From zip-lining between two mountains (literally) to spotting exotic wildlife on the rainforest trails, Monteverde is chalk-full of amazing attractions. This mountain-top town is an adventurer’s dream and an animal lover’s paradise. People from all over the world flock to the town of Santa Elena to experience the Costa Rican rainforest and the myriad of adventurous activities you can find here.
With so much to do in one single destination, you need to be sure to use your time wisely! Here are the top six things to do in Monteverde. If you’re looking for a seasoned traveler’s take, check out my ultimate two and three-day Monteverde itineraries at the bottom of this post!
Adventure Zip Lining
Did you know that zip lining was invented in Monteverde? Monteverde is believed to be the place where the first zip line was every created way back in 1979! Today, zip lining (also known as a canopy tour) is still one of Monteverde’s major claims to fame.
The canopy tours in Monteverde are set apart from the those found all over the rest of Costa Rica—zip lines here are extreme. You’ll find yourself literally zip lining between two mountains, on the longest zip line in all of Latin America. A Monteverde canopy tour is the perfect activity for adventure seekers.
Besides the incredible thrill you’ll get when zip lining between mountains, you’ll also get to experience the rainforest from a completely different perspective. From the treetops you’ll see beautifully green scenery, cattle grazing, the surrounding hills and mountains, and maybe you’ll even have a few animal encounters!
There are several canopy tours in Monteverde, but the most popular options are 100% Aventura, Selvatura Park, and Original Canopy. I chose to go with 100% Aventura, which claims to have the longest tour. They also had a fun “Tarzan Swing” to end the activity! The entire canopy tour lasted about 2 hours and the most economical tours begin at $54.
Zip lines are popular all over the country (and really all over Latin America), but you won’t find a more exciting canopy tour than in Monteverde.
Explore the Cloud Forest!
A cloud forest is a kind of rainforest with a higher altitude, which causes dense condensation in the air. The trees here form a kind of canopy, letting little light pass through. As a result, an entirely different ecosystem is formed than that which is found in the surrounding rainforest! You’ll find different plants that thrive in this dense, shady environment. It looks and feels like you’re walking through low hanging clouds.
The cloud forests are one of the most incredible places you can visit on your trip to Costa Rica. There are only a few countries in the entire world that are have cloud forests. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of three places in Costa Rica that have this natural wonder. It has a completely different, mystical feel. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a storybook tale.
What can you do at night in Monteverde?
Go on a Guided Night Walk in the Rainforest
Monteverde is most famous for its biodiversity, making it the perfect place to go on a night walk! A night walk is a guided hike through the rainforest after dark. It is one of the best ways to see a great variety of animals in their natural habitat.
You’ll also get a chance to learn and ask questions about the animals you encounter. For many animals, such as owls, frogs, and tarantulas, this is when they’re most active! You can expect to see brightly-colored insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, owls, toucans, tarantulas, armadillos, and some interesting mammals like coatis, lemurs, and tapirs.
The El Refugio Night Walk, the Night Tour Don Rodolfo, and Santamaria Night Walk are three great options with plenty of wildlife to spot and knowledgeable guides. Santamaria Night Walk is more economical, which costs $25 per a person, while the other two offer more intimate tours for $35. Check with their websites to book directly with the companies, or wait until you’re in the area to talk to your hotel. Sometimes AirBnBs and hotels have access to different deals.
What can you do when it rains in Monteverde?
Go on a Coffee Tour!
In Costa Rica, coffee is not just a hot drink that people enjoy in the morning. It’s part of the Tico culture and something that’s enjoyed multiple times a day. Making coffee is also a unique process that starts with a bright red berry. A coffee tour gives you insight into just how important this crop is to the country’s history and traditions and where our favorite drink comes from.
A coffee and chocolate tour is one of the most popular activities to do in Costa Rica. Some say that you can’t leave Costa Rica without going on a coffee tour! What better place to learn about and taste coffee than in the mountains of Monteverde?
The Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour is a great activity for a misty afternoon. You’ll learn about the process that a coffee berry undergoes and the difference between coffee roasts. You’ll also taste test and learn about two other very important crops—cacao (which is used to make chocolate) and sugarcane.
Visit the Hanging Bridges
Many people come to the Monteverde area to experience the hanging bridges. Here you can walk through several suspended bridges, revealing views of the surrounding mountains. These tall bridges snake through the rainforest, which lets you get up close and personal with flora and fauna along the trail.
This is a great activity to do with kids or those with more limited mobility. You can experience all the beauty of Monteverde, without strenuous hiking.
Just about all of the adventure parks have their own hanging bridges, but my favorite options are Selvatura Park and the Sky Walk at Sky Adventures. If you’re interested in exploring the hanging bridges and going zip lining, be sure to check out the packages available to take advantage of a good deal!
Go on a Bird Watching Tour
Monteverde is a bird watcher’s paradise. Going on a guided bird watching tour is a great way to see the amazing resplendent quetzals, green parrots, bellbirds, many of the six species of toucans found in Costa Rica, a variety of hummingbirds, several variations of the striking motmot, and many other tropical birds.
Esteban Daily Guided Tours offers a thorough tour with a relaxed environment, no matter your prior experience with birding. In just one tour you’ll visit four different ecosystems!
Additional Activities
The Monteverde Hummingbird Gardens has an open-air forest area that is frequented by many different species of hummingbirds! Here you can appreciate and photograph 7-9 different species, although some more rare hummingbirds do come from time to time. You’ll get to learn about these small, beautiful birds and observe their unique way of flying.
The Monteverde Butterfly Gardens provides an impression exhibition of butterflies, insects, and arachnids in Costa Rica. Here you can learn about the lifecycle and metamorphosis of butterflies and see how they thrive in their natural environment. Monteverde is one of the best places to see the beautiful Morpho Butterfly!
If you are limited on time, a horse back riding tour through the cloud forest with Horse Trek Monteverde could be a wonderful option. Tours tend to leave at 8AM, 11AM, or 3PM. Going early in the morning will give you a much better chance of seeing birds, monkeys, and other animals.
What can you do for free in Monteverde?
Monteverde is a wonderful place to go hiking because it is so biodiverse. If you go at the right time, early in the morning or just before sunset, you should be able to see some animals in the wild. There are several nature preserves in Monteverde that are free to enter, such as the Kaplan Reserve in the Monteverde Institute Reserve. If you stop at the institute and ask, they should be able to direct you to the best trails to see wildlife.
You can also visit the Monteverde Cheese Factory, where you can see the process in which cheese is made. There are also many different cheeses to buy and try!
Hike the Cerro Amigos! The Cerro Amigos (Radio Tower) hike is one of the most popular activities to do for free in Monteverde. It begins at Hotel Belmar and is almost a straight climb to the radio tower. It takes about 1.5 hours. There is also a 90 minute trail right past the radio tower that does a loop in the cloud forest preserve. Here you can experience all the beauty of a cloud forest for free!
Climb a hollow ficus tree! These trees are incredible unique because they have this lattice root system that make them super fun to climb inside. This is a popular activity to do in Monteverde and is completely free.
Monteverde Itineraries
Since there are so many things to do in Monteverde, it’s important to plan your time out to make sure you get to do everything you would like to. It’s also important to plan time to relax and just enjoy being in such a different place! Here are my two and three-day itineraries.
How many days should you spend in Monteverde?
Whether you spend two or three days in Monteverde depends on your personal preferences. If you are more of a mountain goer, plan to take your time in Monteverde and really soak in the refreshing air and gorgeous views. If you came to Costa Rica to enjoy the beautiful beaches and hot weather, maybe only spend two days in Monteverde to spend more time soaking up the sun.
Two-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Morning Activity: Explore the Cloud Forest – The morning is a great time to visit the cloud forest. This is the time of day when many animals and birds are most active.
Afternoon Activity: Go on a Coffee Tour – What better way to relax after hiking than with a cup of coffee? Head to a coffee tour to learn about this delicious drink and its history.
Evening Activity: Night Walk – At the end of the day after dinner, plan to go on a guided night walk! You’ll see different animals from those that you saw in the cloud forest. You’ll get to experience just how alive the rainforest becomes after dark.
Day 2
Morning Activity: Bird Watching – Take advantage of the early morning hours to see the amazing species of birds that live in the Monteverde mountains. Monteverde is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see resplendent quetzals, which are truly remarkable.
Afternoon Activity 1 and 2: Zip lining & Hanging Bridges – In the afternoon, head for the mountains to go on a canopy tour! This is a must-do if you came for adventure. After completing the tour, many zip lining companies have hanging bridges on the property. If you are looking to do both activities, check out the tours that include hanging bridges and zip lining.
Alternate Afternoon Activity: Hummingbird Gardens or Butterfly Gardens – If you find yourself with extra time, check out the Monteverde Hummingbird Gardens or the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens (these are two different companies). Both offer a wonderful tour and many learning opportunities.
Three-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Morning Activity: Explore the Cloud Forest – The morning is a great time to visit the cloud forest. This is the time of day when many animals and birds are most active.
Afternoon Activity: Go on a Coffee Tour – What better way to relax after hiking than with a cup of coffee? Head to a coffee tour to learn about this delicious drink and its history.
Evening Activity: Relax with music or a movie back in your hotel room!
Day 2
Morning Activity: Relax with a cup of coffee and watch the gardens of your hotel! If you’re still looking for hotel options, check out the hotels with gardens recommended here.
Early Afternoon Activity 1: Zip lining – In the morning, head for the mountains to go on a canopy tour! This is a must-do if you came for adventure. After completing the tour, many zip lining companies have hanging bridges on the property. If you are looking to do both activities, check out the tours that include hanging bridges and zip lining, or save the hanging bridges for another day.
Evening Activity: Night Walk – At the end of the day before or after dinner (the sun sets about 6PM), plan to go on a guided night walk! You’ll see different animals from those that you saw in the cloud forest. You’ll get to experience just how alive the rainforest becomes after dark.
Day 3
Morning Activity: Bird Watching – Take advantage of the early morning hours to see the amazing species of birds that live in the Monteverde mountains. Monteverde is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see resplendent quetzals, which are truly remarkable.
Additional Afternoon Activity: Pick from… Horseback riding, Hummingbird Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, or more hiking on a reserve!
Late Afternoon Activity: Hanging Bridges – Just before sunset is a great time to explore the hanging bridges. Some animals, like monkeys, are active at this time. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a troop of monkeys traveling!
Final Thoughts on Activities to Do in Monteverde
Monteverde is a natural wonderland, with so many opportunities to enjoy the Costa Rican flora and fauna. It is also one of the only places in the world that you can experience a cloud forest. Going on a guided night walk is one of the best ways to see animals in the wild, some while they’re most active and some while they are cuddled up fast asleep.
Extreme zip lining and hanging bridges are a must-do in Monteverde if you came to Costa Rica in search of adventure. Coffee tours are a great way to learn about the culture, history, and processing of coffee. Monteverde has a coffee tour that also includes chocolate and sugar cane.