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Best Tours in Monteverde

These are the 15 tours we’d book in Monteverde. We’ve put the night walk first, because it’s the one tour almost everyone remembers. After that come the guided forest walks, the canopy tours and a few slower picks for a rainy afternoon.

1. Guided Night Walk in the Cloud Forest

A night walk is the Monteverde tour we’d never skip. A guide leads a small group with flashlights, looking for the animals that only come out after dark. These are the main options:

• Kinkajou Night Walk: Around $32 with hotel pickup, on a private reserve. It takes 1.5 hours, with up to 8 people.
• Curi-Cancha: $35, 5:30 to 7:30 PM, with up to 9 people. You need a reservation, and transport isn’t included.
• Bajo del Tigre: $30 plus tax, every day at 5:30 PM. Pickup costs $8, and there’s a minimum of 2 people.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Around $49 for a walk of 2.5 hours, with up to 10 people.

Our pick is the Kinkajou walk, since pickup is part of the price. Book it for your first night, so you have a second chance if it pours. Wear long pants and closed shoes.

Kinkajou Forest mixes native trees with fruit trees, which feed the animals at night. With flashlights, you look for sloths, armadillos, porcupines, sleeping birds and insects. Flash photography isn’t allowed, so the animals aren’t disturbed. The walk ends back at your hotel, since drop-off is included too. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

2. Guided Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the famous one, with old, mossy forest and resplendent quetzals. On a guided walk of around 2.5 hours, a naturalist carries a spotting scope and finds the birds for you.

Our pick costs around $35 for the guide, with up to 6 people. Entry costs $29 per person on top, and transport isn’t included. The reserve is open 7:30 AM to 4 PM, and slots are timed.

Take the first slot of the day, when the birds are most active.

The walk starts at the reserve’s reception and heads deep into the cloud forest. Your guide was born in Monteverde and has worked as a guide for more than 8 years. A telescope and printed field guides are part of the tour. Wear closed shoes, and bring insect repellent.

3. Selvatura Zipline and Hanging Bridges Combo

Selvatura Park has a zipline and hanging bridges in one place, which saves you a second transfer. The combo gives you 13 cables, a Tarzan swing and 8 hanging bridges, with a guide on the bridges.

It costs $116.10 plus 13% tax and fees, or around $131 in total. The tour takes 4.5 hours. Kids can join from age 4. Book a morning start, when the canopy is at its clearest.

You start on the bridges with a guide, then move on to the canopy tour. A guide stays with you on every cable. The Tarzan swing is the big jump of the day. Wear long pants and closed shoes, since sandals aren’t allowed. Food, drinks and drones can’t come along. Pregnant women and people with heart problems can’t join.

4. Hanging Bridges With a Naturalist Guide

The bridges are fun on your own, but a guide turns the walk into a wildlife tour. Along the way, you’ll hear about the birds, sloths and orchids in the treetops. Two parks offer guided bridge walks:

• Selvatura: $49 plus tax for the 8 bridges, and the longest one is 157 meters.
• Treetopia Sky Walk: $49, plus $12 for a guide.

Our pick is a walk at Selvatura with a local naturalist, for around $41, with up to 8 people. It takes 2 to 2.5 hours, and the bridges ticket of around $56 is extra. Go early, since the canopy is at its best in the morning.

The walk begins at Selvatura’s main reception, and local transport is included. The guide carries an HD scope. Expect orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns on the branches, and birds moving through the leaves. The trail goes up and down, with some uneven ground. Wear closed shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them.

5. 100% Aventura Zipline

100% Aventura is the park for big lines. It has 9 regular cables and two Superman cables, where you fly face down. Its longest cable is around 1,590 meters.

The tour also has a hammock bridge, a rappel and the Mega Tarzan swing. Adults pay $72, and kids aged 6 to 12 pay $60. Tours start at 8 AM, 11 AM and 2 PM.

Transport isn’t included, so plan a taxi from your hotel.

Kids aged 6 to 17 must ride with an adult, and kids under 6 can’t join. The weight limit is 240 lb. The tour starts and ends at the park’s base. Closed shoes are a must. Groups can be large, with up to 50 people.

6. Sky Trek Zipline With the Tree Tram (Treetopia Park)

Treetopia Park (formerly Sky Adventures) mixes a gentle ride with a fast one. You take the Tree Tram up over the forest, then come back down on 7 ziplines. There’s an 80-foot drop on the way too.

The tour costs $99 plus 13% tax, or around $112 in total. It takes 2.5 hours. A shuttle from your hotel costs $10 plus tax. Kids can join from age 5.

Treetopia is a different park than the Sky Trek near La Fortuna, so check the name when you book.

The 7 cables are 460 feet long at the shortest and 2,460 feet at the longest. You fly up to 328 feet above the ground, over a total of 1.9 miles. The gear is Petzl safety equipment, and a certified guide goes with you. Wear closed shoes. The weight limit is 300 lb (136 kg).

7. Coffee, Chocolate and Sugarcane Tour

Monteverde’s farm tours show you how coffee, cacao and sugarcane are grown and made. Most end with tastings. These are two of the best-known farms:

• El Trapiche: $44, or $16 for kids, with tours at 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM.
• Don Juan: Around $45, or $20 for kids, and transport costs extra.

Our pick is a 2-hour farm tour in Los Tornos for around $44. You taste fresh sugarcane, watch the coffee process and try chocolate at the end. A farm tour fits well into the afternoon, after a morning in the reserve.

The tour starts in the coffee and sugarcane fields. You hear how coffee reached the Americas around 300 years ago and how sugarcane shaped local traditions. Then you taste several coffee roasts. The last stop covers cacao and chocolate. Groups are capped at 8 people. Wear comfortable shoes for walking in the fields.

8. Quetzal Birdwatching Tour

Seeing a resplendent quetzal is the big goal for many people in Monteverde. A specialist birding guide heads out early and knows the fruiting wild avocado trees where quetzals feed.

Our pick costs around $45 for 2.5 hours, with up to 6 people. Reserve entry and transport are extra. Quetzal season is around February to June, with the peak in March and April.

Even in season, nobody can promise you’ll see one.

Most guided walks here take 2.5 to 3 hours, but this one focuses only on quetzals. It’s led by Diego Rodríguez, a well-known local birder. Photos through the scope are part of the price. Bring binoculars, a charged phone and closed shoes. Kids under 3 can’t join, and food isn’t included.

9. Curi-Cancha Reserve Guided Walk

Curi-Cancha is a private reserve with open clearings between the forest patches. It’s one of the easiest places in Monteverde to see quetzals.

Our pick costs around $30 for a 2-hour guided walk, with a scope and binoculars. Entry costs $25 on top, so the total is around $55. Your ticket stays valid all day, so you can keep walking after the tour.

The reserve is open 7 AM to 3 PM every day. Transport isn’t included, but the guide can set it up for $20. Bring a photo ID, because you sign a waiver at the entrance.

Small groups are capped at 8, and private walks for up to 10 are offered too. Your guide takes photos through the scope, and you get a bottle of water. Parking at the reserve is free. The pace is slow and quiet, which suits birders and photographers.

10. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Walk

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is the second big reserve near Monteverde, with its own trails and guides. It also has a 13-meter observation tower.

Our pick costs around $40 for a guided walk of 2.5 hours, with up to 7 people. The entry fee is extra. At the reserve, a guided walk costs ₡20,000, which is around $44, with coffee or tea included.

Reserve walks start at 7:30 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:30 AM and 1 PM. Book at least a day ahead.

The walk is slow, with time to spot birds, insects, monkeys, frogs and orchids. Your guide explains how the reserve fits into the wider Monteverde area. You also hear how the local community protects it. Bring rain gear, a camera and a reusable water bottle. Transport, meals and drinks aren’t included.

11. Monteverde Extremo With the Superman Cable

Monteverde Extremo is the park for people who want the biggest thrill. The tour has 10 zipline cables, plus a Superman cable where you fly face down.

Our pick costs around $72, with local taxes included, and it takes 3 hours. Transport to the park costs $10 on top.

The rider weight limit is 254 lb (115 kg).

The Superman cable is 1 km long and up to 150 meters high. There’s also an underground Superman line that goes through a tunnel. The Tarzan swing drops from 50 meters. Bring sunscreen and comfortable clothes. People with back or heart problems can’t join.

12. Horseback Riding in Monteverde

A horseback ride is a slower way to see the farms and forest edges on the ridge. On a clear day, you get wide views over the hills.

Our pick costs around $83 for 3 hours, with hotel pickup and entry to a private reserve. Groups are capped at 8 people, and kids can join from age 7. Stables in town charge around $45 to $65 for 2 hours.

Pick a stable that’s happy to tell you about rider weight limits and how it cares for its horses.

After pickup, a 15-minute drive takes you to the stables. You get a helmet and a short safety talk. Then you ride mountain trails, open fields and private reserves near the Continental Divide. Look for toucans, coatis, agoutis and monkeys. Riders over 70 can’t join. Wear long pants, and ask for a longer ride if you ride well.

13. El Tigre Waterfalls Hike

El Tigre Waterfalls is a self-guided hike on a private property near Monteverde. The trail passes 4 waterfalls and 10 rustic bridges, with natural pools on the way.

It costs $66 and takes 3 hours. The price includes a horseback ride or a 4×4 ride, plus a typical Costa Rican lunch. You get a map and safety tips at the start.

The full route is 8 km. You hike 5 km, and the other 3 km are on horseback or in a 4×4. The trail has some uphill parts, but it’s rated easy to moderate. Lunch comes with coffee, water or juice. Last entry is 1:30 PM. The weight limit for the horse ride is 110 kg.

14. Selvatura Butterfly Garden

The butterfly garden at Selvatura Park is a covered tropical garden where butterflies fly freely around you. A guide explains their life cycle, and you can see eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises up close.

Entry costs around $28, and the visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. It’s a good backup for a rainy day, with kids too.

Paths go past flowers chosen to attract butterflies, so you can watch them rest and feed. The guide explains why butterflies matter in the cloud forest. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent, and wear closed shoes. The garden is at Selvatura Park, so it’s easy to add to a morning on the bridges or ziplines.

15. Treetopia Tree Tram

The Tree Tram is a cableway over Monteverde’s cloud forest. It’s a good choice for anyone in your group who’d rather skip the ziplines.

A ride costs $59 plus tax, so around $67 in total. The round trip covers 1 mile and takes 20 minutes. You can stay at the top as long as you like. Up there, you’ll find two viewpoints and an observation tower.

Trams leave every hour, 7 AM to 3 PM. You can pair the ride with the Sky Walk bridges in the same park.

The top is at 5,700 feet, one of the highest points in Monteverde. A short summit trail leads to the viewpoints. The café up there sells pastries, hot drinks and cold drinks, and there’s Wi-Fi. Wheelchair users can ride too, so it suits all ages. Bring a jacket, since it’s cool at the top.

Monteverde Tours by Day vs at Night

Monteverde tours work best when you split the day in three. Mornings are for the reserves, the birds and the canopy, since bridges and ziplines are best early. The first slots fill fast in the high season, so book them ahead.

Afternoons are good for farm tours, the butterfly garden and a rest. Then the night walks start at 5:30 PM or later.

Pack these for a day of tours:

• A rain jacket: Showers are common on the ridge.
• Long pants and closed shoes: For night walks and ziplines.
• A warm layer: Evenings on the ridge feel chilly.

Our 2-day Monteverde itinerary shows how to fit the tours into your days, so make sure to read that post too. Our San José to Monteverde guide covers the bus and shuttles up the mountain. The jeep-boat-jeep transfer is the easy way over from the volcano.

Which Monteverde Tours Are Worth Booking?

Start with a night walk and a guided walk in the Monteverde reserve. Together, they show you the cloud forest at both ends of the day, and that’s what Monteverde does best.

For one big thrill, 100% Aventura at $72 gives you the longest line and the Mega Tarzan swing. Families with mixed nerves should go for the Selvatura combo or the Treetopia Tree Tram, so nobody is left out.

Coming between February and June? Swap one walk for an early quetzal tour or Curi-Cancha. And on a rainy afternoon, a coffee farm or the butterfly garden keeps the day going.

Short on money? The best value is the Curi-Cancha walk, at around $55 with entry. The Bajo del Tigre night walk at $30 plus tax is a close second.

Monteverde Tours FAQ

How Much Do Tours in Monteverde Cost?

Most tours in Monteverde cost around $30 to $130 per person. Guided walks are the cheapest, at $30 to $45 plus reserve entry of $25 to $29. Night walks cost $30 to $49. Ziplines cost $72 to $112, and the Selvatura combo comes to around $131. Farm tours and the Tree Tram cost $44 to $67. Many parks add 13% tax, so check the total.

Is the Monteverde Reserve or Santa Elena Better?

Both are worth a visit. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the famous one, with old, mossy forest, timed slots and a $29 entry fee.

Santa Elena is managed by the local community. It’s higher and wetter than the Monteverde reserve, and its guided walk comes with coffee or tea. With two mornings, do one of each.

Do You Need a Passport for Monteverde Tours?

For some, yes. Monteverde Extremo asks for a valid passport on the day of your zipline.

El Tigre Waterfalls needs an ID for everyone, kids included. Our reserve walk and Curi-Cancha pick ask for a passport or an ID card, and a copy is fine. Bring the real passport for the zipline.

Do Monteverde Tours Go Ahead in the Rain?

Most do. The Kinkajou night walk, for example, goes out rain or shine.

Umbrellas aren’t allowed in the Monteverde reserve, so bring a rain jacket instead. Quick-dry clothes help on the ziplines and bridges, where you’re out in the open.

When Is the Best Time of Year for Monteverde Tours?

December to April is the drier season, but December to February is very windy. September and October are the wettest months.

It’s cool all year, at around 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F).

How Many Days Do You Need for Monteverde Tours?

Two full days is a good fit. That gives you two mornings for a reserve walk and a zipline. The afternoons suit a farm or the Tree Tram, and one night is free for a night walk.

Our 2-day Monteverde itinerary puts it all in order.