Costa Rica Monteverde is one of the more popular destinations in Costa Rica; located high in the mountains the majority of this region is covered by cloud forests. Cloud Forests have lots of ferns, moss, and orchids as well as other plants that love the moist conditions. Here you will find a variety of wildlife, including a large number of bird species. One of the main attractions for birders is the Quetzal, a beautiful bird that frequents the region.

Monteverde earned its fame from the conservation efforts conducted in the region. In the 1950s the Quakers came into Monteverde from the US in the hope of following their traditional way of life as farmers. The Quakers built a local school, which has lead to a bilingual community. The Quakers stressed the need to conserve the natural beauty of the area and this perspective led to the creation of two major private reserves, the Santa Elena Preserve and the Monteverde Preserve. Both are privately protected and managed. There are also a number of other smaller preserves that are accessible in the region.

The main town in Monteverde is Santa Elena, where you can find various shops, restaurants, lodging, and tourism companies. The lodging in this area ranges from budget to higher-end boutique hotels.

This region enjoys cooler temperatures and wet conditions throughout the year. The temperature is on average around 60 Fahrenheit (15+ Celsius) during the day and about 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) at night.

Monteverde Destinations:
Santa Elena
San Luis Biological Station

Northern Mountains Attractions:
Canopy Tours
Hanging Bridges
Butterfly Gardens
Horseback Riding
Mountain Biking
Bird Watching
Coffee Plantation Tours
Children?s Eternal Forest
Snake Museum
Frog Pond
Finca Ecologica