Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Tip

Climb the tower near the entrance first thing: on clear mornings Arenal shows up on the horizon.

Be careful

Expect rain and deep mud on the longer loops; wear shoes with grip and bring a rain layer.

Places nearby

• Selvatura ParkTours & Adventure · takes 1 h–2.5 h · from $13.50Large cloud forest adventure park near Santa Elena with ziplines, hanging bridges and wildlife exhibits.
• Treetopia ParkTours & Adventure · from $49Cloud-forest adventure park (also known as Sky Adventures Monteverde) with a gondola tram, zipline, six hanging bridges and a tree-climbing course, on nearly 300 acres with only a small part developed.
• The Original Canopy Tour MonteverdeTours & Adventure · takes 2 h–2.5 h · from $80Monteverde's original zipline tour since 1994, run in small groups and including a climb inside a giant hollow fig tree.
• 100% Aventura CanopyTours & Adventure · from $45Family-owned Costa Rican canopy park with a long superman zipline (site says 1,590 m), a Mega Tarzan swing and a guided hanging-bridge walk.
• Finca Lantana Night and Bird ToursParks & WildlifePrivate biological corridor in the middle of Monteverde with small guided night, bird and natural-history walks.
• San Lucas Treetop Dining ExperienceFood & Coffee · from $172Special-occasion tasting-menu dinner served in glass pods high in the cloud-forest canopy, built around Costa Rican ingredients and the sunset.