• HOME
• WHY INSIGHT
• RESERVATIONS
• TOP 10 TOURS
• 100 DESTINATIONS
• CUSTOM TOURS
• PHOTO ALBUMS
• ABOUT INSIGHT
• TRAVEL TIPS
• GUEST BOOK
• CONTACT

An Insight into Monteverde Cloud Forest.

"Our local guide in Monteverde found this one afternoon"

This is a private non-profit reserve (not a national park) administered by the Tropical Science Center. It is called a cloud forest rather than a rain forest because of its altitude and because frequently the clouds rest on top of and inside the forest. The canopy is extremely rich with birds, insects, butterfly, and thousands of plants.

Great bird watching - for example the resplendent Quetzal is usually seen in the March-April nesting season. Bring a warm jacket, raingear/poncho and footwear for trail use.

While in the area take a look at the Children's Eternal Rain Forest including a unique and rich diversity of flora and fauna at Bajo del Tigre (Jaguar Canyon), a small area of the Children's Eternal Rain Forest of Costa Rica (Bosque Nuboso de Los Ninos). We have not yet visited this park but locals keep recommending it over the main Monteverde Cloud Forest.

This area is in a transition zone from pre-mountain wet forest to pre-mountain moist forest. Because of its location on the Pacific slope, elevation and humidity, Bajo del Tigre is a very different habitat from other rain forest reserves in the area. Thirty of the tree species in Bajo del Tigre are among those in the area that have recently been identified as new to science.

During your visit here you may run into the sloth, white-faced monkeys, an agouti, a herd of coatimundi, kinkajou, margays, porcupine, a coyote, armadillo, and bats, plus a world of insects (look closely underfoot). Some of this is from the very informative http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/ and a good place to seek out activities and accomodations in the area.

If you'd like to visit Monteverde Cloud Forest email us at: InsightCostaRica for information or ideas?