ECOLOGICAL RESERVES

Ecological Farm Wildlife Refuge

This private reserve—Firica Ecologico Apdo. 92-5655, Monteverde, tel. 645-5363—on the same road as the Butterfly Garden, is at a lower elevation than the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, and thus receives less rain and clouds,. The vegetation is also less dense and you have an excellent chance of seeing coatimundis, sloths, agoutis, porcupines, and white-faced monkeys, as well as butterflies and birds. Four signed trails lead through the 17- hectare property; one leads to a waterfall and the Bajo del Tigre. Night tours of fered. Hours: 7 A.M.—5 P.M. Entrance costs $6. Twilight walks are offered at 5 P.M. ($13 pp)

Heliconia Cloud Forest Reserve

This private 284-hectare reserve, owned by the Hotel Heliconia (see Accommodations, below), was still being prepared for the public at press time, It is near the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Re serve and has trails and two-hour guided horse rides ($24). I was quoted an $8 entrance fee.

Monteverde Nature Center and Butterfly Gardens

Founded by North American biologist Jim Wolfe and his wife, Maria Salazar, the magnificent educational Jardin de las Mariposas, Apdo. 40, Sante Elena de Monteverde, tel./fax 645-5512, email: wolfe@sol.racsa.co.cr, features a nature center and three distinct habitats: a 450-square-meter netted butterfly flyway, and two greenhouses (one rep resenting lowland forest habitat, the second set up as a mid-elevation forest understory, darker and more moist than the first). Together, they are filled with all-native plant species and hundreds of tropical butterflies representing about 40 species (the Monteverde region has some 550 species).

A guided tour begins in the visitor’s center, where scores of butterflies and other bugs are mounted for view. Others — rhinoceros beetles, stick insects, tarantulas and the wasps that prey on them — crawl around inside display cases. You can watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises. There’s a library and even a computer station with butterfly interactive software. And folks who are interested in weather should check out the weather station.

The unique highlight for many is the cut-away leaf-cutter ant nest (about 15 meters long) displaying ants farming fungus. Oversize magnifying glasses permit close-up views of the intricate workings. At last visit, Jim was installing a fiber-optic system to display the ant’s home on a TV monitor. Marvelous!

Refreshments and snacks are offered. Butterfly-shaped signs point the way from the Hotel Heliconia. Mid-morning is the best time to visit, when the butterflies become active (and most tourists are in the reserve). Hours: daily 9:30 A.M.—4 P.M. Entrance: $7, including guided tour (students $5). Fascinating!

Monteverde Snake Exhibit

This den of snakes, or Monteverde Serpentario, tel. 645-5772, tax 645-5796, entered through the Sky Trek/Sky Walk office in Santa Elena village, lets you get up close and personal with a repertoire of coiled constrictors and venomous vipers and kin, as well as their prey: frogs, chameleons, and the like. The dreaded fer-de lance is here, along with 25 or so other species (including a less venomous “false fer-de-lance”) separated from you by thick panes of glass. Guided tours cost $3. Hours: daily 7 A.M.—5 P.M.

Paradise for Bellbirds Bird Sanctuary

This private reserve, tel. 284-8590, and fax 645-507, E-mail: Heliconia has seven km of trails. Bellbirds are common, staying in the sanctuary for eight months of the year. Guided bird- watching tours are offered, including one beginning at 5 AM. (You are picked up at your hotel) and including breakfast and slide show. Natural history walks are also offered, and a three-hour night hike begins at 7 p.m. There are also a visitors center and a gift shop.

Peaceful Trail Reserve

This 200-hectare Reserva Sendero Tranquilo is operated by the Lowthers, one of the original Quaker families, whose home is beside the Quebrada Cuecha stream behind the cheese factory. Only twelve people at a time are allowed on the trail, led by guides who give detailed explanations of the habitats and wildlife ($15). Make reservations through the Hotel Sapo Dorado.

Much of the information on our site as it relates to Costa Rica is:

Courtesy of Christopher P. Baker and Avalon Travel Publishing.
© 2004 Christopher P. Baker. All Rights Reserved.

Spanish Abroad, Inc. highly recommends Christopher P. Baker's book: Moon Handbooks Costa Rica. Click on the image to visit his website where you can purchase this book or find out more about the author.