Guided Tour Santa Elena Reserve Photo
Harold Photo

Let Harold know what you think!

Days available
Every day
Schedule
7:30AM, 1PM
Languages offered
English & Spanish
Duration
3 hrs
Transportation
Included
Mobile ticket
Included
Guided Tour Santa Elena Reserve PhotoGuided Tour Santa Elena Reserve Photo

Take a guided tour of the misty Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, a lesser known cloud forest in the Monteverde area. You will walk along different trails in search of birds and mammals, discussing the amazing diversity of plants and learning all about this bio-diverse paradise.

About the Santa Elena Reserve

The community of Santa Elena borders the Monteverde Conservation area in the Tilaran Mountain Range. Within this region of pristine cloud forest, 310 hectares (765 acres) have been permanently leased by the administration of the Santa Elena community High School.

The original vision was to use this land for agricultural research and education in Monteverde. For a variety of reasons, however, the farming proved to be unsuccessful. In 1989, it was decided to convert the land into a cloud forest reserve. Together with Youth Challenge International, a Canadian based non-profit organization, the community established an eco-tourism reserve, which officially opened on March 1, 1992. The reserve was created out of a community's determination to help preserve the unique cloud forest surrounding them and to use tourism as a tool to benefit community development in Monteverde.

Entrance fees are used for the protection and management of the reserve as well as to provide higher quality education for the schools in Monteverde. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the first community administered reserves in the country (not a national park, but is under the protection of the Arenal Conservation Area). It is an excellent example of what people can do to preserve and learn from their local environment.

The tour is essentially a natural history walk in which you will learn about the incredible diverse flora and fauna and many of the unique relationships many cloud forest species have with each other. This walk normally takes about 3 hours. The tour starts at the entrance of the park.

Guides are equipped with a spotting telescope as well as binoculars and informational guidebooks. Be sure to bring your camera because you can take pictures through the scope.

What to Bring

Comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, insect repellent, camera, water, raincoat

What's included

Naturalist guide, entrance fees, transportation (if requested when booking).

Guided Tour Santa Elena ReserveGuided Tour Santa Elena ReserveGuided Tour Santa Elena Reserve

Similar things to do

Monteverde Bird Watching Tour

From start to finish, the goal of this tour is to identify as many birds as possible. Monteverde is home to some 400 species of birds, which are scattered among the forests and mountains of the region.
Monteverde Bird Watching Tour

Guided Tour Curi-Cancha Reserve

Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful Curi-Cancha Reserve. Led by a naturalist guide, you’ll explore the reserve’s trails and search for birds, mammals, insects and more.
Guided Tour Curi-Cancha Reserve

Guided Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Explore the enchanted [Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve](/costa-rica/attractions/monteverde-cloud-forest-reserve) with a set of expert eyes on a guided hike. You will explore several trails in search of birds and mammals and discuss the amazing diversity of plants.
Guided Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Twilight Walk, Children's Eternal Rainforest

The Monteverde Conservation League (MCL) offers a daily night hike on its trail system at Bajo del Tigre, located in Monteverde.
Twilight Walk, Children's Eternal Rainforest

Sky Tram and Sky Walk Monteverde

Get above Monteverde’s cloud forest to see the busiest part of this environment – the canopy. 90 percent of the plants and animals in the Monteverde cloud forest live in the canopy. When you’re at this elevation, you can come face-to-face with the monkeys and birds. This tour has two distinct sections – your tour will include a walk over trails and suspension bridges, as well as a ride in a cable car.
Sky Tram and Sky Walk Monteverde

Suspension Bridges and Butterfly Garden

The Tree Top walkway is the ideal cloud forest experience for those who wish to explore the beauty of the canopy at their own pace. The Butterfly garden of Selvatura is one of the largest in the Americas, a real treat for nature lovers.
Suspension Bridges and Butterfly Garden
More things to do
Make the adventure yours

My dream trip in

Costa Rica

That I’ll spend with Group type

Is filled with Trip type

Start my Adventureor
5 Starts
Loading...
View all reviews
Let’s dream together

Sign up to receive the latest news and offers from Anywhere

We care about the protection of your data.
Read our Privacy Policy.
© 2024 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.