Overview
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve sits about 200m higher than Monteverde at 1,700m and is a showcase of community-run ecotourism. Revenue goes directly to local schools and communities, making it a truly sustainable tourism model. Fewer visitors mean a quieter, more natural forest experience, and 12km of well-maintained trails offer chances to spot quetzals, toucans, and monkeys. A viewpoint provides clear-day views as far as Arenal Volcano.
Opening Hours
Daily 07:00-16:00.
Travel Tips
Fewer crowds mean better wildlife-spotting odds. Book a guided tour for more sightings. Visiting supports the local community.
Hotels near Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Hotels and guesthouses in Monteverde, Santa Elena, Puntarenas Province
Other attractions in Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
A tropical cloud forest home to over 2,500 plant species and the famed resplendent quetzal.
Skywalk Hanging Bridges
A trail of hanging bridges through the rainforest canopy, ideal for spotting birds and butterflies.
Monteverde Butterfly Garden
An ecological garden where you can observe dozens of tropical butterfly species up close.
Selvatura Zip Line Adventure
Soar above the cloud-forest canopy on zip lines — Monteverde's ultimate adventure experience.
Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour
Tour coffee, cacao, and sugar-cane farms firsthand to experience Costa Rica's agricultural heritage.
Monteverde Night Tour
Explore the cloud forest after dark by flashlight — meet red-eyed tree frogs, spiders, and snakes.
Curi-Cancha Reserve
A privately run cloud-forest reserve with the highest quetzal-sighting success rate in the area.