World famous Monteverde is, the ultimate cloudforest
destination for many people looking to walk in the clouds.
Perhaps this is because so much attention from the
international scientific and conservation communities has
been focused on the islolated and beautiful area, atop Costa
Rica's Tilaran Mountains, Monteverde forests are protected
in nearly 30,000 hectares of private reserves, including the
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Santa Elena and the ChildrenEternal
Rainforest. Excellent trail systems allow you to leisurely
discover the many facets of this complex life zone. Often
shrouded in clouds blown in from the Atlantic Ocean, the
forests of Monteverde are laden with epiphytic growth such
as mosses, lichens, ferns, bromeliads, orchids-even small
trees. Famous for its populations of Resplendent Quetzal,
Monteverde has almost become synonymous with this legendary
bird. Other cloud forest denizens include the Black-faced
Solitaire, Golden-browed Chlorophonia and Black Guan. The
area was originally a small forest reserve set aside by the
50's and decided to protect the watershed for their dairy
industry. Visitors to the area will also find other
environmentally sensitive tourism activities including a
Butterfly Garden, a Sky Walk, a Serpentarium and more.
Monteverde is four hours from San Jose, including 35 km of
gravel mountain road.
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