Monteverde Costa Rica

Monteverde is a small community founded by North American Quakers in 1951. The Quakers bought about 1500 hectares and began dairy farming and cheese production. When the settlers arrived, they preserved a third of their property to protect the watershed above Monteverde. In 1972 about 2000 hectares were added this became the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve). This famous cloud forest reserve is just to the east of the community. The Monteverde Conservation League (MCL; net), formed in 1985, continues to expand the protected area. In 1988 the MCL launched the International Children's Rainforest project, whereby school groups from all over the world raise money to save tropical rain forest adjacent to the reserve. The Reserva Santa Elena was created in 1989 and relieves some of the heavy visitor pressure from Monteverde. Each year these two cloud forest reserves attract many thousands of visitors and deserve a visit. The area's elevation is 1200 to 1600 meters, and the cooler and cloudier climate here is pleasant change from the tropical heat of the lowlands.

The community of Monteverde is scattered along the several kilometers of road that lead to the reserve. Many better hotels are found along this road. Most of the budget hotels are in the village of Santa Elena, at the west end of Monteverde. The Monteverde reserve is six km southeast of Santa Elena, and the Santa Elena reserve is six km north and then east.

Top Hotels

Hotel Rustic Lodge
Hotel El Establo
Hotel Trapp Family
Hotel Fonda Vela
Hotel Belmar
Poco a Poco Hotel
Hotel Monteverde Cloud Forest