This morning enjoy exploring the area around Monteverde with your guide. Set on Costa Rica's continental divide, this high elevation cloud forest has miles of trails and is a magnet for certain flora and fauna thanks to its high rainfall and constant veil of mist. Woodlands give way to rainforests and tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, strangler figs, epiphytes and mosses rise high into the sky. In other parts you will find swamp forests and deep gorges with numerous streams creating waterfalls, rapids and pools.
Monteverde Cloud Forest sustains over 2,500 different plant species including the highest number of orchids in the world, over 90 different avocado species, 120 reptiles and amphibians and thousands of butterflies and other insects. Although not often seen, more than 100 small mammals are present (including sloths, white-faced and spider monkeys). However be aware that spotting birds and wildlife in this cool high altitude region is much more difficult than elsewhere in the country.
Over 400 bird species can also be found here including two toucan species, the Three-wattled bellbird, Bare-necked umbrella bird, Golden-browed chlorophonia, Black-breasted wood quail, Bananaquit and the magnificent resplendent quetzal, which is most often seen during the breeding season from February to May. Up to 14 different hummingbird species can also be seen at the Humming Bird Gallery outside the gate, including the Magenta-throated woodstar, Coppery-headed emerald, Lesser violetear, Violet sabrewing, Purple-throated mountain-gem and Green-crowned brilliant.
In the afternoon we visit Selvatura Park, situated in over 1,200 acres (486 hectares) of virgin cloudforest. This private reserve has a Butterfly Garden, containing over 50 different species in an enclosed dome of over 29,000 sq ft (2,700 sq m). You can learn about their life cycle and special behaviors that have helped them evolve over thousands of years. The Reptile Terrarium features a variety of iguanas, frogs, lizards, geckos and snakes. You can also see the start of the 1.9-mile (3-km) Hanging Bridges trail that passes through the treetop canopy, with 8 spectacular bridges - the longest and strongest bridge system in Costa Rica. Lunch is for your own account today.
Note: The hanging bridges and not all trails are accessible, but your guide will do his best to ensure you have good views of the cloud forest. Bring binoculars, camera, jacket & rain gear. Also sun hat, sunscreen & insect repellent. Your carer should wear comfortable walking shoes.