Twelve things to do around Monteverde
This is a selection of 12 experiences in and around Monteverde in Costa Rica, not a ranking. They fall into three groups: walks in the forest, canopy parks, and evening and farm tours. Some overlap, since a reserve trail and a guided walk in the same reserve are two ways to see the same forest.
Prices are those published by the operators in October 2026 and are for one adult unless stated. A ticket usually covers only the activity you choose, so a bridge walk, a zipline and an exhibition are separate purchases. Check the current price and times before you go.
Walks in the forest
Four trail experiences, from a reserve with timed slots to one with no reservation.
1. Walk the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Three loop trails of 0.9, 1.7 and 2.5 miles (1.4, 2.8 and 4.1 km) take one to two and a half hours each. Hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Book ahead and arrive at the visitor center 15 minutes before your slot.
Reserve guide →2. Hike in the Santa Elena Reserve
The trail network totals about 7.5 miles (12 km) and includes a lookout tower and an orchid garden. A self-guided visit costs 10,000 CRC for an adult in 2026 and needs no reservation. The reserve is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Santa Elena guide →3. Self-guided walk at Curi-Cancha
This private reserve charges $25 for adults and $15 for ages 5 to 20, and it is open from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. It offers no transfer. Stay on the paths, do not feed animals, and leave pets at home.
4. Bajo del Tigre trails
The trails total 2.8 miles (4.5 km), with two lookouts, a view toward the Gulf of Nicoya and a children's learning house. It opens daily from 7:00 am and needs no reservation for self-guided walks. The habitat is drier than the cloud forest and has some different species.
Our picks: things to do
Bridges and ziplines in one park day, a forest walk at Curi-Cancha and a coffee tour.
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.
Park day with 13 ziplines and 8 hanging bridges
13 ziplines, a Tarzan swing and eight hanging bridges, with a specialist guide at the canopy. There is no guide on the bridges.
Check availability →
Coffee, sugar cane and chocolate tour
A plantation tour with sugar cane tasting, coffee processing and tasting, and a chocolate introduction with tasting.
Check availability →
Guided forest walk at Curi-Cancha
A certified local guide and a telescope for 2.5 hours. The Curi-Cancha entry fee of $25 is extra, and there are no bridges on this route.
Check availability →Things to do in Monteverde: tours and tickets
Guided walks, night tours, hanging bridges, ziplines and coffee farm visits around Monteverde, with live prices and availability.
Canopy parks and exhibitions
Four ways to get above or among the trees at private parks.
5. Cross the Selvatura hanging bridges
Eight bridges on about 1.9 miles (3 km) of path, open daily from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, take 1 to 1.5 hours. The adult list price is $49 plus 13% tax and fees. Do not jump, sway the bridges or climb on structures.
Selvatura guide →6. Visit the butterfly exhibition
The Selvatura butterfly exhibition costs $25 for adults, plus 13% tax and fees. It is an exhibition, so it does not stand in for sightings on the forest paths. The operator states that it has no hummingbird garden.
7. Ride the Tree Tram at Treetopia
Treetopia is the former Sky Adventures Monteverde. The Tree Tram has a list price of $59 per person. Its Sky Walk has six hanging bridges on a path of about 1.7 miles and lists at $49.
Bridges compared →8. Go ziplining
100% Aventura lists adults aged 13 and over at $72 and children aged 6 to 12 at $60, with tours at 8:00 am, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Transport is not included. Minimum ages and weight limits differ by park, so check them first.
Zipline guide →Evening walks and farm tours
Two after-dark and two daytime farm experiences.
9. Join a kinkajou night walk
The walk takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and starts at 6:00 pm or 8:20 pm. Adults pay $35. It runs on a private farm in a biological corridor, not inside the Monteverde reserve. No operator can guarantee a particular animal.
Night tours →10. Take the Curi-Cancha nature tour
The guided walk lasts 3 hours, leaves between 8:00 and 11:00 am or 1:00 and 4:00 pm, and takes up to 9 people. Adults pay $55 and ages 5 to 20 pay $45, with entry included. Reservation is required.
11. Take a coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour
Don Juan offers a combined tour of about 1 hour 40 minutes in English or Spanish. Parking is available, and transport costs extra.
12. Visit a farm on a guided walk
The El Trapiche tour lasts 1 hour 45 minutes on a 0.7-mile (1.1 km) path of moderate difficulty. Groups of up to 14 leave at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm daily, and the tour combines coffee, chocolate and sugar cane.
Combining activities in Monteverde
A short stay covers a lot if you separate the fixed bookings from the flexible ones. Book the Monteverde reserve slot first, since it is the one that can sell out. Put a canopy park or a zipline on another day, and keep an evening for a night walk.
Leave gaps between tours, because transport between sites is not always included. Bring a rain jacket, because mist and showers can arrive on any day. Check the weather page for the seasons, the tours comparison for what each ticket includes, and where to stay for a base. Seeing wildlife is never guaranteed, whichever experience you choose.
Monteverde attractions at a glance
The main attractions in Monteverde fall into three kinds: protected forest with trails, such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Santa Elena Reserve, Curi-Cancha and Bajo del Tigre; private canopy parks such as Selvatura, Treetopia and 100% Aventura; and evening and farm tours. Each one is run separately, with its own hours and tickets.
Monteverde excursions by length
Most excursions in Monteverde fit into a morning, an afternoon or an evening. The Selvatura bridge walk takes 1 to 1.5 hours, the El Trapiche farm tour 1 hour 45 minutes, the kinkajou night walk about 1 hour 30 minutes and the Curi-Cancha nature tour 3 hours. Ziplines run roughly 2 to 3 hours, and transport is not always included, so add travel time.
Things to do in Monteverde: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Monteverde?
Two full days fit one reserve walk, one canopy park or zipline, and one evening tour. Three days leave room for a farm tour or a second reserve. The opening hours and tour times above help you fit them together.
Is there a ticket that covers everything?
No. Selvatura states that each ticket is valid only for the activity you choose, and the two reserves sell their own tickets. Plan each experience separately.
Which experiences need a reservation?
Advance booking is recommended for the Monteverde reserve, and Curi-Cancha guided tours require one. Guided walks at the Santa Elena Reserve need at least one day of notice. Self-guided visits at Santa Elena and Bajo del Tigre do not need a reservation.
What can I do on a rainy day?
The forest is walkable in mist and rain with a jacket and good shoes, and umbrellas are not allowed in the Monteverde reserve. Some zipline operators cancel for heavy rain, nearby thunderstorms or strong wind, so ask what happens to your booking.
Which experiences suit children?
Minimum ages differ. Selvatura sells bridge tickets for ages 4 to 11, Curi-Cancha lists a rate for ages 5 to 20, and ziplines start at ages 4 to 6 depending on the park. Check the limits for each activity before you book.