Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde – Costa Rica

The preserve is blend of six different ecological zones. Ninety per cent of the forest is natural and in clean state. It is home to over two thousand five hundred plant species including orchid species, hundred species of mammal, four hundred different types of birds, one hundred and twenty reptilian and amphibian species, and also thousands of insects, which serves as a key attraction for scientists and tourists from all over globe.

Costa Rica has number of parks protecting the ecology around and within it. One of the favorite among tourists and locals is Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde; in English, it means the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. It is the main feature of the country but also most difficult place to reach because of its uphill drive and bumpy roads. The park is just one hundred and five miles away from the San Jose city but because of the uneven roads, it takes four hours to reach at available lodges at the park. The trail walking and hiking are worth doing into cloud forest through the vast flora and fauna that are surviving in the moist surroundings. For bird watching, top on the list is bright green bird with graceful long tail, Quetzal. To find many rare animals and birds it will be good if you hire a guide. Local guide are good, as they know how to bring out these rare species like tarantulas and rain frogs out of their hiding place. Best time to spot rain frogs and other amphibians is at night. Try touring in Sky Tram if possible. Sky trams give some magnificent views like view of Arenal Volcano, which is just amazing!

The Quakers came here first from England in 1950’s in order to become farmers. They purchased land in Monteverde and tried to preserve one third of the land to protect watershed. However, in 1972, intruders started to come in, harming the forest so the Quakers joined hands with Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. Three of them together purchased about three hundred twenty eight hectares of land bordering to the land that was already of Quakers. The whole land later was called as Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve). In 1975, Tropical Science Center started to administrate in here.

The preserve is the private running reserve of Costa Rica. It was founded in 1972. It is situated beside Cordillera de Tilaran mountain ranges inside the Puntarenas and Alajuela Province. The preserve is named after the nearby village, Monteverde. In order to bring more land under perseverance, Monteverde Conservation League was formed in 1986. To save tropical forest and raise money they launched International Children’s Rainforest project after two years. They succeed in encouraging children and young groups all over the world in raising money to save the adjacent side of the land. Today, the reserve is approximately ten thousand five hundred hectares because of the project.

Most inspiring thing about this project is that the individuals with different point of view, background and country, came together for one and single cause, ‘ Save Forest and Ecology’ ! They did not wait for the approval or fund from the government to bring a change. They worked through it and now the efforts and hardship brought sweet fruits to them. The reserve mostly relies on donations only. Many schools from all over the countries bring children as groups trip to show the amazing art of almighty!

Well except sky tram, if you plan to go on walking trails carry good pair of gumboots, and warm cloths. The land is very muddy even in dry season, i.e. in late December to early May. During rainy season, carry rainwear and suitable boots. There are trails made by placing concrete blocks or wooden boards, which are easy to walk on. In rainy season, the forest becomes marshy.

The environment should not get disturbed by the human interference and the forest is very fragile too, that’s why reserve only allows one hundred and sixty people at a time. The reserve opens gate at ten o’clock during summer, so the tourist in waiting have plenty of time to look around. To get entry fast, stay couple of hours before gate opens. You can even come during off seasons usually in May to June and September to November.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve has better infrastructure, trails, and has more visitors than any other park in Costa Rica. Yeah you will be accompanied by more crowds but since 1983 days of spotting quetzal, things have changed around here. The animals have got used to having human visitors and they don’t even mind being close to the trails. Therefore, you have more chances of seeing animals on trail walking. Book yourself in one of the lodges that are available within the park to maximize your chance to see more wild animals. The park is so big that animals have more space to move. The visitors who come here to see wildlife, majority of tourists leave from here with satisfaction.