Monteverde Community's Guidebook
Sightseeing
These are activities that may be free or at a low cost to enjoy the views and landscapes in the Monteverde area.
Remember to respect wildlife and nature and follow our advice.
Use closed shoes ONLY. Flash is not allowed if you want pictures of wildlife. Long pants are the best option. A light jacket and a poncho are a good idea. Feeding wildlife is against the law in our country. Do not touch plants or wildlife. Remember the old motto:
"Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints."
Do not cross closed fences or barbed wires. Stay on the trail.
It is always best not to go alone. Always take insect repellent, a first aid kit, and a flashlight.
Some colors will attract wildlife or alert them of your presence.
Yellow attracts bees and wasps. Red, purple, and orange attract hummingbirds. Dark colors are best.
Try to get back before 5:00 pm to avoid sudden darkness in forested areas.
Enjoy your walk.
The Monteverde Waterfall, also known in Spanish as Catarata Los Murciélagos, is an unexpected sight carved in flat rocks at the LaVal-Wallace property here in beautiful Monteverde.
Kelly LaVal Wallace and her dad Richard La Val manage and own the site.
The trail is not far, but it has some steep parts. Several steps help you to reach the river below. We highly recommend hiking slowly to enjoy the views. The wildlife around could be watching you. This forest is lower than the cloud forest. It is a biological corridor. Many species of animals have been spotted and even photographed on this property.
Some of the residents of the waterfall are Agoutis, White-nosed Coatis, Collared Trogons, Lesso's Motmots, Hermit Crabs, Several species of bats, Two-toed Sloths, Porcupines, Northern Emerald Tucanets, Leaf-cutting Ants, Nine-banded Armadillos, Boa Imperators, among so many other species.
Many species depend on this forest to feed and travel.
Your visit helps the owners protect this forest and its inhabitants.
This protected area is also a pet-friendly forest. You may join one of the private Monteverde - pet-friendly- Adventures with Monteverde Wild Hikes aka Monteverde Wildlife Experiences and enjoy a two-hour minimum walking tour that includes the Monteverde Waterfall.
Pets are not allowed without a Nature Guide from Monteverde Wild Hikes. Make sure to make your reservation with plenty of time. The waterfall opens from 9 am to 5 pm. Make your reservation to be able to visit this fascinating place and enjoy some cloud forest swimming.
We recommend long pants, closed shoes, a poncho, a light jacket, and insect repellent.
The entrance fee is $6 per person and they are open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Catarata Los Murcielagos - Monteverde Waterfall
620The Monteverde Waterfall, also known in Spanish as Catarata Los Murciélagos, is an unexpected sight carved in flat rocks at the LaVal-Wallace property here in beautiful Monteverde.
Kelly LaVal Wallace and her dad Richard La Val manage and own the site.
The trail is not far, but it has some steep parts. Several steps help you to reach the river below. We highly recommend hiking slowly to enjoy the views. The wildlife around could be watching you. This forest is lower than the cloud forest. It is a biological corridor. Many species of animals have been spotted and even photographed on this property.
Some of the residents of the waterfall are Agoutis, White-nosed Coatis, Collared Trogons, Lesso's Motmots, Hermit Crabs, Several species of bats, Two-toed Sloths, Porcupines, Northern Emerald Tucanets, Leaf-cutting Ants, Nine-banded Armadillos, Boa Imperators, among so many other species.
Many species depend on this forest to feed and travel.
Your visit helps the owners protect this forest and its inhabitants.
This protected area is also a pet-friendly forest. You may join one of the private Monteverde - pet-friendly- Adventures with Monteverde Wild Hikes aka Monteverde Wildlife Experiences and enjoy a two-hour minimum walking tour that includes the Monteverde Waterfall.
Pets are not allowed without a Nature Guide from Monteverde Wild Hikes. Make sure to make your reservation with plenty of time. The waterfall opens from 9 am to 5 pm. Make your reservation to be able to visit this fascinating place and enjoy some cloud forest swimming.
We recommend long pants, closed shoes, a poncho, a light jacket, and insect repellent.
The entrance fee is $6 per person and they are open from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery is a landmark and a beautiful place to enjoy amazing photographs taken in the '70s. Michael & Patricia Fogden own this place, and they used to work for National Geographics, among other environmentally friendly organizations.
The shop and the gallery also support different indigenous tribes from Central America by selling their original products.
There are camera and binocular straps sold on-site made by Trail Sighter, a local family company.
Feeding wildlife is prohibited in Costa Rica, however, this place has legal permission to do so. The feeders have been here for more than 30 years so it will take a long while to slowly remove them to protect the hummingbirds.
Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery
620The Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery is a landmark and a beautiful place to enjoy amazing photographs taken in the '70s. Michael & Patricia Fogden own this place, and they used to work for National Geographics, among other environmentally friendly organizations.
The shop and the gallery also support different indigenous tribes from Central America by selling their original products.
There are camera and binocular straps sold on-site made by Trail Sighter, a local family company.
Feeding wildlife is prohibited in Costa Rica, however, this place has legal permission to do so. The feeders have been here for more than 30 years so it will take a long while to slowly remove them to protect the hummingbirds.
To visit this reserve, everyone must check in at the Monteverde Institute. There is no entrance fee. Stay on the trail, and do not take pets. Respect nature. Enjoy your walk.
We highly recommend hiring a Nature Guide to learn and spot more wildlife. Monteverde Wildlife Experiences offers an excellent private service. All their Wildlife Experts provide a fantastic service.
Rachel and Dwight Crandell Memorial Reserve
To visit this reserve, everyone must check in at the Monteverde Institute. There is no entrance fee. Stay on the trail, and do not take pets. Respect nature. Enjoy your walk.
We highly recommend hiring a Nature Guide to learn and spot more wildlife. Monteverde Wildlife Experiences offers an excellent private service. All their Wildlife Experts provide a fantastic service.
City advice
Don't miss
Monteverde Wildlife Experiences aka Monteverde Wild Hikes
Monteverde Wildlife Experiences is a small organization of local Nature Guides. They provide Nature Walks in the daytime and the nighttime everywhere. They offer Bird Watching Adventures, Night Guided Walks, Natural History Walks, Photography Expeditions, Pet-friendly tours, and more.
All activities are private. Every adventure is unique and created for each guest.
Check the web for reviews about Monteverde Wildlife Experiences, aka Monteverde Wild Hikes.
Book all your activities in advance and chat with the experts.
Don't miss
A Professional Massage to enhance your vacation
Yerlin is a local professional therapist. She provides different massage services to all our Airbnb guests.
-Relaxing massage
-Trigger point massage
-Fruit massage
-Chocolate massage
Her services are door to door.
Please, contact us if you would like to book her services.
I recommend reservations in advance to ensure availability.
Getting around
Public bus service
The best environmentally friendly way to get around is the local public bus. The bus goes daily from Santa Elena to Monteverde.
You can flag the bus anywhere on the main 620 road. The schedule is as follows:
Santa Elena to Cerro Plano to Monteverde
6:15 am / 7:30 am / 9:30 am / 1:20 pm / 3:00 pm
Monteverde to Cerro Plano to Santa Elena
6:40 am / 8:30 am / 11:00 am / 2:00 pm / 4:00 pm
The fee is $2 or less depending on where you take the bus and where you get off.