Costa Rica Day 3: Monteverde Cloud Forest

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Today we woke up at 6:00 am for an 8:00 am departure to Monteverde cloud forest. After packing our bug-spray and rain gear we laced up our hiking shoes, I grabbed my backpack, and we headed off to breakfast. At 8:00 we were picked up by Juan and Alberto from Odyssey tours, once in the van we were on our way for the two hour drive up Monteverde. Juan told a few jokes while giving us some of the history about the cloud forest and telling us some of the differences between a cloud forest and the rainforest. The temperature dropped as we climbed the 4,600 feet to Monteverde, both guides were on the lookout for toucans, monkeys, and other local wildlife. It was only Sophie and I on the tour so we were able to make a couple of stops to take pictures of the valley. Monteverde lies on Costa Rica’s continental divide and the view was a great one.


Once we made it to the park Juan gave us a quick briefing, letting us know what birds we might see where, he carried a high power telescope with him, and we started off along the path. The path is very well maintained with a cement grated footpath leading through the cloud forest. Due to the elevation and amount of rain that Costa Rica gets there is a steady supply of clouds providing moisture to the area, hence the name cloud forest. The moisture condenses on the trees and branches and drips down to the ground below. The ecosystem here is crazy, each plant seemed to have its own competitive advantage, evolving over thousands of years. Leaves with holes to allow light to pass through to plants below, flowers with colors to attract bats or humming birds to pollinate them, vines to support the trees, moss everywhere to contain the moisture. The entire forest was in a state of decomposition, ready to fall and provide fuel for other plants to grow and fill the hole left.


We made our way across several suspension bridges on the, I would estimate, two mile hike through the forest. Juan and Alberto scanned constantly for birds, listening for the telling calls and searching treetops. We were treated to several different varieties including: Bellbirds, Swallowtailed Hawks, Quetzals, Toucans, humming birds, and tons of other less distinguishable species. The skywalk was incredible and well worth the trek. On the way home Sophie spotted a group of Howler Monkeys in a nearby tree so we hopped out and took some photos before weaving our way back down the bumpy mountain road.


That night we met some new friends while taking in the sunset on the resort’s private pier, Mitch and Lynette from Louisiana. They had just arrived that day and were staying a week. Mitch was super friendly and quite a storyteller, we sat with them discussing their plans for the week before making our way back to the room to get ready for dinner. We had reservations at a Latin American restaurant that we were both excited about.


The restaurant was dimly lit with a five course menu. We both ordered wine with our meals, the food was exceptional, fantastic company, and great service; I couldn’t have hoped for a better experience. We saw Mitch and Lynette at the lounge before wandering back to our room. We let them know that we hoped to see them at breakfast, because we’d be staying the night in La Fortuna the next day.

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Photos

Bell Bird
Notice the three feathers drooping from its face.