Monteverde Costa Rica

Monteverde Costa Rica is a peaceful mountain town edging the Cloud Forest. Founded by Quakers in 1951, Monteverde Costa Rica is filled with a peace loving and environmentally friendly population.  Numerous preserves, ecological tours, and wildlife education programs make Monteverde Costa Rica the most popular eco-tourist destination in Costa Rica.

Monteverde Costa Rica is about 100 miles (170 km) northeast of San Jose.  Allow yourself at least 3 ½ hours to drive up the mountain to Monteverde Costa Rica.  You should plan to stay for at least one night, although a week in Monteverde Costa Rica would provide you with endless activities. The roads are unpaved and can be very muddy during the rainy season.  Monteverde Costa Rica and its sister town of Santa Elena Costa Rica is bordered by two beautifully preserved Cloud Forest Reserves which are available for tours.  Well maintained paths expand 13 km and range in skill level.  The guides are trained and very helpful.  They point out amazing natural details, unique to Monteverde Costa Rica, which would be impossible to see on your own.   Hiking, canopy tours, horseback riding, coffee tours, and ATV rentals are all activities available in Monteverde Costa Rica.  Environmental and wildlife education is also offered in Monteverde Costa Rica at The Monteverde Institute, Butterfly Gardens, Serpentarium, Frog Pond, and countless other locations.

The Quaker’s peace loving and self-sustaining influence on Monteverde Costa Rica is tangible.  Through the years the Quakers have opened the Monteverde Cheese Factory, the Friends School for children, the Children’s Eternal Rain Forest, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. When visiting Monteverde Costa Rica, make sure to stop and experience some of the superb ice cream at the Monteverde Cheese Factory.

Wildlife in Monteverde Costa Rica is abundant and impressive.  The Quetzal, a magnificent and rare bird, is found in the Cloud Forest along with hummingbirds and 400 other bird species.  You will also find over 100 species of mammals, and if you are lucky, you may even see the rare and elusive Jaguar that still can be found in Monteverde Costa Rica.  490 varieties of beautiful butterflies adorn the 2,500 species of plant in Monteverde Costa Rica.

Monteverde Costa Rica joins with the small towns of Santa Elena and Cerro Plano to create a community of restaurants, hotels, and art galleries.  Live music and dancing is common in Monteverde Costa Rica bars and coffee shops.  Local artists and farmers provide crafts, art, food, and coffee to Monteverde Costa Rica stores. Art co-ops and community art centers provide lessons to anyone who would like to learn some of these artisan trades.

For Information on Hotels and Accommodations in or around Monteverde Costa Rica: