the biodiverse ecosystem.
2. Hike To The El Tigre Waterfalls
Hike to four beautiful waterfalls tucked in the cloud forest at El Tigre Waterfalls. El Tigre Waterfalls are four 50-100 foot waterfalls with swimmable natural pools that you can hike to and swim in!
The hike to the waterfalls is 5 miles round trip (8km), and there’s an entrance fee of $33/adult.
They also offer tours for $66/adult (with lunch), where you can hike for 3 miles, and either ride a 4×4 or go horseback riding on the way back.
3. Visit Monteverde’s Fig Bridge (Ficus La Raiz)
Head to Monteverde’s Ficus Root Bridge to see an old fig tree that collapsed into a bridge. This interesting tourist attraction is only $2 to visit (2000 CRC), and they have a large free dirt parking lot.
To get to the fig tree, it’s a short hike down a set of stairs, and there’s multiple viewpoints at the bottom. It only takes a few minutes to see and it’s really unique so it’s worth checking out.
4. Zipline Through The Clouds
If you’re up for an adventure, go ziplining through the clouds on Monteverde’s Original Canopy Tour. This zipline experience begins with climbing through a hollow tree, then ziplining over the cloud forest.
At the end of the tour, you have the choice to rappel down the treetop, so it’s the perfect tour for thrill seekers.
5. Go On A Night Walk Tour
Spot nocturnal animals on a night walk tour of Monteverde’s Wildlife Refuge. Monteverde’s Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places to spot wildlife, and is home to sloths, monkeys, tree frogs, tarantulas, and much more.
On a night tour, you’ll get to scope these animals out, and learn all about the local ecosystem. The tours start at around 5:30pm or 8:30pm.
6. Hike At The Santa Elena Cloud Forest
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest (La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena) is the next most visited cloud forest after the Monteverde Reserve. It spans 765 acres, with 8 miles of hiking trails, and is run by the local high school, so entrance fees help support the community!
I hiked this cloud forest for around an hour and saw birds, insects, and many beautiful plants.
It doesn’t have hanging bridges like Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, it has an observation tower where you can see over the clouds.
And although it’s not as large as the other cloud forest, it’s slightly cheaper, and parking’s completely free! Entrance to the reserve is $18/adult, and it’s open Sun-Fri from 7am-4pm.
7. Go Birdwatching At Curi Cancha Reserve
If you love birdwatching, Curi Cancha Reserve is a must visit while in Monteverde.
This private nature reserve is home to everything from the colorful resplendent quetzal to hummingbirds, toucans, and more.
Although it’s much smaller (265 acres) than the cloud forest, it has a higher concentration of wildlife, so it’s excellent for birdwatching, with or without a guide! Entrance to the reserve is $20/adults, and it’s open daily from 7am-3pm.
8. Go On A Coffee Tour
If you love coffee, head to Cafe Monteverde or Don Juan’s for a coffee tour. Cafe Monteverde is a cozy little cafe in the center of town that offers coffee tours Mon-Sun at 8:30am, 9:30am, and 2pm.
On their tour, you’ll get to sample 6 different types of coffee, walk through their farm, and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
Don Juan’s offers a 3 in 1 coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane tour, where you’ll get to learn how all three are cultivated!
Their tours include sampling everything from sugarcane juice to hot chocolate, so it’s the perfect activity for after a long hike.
9. Watch The Sunset At The Mirador De Valle
As the sun begins to set, head to the Mirador de Valle Escondido Preserve to watch the sunset above the clouds! This is an excellent sunset viewpoint on top of the hill with benches overlooking the valley.
Parking can be difficult here, but you can park at the supermarket a mile down the street and walk up to it.
10. Visit The Butterfly Garden
Take a tour of the Monteverde Butterfly Garden to see butterflies, and learn all about Costa Rican insects. The butterfly garden offers tours daily from 9am-3:30pm, where you’ll get to tour their 4 small butterfly habitats, and insect enclosures.
This is a great activity for a rainy day, and entrance to the garden includes a guided tour. Entrance is $20/adult, and $12/children.
11. Tour The Bat Jungle
Visit the Bat Jungle to see dozens of live bats in a small jungle style enclosure. You can do a self-guided tour, or go with a guide to hear them echolocate with an ultrasonic device, and learn all about these nocturnal creatures.
Entrance to the bat jungle is $15/person, and they offer guided tours in English from 10am-3pm.
Monteverde Attractions Map
Summary
Monteverde is full of interesting places, and a dream destination for nature lovers. Since the town is so small, you only need 1 to 2 full days to see most of the natural attractions.
If you have limited time in town, I recommend hiking the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and going on a night tour of Monteverde’s Wildlife Refuge. This will allow you to explore the amazing diversity of plants and animals unique to its ecosystem.
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