Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the result of private citizens working for change,
rather than waiting around for a national park administered by the government. And yes,
the reserve still relies partly on donations from the public. As the underfunded Minae
struggles to protect the national-park system, enterprises like this are more important than
ever for maintaining cohesive wildlife corridors.
Visitors should note that the walking trails can be muddy, even during the dry season.
You're essentially walking around in a cloud, so quit complaining and bring rain gear, suit-
able boots and a smile. Many of the trails have been stabilized with concrete blocks or
wooden boards, but unpaved trails deeper in the preserve turn sloppy during the rainy sea-
son.
Because of the fragile environment, the reserve allows a maximum of 160 people at any
time. During the dry season this limit is usually reached by 10am, so arrive early (before
the gates open). Alternatively, head across town to the Reserva Santa Elena, which gets
about 10% of the number of visitors as Monteverde.
Activities
Hiking
There are 13km of marked and maintained trails - a free map is provided with your en-
trance fee. The most popular of the nine trails, suitable for day hikes, make a rough tri-
angle (El Triángulo) to the east of the reserve entrance. The triangle's sides are made up of
the popular
Sendero Bosque Nuboso
(1.9km), an interpretive walk through the cloud
forest that begins at the ranger station, paralleled by the more open, 2km
El Camino
, a fa-
vorite of bird-watchers. The
Sendero Pantanoso
(1.6km) forms the far side of El Trián-
gulo, traversing swamps, pine forests and the continental divide. Returning to the entrance,
Sendero Río
(2km) follows the Quebrada Cuecha past a few photogenic waterfalls.
Bisecting the triangle, the gorgeous
Chomogo Trail
(1.8km) lifts hikers to 1680m, the
highest point in the triangle. Other little trails crisscross the region, including the worth-
while
Sendero Brillante
(300m), with bird's-eye views of a miniature forest. However,
keep in mind that despite valiant efforts to contain crowd sizes, these shorter trails are
among the most trafficked in the country.
The trail to the
Mirador La Ventana
(elevation 1550m) is moderately steep and leads
further afield to a wooden deck overlooking the continental divide. To the west, on clear
