Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde is in mountainous north-western Costa Rica. It’s renowned for its biodiverse cloud forests, and for outdoor pursuits from hiking to zip-lining.

The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve attracts scientists, bird watchers, and wildlife lovers from all parts of the world. Inside the reserve you can explore the virgin forests and multi-century old strangler fig trees on your way to a viewpoint which sits on the continental divide. On a clear day you can see both the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts. The reserve is also one of the few remaining homes of the endangered resplendent Quetzal; the opportunity to see this exotic bird is worth the trip alone.

On the other side of town you'll find the slightly smaller, and higher, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve which has views of the Arenal Volcano. Other popular activities in the area include the canopy tours, visits to the butterfly garden, the suspension bridges tour and horse-riding.