Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve — Attraction in Peñas Blancas

ATTENTION! DO NOT PARK ABOVE!!!

The woman working at the parking lot told us when we arrived that we could either park down there and take a transfer bus to the preserve entrance, or we would park above where there is less space and where there are already many cars. So we may not be able to find a parking space right away and we will have to wait. We asked if that was the only difference between the two parking lots, that we had to wait either below or above, and she said yes, so we went above. We parked 50-100 meters from the entrance and there were really a lot of cars and a lot of people walking there, so it seemed completely harmless. Still, during the 3 hours we spent in the preserve, someone broke into our car and stole all our bags from there. Since our trip lasted for a month and we just had to leave one of our accommodations, but we couldn’t occupy the next one yet, all of our suitcases and bags were in the trunk, but it wasn’t visible from the outside as we took care of it. Nevertheless, they robbed us and caused us tens of thousands of dollars in damage. They took all our valuables and all our clothes, so we literally had nothing left but what we wore in the preserve while hiking. Of course, no one in the police speaks English and they did nothing, they just sent us from one location to another, and we spent hours at the police station for two consecutive days to finally get at least one official document about what happened. I can’t understand why this could happen at all, why doesn’t the person working at the parking lot below draw the visitors’ attention to this danger, and why isn’t there a guard in the parking lot in front of the entrance to prevent this from happening. Isn’t it important for the preserve that tourists visiting there and spend their money there are safe and have a positive experience? It was one of the most horrible experiences of our lives, I can’t tell you what we’ve been through in the last few days...

However, to mention a few positives: the preserve itself is huge, there are plenty of different trailes with different lengths and difficulty. The environment and the view are nice, but with the exception of a few smaller birds, we didn’t see any animals at all during the 3 hours we spent there, only hummingbirds at the drinking stations near Colibri Cafe.

All in all, the preserve itself wasn’t unforgettable or very special either, but after what happened to us, we’re sure we’ll never come...

We loved it! This is the place were we've seen most animals (we did not use guide): hummingbird in a nest (and logs of hummingbirds at the Colibri cafe next door), howler monkeys, spider monkeys, coati, female resplendent quetzal (one of the guides allowed us to look into his telescope, thank you!), and the special treat - kinkajou which came to Colibri cafe in the middle of the day to eat some of the nectar from the hummingbird feeder! In the Reserve we really enjoyed the hanging bridge, the viewpoint at the continental divide, and of course just walking the trails and taking in the experience of a cloud forest (it was sunny that day, so not much cloud but a LOT of wind). Getting there: if you don't have a car, there is a bus which goes from the center of town (St.Elena) to the resort - see picture for the schedule (first bus leaves at 6:15, next at 7:30 am), costs CRC700 TIPS: come early - better chance to see the birds. Walk in a direction opposite to the one suggested at the ticket office - this way you won't see as many people and most of them would be moving in the direction opposite to you. Do visit the hanging bridge - it is really cool! Bring water and snacks - we found bananas are best. Bring binoculars to see wildlife. Wear shoes which won't mind being soaked in mud (actually, all the secondary trails were ok, as they are paved with some special brick which allow them to drain moisture), but the main one - Sendero Camino was just mud - try to limit your time on that one. There is a new interpretive app which you can download by the ticket office and use at Sendero Nuboso - we did not have a chance to try it as we only noticed it when leaving the park. Cafe colibri at the entrance outside of the park - is a must to see amazing beautiful hummingbirds. They don't pay attention to people, so you can come very very close. Give yourself extra time to enjoy! We did not eat there but left a donation to support this...

I thought, I am in Costa Rica all flights coming in and departing our restricted so how do I make the best of being in this tropical paradise with all the restrictions put in place for the pandemic of Covid. Then, like a flash of light, the idea of how to responsibly, socially-distance myself - as mandated by governments worldwide became clear: rent a motorcycle and a helmet ( a mask obviously,lol). SL1 and the owner Charlie/Carlos, was the first Moto bike rental company I approached and made a deal with for the three full months I was "grounded "in Costa Rica.

Sunrises and sunsets locations' were, again, limitless. With the wind in my face up and down twisting roads through the clouds and ripping and cruising at elevations of 7,000feet (2,240m) atop of the mountains and in the clouds and through the thick of the forest, on tightly paved roads, my heart was pounding like the waves, the surf, of Jaco and Playa Hermosa. I soaked in the hot springs of La Fortuna and gave thanks to Earth for views of the volcano of Arenal.

Rafting on the rainforest rivers of the Pacuare as the sun ushers in the seasons' Spring. Photography is an ease, time is made plentiful by raft guides, whom simultaneously encourage all rafters to go for a swim to both reach the riverside's lunching space and allow for unobstructed photos of the biodiversity in the midst of the rainforest. Guests are better to ask the hotel's front desk for better deals. Yes, the travels have been awesome!

The nature and people of Costa Rica are true, as all are from around the globe, carriers of the earth's spiritual greatness.

Thanks to all the guides (working for tips and to party) for all the hospitality and advice to keep well.

Lastly, thanks to the stars above, for the foundational matter and minerals of the Earth upon which our spirits thrive! God bless. Have fun, be kind, and...