Monteverde is one of those places that’s even more magical than you could possibly imagine. An absolute must for any Costa Rica itinerary, this phenomenal province will win you over with its misty forests, hanging bridges, and incredible wildlife. Whether you prefer to take things slowly and enjoy nature at a leisurely pace or push yourself to the max and take on tough challenges, you’ll never be stuck for what to do in Monteverde!

The province is probably best known for its spectacular cloud forests, home to breathtaking views, sky-high walkways, and enchanting animals you can’t see anywhere else in the world. But that’s not all Monteverde has to offer. This incredibly popular ecotourism destination is also home to the longest zipline in Latin America, amazing horseback riding routes, fascinating night tours, and countless coffee farms that produce some of the finest brews you’ll ever have in your life. 

With so many exciting things to see and do, you may not know where to begin. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best things to do in Monteverde. Add these fun attractions and activities to your Monteverde bucket list, and you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time exploring one of the most captivating places in the world. 

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15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

1. Walk in the Clouds at the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest is, without a doubt, one of the must-do things in Monteverde. Even if you’re only passing through, this attraction is definitely one you’ve got to check out.

Here you can wander among all kinds of beautiful trees that are thousands of years old and seem to tower into the clouds. The peacefulness of the place makes a morning here really calm and relaxing. If you’re quiet, the only thing you’ll hear is the melodic singing of the forest’s birds. 

If you like being independent, you can explore this incredible place on your own. Or, if you prefer someone to do all the organizing for you, you can sign up for a guided tour. Although the park is absolutely teeming with wildlife, the animals are very well hidden and can be impossible to spot if you’re on your own.

Because of this, if you’re looking forward to seeing the creatures in the park, we definitely suggest signing up for a tour. Your guide will know exactly where all the animals are and will be able to point them out easily.

2. Speed Through the Mountains on an ATV

For high-speed thrills, one of the coolest things to do in Monteverde is to go on an ATV tour. There’s nothing like zipping through dense jungles, speeding through the middle of muddy puddles, and zooming over bumpy hills as fast as you can to make you feel alive! As long as you’re prepared to get dirty, you’re sure to have a fantastic time.

Even if you’re not really into adrenaline-pumping activities, it’s still worth considering an ATV tour. Riding on a small vehicle like this is the only way to get to some of the province’s most remote and exclusive parts, where you’ll find the best lookouts. On your adventure, you’ll have the chance to see phenomenal mountains, spectacular volcanoes, incredible jungles, and the glistening ocean. 

If you’re traveling with a partner, you can have an ATV to yourself or ride on one together and take turns driving. One of the best things about these tours is that a professional photographer usually accompanies the group, so you don’t have to worry about taking selfies throughout the day.

3. Spot Creepy Crawlies on a Night Tour

Whenever you’ve got a free evening, make sure you sign up for a night tour. A truly unique thing to do in Monteverde, a night tour gives you the chance to witness all the fascinating creatures that only come out after dark. You’ll see night tours advertised all over the place when you’re in Monteverde. It doesn’t really matter which one you pick – you’ll see the same intriguing creatures wherever you are.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most popular places for a night tour. This important part of the province is home to around 4% of the world’s biodiversity, including 1,200 species of amphibians, 400 species of birds, and 100 species of mammals. Over 60% of these creatures only come out at night to scavenge for food and hunt their prey.

On a tour, you’ll follow your guide as they use their flashlight to point out all sorts of interesting animals you’d never be able to spot on your own. You’ll have the chance to spot everything from sloths, monkeys, coatis, agoutis, and snakes to frogs, toucans, tarantulas, walking sticks, and leaf insects.

4. Explore Nature on Horseback

Monteverde is one of the most stunning places in Costa Rica, and one of the best ways to appreciate its beauty is on horseback. Horse Trek Monteverde is one of the most highly-recommended tour companies that offers excursions for all levels. Here you can choose from trips that last anywhere from 2.5 hours all the way up to 8 days.

We suggest the mountain and farm view tour. One of the most fun things to do in Monteverde, this excursion takes you through peaceful countryside within a 60-hectare farm that’s completely free from traffic. During your trip, you’ll have the chance to spot the gorgeous Monteverde Cloud Forest in the distance, as well as the Gulf of Nicoya. If you’re lucky, you may also see monkeys and tropical birds like toucans. 

You can choose between an early morning ride or an afternoon ride. The morning option is great if you want to avoid the heat, while the afternoon ride provides you with the opportunity to witness a dazzling sunset. It’s a tough call!

5. Start Your Day with Gallo Pinto

Before you head off to explore the best sights in Monteverde, enjoy a delicious breakfast of gallo pinto. This simple dish is made of a combination of rice and beans, which are cooked together with red bell peppers, onions, and cilantro. 

For an extra kick, Salsa Lizano is usually stirred into the mixture. This hot sauce is hugely popular throughout Costa Rica, and you’ll find it on almost every restaurant table you sit at. This classic breakfast dish means “spotted rooster” in English because that’s what the combination of white rice and small red kidney beans looks like. 

Gallo pinto is so prominent that you’ll find it available anywhere that serves breakfast – from simple hostels and street food carts to traditional restaurants and international eateries. Stella’s Monteverde is a great place to go for breakfast. This casual cafe serves a traditional Costa Rica breakfast with gallo pinto, fried or scrambled eggs, fresh local cheese, roasted bananas, and roasted tomatoes.

6. Fly Like a Bird on a Zipline

Selvatura Park is where you’ll find some of the top things to do in Monteverde. This incredible tourist attraction is loaded with fun things to see and do, including an exhilarating ziplining tour. The ziplines here are so high that you really will feel like you’re flying with the birds above the treetops. And sometimes, you actually will be!

The state-of-the-art zipline course provides you with a one-of-a-kind vantage point to enjoy the scenery and spot wildlife that you can’t see from the ground. There are 13 individual ziplines in total, including a super-long zipline that measures a whopping 0.62 miles. The ziplines connect to 15 separate platforms and together cover a total area of 2.2 miles. 

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can also have a go at the Tarzan swing and even fly Superman-style on the final zipline. This unique experience is something you’ve absolutely got to try. It’s not every day you get to feel like a superhero!

7. Party at the Monteverde Music Festival

The Monteverde Music Festival is one of the top Monteverde attractions. The only tricky thing is getting the timing right. This lively festival can take place anywhere between December and March, and it isn’t held reliably every year. So if you really want to see it, it’s best to wait until the official dates have been released before you book anything.

This fun festival was launched in 1992 as a small event held at a private villa in Monteverde. Over the years, it grew until it became the huge festival it is today! 

The lineup features a fantastic mix of international artists who play across a total of 15 concerts. Each concert begins just as the sun begins to set and goes on well into the night. All kinds of music is played, from Latin American and Afro-Caribbean to classical and jazz, so whatever you’re into, you’re sure to have a great time. 

8. Conquer the Highest Bungee Jump in Costa Rica

The bungee jump at the Monteverde Extremo Park has got to be one of the top Monteverde activities for adrenaline seekers. Not your traditional bungee jump, this bungee jump involves jumping from a moving tram that’s suspended mid-air between a series of cables. It’s the closest you’ll get to skydiving without a plane!

The valley that you plunge into is around 450 feet deep, but you’ll only drop around 265 feet. Try not to get overwhelmed by the incredible sensation of freefalling because the scenery around you is beyond spectacular. From this unique vantage point, you can see for miles over Monteverde’s lush, rolling hills. You never know when you’ll get the chance to conquer Costa Rica’s highest bungee jump again, so ignore your trepidations and go for it! 

A professional photographer will be with you on the day to capture incredible photos you’ll want to share with everyone you ever meet. 

9. Traverse Sky-High Hanging Bridges

Finding out what it’s like to walk in the treetops is one of the best things to do in Monteverde. The sensation of walking on a suspended bridge, with the forest canopy below your feet as you seek out elusive sloths and listen to beautiful birdsong is something that will stick with you for the rest of your life. 

Monteverde is covered in dense forests, and because of that, there are several places you can experience walking on hanging bridges. Selvatura Park is home to some of the most spectacular ones. The peaceful trail covers 1.9 miles and includes eight interconnecting bridges ranging between 170 feet and 560 feet in length.

Sloths are known to live in the trees in this area, but they’re unbelievably difficult to spot. If you don’t see any, there’s a sloth sanctuary on-site where you’re guaranteed to see the 20 sleepy sloths who live there. 

Sky Adventures Monteverde Park is another popular place for hanging bridges. Here you can sign up for a guided tour and have an expert guide point out all kinds of interesting animal and plant life. Alternatively, explore the park solo and see what you can find on your own.

10. Fill up on Casado

When you’re feeling exhausted, take a break from Monteverde sightseeing and order a plate of casado. The traditional lunch and dinner dish throughout Costa Rica, casado is a hearty plate filled with rice, beans, salad, fried banana, and a protein of your choice. This is usually beef, beef stew, pork, chicken, or fish. A plant-based version is sometimes offered, with the protein being replaced by a mixture of sautéed vegetables. 

Casado is incredibly popular, and you’ll find it available from pretty much every restaurant in Monteverde. People love it because not only is it remarkably filling, but it’s also surprisingly affordable, whatever your budget. 

The rice, beans, and salad aren’t usually seasoned or dressed. If you want to add a little extra flavor, douse the dish in hot sauce. You’ll often find it on your table if you’re sitting down or at the bar if you’re taking your casado to go.

The word casado means “married” in English. The dish got its name because the ingredients that make up the plate are said to go really well together, like a couple in marriage. Sabor Tico does an amazing casado with loads of extras, including fresh cheese, fried onions, and homemade sauces. 

11. Discover What Goes Into Your Favorite Latte

Taking a tour around a coffee farm is one of the most interesting things to do in Monteverde. There are coffee farms all over the province, many of which offer tours to visitors. We think the tour at Cafe Monteverde is one of the best. 

This 2.5-hour farm and roastery tour explains every stage of coffee farming, from the moment a bean sprouts to the first sip of your favorite latte. You’ll get to wander around the farm and learn all about seed germination, farming, harvesting, processing, and roasting from a coffee expert who’s worked there for years. 

At the end of the tour, you’ll get the chance to sample five different kinds of coffee, all of which are freshly brewed. If you’ve never found a kind of coffee you’ve enjoyed before, this tour could completely change things for you! 

Don’t have the time for a full tour? No worries. Cafe Monteverde has its own separate cafe where you can relax while enjoying a spectacular cup of coffee. The surrounding views of the coffee farm are absolutely stunning and make for an amazing selfie backdrop while you sip.

12. Witness Delicate Hummingbirds Up Close

Monteverde is absolutely brimming with gorgeous wildlife. Unfortunately, many species are incredibly good at hiding, and it can be a challenge to seek them out yourself. One creature you’ll have no trouble spotting is the brightly colored and spritely hummingbird.

One of the top things to see in Monteverde, hummingbirds are loved throughout the province, and many cafes hang feeders to attract the whimsical birds. But for an experience unlike any other, we recommend heading to the Monteverde Hummingbird Garden at Cafe Colibri.

This cute coffee shop has loads of hummingbird feeders that attract huge numbers of the tiny birds. No matter when you visit, you’re practically guaranteed to see at least a handful of them. You can easily spend hours watching them fly between the feeders and hover as they eat. Hummingbirds aren’t the only creatures that are attracted to the cafe. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a coati or agouti. 

The menu is packed with delicious food and drinks. If you’re not sure what to order, we recommend one of the fresh fruit smoothies and a slice of banana bread. 

13. Hike to the Spectacular El Tigre Waterfalls

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Monteverde. If you’ve only got time for one hike during your visit, we suggest you trek to the El Tigre Waterfalls. The route to four thundering waterfalls (known collectively as El Tigre) is around 2 miles long and is of intermediate difficulty. What makes the route a little more challenging than others is the terrain.

There are a lot of rocky steps, considerate drops, sharp edges, and large roots you’ve got to climb over along the way. But as long as you’re prepared and you watch where you’re going, this hiking route is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon. You’re in the middle of the jungle for most of the route, so it’s pretty shaded, even in the middle of the day.

As well as the phenomenal waterfalls, you’ll also come across a number of hanging bridges. These pass over the river and provide you with the perfect position to snap fantastic photos. 

14. See Fascinating Creatures at the Frog Pond 

Costa Rica is home to loads of fascinating wildlife and you can find plenty of examples of them in Monteverde. One of the creatures the country is best known for is the red-eyed tree frog. You can spot this cute amphibian (as well as many others) at the Frog Pond in Monteverde. Also known as the Ranario, the Frog Pond boasts more than 25 species of resident frogs, toads, and other amphibians. 

While the pond can be a fun place to spend a day, it’s more interesting to come after sunset. This is when most of the frogs come out, and you’ll have the chance to see them while they’re active. 

The frogs are kept in large terrariums, which simulate their natural habitats in the wild. In exchange for a very reasonable fee, you can join a guided tour and learn all about the amphibians in the park. You’ll be surprised how loud tiny creatures smaller than your palm can be! 

15. Dig into a Costa Rican Tamale

You’ve had a Mexican tamale before, but you’ve probably never tried a Costa Rican tamale. While they’re similar in a few ways, they taste completely different and are definitely worth trying when you’re in Costa Rica.

In Monteverde, a tamale is stuffed with cooked and shredded pork shoulder, carrots, red bell peppers, and rice. Salt, pepper, and garlic are the only things usually added for flavor. When the filling is prepared, the whole thing is wrapped in a traditional tamale dough before it’s placed in a banana leaf to steam. Costa Rican tamales can be a little plainer than Mexican tamales, but you can liven them up with a dash of hot sauce. 

The Costa Rican tamale is often served for breakfast, but you can usually find it available for lunch, too. Soda La Salvadita makes some of the best tamales in Monteverde. This small local restaurant specializes in traditional Costa Rican food, including some of the biggest and tastiest tamales you’ll ever try during your trip! 

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Monteverde. What’s your favorite thing to do in Monteverde? 

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