Curi-Cancha Reserve — Attraction in Monteverde

the Natural History Tour (approx 3 hours) at Curi-Cancha was hands down my favourite experience in all of Costa Rica. at the time of visit, there were 8am and 1pm tours daily for US$45 (incl. US$20 park entry). we booked this tour in advance with the reserve on WhatsApp (thanks for the advice Guadalupe!) and highly recommend it if you’re looking for an all-encompassing tour for flora and fauna found on the trails. not only did we luck out with our guide David Madrigal, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable naturalist with a specific interest in birds, but also essentially got a private tour since it was only two of us that morning. he brought a binoculars and a spotting scope, catering to our varied interests and questions about Costa Rica’s conservation efforts to the ethics of using bird call recordings (often misused and should be limited by the way to avoid changing bird behaviour btw), discovering everything from strangler figs, a resting side striped palm pit viper, to Motmots digging their nests, even taking unbelievably pro ‘Nat Geo’ shots on our phone cameras. we made a whole day out of it and re-entered after lunch nearby. natural regrowth has restored past pastures into the tropical cloud forest it is today; a stunning environment for nature walks, wildlife spotting (we were unbelievably lucky—keel-bill toucans, bungee caterpillar, wild pigs, armadillo, agouti, white-faced capuchins etc.) only occasionally running into other visitors. thanks a lot David and Curi-Cancha for your efforts,...

The Curicancha Reserve in Monteverde is an absolute must-do if you are in this region of Costa Rica. It’s a protected forest that has been left to evolve naturally, and walking through it feels like stepping into another world. The biodiversity here is simply incredible – both flora and fauna.

I highly recommend going with a guide, ideally in a small group to fully appreciate the experience. I did both a day tour and a night tour, and each was extraordinary. During the day, you can admire the towering centenary trees, unique plants, reptiles, and a wide variety of birds. At night, the forest comes alive with creatures you would never see otherwise: tarantulas with orange knees, lizards, snakes, scorpions, and countless insects.

The highlight of my visit was spotting the extremely rare Oilbird, a species that only comes to Costa Rica every three years to feed on a local endemic avocado tree. Even our guide, David (who was outstanding), had only seen it twice in eight years – it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

The reserve is also family-friendly. I visited with my two children (6 and 9 years old), and we always felt safe. The trails are wide, well-maintained, and secure, while still allowing you to be fully immersed in nature.

If you love wildlife, this is one of the best places to connect with Costa Rica’s natural beauty. The entrance price is very fair considering the richness of what you experience. Curicancha is simply unforgettable – highly...

Our recent natural history tour in Costa Rica's cloud forest was an unforgettable experience, thanks in large part to our amazing guide, David. From the moment we started the tour, David's friendliness and passion for the wildlife around us were evident. His deep knowledge of the various species of birds and animals we encountered made the tour not only educational but also incredibly engaging.

One of the highlights of the tour was spotting the stunning hummingbirds, the majestic quetzals, and even viper snakes. David's ability to provide fascinating facts about each species enhanced our appreciation for the incredible biodiversity of the cloud forest. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it was clear that he genuinely cared about sharing his love for the natural world with us.

What truly impressed me was David's skill in helping us capture the beauty of the wildlife through our iPhone cameras. He expertly adjusted the telescope to align perfectly with our phones, allowing us to take stunning photos that we will cherish forever.

Overall, David's guidance transformed our tour into a memorable adventure. His passion and knowledge about the wildlife in this beautiful country left us with a newfound appreciation for Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in exploring the wonders of the...