Night tour in Monteverde, Costa Rica, at a glance
This page is about Monteverde in Costa Rica, not the towns of that name in Italy or Uruguay. A night tour is a guided walk after dark, usually in a small group.
Several operators run night walks, and they are not the same product. One is inside the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Others run on private reserves or farms in the area. The best night tour in Monteverde depends on start time, length, price and how far you need to travel.
How the night walks differ
Where you walk changes what the tour is like.
A Monteverde cloud forest night tour inside the reserve
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers a Night Walk of about 2.5 hours for a maximum of 10 people, in English. It sits outside the reserve's daytime opening hours of 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. See the cloud forest reserve guide for the arrival rules.
On a private farm
The kinkajou walk takes place on a private finca inside a biological corridor. It is not a night tour in the Monteverde reserve.
A night hike in Monteverde on a reserve's own trails
Curi-Cancha and Bajo del Tigre both run night walks on their own trail networks. Bajo del Tigre is described as drier than the cloud forest and with partly different species.
Our picks: night walks
A 1.5-hour walk with hotel transfer, or a two-hour walk with flashlights where you arrive on your own.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Night walk with hotel transfer
Hotel transfer, the entry fee and a guide for 1.5 hours.
Check availability →
Guided night walk with flashlights
A certified guide, a telescope, flashlights and parking. The forest entry of $10 per person, transport, food and water are extra.
Check availability →Night tours in Monteverde
Guided night walks and forest tours, with current prices and availability.
Night walks in Monteverde compared
Operator-listed details, October 2026, per person.
| Walk | Length | Start | Adult price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monteverde reserve Night Walk | About 2.5 hours | Check at booking | – | Maximum 10 people, English |
| Kinkajou walk | About 1.5 hours | 6:00 pm or 8:20 pm | $35 | Students $28, locals and children $23, toddlers free; English and Spanish |
| Curi-Cancha night tour | 2 hours | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | $35 | Same price for ages 5–20; entry included, no transport; maximum 9 people |
| Bajo del Tigre night walk | – | 5:30 pm daily | – | Reservation required |
| Don Juan night tour | About 1.5 hours | – | – | English and Spanish; transport optional for an extra fee |
Student and child categories differ between operators and may need proof of age or an ID, and taxes or transfer fees can add to the totals above. Confirm them when you book. The reserve's meeting point can differ between sources, so confirm whether you check in at the visitor center or elsewhere before you go.
What you might see
No night tour can promise a specific animal. The Santa Elena reserve says plainly that sightings cannot be guaranteed, and the same is true everywhere in the forest. Operators describe possible sightings, not certain ones.
Curi-Cancha lists mammals, tarantulas and sleeping birds, with frogs and insects adding to the soundscape. Don Juan lists insects, amphibians, mammals and resting birds. The kinkajou walk is built around the kinkajou, a tree-dwelling mammal, but the operator cannot promise one will appear. Treat the animals you see as a bonus and the forest at night as the main attraction.
Booking and practical tips
Reserve ahead. Curi-Cancha requires a booking, Bajo del Tigre asks for a reservation, and the reserve limits groups to 10 people. The reserve gives a full refund for cancellations at least 48 hours ahead and offers a rebooking or refund if it cancels for weather or safety reasons.
Pack a rain jacket. Umbrellas are not allowed in the Monteverde reserve. Curi-Cancha's rules also ask you not to feed or touch animals, bring laser pointers or leave the trail, and you will sign a waiver. Children under 18 go with an adult. Read the weather guide for how the seasons affect the forest, and use our tour comparison if you want to add a day activity.
Planning where to sleep? See where to stay in Monteverde for the main areas. Ask each operator how you will get to the start point: Curi-Cancha offers no transport, and Don Juan sells it as an optional extra.
Monteverde night tour: frequently asked questions
How long does a night tour in Monteverde take?
The reserve's Night Walk is about 2.5 hours. The kinkajou walk and the Don Juan night tour are about 1.5 hours, and the Curi-Cancha tour is 2 hours.
How much does a night tour cost?
The kinkajou walk lists $35 for adults, and Curi-Cancha lists $35 per person, including for ages 5–20. Prices for the reserve, Bajo del Tigre and Don Juan are on the operators' booking pages.
What time do the night walks start?
The kinkajou walk starts at 6:00 pm or 8:20 pm. Curi-Cancha runs 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Bajo del Tigre starts at 5:30 pm daily. Confirm the reserve's start time and meeting point when you book.
Will I see a kinkajou, a sloth or a snake?
You might, but no operator can guarantee it. Santa Elena states that animal sightings cannot be guaranteed, and that holds for every tour here.
Is the kinkajou walk inside the Monteverde reserve?
No. It takes place on a private finca within a biological corridor and is run by a separate operator.
Do I need to book a night tour in advance?
Yes. Curi-Cancha and Bajo del Tigre require reservations, and the reserve limits groups to 10 people, so book ahead in busy periods.