Santa Elena or Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – Which One to Visit in Costa Rica?
If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, a visit to the spectacular cloud forests of Monteverde should be added to your itinerary. However, there are actually three cloud forest reserves you can visit in the area: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve; Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and Children’s Eternal Rain Forest. Without doubt the two most popular ones are Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forests. So, which one is better to visit?
For reference, we spent an entire week in Monteverde / Santa Elena and enjoyed every minute of our stay. Since we spent a little longer in the area than most people, we decided to visit both cloud forests to give you a comparison between the two. Therefore, this blog post is perfect for anyone who is short on time, has a tighter budget or is just generally interested in what to expect from a visit to these two stunning cloud forest reserves.
If you’d like to see our Monteverde / Santa Elena adventures then make sure to watch our YouTube video by clicking here. You can also check out our Costa Rica Playlist for more adventures.
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What is a Cloud Forest?
First things first, let me explain what a cloud forest actually is. You may already know, but when we mentioned our visit to the cloud forests to others, not many of them knew exactly what it was.
Cloud forests are wet tropical mountain forests. They are located at much higher altitudes (between 1,000m and 2,500m) and for this reason they’re also much cooler. As the name suggests, these forests have constant cloud coverage usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests are actually pretty rare since the conditions that create them can only be found in a few places across the world. Apparently, there are less than 800 sites in the world. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that the cloud forests are considered one of the wonders of Costa Rica.
Note – Don’t confuse cloud forests with rainforests which are located at lower elevations. Rainforests are also much warmer even during the dry season.
Introducing Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Forest is definitely the most popular one to visit.
It was established in 1972 by the Quaker families. The reserve is run by the Tropical Science Centre today which is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to protect the ecosystem. It covers an area of 10,500 hectares and is home to over 3,200 species of plants, 120 species of mammals, 425 species of birds, 120 amphibian and reptilian species and of course thousands of insects. Apparently, about 50% of Costa Rica’s biodiversity may be found within this area.
Even National Geographic labelled Monteverde Cloud Forest as ‘the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves’.
How to Get to Monteverde Cloud Forest?
By Car or Taxi: Monteverde Cloud Forest is located about 5.5km to the southeast of Santa Elena. If you’ve hired a car, then it only takes about 15 minutes to reach the reserve’s car park. You can also take a taxi too, but be aware that it’ll cost you at least 10-15USD if not more.
By Bus: If you’d like to save some money, then you can reach Monteverde Cloud Forest by bus too. You’ll need to get the Ruta 625 Monteverde – Puntarenas bus. You can get on it in front of Banco Nacional in Santa Elena. The bus leaves around 6:30AM, 7:30AM and 1:30PM and returns around 11:30AM, 2:00PM and 4:00PM. For a more up-to-date schedule you can check Transmonteverde’s Facebook Page.
One way only costs 1USD or 700 Colones which is very affordable. The journey will last between 20 to 30 minutes and the bus will drop you off right in front of the ticket office. From there you can also take the bus back to Santa Elena.
Entry Fee to Monteverde Cloud Forest
The entry fee to Monteverde Cloud Forest is 25USD for adults and 12USD for children between the ages of 6 and 12. If you have a valid student card you can also enter the site for 12USD.
This cost doesn’t include a guide. If you’d like to hire one to maximise your chances to spot wildlife, then you’ll have to pay an additional fee. Make sure to check out their website for more information about the available tours, prices and times.
You can pay cash or card and in USD or in Colones (Costa Rica’s currency). We personally prefer to pay in local currency and for that we always use our Wise card.
Note – In Costa Rica, you’ll always see a separate entry fee for residents and foreigners.
Opening Hours – Every day between 7AM and 4PM.
Introducing Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Officially opened in 1992, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve protects about 765 acres of cloud forest. Interestingly, it’s directly controlled by the local community, therefore it’s not a national park. Instead, it’s run by the Santa Elena Community High School and a Canadian non-profit Youth Challenge International.
Originally, the land was supposed to be used for agricultural research and education. Since farming was unsuccessful, it was then converted into an ecotourism reserve to preserve the cloud forest and also to benefit the community through tourism.
Although it has very similar flora and fauna as Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Santa Elena is home to spider monkeys whereas Monteverde is not. Santa Elena is also lesser known and visited compared with Monteverde. It’s located at a slightly higher elevation than Monteverde which means it’s wetter and also cloudier. However, it has an amazing observation tower from where you get a fantastic view of Arenal Volcano on a clear day.
How to Get to Santa Elena Cloud Forest?
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is located about 7km to the northeast of Santa Elena. If you’ve hired a car, then it only takes about 20 minutes to reach the reserve’s car park.
You can also reserve a seat in a shared minivan or colectivo in advance. The service will pick you up from your hotel and will take you to the reserve. They depart daily at 6:30AM, 8:30AM, 10:30AM and 12:30PM. Return times are 9AM, 11AM, 1:00PM and 4:00PM. The service costs 3USD one way and you can pre-book it at the majority of hotels in Santa Elena.
Entry Fee to Santa Elena Cloud Forest
The entry fee to Santa Elena Cloud Forest is 16USD for adults and 7USD for children between the ages of 6 and 12. If you have a valid student card you can also enter the site for 9USD.
This cost doesn’t include a guide. If you’d like to hire one to maximise your chances to spot wildlife, then you’ll have to pay an additional fee and reserve one in advance.
You can pay cash or card and in USD or in Colones (Costa Rica’s currency). We personally prefer to pay in local currency and for that we always use our Wise card.
Note – In Costa Rica, you’ll always see a separate entry fee for residents and foreigners.
Opening Hours – Every day between 7AM and 3PM.
Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest: Which One is Best to Visit?
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Santa Elena Cloud Forest
Entry Fee / Cost
The cost to enter Monteverde is 25USD which is more expensive than Santa Elena’s admission fee.
You can book guided tours for an additional fee.
Entry fee to Santa Elena is only 16USD which is a better price for those on a tighter budget.
You can book guided tours for an additional fee.
Number of Visitors / Crowds
Monteverde is definitely the most visited cloud forest reserve. Therefore, it’ll most likely be more crowded than Santa Elena. You can still escape the crowds if you complete most of its hiking trails, but the hanging bridge section will be busier.
We found Santa Elena to be less visited and only met a few people even around its main attractions. Therefore, if you’re after a quieter experience then head to Santa Elena instead of Monteverde.
Attractions / Point of Interests
Monteverde definitely has more points of interest and viewpoints along its trails including a waterfall and a hanging bridge. At the ‘La Ventana’ (the window) viewpoint, you can see the Continental Divide which is a line that divides the continent into the Pacific and the Caribbean sides.
If you aren’t planning on visiting the hanging bridges at Selvatura Adventure Park, then visiting Monteverde would give you the opportunity to walk across one and enjoy a different point of view of the cloud forest.
There are definitely less points of interest in Santa Elena compared with Monteverde.
However, Santa Elena has an observation tower, from where you can get 360 degree views of the area and of Arenal Volcano. Personally, I think visiting this reserve is worth it just for this view.
Wildlife / Animal Spotting
If you’re opting for a guided tour, then you’ll most likely spot some animals. Even if you’re only doing the self-guided tour, you can definitely see if a tour group has stopped for something interesting and try to spot it yourself. Although it might still be difficult without a binocular or telescope.
We found Santa Elena reserve to be more dense than Monteverde. Therefore, spotting animals was even more difficult without a guide.
However, you can also book a guided tour to increase your chances to spot wildlife.
Hiking Trails
Monteverde has about 11 different trails ranging from 0.3km up to 1.3km in length. The trails are much shorter than in Santa Elena. They are also generally wider, well maintained and easily accessible.
If you’re not a big hiker or visiting with family, then Monteverde might be a better choice for you.
There are 5 trails in Santa Elena covering about 12.5km. The trails are a lot longer and narrower than in Monteverde, however they are still well maintained. If you love hiking, then the length of the trails here might be a better choice than Monteverde. Due to the narrower paths, it’ll feel more like you’re walking in the cloud forest than in Monteverde.
Facilities
There are toilets, cafés and restaurants available in Monteverde.
The reserve’s best facility is Colibri Café where you can enjoy watching hundreds of hummingbirds whilst grabbing a snack or a drink.
There are toilets and a café available in Santa Elena where you can grab something to eat or drink. You can enjoy watching the birds on the balcony.
Public Transport to/ from the Reserves
There are a few public buses per day that you can use to reach the reserve. The bus ticket costs only 1USD which is cheaper than the private shuttle to Santa Elena with a similar frequency.
There are no public buses to Santa Elena. However, you can arrange a private shuttle to and from the reserve which picks you up from your accommodation. It costs 3USD one way which is slightly more expensive than the public bus to Monteverde.
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Cloud Forests of Monteverde
All in all, we’re glad that we were able to visit both cloud forest reserves. Whilst they are similar in many aspects, they left us with different experiences. We truly enjoyed just how intimate it felt to hike in Santa Elena reserve. Not to mention the amazing views of Arenal Volcano which was definitely the highlight of our visit. Seeing only a handful of people on the trails definitely made us feel like we were the only ones in the entire cloud forest.
Although we didn’t get to see the hanging bridge in Monteverde because a fallen tree had damaged it, we still had an amazing time. Seeing the Continental Divide was fantastic and being able to spot a few more animals by ourselves was a great bonus. Sipping our fresh fruit juices at Colibri Café surrounded by hummingbirds was definitely a great highlight of our Monteverde visit.
Have you ever been to Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve before? If so, which one did you visit and how much of the cloud forest did you manage to explore? If not, which one would you rather visit? Let me know in the comments below.
Now, let your adventure begin,
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Wow! I love these Cloud Forests😍 They are a true portion of paradise! Watching hummingbirds flying close by must have been magical! As always your blog is full of really useful information for the traveller. Thanks for sharing. x
Thank you Karan, I’m glad you keep finding my blog posts very useful. Watching the humming birds at the cafe was really amazing and quickly became one of my favourite experiences in the area. x
So that’s why everyone loves Costa Rica! I hadn’t heard of the term cloud forests, but now that you have explained it and I see how beautiful they are- especially the lush vegetation, flowers and birds, I want to see them for myself.
Thank you Renee. Costa Rica is definitely a stunning place to visit and hopefully you can book a trip there soon too.
This looks like a lovely piece of paradise. Costa Rica is on my list of places to go.
Thank you, it really felt like we were in paradise during our stay. I hope you can visit soon.
I had no idea about these! But now I love the Cloud Forests! Definitely putting it in my bucket list.
This area of Costa Rica was definitely my favourite. I hope you can experience them soon.
Being in a cloud forest looks so relaxing, definitely putting it in my bucket list!
Thanks Emily, I hope you can book a trip there soon.
Thank you for this! It’s super helpful and the best comparison guide I’ve found! I still haven’t decided though haha I’m heading to the area next week. Leaning towards Santa Elena… Thanks again!
Thank you Hilary, I’m glad to hear that you found this post helpful. Hope you have a great time in the area.
Hello. Your post was very informative. I’m wondering approximately how long one would stay in either cloud forest? I’m sure a whole day would be nice for may, but is it reasonable to see both on the same day?
Hi Linda, thank you for your comment.
There are a few things to bear in mind if you want to visit both sites in one day. Firstly, they are only open until 3PM and 4PM, so you’ll definitely need an early start. If you have a hire car, then you can visit both cloud forests in one day much easier. However, if you’re relying on public transport then you really need to plan it well. You can get the earliest transport (around 6:30AM) to Santa Elena and return with the 11AM minivan and catch the last bus leaving to Monteverde around 1:30PM. You’ll still have around 2 hours to spend there before it closes.
They are both equally beautiful, so you might as well just pick one or the other and spend longer there. This will also save you some money and possibly some stress especially if you don’t have a hire car. Time flies when you’re trying to spot wildlife and enjoying the scenery, so you really don’t want to be constantly looking at your watch.
Hope this helps you to decide how to visit one or both of the cloud forests.
Hello, I’m a wildlife enthusiast so which would I most likely spot animals esp monkeys! I want to hire a guide – should I do this well ahead of time? I am going at the beginning of August
Hi Beccy, thank you for your comment. We suggest visiting Monteverde if you’d like to see a lot of wildlife. The forest is less dense and we could spot quite a few without a guide. With a guide you’ll be able see even more, plus they have a telescope, so you can see them up close. You can either pre-book a guided tour or just buy the guided tour ticket when you arrive. They only run certain times a day though but you can have a look at the website (https://cloudforestmonteverde.com/our-tours/) for more information and prices.