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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- South America
- Costa Rica
- Northwest Costa Rica
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
The cloud forest is one of the most famous ecotourism areas in
Central America. It is called a cloud forest rather than a rain
forest because of the altitude. At an elevation of between 3,840ft
and 5,120ft (1,200m to 1,600m) the clouds go through the forest
creating a misty and often dripping, mystical habitat supporting a
rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. It has been acclaimed as one
of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics.
Because of the fragile environment there are restrictions on the
number of visitors allowed into the reserve at any one time. The
canopy is alive with over 400 species of birds, including the
resplendent quetzal most easily seen during the March/April nesting
season, as well as thousands of insect species and plants. In the
shadows below are over 100 species of mammals, including five
species of cats, although a glimpse of a jaguar is a very rare
thing.
There are a number of good walking trails that lead through the
six distinct ecological zones varying from swamp forests and deep
gorges, past waterfalls and streams and onto forested outcrops
traversing the Continental Divide. Exploration need not be
restricted to the ground as various companies offer visitors a
unique and exhilarating way of viewing the cloud forest - Sky Trek
is a canopy adventure with a system of platforms connected by zip
lines and suspension bridges criss-crossing the top of the forest,
providing a vantage point from in and above the canopy. There is
also the more sedate option of a ski lift traversing the
treetops.
Information & Facts
Address
Four miles (6km) along the road from Santa Elena
Admission
US$17 (adults), US$7 (children 6 to 12 years old).
Tickets to the reserve are valid all day.
Language
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely
spoken.
Money
The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is divided into 100 céntimos and is
the official currency, although US Dollars are also widely
accepted. US Dollars and travellers cheques can be exchanged in
banks and many hotels. Banks charge a service fee for cashing
travellers cheques and currency other than US$ is difficult to
exchange. Using black market exchange options is risky as they have
been known to pass on counterfeit bills printed in Colombia. Banks
close anywhere from 3pm to 6pm. Major credit cards are widely
accepted, although American Express and Diners Club might be more
limited. ATMs are available in major towns throughout the country,
but it is advisable to always have some local cash handy.
Opening Times
Time