Take a walk through the treetops and into the clouds
High in Costa Rica’s Tilaran Mountains, the air is cool and crisp and the trees are laden with bromeliads and shrouded in mist. This is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, home to jaguars, ocelots and the resplendent quetzal, considered to be the most beautiful bird in the Western Hemisphere.
Nature lovers will be pleased to know that the park provides habitat to over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of reptiles and over 3,000 species of plants, including some 500 types of orchids. On all, the preserve supports four different bioclimatic communities.
A highlight of any visit to the preserve is a trek on the Sky Walk. This series of suspension bridges and walking trails allows visitors to witness the complex life of the rainforest canopy at close range. High in the treetops, vines and thick mosses grow among the branches. This is where 90 percent of the area’s biodiversity is found. To give visitors a closer look at this elevated realm, six bridges are strung between towering trees, the longest spanning 984 feet. Down below are over a mile and half of additional trails weaving throughout the verdant jungle growth.
Two-hour tours are offered at scheduled times during the day, with guides on hand to point out native plants and animals. Those wanting to explore on their own can follow maps to observation areas, waterfalls and rivers.
