Monteverde, Costa Rica is a place where everyone needs to visit for many reasons. It’s in the mountains and offers breathtaking views. Monteverde is also home to many tours that range from horseback riding to zip lines.

A highly recommend thing to do is to experience zip lining while in Monteverde. At Extremo the staff will teach you a few tricks, attach you to the cable and send you on your way. By zip lining you can see above the canopy and fly 600 meters like superman.

Another way to see the canopy from above is by walking on the suspended bridges. Selvatura offers a great set views of the canopy. At Selvatura, you can also enjoy the hummingbird garden. Get ready, they will come within inches of you.

Costa Rica is known for having a lot of bio-diversity and every area of the country is different. Be sure to hike one of the two reserves in Monteverde. If you’ve got a good eye or ear you might see and hear toucans or monkeys.

If you want to learn about the forest while hiking, you can hire a guide for a private tour. With this option you will have a better chance at seeing animals. The guides are trained to know all about the cloud forest life.

In Santa Elena, which is one kilometer from Monteverde, there is a Frog Pond Exhibit. They have the famous Red Eyed Tree Frog and Poison Dart Frog. Inside, there are 28 different species of frogs.

Many people enjoy horseback riding. La Estrella is one company that is highly recommended in Santa Elena. You can spend an afternoon riding through the forest, along the tops of the mountains and even catch the sun setting over the Gulf of Nicoya.

Tours, tours and more tours. All fun, but make sure you make time to eat too. Some restaurants that serve great food for reasonable prices are: Morphos, Don Juan or for the most local spot try Donde Henry. For desert, stop at Stellas bakery, you will love it.

Lastly, another great place to stay or just for an afternoon tea is Hidden Canopy. The tree house hotel offers opportunities to sleep in the trees amongst the cloud forest, all the while in luxury. Why not treat yourself to a waterfall shower while in Costa Rica.