Santa Elena Cloud Forest
Connect with nature on a whole new level during your upcoming Costa Rica airport car hire vacation. Plan to visit the Santa Elena Could Forest high on the Caribbean slopes of the Cordillera de Tilaran. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest was one of the first community managed reserves in the country, and continues to be one of the area's most popular tourist attractions. Maintained with help from Youth Challenge International, a Canadian non-profit organization, and the Costa Rica Government, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest continues to provide visitors with a living, breathing natural classroom.
About the reserve
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest officially opened it's doors to Costa Rica airport car hire vacationers in March of 1992. Today, the reserve comprises an area of nearly 310 hectares, or 765 acres. The forest's long term sustainability program enables local residents to contribute to the area's conservation and encourages visitors to be mindful of their impact on the environment. As such, proceeds from entry fees, guided tours, and the souvenir shop are reinvested in the management of the reserve or used to fund educational programs on biology, agriculture, language, and tourism at the local high school.
Protecting an invaluable resource
When combined with the Children's Eternal Rainforest, the Arenal Conservation Area, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest helps constitute a continuous conservation area of approximately 28,000 hectares or 69,000 acres. Travelers in Costa Rica airport car hire vehicles may also be interested to learn that plans are underway to raise funds to buy and restore adjacent farmlands for future inclusion into this important protected ecosystem. Costa Rica airport car hire travelers can learn more about conservation efforts by visiting the official Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve website at www.reservesantaelena.org.
Amenities make this forest very attractive to visitors
Costa Rica airport car hire travelers enjoy visiting this protected areas for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it boasts a wide variety of vegetation, some of which cannot be seen in other parts of the country. Secondly, the area features a mix of natural and manmade attractions, including a charming gift shop and restaurant. Costa Rica airport rental car travelers are encouraged to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and snack while multitudes of birds and animals make their way through the forest's canopy. Open tours of the forest are offered regularly, beginning at 7:30am. This guided tour lasts for about 4 hours and includes an in depth look at the local habitat. Costa Rica airport car hire travelers can also book private guided tours beginning when the park opens at 7:00am. Fore more information on tour bookings, please call 1-888-456-3212.
Take in the scenery at your own pace
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest is a great vacation destination for travelers that like to avoid overly touristy areas. While the Monteverde Cloud Forest caters to out-of-town visitors, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest provides a comparatively less crowded atmosphere of discovery. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest shares a parallel habitat with the Monteverde reserve, which means that Costa Rica airport car hire travelers will find similar flora and fauna. The forest also has a similar climate, which tends to be misty, moist and damp all year round. Travelers are encourage to pack ponchos and rain gear in their Costa Rica airport car hire vehicles, along with proper hiking gear.
Stay in the neighboring town of Santa Elena
Costa Rica airport car hire travelers looking to make the most of their visit to the Cloud Forest are encouraged to stay at one of the many hotels located in the nearby town of Santa Elena. This vibrant town is home to both budget and luxury accommodations, as well as a bank, general store, souvenir store, tour offices, and health clinic. The town also has a post office, police station, supermarket, bar, and a number of great local restaurants. Other local attractions worth visiting during your Costa Rica airport car hire visit to the area include a beautiful butterfly garden, lovely local galleries, and a fascinating serpentarium.