Cloud Forest Reserve Hike, Monteverde

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest (BEN) is considered as the biggest private reserve in Costa Rica, it is part of the Water and Peace Biosphere (“Biosfera Agua y Paz”) from the UNESCO, as well as founding member of the Costa Rican Network of Private Reserves and also member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Its mission is to maintain, preserve and rehabilitate the topical ecosystems and its biodiversity, through environmental educational activities, reforestation, investigation, protection, and monitoring, as well as sustainable development and ecotourism (trails, talks, hikes, and biological stations). 

The place has more than 22.000 primary and secondary forest hectare, as well as regenerating areas. This Reserve has been preserved thanks to the effort of children and adults, together with schools and other organizations in more than forty countries around the world.

Discover the Santa Elena Cloud Forest on a guided hike. While the Monteverde Reserve is on the "must-see" list for most travelers to Costa Rica, the Santa Elena Reserve offers the opportunity to experience this rare ecosystem without waiting in lines for a photo or stepping off the path as large tour groups pass. During your guided hike, you'll have the chance to see an astonishing number of animals. Elusive feline species include pumas, jaguarundi, and the endangered jaguar, while more commonly spotted species include spider monkeys, sloths, bright red poison dart frogs, and tarantulas.

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.

Bird-watching enthusiasts won't want to miss this early-morning excursion to Curi-Cancha Reserve, located near the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Beginning on the grounds of a private farm, the guided tour leads you along nature trails through various wildlife habitats. Your private guide will point out different species, including hummingbirds and the elusive quetzal, as you walk through forested areas.

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!

Discover a magical forest ecosystem after dark on a private guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the jewels in Costa Rica's ecological crown. Called 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. During the hike, you'll get an up-close look at the incredible biodiversity of this region and the spectacle of nocturnal wildlife in the rainforest. More than 350 bird species exist here alone, including the aptly named resplendent quetzal. Equipped with a flashlight, your guide will point out various mammals, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and insects as the jungle comes alive at night.

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. 

Experience Costa Rican coffee culture and wildlife observation on a single excursion. The tour starts with a stroll through a local coffee plantation near Monteverde, where you'll have the opportunity to identify and learn about the coffee plant first-hand. Your guide will walk you through every step of the process, from harvesting to roasting and brewing to serving the perfect cup. Enjoy a mug of coffee, then participate in a short chocolate-themed activity. Finally, head into the jungle. Exploring the rainforest after nightfall allows one to enjoy the sounds of undisturbed nature. It is common to observe frogs and various snake species along the trail. With some luck, you could observe forest dwellers such as the two-toed sloth or the kinkajou.