Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde

Straddling the continental divide, the 10,500-ha Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is privately owned and administered by the Centro Científico Tropical (Tropical Science Centre) – a non-profit research and educational association. The reserve is mainly primary cloudforest spending much of the year shrouded in mist, creating stunted trees and abundant epiphytic growth. It contains over 400 species of birds, including the resplendent quetzal (best seen in the dry months between January and May, especially near the start of the Nuboso trail), the three-wattled bellbird and the bare-necked umbrella bird. There are over 100 species of mammals, including monkeys, Baird’s tapir and all six endangered cats found in Costa Rica – jaguar, jaguarundi, margay, ocelot, tigrillo and puma – reptiles and amphibians. The reserve protects an estimated 500 species of butterfly, 2500 species of plants and more than 6000 species of insects. The entrance is at 1530 m, but the maximum altitude in the reserve rises to over 1800 m. Mean temperature is between 16° and 18°C and average annual rainfall is 3000 mm. The weather changes quickly – if you want to see why climb up to La Ventana and watch the Atlantic and Pacific weather systems collide over the continental divide – and wind and humidity often make the air feel cooler so take a light jacket and rain gear in case.