Costa Rica with Kids Itineraries:

Cloud Forest

Monteverde is a cloud forest community settled by Quakers that boasts a large forest preserve with some of the most diverse plant and animal life anywhere in the world. Most of the lodges are in the adjacent town of Santa Elena which also has its own cloud forest preserve that is run by the local high school. Cloud forest locations are at a high elevation so they are literally “in the clouds” which makes for a cool and misty environment. It can rain/mist anytime but it is generally drier in the dry season of December to March. Plant life in the forest is very dense and it’s fairly dark under the canopy, which can make it harder to spot wildlife. However, the forest itself is beautiful here and birdwatching can be excellent especially in the transition zones between pasture/secondary forest.

The road up the mountain is unpaved and full of blind switchbacks, not for the faint of heart. Activities here include cloud forest walks, frog zoo which includes a small zipline that is great for young kids , crazy high octane zipline (including a 1km long line), cultural tour with sugar cane, coffee, cacao, etc.