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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

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bugkat
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
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8
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Editor Pick

Skywalk

  • August 26, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
Skywalk

We enjoyed this unique SkyWalk walking tour through the Monteverde Cloud forest, along with our SkyTrek Zip Line tour. The SkyWalk is a series of large suspension bridges and platforms that traverse the cloud forest from the ground to a canopy at the top of the trees. It really is a unique way to see the forest from different perspectives and go at your own pace to explore the flora.

The normal ticket price is only around $15 per person but there is a discount if you book it with the zip line tour offered at the same complex. We did the zip tour first and then had a fun, "cool-down" walking session afterwards to really see, up close, the plants that we had zoomed by earlier.

There are a handful of bridges, all with different specs that you can read about in the brochure that you are given, which explains the length, elevation, and construction of each. Keep a look-out for monkeys swinging in the trees and colorful birds and butterflies. We also enjoyed looking at the many exotic plants along the paths. Even if you're scared of heights, this tour would still be fun, because the bridges feel very sturdy and safe, and have railings up to chest-level. This is a great way to spend 1-2 hours, and be sure to explore the hummingbird garden at the end of the trail - what a treat!

From journal Extensive & Adventurous Week in Costa Rica

Editor Pick

Sky Trek Zip Line Tours

  • August 26, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
Sky Trek Zip Line Tours

Some of the most fun we had while visiting Costa Rica was participating in the Sky Trek Zip Line Tours in the heart of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We researched several zip tours before deciding on Sky Trek, which offers some record-breaking zips in in the country. Sky Trek boasts the longest, fastest, and highest cables of all the other tours in Monteverde. There are 11 cables with the beginning being more gentle, "practice" zips and the more exciting cables toward the end. The price was around $40 per adult which included all the needed equipment, and we opted for a combination ticket for several more dollars which includes the Sky Walk tour as well (several suspension bridges over the forest).

We we in a group of about 8 adults and had 2 guides who clearly explained the tour and were very entertaining along the trails. Each person has to safety cables and we felt completely safe throughout the zips. The "longest" cable goes over this huge expanse of a wooded ravine that gives you more time to actually look around while you're flying by and get a glimpse of the beautiful green rainforest. While we hiked up to the "highest" zip (over 2500 feet), the term of the region "Cloud Forest" became a reality. We literally couldn't see more than 5 feet in front of us because of the dense fog, and as we zipped through the cloud, it became like you were in a different world!

I highly recommend this 2-3hr-long zip line tour to everyone (over 8 yrs old) who visits Costa Rica! Keep your eyes peeling for monkeys and exotic birds while you trek through the forest. What an experience...

From journal Extensive & Adventurous Week in Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

  • April 25, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by bugkat from new york, New York
EVERYTHING YOU THINK A RAIN FOREST SHOULD BE:

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a "wet" rain forest. Lush green plants, trees with dampened moss, fluffy white clouds creeping in like fog. A much quieter and magical place than Manuel Antonio in the south (which is a "dry" rain forest).

TAKE A TOUR:
It does cost money to enter the park and the guide is additional (check website for current prices). However, it is worth it.

The trails are not at all difficult. The three of us twenty-somethings were lagging behind a group of seniors (60-plus), for example. The tour guides are very helpful in pointing out things to see along the way. It was definitely worth the money. Many of the guides are research scientists who spend their lives studying the Monte Verde Cloud Forest so the tour is very educational. It's no guarantee that you'll see animals, but the guides do their best to point them out. We saw monkeys, gorillas, birds, and lizards.

Monte Verde is a must. It's simply a very beautiful place.

MORE INFO:
http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/monteverde.htm

From journal Ethereal Cloud Forests in Costa Rica

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