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 among 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 "ding" 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.
Monteverde was a Qaker settlement who established
in the mountain in the 50's. Now their descendants try to keep the region the
same way their ancestors found it. They have the cheese factory and many other
dairy products.
For those
people who have enough 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- Canopy Tour
The
canopy experience in Monteverde is perfect. The
tour starts with a short guided hike through the private reserve. The first
part of the tour will take you to secondary and primary forest and then a
climb up a ladder to the first platform, about 8 meters above the ground where
and ingenious series of cables connecting the trees awaits you.
After a soaring through
the tree tops on horizontal traverses and platforms suspended in the tree
tops, you will rappell back to the forest floor and hike another 50 meters
where you will have a spectacular climb up a rope ladder through the inside
of a huge, hollow strangler fig.
This is the only one in
exsistence. Dangling from 22 meters off the ground the height-meter-long walkway
(that winds around the various trees that the strangler fig has consumed in
its lifetime) makes for an unbeatable vantage point for observing the surroundings
rainforest. You
will then continue your tour from platform to platform, assisted by our expert
guides, and finally have a second rappel which takes you to a long way down
back to the forest floor.
2-
Sky Walk
Sky
Walk offers a different perspective of the Monteverde Cloud Forest that not
many people have had the chance to see.
If you think about it,
most of the wildlife found in the Cloud forest is living or feeding in the
treetops. The Sky Walk is a set of seven suspended bridges that cross a small
valley in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
These bridges have a maximum
height of 48m (150Ft) and the longest one is 300m (almost 1000Ft). These literally
get you in contact with the Canopy of the Cloud Forest in a safe and relaxing
way.
...a walk
through the cloud forest canopy reveals lush green gardens of mosses, ferns,
flowers and epiphytes growing on every tree...
Walk among the canopy and
see what only birds could see before the sky walk was here.
3- 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.
4- 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
5-Serpentarium
Here you
can see the variety of kinds of reptiles found in this region of Costa Rica.
HOURS Daily 9.00am - 4.00pm
6- 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
7- 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
8-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.
9- 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
Costa
Rica -Net- Guide will perform any special tour or itinerary designed by yourself.
