Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Protected area in Monteverde Canton, Costa Rica.
The 10,500-acre reserve contains six ecological zones with dense vegetation, supporting over 2,500 plant species and 400 bird species within its boundaries.
In 1973, Quaker settlers established the reserve to safeguard natural resources, marking a significant milestone in Costa Rica's conservation movement.
The reserve demonstrates the integration of scientific research and environmental education through programs conducted by the Tropical Science Center, a Costa Rican non-profit organization.
Visitors can explore 13 kilometers of trails through different ecosystems, with facilities including a visitor center, restrooms, and educational signage throughout the paths.
The reserve's location at 1,534 meters elevation creates a perpetual misty environment where Caribbean winds condense into clouds, sustaining rare ecological conditions.
Location: Monteverde
Location: Peñas Blancas
Inception: 1973
Elevation above the sea: 1,534 m
Fee: Yes
GPS coordinates: 10.30345,-84.78771
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:00
Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect cone rises 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) above surrounding rainforest, and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist drifts through canopy vegetation supporting rare species such as the resplendent quetzal. Rio Celeste flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park, displaying its characteristic turquoise color from volcanic minerals, while Tabacon Hot Springs delivers naturally heated water from underground sources. Coastal regions present diverse subjects, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys move through trees, to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast with its coral reefs. The Nicoya Peninsula and Papagayo Peninsula provide access to Tamarindo Beach and Santa Teresa Beach, while the southern zone includes Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale-shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Tortuga Island, off the coast of Puntarenas, serves as a day-trip destination. Inland, San Jose Central Market documents daily commerce, the National Theater displays neoclassical architecture from 1897, and Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian ruins. Cerro Chirripó rises to 12,533 feet (3,820 meters) as the country's highest point, offering views of both oceans in clear conditions.
Arenal Volcano
19.9 km
Lake Arenal
30.2 km
San Lucas Island
42.4 km
Arenal Volcano National Park
20 km
Volcán Tenorio
47.5 km
Chato Volcan
19 km
La Fortuna Waterfall
19.6 km
Platanar
46.2 km
Arenal Hanging Bridges
19.7 km
Tabacón Hot Springs
21.8 km
Selvatura Park
4.5 km
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Puntarenas
36.6 km
Monteverde Theme Park
4.4 km
Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge
1.6 km
Playa Doña Ana
39 km
Butterfly Conservatory
13.9 km
Tivives Protected Zone
48.4 km
Phare de Puntarenas
37 km
Lighthouses in Puntarenas
36.4 km
Monteverde Orchid Garden
4.2 km
Playa Naranjo
45 km
Playa Boca de Barranca
38 km
Puntarenas
37.1 km
Playa Caldera
41.9 km
Playa Tumbabote
42.8 km
Playa Española
47.4 km
Playa Leña
46.5 km
Playa Palomo
45.9 kmReviews
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