This is the perfect combination tour for exploring the magic of Monteverde. You’ll have the option to go zip lining or hiking across suspended bridges high up in the cloud forest canopy, followed by a delicious lunch while you visit Don Juan’s coffee and chocolate plantation!
To begin, you will be picked up from your lodging and travel in a comfortable air-conditioned bus through the wide, semi-dry scenery of the Pacific low lands. From the bus you can watch the changing landscape as green hills begin to appear then feel the bus as it slowly climbs its way up nearly 5,000 feet above sea level into the beautiful Monteverde mountains. Be sure to bring warm clothes as often the cloud forest can be a little chilly.
When you enter the Sky Adventures Monteverde Park, you will embark by way of a gondola up into the misty cloud forest. Here you will have the choice of going the high adrenaline route, zip lining through the tree tops, or choosing to go on an informative relaxing guided hike, including a walk across the canopy on hanging bridges. You will want to wear fully enclosed shoes to traverse the platforms as well as the hanging bridges.
Monteverde’s cloud forest is well known for its unique concentration of biodiversity and considered one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges worldwide. Found in this one small area are over 400 species of birds, 100 species of animals and the largest concentration of orchid, lichen and bromeliad species in the world.
It’s a magical wet forest filled with vines usually cloaked in a fine mist due to the convergent weather patterns from the Atlantic. The giant old growth tree canopy intertwines to create animal pathways high above the ground. Emergent trees tower above the canopy winning the race to sunlight.
Accompanied by a naturalist guide the hanging bridges hikers will return by gondola to the Sky Adventure office to begin the guided hike crossing 5 suspension bridges for breathtaking views high up in the canopy. The zip line adventurers (you know who you are!) will be suited up with a safety harness and helmet in preparation for zooming through the tree canopy.
With guides assisting from one cable to the next, you will soar over 7 zip lines of varying lengths and speeds, one up to 40mph! You will work your way back down to the ground in time for a delicious lunch. Those who have chosen the guided naturalist hike will also finish about the same time. After your very active morning you can stroll over to visit the hummingbird area and watch these amazing avian acrobats.
Next you will go to Don Juan’s coffee plantation for lunch where you will be served a delicious meal called a “casada”. This is a marriage of typical Costa Rican cuisine: beans and rice, salad, meat or fish, and homemade pico de gallo, a finely chopped fresh salsa, with fried sweet plantains. And of course you will be served a cup of Don Juan’s freshly brewed coffee.
Costa Rican coffee is highly prized for its low acid, mild taste due to not over roasting the beans in the fashion of stronger flavored coffees. After lunch you will visit Don Juan’s coffee and chocolate plantation to learn all about cultivation and, of course, there will be some delicious samples!
This full day of outdoor adventure and culinary treats includes round trip bus transportation, professional bilingual guides, park entrance fees, safety equipment, lunch, Don Juan’s coffee and chocolate farm visit as well as bottled water. Note: transportation can take up to 3 hours each way depending on the location of your lodging, especially the Jobo area. The air-conditioned bus ride is a comfortable way to see the changing landscapes.
6 and up
Latitude: N 10° 18' 4.46"
Longitude: W 84° 47' 54.11"