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All 26 Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Attractions »

Santa Elena Reserve

6 km (4 mi) north of Santa Elena, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica
645-5390
4.5 of 5 stars 62 Reviews
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Activities: Viewing wildlife
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62 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    38
    18
    4
    2
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Date Rating
Ottawa, Ontario
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

An amazing reserve to visit. Every bit as great a wildlife experience as Monteverde reserve and they both have their own character and we strongly recommend taking time to do Monteverde reserve one morning and Santa Elena reserve another morning (mornings are better in terms of wildlife being more active). We are a family of four with a 9 year... More

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Simi Valley, California
Top Contributor
67 reviews 67 reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
78 helpful votes 78 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2012

My husband & I had the afternoon free, so with the help of Jen from Hidden Canopy Treehouses, she thought Santa Elena would be the perfect hiking spot for us. She called up the bus driver that drives right by the B & B and he would be by in about 5 mins. We grabbed our backpacks and headed out... More

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san diego
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2012

Less populated than Monteverde. Quieter and, for use more enjoyable. We actualy had a nice hike instead of a stroll on city like walkways. More

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Berkhamsted, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

We had a great 4 hour tour with an excellent guide, seeing owls, monkeys, snakes, tarantulas, and a huge variety of birds. This was an excellent tour. More

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Ft. Lauderdale
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012

There are 2 cloud forests in this area, and this is the lesser known and less visited. If you only have time to explore 1, this is the place I would recommend. My group spent the day hiking multiple trails and only encountered one other group. The views are spectacular, the height of the trees dizzying, and the amount of... More

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Conroe
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012

We took the 3.5 hour hike. I highly recommend doing it with a guide. We wouldn't have spotted 1/10th of the things he did. We got to see the rare Quetzal bird (both male and female) along with a Bell Bird and others. More

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Omaha, Nebraska
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 April 2012

I chose a tour that could have up to 8 people, but was the only person. The son of one of the original quakers that moved from Alabama to Monteverde to protect this most beautiful place was my guide. With the help of some of the trail workers was able to see a resplendent quetzal. One of the most beautiful... More

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Ypsilanti, Michigan
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

this was a lovely place; very thick mossy jungle and very young forest. however, it rains there 'a lot'. be prepared to be very wet the whole time. More

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Panama
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2012

This is where I would like to retire. Kind people, amazing views. Not expensive. More

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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2012

Very nice well groomed trails. Even the most difficult was not over strenuous. When we started out we thought we would do one or two but stayed an extra hike. Nature at it's best. More

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