Monteverde
Cloud Forest Reserve: Private non-profit reserve, run by
the Tropical Scientific Center. You can
find 6 distinct ecological zones in this reserve.
Because of its altitude, it is called a cloud forest
rather than a rain forest, you will see the clouds
going through the forest. The canopy is extremely
rich with birds, insects, butterflies and plants,“great
bird watching”, the Resplendent Quetzal is
usually seen. Wear warm clothing.
Santa
Elena Cloud Forest Reserve: Private non-profit reserve, administrated
by the Santa Elena High School. It is dedicated
to nature conservation, ecotourism and all profits
go to the improvement of regional education. It
offers beautiful views of the arenal volcano on
clear days. It has similar habitat and wildlife
to the Monteverde Reserve, but is a little cloudier
and wetter because of higher elevation.
Finca
Ecológica:
This is a private farm located in the pre-mountain
forest. Here you will see secondary forest, waterfalls,
lookout points, coffee and banana plantations. Receives
less rain and is less cloudy than the Monteverde
Reserve, therefore vegetation is less dense and
it is easier to see mammals like coatis, agoutis
and sloths. This is also a good place to see the
“three wattled bell bird”. Here you
can take the “twilight walk” during
the night, where you will be able to see surprising
nocturnal animal life not seen during the day time.
The
Frog Pond of Monteverde:
An herpentarium in wich you can admire over 20 species
of frogs and other amphibians.
Canopy
Tours: The Monteverde Canopy Tour is
located approximately 3.75 miles away from the
center of Monteverde in an area known as San Gerardo,
the tour neighbors the Biological Reserve of Santa
Elena. The tour consists on a trip through 14
zip lines and 15 platforms interconnected that
cross through the virgin cloud forest´s
canopy.
Suspension
Bridges Tour: This tour consists of 8 bridges
located across a 2 mile trail. The altitude of
the bridges oscillates between 60 and 240 feet
above ground level. Physical condition is not
an obstacle if the visitor wants to take the tour
as the trail could be considered easy to walk
and the experience is worthwhile.
Butterfly
Project of Monteverde: This farm has a nature center,
4 gardens, a 500 square meter netted flyway, 3
greenhouses, a gift shop and botanical gardens.
Founded in 1991 by biologist Jim Wolfe and his
wife Marta Iris Salazar. The focus of the project
is environmental education. Great place to visit.
Horseback
Riding Tours: This is a very nice tour in Monteverde.
With a local spanish speaking guide you will be
able to see views of the Gulf of Nicoya, waterfalls
and the Valley of San Luis.
Serpentarium:
Exhibits costarican snakes!
Hummingbird
Gallery: Located next to the entrance of the Monteverde
Cloud Forest Reserve. Very worthwhile. Gifts,
photos. Great photo opportunities outside the
gallery, where feeders attract a wide variety
of hummingbirds in overwhelming numbers.
Monteverde
Cheese Factory: Located on the way to the Monteverde
Reserve, the cheese making process can be witnessed
through the observation window at the sales room.
Good place to buy ice cream and cheese.
Orchid
Garden:
In this garden you can admire more than 400 species
of orchids, including the national flower of Costa
Rica. Among others you will be able to see maxillaria,
epidendrum and oncidium species. If you go, don´t
forget to visit their green house, they have plenty
of interesting things to show you.
Monteverde
Ceramics Center: This center was designed as an educational,
recreational and social place in September of
1995, where people of different ages and cultures
can come together and share interest in pottery,
sculpture and clay work of all kind.
CASEM: Stands for “Comite de Artesanas
de Santa Elena y Monteverde”. At the women´s
artist coop in Monteverde you can find handcrafted
souvenirs such as stationery, jewelry and t-shirts
decorated with the Famous Quetzal.
Art
Galleries: Art, wisely, decided that this would
be its home in Monteverde. Surrounded by so much
greenery, colour excels here. Emotions, sensations,
energy and life are pregnant with beauty in the
different materials used whether wood, paper,
silk or others.
Hotel Poco a Poco | Monteverde,
Costa Rica | Email:info@hotelpocoapoco.com
| Phone: (506) 645.6000 | Fax: (506) 645.6264
