My family and I decided to visit Monteverde Cloud Forest, it was amazing. We left San Jose and it took us approximately three hours to get there on a fully paved road which was in good condition offering scenic views of the mountains. We arrived at our lovely hotel & Spa called the Poco a Poco. It is a modern hotel, with fantastic surroundings, a swimming pool under roof with hanging plants, a jacuzzi, nice landscaped gardens to walk around, and a very cozy restaurant with great food and service, and live music in the evening. The receptionists were very helpful providing information about what to see in Monteverde.
We got to the hotel, checked in, dropped our luggage off, went for a nice lunch and then we jumped into the jaccuzzi to relax a little after the journey, then, we got ready to experience our first adventure, a nighttime guided tour in Monteverde, called the Caminata Los Sueños.
Things to do in Monteverde
Nighttime hike
We arrived at 6pm, when it started to go dark and met our incredible guide and started walking, with our flashlights. The nighttime Hiking tour in the cloud forest lasted approximately 3 hours, walking deep into the dark forest, looking and listening for movements or the sound of birds, animals or insects. We got very lucky, the first animal we saw was a sloth, it was up high on a big tree, it was eating and it did not seem bothered by us, then we came across couple of Toucans, beautiful colored, one sleeping and the other one still awake almost like he was on watch!. We then came across an orange kneed Tarantula, which was clearly not comfortable in our presence, and so took refuge in their nest. The feeling of walking in the forest during the nighttime hike in Monteverde is an indescribable experience of both fear and adventure. Full moon that night caused the animals to hide from predators more than they would normally do, but gave the paths a shiny magical look. Finally on our way out we found a baby Lora (side striped palm pit viper), hanging on the branch of a tree and although it was small it was highly venomous, if bitten the venom can kill you within four hours, fortunate the tour companies have doses of antidotes always available.
You are allowed to take none flash photos, so as not to disturb the wildlife in their habitat. When we finished we thanked our great guide and went for a delicious meal at the very popular, Tree House Restaurant in the center of Monteverde where we had made a reservation. I can highly recommend it for the great food and service.
Zip Line with Sky Tour Adventure
The following morning we got up early as we had to rush to be at our next zipline tour in Monteverde Sky Tour Adventure, but not before having a great breakfast in our hotel. We had to be there at 9:00 am, starting with a marvelous trip on a cable car, this aerial tram in Monteverde which takes you up to the top of the mountain with spectacular views on the way taking you to the start of your adventurous trip through the tree canopy. It’s quite frightening to begin with but then your adrenaline kicks in and all you have to do is to let it go and enjoy the speed, the elevations, the views, the wind, you name it! Arriving at the end of the last canopy station, you finish off with a short rappel, all very safe and exciting.
To finish off we took a pleasant walk through the Monteverde hanging bridges, or the famous suspension bridges of Monteverde , several long bridges suspended from the edge of the mountains where the views and contact with nature were tremendous, I think everybody should do this kind of tour because is perfect for all ages and the best way to experience the best things to see in Monteverde . Then when we finished we went back to our hotel, packed our bags, checked out and went rushing to our last three hour tour.
Horseback riding in Monteverde
The last tour was on horseback, riding through the cloud forest of Monteverde, in a ranch with a guide, going first to the top of a windy hill to enjoy views of the Nicoya Peninsula on a clear beautiful day. Mind you we were so lucky with the weather because weather conditions in Monteverde are very changeable, the climate is cool but luckily that day it was quite warm and dry. We then descended quite steeply toward a canyon with a river and had time to walk around and enjoy dipping our tired feet into the cool water and to rest for a while. During our horseback riding tour in Monteverde we enjoyed seeing some huge Strangler fig trees and some of us climbed them. After resting it was time to start the climb back up the ranch on horseback when we were able to do some trotting.
We then rushed back for a nice lunch in one of the local places and then headed back to San Jose, again our trip back went perfectly all of us feeling like we wanted to go back as there are other interesting places to visit like the cheese factory, the Trapiche, and plenty of biological Reserves in Monteverde.
I am sure I will come back soon…
With love, Jacqui
(Jacqueline is in charge of our costumer service department , she will take care of you and your trips details, making it all enjoyable and easy)