Monteverde Costa Rica Cloud Forest
Just when you thought Costa Rica couldn't get any more exotic, you stumble upon a place called Monteverde. Located in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Montverde is often considered one of the most interested places on the planet, thanks to its amazing biodiversity and numerous natural reserves. Best known for the world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Monteverde area is a definite must-visit for economy car rental Costa Rica travelers.
Get lost in the clouds
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the largest reserves in the area. It is also home to one of the most diverse arrays of wildlife in all of the Americas. Divided into eight distinct ecological zones, the reserve provides more than 400 species of birds (including more than 30 species of humming birds) and 100 species of mammals with a safe place to live and breed. Named for the cloud-like covering of vegetation, the Monteverde Cloud Forest provides economy car rental Costa Rica travelers with an experience that's quite unlike anything else in the world. When you walk into the forest, you'll feel like you're wrapped in a grandiose green cathedral; everywhere you look you'll find tall trees festooned with blossoming orchids, bromeliads and ferns. Crystal clear streams and waterfalls are located around every bend, while cunning creatures like ocelots, tapirs and jaguars can be seen slinking in the shadows. Nearly 10,500 hectares of land are protected in the Cloud Forest; the chance to see even on is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Take to the trails
The best way to explore the Cloud Forest is on foot. This is because there are nearly a dozen trails winding their way through the dense forest. The most popular trail in the forest is the 1.2 mile Sendero Bosque Nuboso, or Cloud Forest Trail. Economy car rental Costa Rica travelers can pick up a self-guided tour booklet of this trail at the front entrance to the park for just $1. Other trails worth traveling include the El Camino, the Sendero El Rio, and the Sendero Chomogo. Want a bird's eye view of the park? Then check out the Suspended Bridge Trail. There are over 300 feet of suspended bridges in the park, providing economy car rental travelers with an amazing vantage point for pictures.
While you can walk the trails of the park using a self-guided pamphlet, Avanti highly recommends taking at least one guided tour. This is because an experienced tour guide will point out flora and fauna that you would probably have never noticed on your own. To arrange a guided tour, simply ask at the front desk of your hotel. It is recommended that you arrange for a guided tour at least two days in advance.
Protecting paradise, one piece at a time
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was established in 1972 as a way to protect the habitat of one of the world's most handsomely plumaged birds - the resplendent quetzal. These birds, which are noted for their bright green and red coloring, are abundant in the forest. The best time to see this regal bird is between the months of December and August. Economy car rental Costa Rica travelers can also see a variety of other animals inside the park, including the kinkajou, the collared redstart and the blue-crowned motmot. Hummingbirds are also prevalent in the park; economy car rental Costa Rica travelers are encouraged to stop by the Hummingbird Gallery (located on the left just before the reserve parking lot) where a number of feeders are setup to the pleasure of viewers. At least six different species can be seen feasting at the Gallery in a span of ten or fifteen minutes on any day of the year.
To get to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in your economy car rental Costa Rica vehicle, take the PanAmerican Highway west from San Jose. When you reach the turnoff for Monteverde, take a right just after the bridge for the Rio Aranjuez. Follow the signs until you reach Santa Elena and Monteverde. The reserve is about four hours from San Jose.