Costa Rica Road Trip (Part 2) Monteverde highlights
Rainforests, cloud forests and humming birds
Our Sloths & Mojitos road trip continues from Manuel Antonio to the Quaker settlement of Monteverde, with approximately a 5 to 6 hour relaxing drive through wonderful Costa Rican scenery.
The Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
Like a lot of Costa Rica, Monteverde has extremely lush vegetation. It is well known for many things, including its ecotourism, the bio-diverse Cloud Forest Reserve, an abundance of wildlife and plenty of outdoor pursuits.
We stayed at Hotel El Establo set within some wonderful surroundings with stunning views over Monteverde.
As we arrived a bit late to venture out too far, we had a walk around the town, it is a relatively small town, but has everything you will need.
Quick Links
The Cloud Forest Reserve
The next morning we jumped back into the Mitsubishi and headed up to the Cloud Forest Reserve.
The dense green of the Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
The Cloud Forest is an absolutely fantastic place; the wildlife is abundant and amazingly eye catching.
From the tiniest of insects to the remarkable toucans.
We witnessed an army of ants marching along the side of the footpath, holding leaves that were 3 or 4 times their own size, it was just like something you would see in a David Attenborough documentary.
Walking along the hanging bridges which meandered amidst the forest canopy was incredible, it enabled you to get even closer to the wildlife.
It was very easy to spend hours wandering through the forest.
Bridges connect different parts of the park
Delicate flora in the Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
Further Reading
If your heading off on your own Costa Rican adventure, than grab a copy of this DK Eyewitness book.
I love planning trips and these guides are so helpful.
I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
Delicate Hummingbirds
By the visitors centre is a bird feeding station like no other because here a vast array of hummingbirds flock to feed.
A Coppery Headed Emerald hummingbird, Cloud Forest Reserve, Monetverde
To watch these amazingly agile little creatures feed is a wonder of nature, because they do not appear to obey the laws of physics.
A hummingbird in flight, Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
Once you get over the shock of how many of these beautiful creatures there are, you start to notice the huge variety of the different species too.
A Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird
A Green Violet Ear hummingbird, Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
Don't just take our word for it!
If you're tempted by the enchanting rainforests full of incredible wildlife or the golden sandy beaches, take a look at the 'Visit Costa Rica' official website. The local Ticos know what they are talking about.
The Don Juan Coffee Tours
The following day we embarked on a coffee plantation tour. The tour was quite intimate as the group was very small, a total of 6 of us.
We visited the family run coffee farm, which was booked with Don Juan Coffee Tours.
Over the Don Juan coffee plantation, Monteverde
Each part of the coffee production process was demonstrated to us and it gave a wonderful insight into the complexity of the task to produce fine coffee.
Close-up coffee beans on the bush
It was really enjoyable and surprising how much time and effort it takes to turn the fruit from the coffee trees into the roasted beans we grind for our daily coffee.
The coffee beans ready to be roasted
Costa Rica only produces beans from the Arabica variety.
This type of coffee accounts for 75–80% of the world’s coffee production and is generally considered superior to the Robusta variety.
For me, the smell of freshly made coffee is one of the finest aromas in the world.
Tempted To?
Embark on your own Costa Rican road trip you'll be amazed how easy it is to tour around by car with. Like us you can create your own road trip and visit Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Arenal and Tortuguero.
Take a peek at the offers at Rental Cars, they cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
My morning brew
For some reason wherever we are, Gary always ensures I have my morning coffee because some might say my mood improves all the better for it…..
The next morning it was off to Arenal for the continuing adventure and we still had Tortuguero to go.
Arenal volcano shrouded in cloud
Have You?
Visited Costa Rica? or are you planning too? It’s a wonderfully diverse country with so much to offer – go on, you know you deserve it.
Inspired to visit Costa Rica?
Does the yyy tempt you? would you like to see the zzzz?
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