Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

Cloud Forests

Costa Rica is home to diverse habitats with an incredible variety of plants and animal species. Over 880 bird species, 90,000 recorded species of plants, 200 mammals, 2,000 butterflies as well as 50 species of hummingbirds and 150 species of amphibians and more.

There are 12 distinctive ecological zones from dry forest to mangroves to tropical rainforests and many of these species reside in the cloud forests of Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota, a must for those looking for a birding holiday to Costa Rica.

Skywalk, Monteverde, Senda Monteverde Hotel, Costa Rica
Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde

Preservation of the remarkable forest of Monteverde is largely thanks to a community of Quakers who left the USA to avoid military conscription in the 1950s and settled in this highlands area of Costa Rica. They very soon realised that conserving the forest was crucial to the protection of the area’s watershed. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was officially established in 1972. Despite the effort needed to reach Monteverde (a long drive, poor roads) it has become a leading destination for eco-tourism and bird watchers flock there between February and April in hope to see the resplendent quetzal.

Rainbow View, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica

San Gerardo de Dota

For those looking for something more low key, San Gerardo de Dota is a great alternative. Of course, where there are no crowds, variety of accommodation can be limited but located in the highlands of the Talamanca Mountains San Gerardo de Dota is referred to as the emerald valley and is one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets.

San Gerardo de Dota is at a high altitude, approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, and therefore the climate is much cooler and wetter with daytime temperatures reaching around 20 Celsius. The small town was founded in 1952 as a small agricultural settlement, growing Cubano beans and fruits such as apples and peaches. The picturesque terrain is ideal for nature hikes, well-maintained trails fan out from most lodges, offering leisurely hikes through meadows of wildflowers.

Blue-crowned Motmot, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Blue-crowned Motmot, Costa Rica

Our Specialists 'Must Do'

A nocturnal nature tour is a magical experience that opens the door to a completely different appreciation of the forest environment. The sights, sounds and smells are very different to those during the day and accompanying guides will expertly draw attention to snakes, tree frogs, porcupines, agoutis, blue-crowned mot mots and hole-dwelling tarantulas, among other creatures of the night.

It’s not just the cloud forest that Monteverde is known for. It is also home to one of the best cheese companies in Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cheese Factory. The cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota is considered the best location to see quetzals.

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Keel-Billed Toucan, Costa Rica

Wildife of Tortuguero

Peacefully meander down the waterways of Tortuguero National Park by canoe, getting up close and personal with birdlife, colourful frogs and lizards, playful monkeys and sloths. You are surrounded by the warm Caribbean sea, where you can watch baby turtles taking their first steps towards the sea.

See related content

Green sea turtle hatchling

Turtle Conservation

Visit Tortuguero, one of the world’s major nesting sites for Atlantic green turtles.

Holiday idea

Underground cave system in Belize

Cave Exploration

Going Underground – dip into an ancient network of caves that were sacred places for the Maya

Suggested Holiday Idea

San Blas, Kuna Yala, Panama

Snorkel in San Blas

Snorkel in crystal waters.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Manta Ray off Cano Island

Snorkel Adventure

Snorkel with manta rays and turtles.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Kuna Woman Creating Molas, Panama

Kuna Culture

Immerse yourself in the Kuna culture and traditions.

Suggested Holiday Idea

El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica

Adventures in the Tree Canopy

Raft and zip line through the jungle canopy and abseil down waterfalls.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Cheese board, farm to table, Senda Monteverde Hotel, Costa Rica

Cookery Class

Join a local family for a cooking class, extract juice from sugarcane, milk a cow and make cheese.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Poas Volcano crater, Costa Rica

Volcano Adventure

Walk up to the ridge of the active Poas volcano for a peek into the steaming abyss of its caldera, the largest in the world.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Chocolate making course in Costa Rica

Chocolate Making

Discover how to make chocolate, from bean to bar.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Costa Rica holiday ideas.

Our Costa Rica experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Clare Higginson

It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

Costa Rica is simply the best spot in Central America for nature lovers, and is always John’s top recommendation for those wishing to hike, swim, zip, raft, ride or float through outstanding scenery and rich biodiversity.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

F L E X I B I L I T Y P R O M I S E B O O K W I T H C O N F I D E N C E