The first timer would describe the astounding Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as like strolling in an impressive green Cathedral. It truly is a wonder of Costa Rica.
Monteverde, Costa Rica, a Spanish translation for Green Mountain, is a small town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Even with its difficult access, it has been considered as a major tourist destination in Costa Rica. The majority of tourists are eco tourists particularly interested in the high biodiversity of the natural reserves. The most popular and frequented is the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde.
The protected cove Monteverde rainforests feature majestic tall trees of unbelievable sizes. Orchids, ferns, vines, bromeliads, and mosses attaché themselves to these trees. Swamp forests are the sights in other parts of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, with crystal clear streams and waterfalls.
Monteverde forest hiking is a haven for all nature lovers and it even offers distinct 20 kilometer trails and reserves to the also infamous Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. This very long trail offers the chance to bird watch with naturalist guides in tours set out very early in the morning.
The varied climate has assisted the growth of an exceedingly high biodiversity with outstanding fauna including Jaguar, Baird´s Tapir, Ocelot, Bare-necked Umbrella bird, Three-wattled Bellbird, and the well-known Resplendent Quetzal.
Despite the inconvenient access to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, it has still become a major part of the Costa Rican tourist destinations. With the acclaimed rain forests and cloud forests in the greater Monteverde area, thus it was named as one of the "7 Wonders of Costa Rica" by the La Nación, a Costa Rican newspaper.
