Cloud Forest in Monteverde

January 16, 2024
I was on the road by. 8:30 this morning. I’d read that the road to Monteverde was ‘horrible’, so I decided to get an early start and drive slow. The road was not ‘horrible’ at all. I quite enjoyed the drive, found gravel roads, roads with big potholes, and very windy ones too!

Wind turbines

I made it to Monteverde early enough to be able to go to Selvature Park to to the hanging bridges, butterfly gardens and the sloth refuge.
Managed to do all 8 hanging bridges. I didn’t spend too much time walking the first few bridges. However, as time went on I learnt how to refocus and find my zen.

The 4th bridge was the longest at 157 m (515 ft)

Next was the sloth refuge. There are 12 female, two-toed sloths at the refuge. All were brought in when they were babies, so they will never love in the wild. The male refuge is on the East coast of Costa Rica. So nice to be able to see them close up…their faces are so cute!

Finally, the butterfly garden.

So I thought these nachos (my all time fav chips) were the same as at home….WRONG! They are spicy, thank goodness I love spicy!

January 17, 2024
Today was a long day! I walked over 18,700 steps, climbed 118 floors and hiked 11.2 km.

My day started at the Monteverde Cloud Forest only to be told that they were at capacity and I had to put my name on a waiting list! I went to Stella’s Cafe for a tea and headed into town for a walk. I picked up a few post cards (you know who you are) and then it was time to head back up to the cloud forest.

Established in 1972 by a group of scientist from the Tropical Science Center (TSC) and Quakers from the local community to protect one of the last tracts of pristine Cloud Forest in Central America. Cloud forests are found in tropical regions where the clouds intersect the mountain ranges. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is located on the Tilarán mountain range in northern Costa Rica at an elevation of 1500 meters (5000 feet) above sea level on the continental divide.

Continental divide and the peak…it was so windy! So amazing to stand at the peak, you could feel and see the clouds passing by me! I ate my lunch on the bench and was just present, at the moment!

Saw a few monkeys playing in the trees and the clouds

After my hike, I headed over to the hummingbird gallery. So many hummingbirds feeding, fighting and just darting around!

Took a little rest back at the airbnb. Then it was time to meet my bus for the night tour at the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Saw a beautiful rainbow and the amazing sunset on the way there.

It is largest private reserve in Costa Rica, recognized for its great biodiversity, bird watching, ecotourism, trails and walks. Founded thanks to donations from children in 44 countries and belongs to a non-profit conservation organization, the Conservationist Association of Monteverde. We walked for 2 hours exploring in the dark.

A stick spider building a web

Frogs…the second one is very poisonous

A tarantula

A cricket

A caterpillar that will turn into a monarch butterfly.

January 18, 2024
Headed out early to Santa Elena Cloud Forest for an early 8.6 km hike. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve located on the Caribbean side of the Continental Division.

Walking in the clouds…

I took the afternoon to wander through the town. Had a little snack before I set out.

This is a local artist.

Took an orchid tour. Learnt a lot about the special orchids that are only found in Costa Rica.

Saw this Agouti (rat like) around the orchid garden.

Waited for the sunset and only had 1 hour and 20 minutes to wait.

It was worth the wait…

While waiting, I met two wonderful ladies from Barrie, Ontario, Catherine and Marcia. We chatted for over an hour and after the sunset, they invited me to join them for dinner. What a wonderful evening! Will definitely be staying in contact with them.

The weather in Monteverde has been sunny and rainy with high winds. Off to the beach tomorrow!