Monteverde Attractions
Lying at the crest of the Cordillera de Tilarán, Monteverde is one of the most interesting communities in Costa Rica. The story of Monteverde begins in Alabama, when four Quakers were jailed in 1949 for refusing to register for the American draft. The Quakers chose to move to a more peaceful country whose military policy coincided with their Pacifist beliefs. Costa Rica, having no army, seemed a perfect location.
In 1951 44 settlers from 11 families settled in the Monteverde area, chosen for its pleasant climate and fertile land. About 1,500ha/3,705ac of land was purchased at a cheap price, and the Quakers began dairy farming and cheese production. Today, their modern co-operative factory supplies fine cheese to all of Costa Rica. The members of the mixed community have been instrumental in keeping Monteverde and the surrounding area in its pristine state.
The crest of the mountainous ridge just above Monteverde is blanketed by a cool, wet cloud forest. This forest is one of Costa Rica's most visited attractions. Hiking and cloud forest tours are popular activities, as well as visits to the various art galleries and wildlife displays in the Monteverde area.
In 1951 44 settlers from 11 families settled in the Monteverde area, chosen for its pleasant climate and fertile land. About 1,500ha/3,705ac of land was purchased at a cheap price, and the Quakers began dairy farming and cheese production. Today, their modern co-operative factory supplies fine cheese to all of Costa Rica. The members of the mixed community have been instrumental in keeping Monteverde and the surrounding area in its pristine state.
The crest of the mountainous ridge just above Monteverde is blanketed by a cool, wet cloud forest. This forest is one of Costa Rica's most visited attractions. Hiking and cloud forest tours are popular activities, as well as visits to the various art galleries and wildlife displays in the Monteverde area.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a unique area with eight different ecological zones. The park is lush and humid, although receives less rain than the rainforest. Hiking and wildlife viewing are popular activities.
Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden is one of the top attractions in Monteverde. Naturalists provide information on the butterfly's importance and life cycle through the examination of eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adult butterflies. Butterflies are raised in greenhouses, and hundreds of species can be seen in the screened garden. There are excellent photo opportunities of the beautiful creatures.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Aerial Adventures
This quiet tour is a 1.5km/0.93mi electric gondola-chair ride through the trees. Birds and wildlife are often spotted, and the chairs can be paused to look around.
CASEM Arts & Crafts Gallery
Established by eight local women in 1982, CASEM is an arts and crafts co-operative selling hand-painted and embroidered clothing as well as other souvenirs and crafts. Sale profits benefit the local artists and the Monteverde community.
Canopy Tour
The Canopy Tour is a very popular attraction featuring a zip-line ride from the treetops eventually descending to the ground. A short, guided hike leads to three platforms between 20m/66ft and 33m/108ft. Rappelling to each platform elicits excited yells from participants, so wildlife sightings are rare.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Cheese Factory
Fresh local cheese and ice cream can be purchased from the cheese factory, also known as La Lechería or La Fábrica. A large window behind the shop allows visitors to watch the production of cheese.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Feast of St Joseph - Christian (March 19)
Juan Santamaría Day - Costa Rica (April 11)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Feast of St Peter and St Paul - Christian (June 29)
Guanacaste Day - Costa Rica (July 25)
Virgin de Los Angeles Day - Costa Rica (August 2)
Assumption Day/Mother's Day - Costa Rica (August 15)
Independence Day - Costa Rica (September 15)
Columbus Day / Dia de la Raza - Costa Rica (October 12)
All Souls Day (November 2)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Maundy (Holy) Thursday - Christian (Apr 05)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Feast of St Joseph - Christian (March 19)
Juan Santamaría Day - Costa Rica (April 11)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Feast of St Peter and St Paul - Christian (June 29)
Guanacaste Day - Costa Rica (July 25)
Virgin de Los Angeles Day - Costa Rica (August 2)
Assumption Day/Mother's Day - Costa Rica (August 15)
Independence Day - Costa Rica (September 15)
Columbus Day / Dia de la Raza - Costa Rica (October 12)
All Souls Day (November 2)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Maundy (Holy) Thursday - Christian (Apr 05)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Ecology Farm
Four loop hiking trails are found on this private property. The trails lead through premontane and secondary forest and feature lookout points and waterfalls. There is good birding in the area, and other animals that can be spotted include coatis, agoutis, sloths, monkeys and porcupines. A small area of coffee and banana plantations is found on the property as well.
Guindon Art Gallery
This gallery showcases work made by a local artist from the well-known Guindon family.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Hummingbird Gallery
The feeders here attract at least nine species of hummingbirds, including sabrewing the (Costa Rica's largest hummer), and the coppery-headed emerald. Photographs and slides taken by the famous British wildlife photographers Michael and Patricia Fogden are found inside the gallery.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Low Footpath of the Tiger Trail
This 3.5km/2.2mi trail system is operated by the Monteverde Conservation League. Many birds can be spotted along the trail that offers excellent open vistas.
Serpentarium
This small collection of snakes and lizards is owned by biologist Fernando Valverde. The displays are informatively labeled in both English and Spanish.
Sky Walk
The Sky Walk is a 3.5km/2.2mi trail of five suspension bridges high among the treetops of a private reserve. Quetzals, other birds and monkeys can be seen darting below the bridges.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
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