Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
witness the butterflies as they emerge from the chrysalis (if your timing is right). Other ex-
hibits feature the industrious leafcutter ant. Explore on your own or take advantage of the
knowledgeable naturalist guides.
Monteverde Theme Park
ZOO
2645-6320; per attraction $13-17, canopy $35;
9am-8pm)
Formerly known as the Ranario, or Frog Pond, this place has recently added a butterfly
garden and canopy tour - hence, it's now a theme park. The frogs are still the highlight:
about 25 species reside in transparent enclosures lining the winding indoor jungle paths.
Sharp-eyed guides lead informative tours in English or Spanish, pointing out frogs, eggs
and tadpoles with flashlights. Your ticket entitles you to two visits, so come back in the
evening to see the nocturnal species. Combined tickets are available.
Bat Jungle
ZOO
Learn about echolocation, bat-wing aerodynamics and other amazing flying-mammal
facts. The so-called Bat Jungle is small but informative, with good bilingual educational
displays and a free-flying bat habitat housing almost 100 bats.
Serpentarium
ZOO
A guide will show you around and introduce you to some 40 species of slithery snakes,
plus a fair number of frogs, lizards, turtles and other cold-blooded critters.
Jardín de Orquídeas
GARDENS
2645-5308;
www.monteverdeorchidgarden.net
; adult/child
US$10/free; 8am-5pm)
This sweet-smelling garden has shady trails winding past more than 400 types of orchid
organized into taxonomic groups. On your guided tour, you'll see such rarities as
Platys-
tele jungermannioides,
the world's smallest orchid. If you have orchids at home, here's
your chance to get tips from the experts on how to keep them beautiful and blooming.
