Exploring the Magic of the Cloud Forest: 2 Day Monteverde Itinerary
Yessica Kuhfss • September 25, 2023
Exploring the Magic of the Cloud Forest : 2 Day Monteverde Itinerary
Located in the misty cloud forest of Costa Rica, Monteverde, meaning green mountain, is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers of all kinds. The towns of Monteverde and Santa Elena host a unique mixture of biodiversity, breathtaking views, adventurous activities as well as culture and cuisine, making it a popular destination amongst all travelers arriving to Costa Rica. From lush green canopies to exotic wildlife and coffee plantations, Monteverde promises an unforgettable experience, no matter what you're looking for. In this 2 Day Itinerary, we'll guide you through the must-do experiences, ensuring you make the most out of your stay, even if there is not much time.
2 Day Itinerary
Most likely you will arrive in Santa Elena or Monteverde in the afternoon or evening. If you are still looking for how to get there by either public transportation, private shuttle or by rental car, check out our blog post about
how to get to Monteverde and back.
Day 1
- Traditional Breakfast: To start the day off right, have a delicious breakfast in one of the many restaurants in town, or even at your hotel or hostel. Make sure to have a cup of costerican coffee and the traditional gallo pinto, while enjoying the amazing views of the surrounding landscapes. Depending on where you're staying exactly, you will be able to watch the clouds from above and feel like you are in a fairytale forest.
- Cloud Forest Biologiocal Reserve: After a nurturing breakfast, head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve for a guided or non-guided tour. This pristine forest is home to diverse flora and fauna, including the elusive quetzal bird, which is also the national bird of Guatemala and which has played a significant role in the Maya and Aztec culture. To learn as much about the Cloud Forest as possible, we recommend you to book a guided tour. You can find tours on official websites, tripadvisor, AirBnb (they tend to be a bit cheaper) or simply book a tour trough your hotel or hostel. Usually the staff will be glad to help you book the tour that suites your wishes best. After the tour, you can decide to stay in the reserve for some hiking, enjoy a coffee outside at the Cloud Forests Coffeeshop, or to head back into town straight away.
- Lunch break: For lunch you could either stay at the Cafe Colibri right outside the Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, head back into town to eat at a local restaurant, or cook something for yourself at your hostel or vacation rental. If you decide to go to a local restaurant, consider Taco Taco for authentic Mexican Cuisine.
- Monteverde Orchid Garden: After a few hours of hiking and a delicious lunch, you might be in the mood for something more relaxing. The Monteverde Orchid Garden is perfect for that! More than 1,400 types of wild orchids can be found growing throughout the diverse rainforests of Costa Rica, and 500 of these can be found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve alone. Monteverde Orchid Garden is home to 450 different species of orchids and here you can either simply relax and enjoy their beauty, be fascinated by the smallest orchids in the world, or take a guided tour to learn more about orchids in Costa Rica and in the Orchid Garden specifically.
- Dinner: The first day of this tour will leave you with many new impressions and hopefully much new information learned. To end your first day in Monteverde, visit the Monteverde Brewing Company for a delicious dinner and beers, or check out the Green Restaurant, who offers a variety of different cuisines.
Day 2
- Breakfast: This will probably feel similar to the breakfast of day 1. Enjoy your breakfast either at your accommodation or go to a local restaurant to start the day. Don't forget your costarican coffee while enjoying the breathtaking views. When visiting Monteverde only for a short amount of time, try to find as many little moments as possible to enjoy the landscapes and the view above the clouds.
- Selvatura Park: This morning activity will be filled with adrenaline and adventure! Get your tickets to the Selvatura Park in advance and choose whether you want to enjoy the hanging bridges, ziplining or even the sloth tour. No matter which tour you choose, you will have some of the best views of the entire cloud forest from a unique angle! If Selvatura is not exactly offering what you are looking for, there are other adventure parks as well. One of them is Costa Rica Sky Adventures. Check on tripadvisor, AirBnB or with your hotel or hostel to find the tour that suits you best.
- Lunchbreak: To regain your strenghts after the exicting morning spent at one of the adventure parks, treat yourself do a tasty lunch at one of the local restaurants. Check out the Orchids Café, which is known for its mix of international and Costa Rican Cuisine, or try one of the local sodas nearby, to get an authentic costa rican lunch experience!
- Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour: The afternoon of day 2 will be a bit calmer and educational. Take a guided 3 in 1 tour trough the Don Juan property and learn the entire process of these 3 important products. During the tour, you will be able to taste these products at different stages of their production process. At the end, you will be able to take a stroll trough the souvenir shop, look around and taste different kinds of coffee of course!
- Dinner: To end your 2 day trip to Monteverde, you might want to choose a special restaurant for your last night here. We recommend checking out the Treehouse Restaurant to enjoy dinner while taking in its breathtaking views accompanied by the cozy vibes of the illuminated tree inside the restaurant.
Optional Night Adventure
- Night Walk in the Cloud Forest: If you didn't get enough of adventure during the visits of the adventure park, consider taking part in a walk trough the Cloud Forest at night. Most of the animals living in the Cloud Forest are nocturnal, and taking a guided night tour will allow you to see them. During the tour you might encounter different kinds of insects, spiders, frogs, snakes and maybe even sloths!
Conclusion
Monteverde is a destination that will leave you in awe of its natural beauty and exciting activities. When traveling to Costa Rica, it is definitely a must-see destination on the bucket list! Besides the beautiful landscapes and the adventure parks it has to offer, also the cooler climate is a nice change, especially if you are coming from one of Costa Rica's many beaches. This 2-day itinerary will help you make the most out of your trip to Monteverde. You will experience the stunning cloud forest, taste delicious cuisine, go on thrilling adventure tours and learn about the products coffee, chocolate and sugar cane. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a quiet escape, you will find everything you're looking for in Monteverde. So, pack your bags and immerse yourself in the magic of Monteverde, enjoying the beautiful views and, of course, a cup of costarican coffee!
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