T16 Monteverde Cloud Forest - Sta. Elena Reserve & Skywalk - 3 days

Southwest of Lake Arenal at an altitude of about 1800 m extends Costa Rica's most popular nature reserve: Monteverde/Sta. Elena. These cloud forest nature reserves have well-marked trails by which the visitor is carefully led through this humid and dusky world. The high humidity supports the growth of approx. 2500 different kinds of plants, among them many orchids and bromeliads; up to day, about 100 different mammals (i.e. the ocelot, jaguar and monkeys) have been sighted, however they can hardly be seen due to the dense vegetation, but encountering the various birds living here, is a unique experience: among the 400 kinds of birds of this region, we may - with some luck - also see the Quetzal, the most famous among the Central American birds.

Detailed description T16 (Comfort⁺, with english-speaking naturalist guide)

San José - Monteverde
In the morning, we take the Interamericana north, before taking on 35 km’s of adventurous gravel road, winding your way to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest region.
Arrival around noontime at the Arco Iris Lodge, a very personally managed hotel with rustic, nicely decorated cabins in a beautiful garden
There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden.
Overnight stay Arco Iris Lodge or similar

Monteverde Cloud Forest Region
Your adventures begin with an early morning walk through the Sta. Elena Nature Reserve, the best time to immerse in the sights and sounds of the cloud forest’s inhabitants greeting the new day. At the entrance of the reserve you will be surrounded by hummingbirds, their wings fluttering, bodies darting and seemingly suspended in midair, luminous and all sizes.
While exploring the different trails keep your binoculars or camera handy, since you might catch a glimpse of the rare and famous bird of kings – the Quetzal!
In the afternoon it’s time for a "walk in the clouds." Start with your feet on the ground, hiking through lush forest toward the “Walkways" of Selvatura; suspended bridges, platforms and trails elevated deep within the canopy of the cloud forest. From here we are allowed a gentle, rare glimpse through the tops of giant trees into the nether regions of this hidden world that would otherwise remain a mystery to most of us.
There are numerous optional activities that you are welcome to enjoy during the remainder of your afternoon, including a visit to the Frog Pond, the Snake Farm, or the Orchid Garden.
Overnight stay Arco Iris Lodge or similar

Monteverde - San Jose (or next destination)
After breakfast, return to San José or to your next destination.

On the way to San José, you may visit the small towns of Zarcero with its special garden where the bushes are shaped and cut like animals, Grecia with its famous metal church as well as Sarchí, the center of Costa Rican handicrafts. (NOTE: not possible with the Budget+ Version)