Discover Monteverde where Nature, Adventure and Culture Meet
Interesting facts
The Longest Suspension Bridge in Central America
Monteverde is home to the longest suspension bridge in Central America, measuring 374 meters (1,227 feet). This bridge offers stunning views of the cloud forest, allowing visitors to experience biodiversity from above.
A World Famous Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most famous in the world, known for its high biodiversity. Despite covering only 0.04% of the Earth's surface, Costa Rica is home to approximately 5% of the world's biodiversity, and Monteverde is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the country.
The Capital of the Quetzal
Monteverde is one of the best places in Costa Rica to spot the resplendent quetzal, an iconic bird that is highly prized for its beauty. Tourists from all over the world visit Monteverde specifically to try and spot this bird in its natural habitat.
Cradle of Ecotourism
Monteverde is considered one of the cradles of ecotourism in Costa Rica. The private Monteverde biological reserve was one of the first to promote sustainable tourism, which has greatly influenced the way the country manages its natural resources.
A Community of Quaker Origin
The Monteverde community was founded in the 1950s by a group of Quakers from Alabama, United States, who fled their country in search of peace and the possibility of living in an environment more aligned with their pacifist beliefs. They chose Costa Rica, a country without an army, and settled in what is now Monteverde, where they dedicated themselves mainly to dairy production and conservation of the natural environment.
The Biological Station with the Largest Record of Species
The Monteverde Biological Station has recorded more than 3,000 species of plants, 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, and thousands of insects. This level of biodiversity makes it one of the most researched sites by scientists around the world.
Small and Rare Orchids
Monteverde is home to the world's largest collection of orchids, with over 500 species, many of which are miniatures that can only be seen with a magnifying glass. The world's smallest orchid, measuring just 2.1 mm, was discovered in Monteverde in 2009.
Monteverde Reserve: 95% Primary Forest
Approximately 95% of the Monteverde Biological Reserve is composed of primary forest, meaning it has never been logged or significantly disturbed by human activity. This type of forest is crucial for the conservation of endemic species and the regulation of hydrological cycles.
Fog Capital of the World
Monteverde is known as one of the foggiest places in the world. The unique combination of humidity and altitude creates dense fog almost every day of the year, creating a magical and mysterious atmosphere in the forest.
Seven Different Life Zones
Within the small region of Monteverde, there are seven different life zones according to the Holdridge classification, meaning an incredible variety of microclimates and ecosystems in a relatively small area.