Two Dozen Things to do in Monteverde

But I also notice that many people have said that there is not a lot to do in Monteverde. My guess is that this is because the activities here are not as “in your face” as they are in other parts of the country, or on an organized tour.

I always bristle a little when I read this. We owned a home there for 18 years. I have to disagree. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder, and plan ahead

So here is my list of two dozen things to do in Monteverde:

• Canopy (zipline) tours. Invented here, and still the best in CR. Maybe the world.  Don’t miss the Tarzan swing.
• Hanging bridges. Ditto.
• The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. World famous, for good reason.
• Curi-Cancha Reserve is another great reserve
• Check out any of the other reserves. The different altitudes create different ecosystems. You will be amazed at the bio diversity up here.
  Curi-Cancha Reserve is another great reserve, as is the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
• Check out the numerous art galleries
• Take the Hike to the San Luis Waterfall
• Check out the light hike to the El Tigre Waterfalls
• Take a horseback tour through the countryside around Canitas.
• Tour the Rainaro (Frog zoo)
• Tour the Serpentarium (Reptile zoo)
• Tour the Insectarium (Insect zoo)
• Take the Coffee and Chocolate tour. They take you from the harvest to the farm’s own production of coffee and chocolate. Sweet folks and they make the tour fun and interesting.
• Check out the Bat Exhibit (with flight cage), more than you ever wanted to know about bats. But fascinating.
• After you visit the bats, go upstairs to the little restaurant that makes their own chocolate. Great food here too, Argentine owned.
• Visit the Orchid Garden just outside Santa Elena.  The self taught horticulturist here has created an amazing garden, and even discovered a previously unknown species.  We were amazed by the tiny orchids that you need a jeweler’s loup to see.  A perfectly formed orchid in miniature.
• Take a guided night tour into the forest
• Have a coffee and great fresh pastry at Stella’s bakery
• After your visit to Stella’s, walk across the street to shop for handicrafts made by local women at the CASEM woman’s arts cooperative.  You can also buy local coffee from the roaster next door.
• Hear live music. Jazz, folk, Latin, etc. Always entertaining.
• Check out the Saturday farmer’s market. Definitely some local color. Sometimes there is music, and there is always local food to eat on site. Good Ceviche!
• Go to the hummingbird gallery. Great photo ops of dozens of hummingbirds.
• Eat at any of the “International” restaurants. We are getting some interesting food up here!