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Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodges and Hotels Costa Rica
Due to its high altitude – some 4,662 ft (1,440 m) above sea level – Monteverde is privileged to receive a steady supply of clouds and the life-giving moisture that they contain. This moisture, often in the form of fog, catches on the branches of the tallest trees and drips down to the other organisms below. This helps to support a complex and far-reaching ecosystem, one that harbors over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species, and over 2,500 varieties of plants, 420 of which are orchids alone. |
Recommended Cloud Forest Lodges by Costa Rica Travel guide |
Heliconia Hotel - If you are looking for a hotel in Monteverde, Costa Rica with full amenities at an affordable price, choose Hotel Heliconia |
| Sapo Dorado Hotel - Our 30 mountain suites nestled in a pastoral setting provide you with spacious, comfortable accommodations just minutes from the Monteverde Cloud Forest and other natural attractions. |
| Costa
Rica General information - An overview of the entire
country from the natural adventure, flora and fauna, it's people,
traditions, food, human rights and maps of the country. |
| Eco-Lodge San Louis El Establo Lodge - is situated in the heart of the tourist zone of Monteverde, 7 kms from the Santa Elena Rain Forest and 4 kms from the Monteverde Cloud Forest. |
| Peace Waterfall Lodge La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Varablanca, Costa Rica a boutique cloud forest lodge with the Peace waterfall garden great for honeymoons and soft adventure. |
| Eco-Lodge An adventure Lodge with a canopy tour, horseback riding, hiking,
excellent tours. Surrounded by private reserves excellent for
bird-watching and for nature lovers. |
| Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge - is a new way to save rainforest. You learn how, while you experience the richness and splendor of the most diverse environment on earth. |
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Costa Rica Travel Guide Beach Hotels
Hotels by catagory |
5 stars hotel in Costa Rica Beaches Resort |
| Peace Waterfall Lodge La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Varablanca, Costa Rica a boutique cloud forest lodge with the Peace waterfall garden great for honeymoons and soft adventure. |
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4 stars hotel in Costa Rica Beaches Resort |
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3 stars hotel in Costa Rica Beaches Resort |
| Heliconia Hotel - If you are looking for a hotel in Monteverde, Costa Rica with full amenities at an affordable price, choose Hotel Heliconia |
| Sapo Dorado Hotel - Our 30 mountain suites nestled in a pastoral setting provide you with spacious, comfortable accommodations just minutes from the Monteverde Cloud Forest and other natural attractions. |
| Eco-Lodge San Louis El Establo Lodge - is situated in the heart of the tourist zone of Monteverde, 7 kms from the Santa Elena Rain Forest and 4 kms from the Monteverde Cloud Forest. |
Eco-Lodge An adventure Lodge with a canopy tour, horseback riding, hiking,
excellent tours. Surrounded by private reserves excellent for
bird-watching and for nature lovers. |
| Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge - is a new way to save rainforest. You learn how, while you experience the richness and splendor of the most diverse environment on earth. |
Costa
Rica Travel Guide Hotel Directory
Costa Rica
Travel Guide Hotel Directory for your vacation packages to Arenal
Volcano and Costa Rica
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| Additional Hotel and information for Arenal Volcano Area and Northern
Zone. |
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a biological reserve owned and managed  by the Tropical Science Center, a Costa Rican nonprofit, scientific research organization. This reserve is regarded by many as one of the top tropical plant and wildlife sanctuaries in the world. It is perhaps the most beautiful of the many cloud forests located in Costa Rica and has become one of the most popular ecotourism destinations in Central America.
Note that a "cloud forest" differs from a "rain forest". In particular, a cloud forest will generally receive less rain on an annual basis than will a rain forest. However, a cloud forest generally has more humidity and (because of its higher altitudes) more cloudiness than a rain forest. The 25,000-acre Monteverde cloud forest area is located on a low mountain in central Costa Rica near the small town of Santa Elena ( see map ) and can be reached by car or bus from the capital city of San Jose in about 4 hours. In the Monteverde Reserve, you can experience the unique cloud forest climate and hike (with a guide) the many nature trails and observe the outstanding bio diversity of the forest. In this regard, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has eight different ecological life zones and approximately 400 species of birds, 110 species of amphibians and reptiles, 100 species of mammals, 2,500 species of plants as well as thousands of species of insect . Exotic wildlife seldom seen elsewhere can be found here, including the Jaguar and Ocelot. There are also many varieties of very tall trees as well as beautiful streams, rapids and waterfalls in the forest area. The Monteverde area is considerably cooler and wetter than most areas of Costa Rica . The area has an average temperature of 65F. to 70 F. with an average annual rainfall of 120 inches a year. Visitors to this area should therefore pack rain gear (boots and a poncho) as well as a jacket and long pants. In addition to hiking the various nature trails, there are a number of other worthwhile attractions in the Monteverde area. |
The following briefly describes some of these:
Butterfly Project: Visitors to this attraction can view some 50 live species of butterfly and learn about butterfly ecology, from caterpillar to pupa to butterfly.
Casem: At this local craft cooperative you can buy a wide range of handmade arts and craft items made by local artisans. The products include ceramics, embroidered fabrics and carvings.
Hummingbird Gallery: At this attraction, visitors can observe several species of very pretty and colorful hummingbirds that are native to the area.
Orchid Garden: This garden has more than 400 species of orchids, including the national flower of Costa Rica and the smallest known orchid species in the world, Platystele jungermannioids.
SkyTrek: The more adventuresome may wish to try this canopy ride that takes you from tree top platform to tree top platform in the cloud forest by means a series of cable lines.
Serpentarium: Here one may observe many species of snakes, frogs, lizards and other reptiles native to the Monteverde cloud forest area.
Horseback Riding: A number of guided horseback tours of the Monteverde area are available - from short rides to full-day excursions. |
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