Going to Monteverde National Park

What to do in Monteverde National Park

by Evelyn Spence

Mix one part Quaker settlement with 250,000 annual tourists. Add in 500 types of orchid and 400 species of bird, including Costa Rica’s most famous, the shy quetzal. Cover everything with near-constant clouds and vegetation. Let a dozen companies set up hundreds of zip lines, Tarzan swings, and hanging bridges. And then, to prevent full-scale descent into a Disney-like atmosphere, leave the access road comically steep and unpaved. Monteverde National Park is Costa Rica’s most popular destination for good reason: It’s one of the most biologically diverse spots in the world. And thanks to local foresight, that road has kept it from becoming overrun with gaudy resorts and theme parks. Guides in the park are very knowledgeable—they can spot everything from strangler figs and alligator trees to motmots, toucans, and, if you’re lucky, the quetzal.

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