Hidden Valley Night Tour

Hidden Valley is a small nature reserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Touring the reserve at night gives travelers the opportunity to spot an array of impressive nocturnal creatures.

The Hidden Valley Reserve spreads across 27 acres (11 ha). The reserve was purchased in 1979 and is one of the area's oldest ecotourism projects.

Hidden Valley is situated at a lower elevation and is mainly comprised of pre-montane forest, which is distinct from the region's higher elevation cloud forests. The reserve is located within a transition zone between tropical wet and seasonal moist forests. Its abundance of fruit trees makes the reserve an ideal home for a variety of birds, mammals, and exotic insects.

It's estimated that upwards of 80 percent of wildlife is active at night. This tour is ideal for travelers who wish to discover the nocturnal wonders of the forest. The tours are led by bilingual, professionally trained naturalist guides. The guides will spot and explain various creatures that you come across, including snakes, spiders (especially tarantulas), tree frogs, coatimundis, agoutis, sloths, and armadillos.

Visitors are advised to wear long pants and covered footwear. It's also a good idea to bring a jacket, as the nighttime temperatures can be pretty cool. Flashlights are provided.