Natuwa Monteverde — Local services in Monteverde

Natuwa sanctuary is a must-visit in Monteverde! The work of this organisation to rescue, rehabilitate and release Costa Rican wildlife is commendable and the facilities are outstanding. I highly recommend the tour enabling you to see the sloth garden, tapir (soon to be joined by two females!) and jaguars, while learning so much from the informed, kind and passionate staff.

Natuwa is doing incredible conservation work, with their animals' wellbeing at the cornerstone of everything they do. There is also an option to take a hike through the beautiful cloud forest as part of your visit, featuring various trails that take 60-90 minutes to complete. This offers an opportunity to witness the nature surrounding the facilities (including species such as agouti, coati, glasswing and other butterflies, toucans, hummingbirds, etc) without the crowds you can encounter on other hiking trails. I couldn't recommend Natuwa more highly to support an organisation doing essential and impactful work for local Costa...

I am giving it only 3 stars because I am a bit sceptical regarding the Jaguars. The place has 5 sloths, 2 jaguars and one tapir. I have to say that all the animals look like they are being treated very well. The sloths have a good space for them to move with a lot of trees and also the tapir has a big area to move. Although I completely understand that the jaguars are safer in a sanctuary due to their story, the cage could have been much bigger. They are big animals and need more space to move and to hide and even climb on trees like in nature. I didn’t like the fact that their resting area was build exactly in front of where people will come and see, this really gave a vibe of a zoo. I went there because I really wanted to visit a rescue place and again for the sloths and tapir I think it is great. Even though the jaguars look like they are being treated well, they do need a lot more space. Hope the place will take this feedback positively and build a bigger...

Amazing experience I couldn’t recommend this place more, a proper 10/10 sanctuary. They do a fantastic job helping wounded animals or the ones that wouldn’t survive in the wild to recover and ideally reinsert them (animals that are missing parts, orphans…) The place is amazing, big and clean, sloths are free to move around, the animals are treated with respect and the rules are very strict (as they should) however you still get a chance to see these fabulous animals really close and learn more about them. The tour includes a guide and access to the trails not just the sanctuary so it is a reasonable price and plus all the money goes to preserving the animals.

Daniel was my guide and he was spectacular. We have been to several sanctuaries around the world and this would be in the top.

They speak English and Spanish and there is a parking area, access is easy....