Monteverde

Things to do in Monteverde

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Top 10 attractions in Monteverde

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Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve

5.4
4.8/5
9 reviews
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve is located on the watershed high in the Tilarán Mountains. The key difference between it and lowland rainforests is the altitude: moist air currents from the Caribbean side rise along the mountain slopes and condense into mist upon cooling, with white mist often filling the forest in the early morning, leaving the entire forest soaked in lush green. The preserve covers 10,500 hectares, with approx. 90% being primary forest. Epiphytes are a highly recognizable view here: mosses, ferns, bromeliads, and hundreds of orchid species hang in layers from the branches, with even the trunks appearing as if draped in a green carpet; the forest is home to birds such as the resplendent quetzal and the bare-necked umbrellabird, while mammals like jaguars and Baird's tapirs are elusive, attracting birdwatchers and naturalists year-round. The park's trails connect several highlights: the classic Cloud Forest Trail allows you to delve into typical cloud forest sections, and walking to the "La Ventana" lookout puts you directly opposite the Continental Divide, where you can overlook the mountain slopes on both sides when the weather is clear; in the hummingbird garden near the entrance, various hummingbirds flit around the flowers and trees, making it suitable for close-up birdwatching; a suspension bridge also spans the valley, allowing you to view the canopy layer covered in epiphytes at eye level. If you wish to experience outdoor activities like ziplining or bungee jumping, you need to book them separately, as the preserve itself focuses on hiking and nature observation.San Ramon · 5.3km from Monteverde
Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano

5.8
5.0/5
1 reviews
Arenal Volcano has an elevation of approx. 1,633m, with a nearly symmetrical conical shape. The town of La Fortuna at the foot of the mountain is the gateway to visiting this area. It is a relatively young volcano, formed approx. 7,000 years ago. It erupted suddenly on July 29, 1968, destroying villages such as Tabacón at the foot of the mountain, and remained active for over 40 years thereafter. The sight of lava flowing slowly down the slopes and lighting up the night sky once drew many tourists to wait specifically for it. The volcano entered a dormant phase in 2010 and no longer spews magma today, but its perfectly shaped conical silhouette remains striking. On clear days, when viewed from the foot of the mountain, the dark rock walls contrast with the clouds and mist on the mountainside. Within the national park established around the volcano, multiple trails pass through the lava wasteland left by the 1968 eruption and the regrown rainforest, with greenery emerging from the crevices of the black volcanic rocks. You can often encounter howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and toucans along the way. Volcanic geothermal heat also warms the natural hot springs at the foot of the mountain; soaking in the hot springs after a hike while looking up at the silhouette of the volcano is a common experience in this area. The nearby Lake Arenal has vast waters, suitable for birdwatching and water activities such as kayaking. The top of the volcano is often covered by clouds; there is less cloud cover in the early morning, giving a better chance to see the full mountain.La Fortuna · 21.9km from Monteverde

Experiences you can't miss in Monteverde

Featured Food & drink in Monteverde

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Hands-On Costa Rican Bread Making Workshop in Monteverde
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4.9/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromCAD 62.83
Costa Rican Bread-Making Workshop in Monteverde
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5.0/5
· 35 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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35 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 63.02
Monteverde: Coffee and Sugar Cane Tour at El Pueblo
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 2–2.5 hrs
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FromCAD 58.82
Farm to Table Cooking Class
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4.8/5
· 156 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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23 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 62.83
Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class
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5.0/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromCAD 53.06
San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
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4.9/5
· 912 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
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97.6% of travelers recommend
FromCAD 48.87
Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
Free cancellation
FromCAD 132.34

Featured Culture & history in Monteverde

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Monteverde: Finca El Paraiso Cheese Farm Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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FromCAD 49.01
Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour
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4.9/5
· 2.5k reviews
Duration: 90 mins
English
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 42.96
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugarcane Tour La Fortuna
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Duration: 90 mins
English
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FromCAD 77.34
Punta Arenas Audio Tour: City Wonders
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Duration: 45 mins
English
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20% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 10.02CAD 12.53
San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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20% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 10.02CAD 12.53
San José: Guided Historical & Cultural Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromCAD 35.02
Guided Walking Street Art & Graffiti Tour in Jaco Costa Rica
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5.0/5
· 26 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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26 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 54.45
San José: Hacienda La Chimba Coffee Experience Tour
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Duration: 1 hr
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FromCAD 73.18

Featured Outdoor & sports in Monteverde

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The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde, Zipline
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4.9/5
· 413 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
English
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97.6% of travelers recommend
FromCAD 125.66
Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle
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4.4/5
· 128 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromCAD 53.06
Selvatura Park Gold Package (Canopy & Hanging Bridges)
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Duration: 3–4 hrs
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FromCAD 183.50
Night Adventures in Monteverde
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5.0/5
· 22 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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22 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 48.87
Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Tour with Expert Naturalist
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4.8/5
· 78 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
94.9% of travelers recommend
FromCAD 41.89
Hiking to Curi-Cancha Reserve
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4.9/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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FromCAD 41.89
Monteverde: Sky Walk, Sky Tram & Sky Trek Ziplining Tour
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
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FromCAD 277.27
Monteverde: Night Tour Closest to Town, Wildlife Spotting
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4.7/5
· 67 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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28 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 44.81

Featured Day tours in Monteverde

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3 hours of Longest & Highest Extreme Zipline in Monteverde
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4.8/5
· 29 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
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FromCAD 139.61
Monteverde Coffee, Chocolate and Night Tour
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4.8/5
· 24 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
English
Free cancellation
FromCAD 99.73
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular)
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4.9/5
· 117 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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75 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 89.76
Resplendent Quetzal-Tucans- Tropical Birdwatching Tour Monteverde
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4.8/5
· 23 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
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FromCAD 139.62
Monteverde Night Tour with a Certified Tour Guide (6 PM or 8 PM)
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4.0/5
· 45 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromCAD 76.36
Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Nature Walk with Expert Naturalist
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4.7/5
· 436 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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26 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 53.06

More things to do

Monteverde Today's weatherMostly cloudy 18-26℃
Monteverde weather for the next 2 days11/5: 18-25℃, 11/6: 19-26℃

What travellers say about Monteverde

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 December 2025
5.0
Entering the Montevideo Cloud Forest, the world suddenly sinks into a grey-green seabed. Gnarled tree roots, wrapped in moss, resemble the spine of a prehistoric behemoth, and each fern is adorned with diamond-like droplets of mist. On the suspension bridge, hummingbirds flutter their wings eighty times per second, frozen before bromeliad blossoms, while twenty meters below, in the layer of decaying leaves, the legend of the golden toad's extinction gently turns its page with a sigh from the guide. The most magical moment is the "sun dog"—a crack in the thick fog, sunlight dyeing the steam iridescent, and thousands of shades of green awaken in an instant. Touching the roots of epiphytic orchids leaves your hands covered in cool mist, and you understand why the locals call this place "the forest of eternal breathing."

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve

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_We***5412 February 2021
5.0
It's a really nice place, and the locals told me that they caught a volcanic eruption of lava (although it was very small).

Arenal Volcano National Park

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criskotsu16 June 2022
5.0
Arenal is wonderful. During winter is hard to see the full cone without mist, or even some clastic material falling down at night. However, it’s a gorgeous location to visit anytime of the year, close to San Jose even for one-day trip

Arenal Volcano

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乖小咪21 August 2019
5.0
La Fortuna Falls in Costa Rica is a very spectacular waterfall. Although it is not very wide, it has a large amount of water. The mist stirred up by the waterfall is very large, like a fairyland. Many tourists are swimming in the pool below, very happy.

Fortuna Waterfall

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丰辰30 June 2025
5.0
10/10 we walked up to bridge 5 bright and early and saw the resplendant quetzal! 🦜go to bridge 5 and find the avocado tree!contact me to buy these photos:bryankor@hotmail.com

Treetopia Park

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Monteverde?

Don't miss these attractions in Monteverde: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Arenal Volcano National Park, and Arenal Volcano. If you like Food & drink, try Hands-On Costa Rican Bread Making Workshop in Monteverde. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Monteverde: Finca El Paraiso Cheese Farm Tour.

You can give Hands-On Costa Rican Bread Making Workshop in Monteverde and Costa Rican Bread-Making Workshop in Monteverde a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 3 hours of Longest & Highest Extreme Zipline in Monteverde, Monteverde Coffee, Chocolate and Night Tour, and Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular). Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 5 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Monteverde is around CAD 53.06 – CAD 139.62. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.