Tours and Tickets to Experience Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)
5 results
What are people saying about Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)
Teri_K, Feb 2026
Great time exploring with Luis
Luis was our guide for this experience. He was extremely knowledgeable about the many types of plants we saw. Due to the cold we did not see much wildlife but we did see several birds and a tarantula. It was an enjoyable, if wet, three hours!
Magali_F, Jan 2026
Magical
Amazing experience! Our guide Loan was so nice and his knowledge was impressive and we learnt a great deal. The forest is magically beautiful and we saw many animals and places, thanks again, we will never forget it.
Amy_H, Jan 2026
Best guide ever
very informative, not a ton of animals but the ones we did see, we learned so much info . we did get to see a rare bird which was exciting
Cathy_S, Dec 2025
Marvin was a very...
Marvin was a very knowledgeable and pleasant guide. The tour was worth it. We recommend it, especially in the morning when it was less busy.
Blake_S, Jul 2025
Great hike
The cloud forest was amazing. Our guide was an experienced naturalist and was able to tell us all about the forest.
Jane_O, Apr 2025
The morning hike into the...
The morning hike into the Santa Elena reserve primary rainforest was fascinating. Rodiber our guide was very friendly and informative and we learned a lot about Costa Rican ecology and ecotourism while we hiked the narrow trails. We didnt see a quetzel and the weather was cloudy so we had no views from the observation platform, but we thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
Shelly_B, Feb 2025
Rodiber was an amazing guide
Rodiber was an amazing guide. So happy we had him as we likely would not have seen the trantula, spider monkeys and resplendent quetzal. Highly recommend
Valerie_W, Dec 2024
Highly recommend!
Our guide was friendly and extremely knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna in the area. It was obvious that he loves what he does and is passionate about the cloud forest. We had a great time on our private tour of this special place. Highly recommend!
George_M, Apr 2024
Glorious Cloud Forest Tour
Our guide (Deiner Campus) was fantastic: extremely knowledgeable, and incredibly good at spotting creatures from a distance. His interdisciplinary knowledge of flora, fauna, insects and ecology is truly impressive. The tour was soggy, as one might expect in a cloud rainforest, but Deiner made this a wonderful experience. A definite highlight!
Dustin_M, Feb 2024
A Perfect Walk Through Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Rodiber made this one of the most memorable parts of our trip. He explained everything very thoroughly and was great to walk with in the forest. He has a great eye for the animals too, seeing many birds, including an elusive resplendent quetzal. We loved how he could easily tell what bird was making what noises as well as all the hiding places for the tarantulas. His tour blended Central American history with biology. Would definitely book with him again.
Melissa_K, Jan 2024
A really great experience
Rodiber was a great guide - knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about his country and the Santa Elena cloud forest. We had a 3-hour guided walk with him and barely saw anyone else, which was really special compared to the crowds in other national parks we visited.
Marius_H, Dec 2023
Excellent tour, worth going private
One of the best tours of our whole Costa Rica trip. We preferred the Santa Elena Reserve to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, it had fewer people and felt less like a tourist attraction. There was also a great viewpoint over the forest all the way to the Arenal volcano. What made the tour though, was our guide Rodiber. He was excellent. Very knowledgeable and great at spotting wildlife.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)
5.0
(126)
Know before you go
Ways to explore
How to get there
When to visit

The unique cloud forest ecosystem is a must-see for nature lovers.
Bring rain gear—even if it's not raining the surroundings are constantly moist.
This reserve is less crowded than the nearby Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Drop in for a self-guided walk or call/email the reserve to make reservations for a guided tour.
More Tours in Monteverde
Things to do near Monteverde
More attractions near Monteverde





















