Monteverde cloud forest and Arenal Volcano-The Costa Rican Wonder

Monteverde is a district in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. It is located in the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range. Monteverde is one of the country’s major ecotourism destinations. The area is host to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and several other natural attractions, which draw a number of tourists from all around the world. The district of Monteverde has an area of 53.05 km² and an average elevation of 1,330 meters.

Monteverde cloud forests are rare ecosystems that occur in tropical and subtropical mountainous areas. The atmospheric conditions in Monteverde Costa Rica, make this region unique in that covered by clouds and blanketing everything with dew.  Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve consists of the Santa Elena cloud forest reserve and the Curi-Cancha Reserve.

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Visit Monteverde is not complete without the Arenal Volcano tour. It is Active since 1968, the volcano is now dormant. It still makes an impressive and breathtaking view across the landscape. The volcano’s base is stippled with a number of thermal hot springs, providing visitors with the best point to relax.

Geology of the area Monteverde Costa Rica

At the Costa Rica Pacific margin, the Cocos Plate is subducting beneath the Caribbean Plate at a rate of 78 mm/yr. Northwestern Costa Rica is dominated by the northwest-trending, extinct Monteverde volcanic arc, and the active Guanacaste volcanic arc reflecting the subduction of the Cocos plate. The volcanic arc rocks are locally covered by epi-clastic and alluvial deposits on both the southern and northern flanks of the arc.

Monteverde national park and Activities

Monteverde is home to 400 species of birds, and the best place to go on birdwatching is the Curi-Cancha Reserve. Tourists can see some of the most beautiful birds in Costa Rica, including the keel-billed toucan, resplendent quetzal, orange-bellied trogon, and a variety of Hummingbirds. There is a number of places in Monteverde national park. Most trails range from 1 km to 5 km, and there are both self-guided. There are tons of great activities to do in Monteverde, Going for a simple hike through the cloud forest is a spectacular and magical experience.

The Monteverde Frog Pond is an educational tour where researchers can get to see 25 different species of amphibians that are native to Costa Rica. People will learn all about their habitats, behaviors, diet, reproduction, and factors that threaten their population.

The Monteverde Butterfly Gardens is also a popular attraction located between the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There are four different climate-controlled butterfly gardens, a medicinal plant garden, and a biodiversity center. There are more than 50 species of butterflies from different areas and ecosystems in Costa Rica.

Monteverde suspension bridges

Selvatura treetop is an incredible way to experience the cloud forest. There are eight suspension bridges in the Monteverde rainforest that are connected by walking trails. This bird’s-eye view opportunity is a great way to see monkeys, sloths, birds, and beautiful plant life from the hanging sky. The San Luis Waterfall is on the outskirts of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. This is the 100m high waterfall. Tourists can take a refreshing dip in the cold waterfall pool and admire the immense beauty of the falls and the surrounding reserve forest area. El Tigre waterfalls are a collection of four big waterfalls where you will hike along through the jungle and overhanging bridges.

Best Time to Visit Monteverde Costa Rica

Monteverde Costa Rica has a dry season from December to May, and a wet season from May to December and these are the best months to reach Monteverde. Senda Monteverde, El Establo Mountain, Hidden canopy treehouses, Selvatura canopy, Quinta do Monteverde and Monteverde backpackers are some best places to stay in Monteverde cloud forest to take a glance at the surroundings.