Natural History Tour at Curi Cancha Reserve in Monteverde

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Monteverde, Costa Rica

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Like much of the rainforest in central Costa Rica, the private Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge is home to special plants and wild animals—if you’re able to find them. With this small-group tour, explore the reserve with a guide who knows intimately where to find the best flora and fauna, and carries a professional spotting scope to help you see them. The tour is offered in English and Spanish to accommodate more travelers.

Explore with a guide: Increase your chances of spotting wildlife
Use a professional spotting scope to see flora and fauna up-close
Enjoy more personalized attention from your guide in a small-group setting
Get insights into wildlife behavior that you'd otherwise miss

What's Included

Guide Carrie's powerful spotting scope for your enjoyment

Transportation is NOT included
Admission Fee - Curi-Cancha Reserve

$25.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Reserva Curi Cancha
300 m noroeste Fabrica de Quesos Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, 60109, Costa Rica
We'll meet the the Curi Cancha reception or entrance.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Curi-Cancha Reserve

3 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Kate_C

This is one of the few tours that I could sign up as a solo traveler, and it turned out to be one of the highlight of my Costa Rican trip. Steven, our tour guide was EXTREMELY phenomenal. He went above and beyond for our group and kept us engaged. He was also very knowledgeable and we were lucky to see so many different kind of animals (though it would be nice to see some mammals 😆) . I high recommend him if he happens to be your your guide! Second, my group was amazing. Everyone was so nive and friendly and it was such a good vibe.

Reviews

4.8

based on 50 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

A Must Do in CR!

Livia_F, May 2026

We booked this tour the night before, hoping to squeeze in some more animal sightings on our last day in CR, and we're so happy we did because we saw so many incredible animals thanks to our guide Mauricio. Highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re very happy to hear that your last-minute tour with Mauricio turned into such a great way to finish your time in Costa Rica. It sounds like you had some excellent wildlife sightings and made the most of your final day. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Mauricio. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours and for your recommendation!

Knowledgeable guide made the experience extra good

Tom_D, Apr 2026

Fascinating variety of birds, animals and insects. Our guide, Roy, was very knowledgeable about all the different species. The rainforest canopy is dense so it’s very difficult to see many creatures without a good guide. The hummingbird garden and seeing 3 Spider Monkeys was a big bonus.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re very happy to hear that Roy’s knowledge helped make the experience even more rewarding. The dense rainforest canopy can certainly make wildlife difficult to spot, so having an experienced guide can make a big difference. It sounds like you had a wonderful variety of sightings, and seeing the Spider Monkeys along with the hummingbird garden was a fantastic bonus. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Roy!

If you want to be able to...

Kelly_B, Apr 2026

If you want to be able to see some of the more beautiful birds like the Toucan… guided tour way to go

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the guided experience and had the chance to spot some of Monteverde’s beautiful birdlife, including toucans. Having an experienced guide can really make a difference when it comes to finding species that are easy to miss on your own. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours!

Thank you Roy for a great...

Bryce_F, Mar 2026

Thank you Roy for a great morning in Curi Cancha! We did not see a ton of wildlife, but Roy still made the morning interesting by sharing history and insights into what we were seeing. At times we wished we could move along a bit quicker but otherwise very enjoyable!

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re glad Roy made your morning at Curi Cancha enjoyable even on a quieter wildlife day, and that you appreciated the history and insights he shared along the way. We also appreciate your feedback about the pace of the tour, as this helps us continue improving the experience for different guest preferences. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Roy!

Take clothes for all...

Shelley_D, Mar 2026

Take clothes for all weather conditions even if it looks sunny when you start! Hiking boots are useful.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you for sharing these helpful tips! Monteverde’s weather can change quickly, so layers, rain protection, and sturdy footwear can definitely make the experience more comfortable. We appreciate you joining Nasua Tours and helping future travelers arrive well prepared!

This is one of the few...

Kate_C, Jan 2026

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review! We’re very happy to hear that the tour became one of the highlights of your Costa Rica trip and that Steven made the experience so engaging and memorable. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and willingness to go the extra mile are qualities we truly value. We’re also glad you had such a great group and felt comfortable joining as a solo traveler. And yes, hopefully next time the mammals will cooperate a little more! Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours and for recommending Steven so warmly.

Tour cancelled without notice

JimP_S, Jan 2026

Tour confirmed on the day at 0100. When I showed up at 1330, no guide. No notice of cancellation. But later they said tour cancelled on account of weather (rain had stopped at 1100 as forecast). Very disappointed in operator and Viator

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re very sorry for the frustration and inconvenience caused. Regardless of the weather-related decision, you should have received clear and timely notification before arriving at the meeting point. We understand how disappointing it must have been to arrive for a confirmed tour and find no guide waiting. Weather conditions in Monteverde can change quickly, and tours may occasionally need to be adjusted or cancelled for safety or experience quality. However, communication in those situations is essential, and we regret that it did not happen properly in your case. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our cancellation and guest-notification procedures.

Curicancha is my favorite- and a guide is a must!

Amanda_W, Mar 2025

Wow. What a blast. The grounds are beautiful, and the birds are loud and active! A guide for this Reserve is a MUST. We saw so many beautiful birds and animals, and learned about the forest's history. We were able to see and/or photograph about 10 different types of birds and mammals. Although the quetzal did not grace us with his presence, all the other animals made up for it- and all the guides communicate with each other so everyone can see as much as possible. Christian, our guide, was absolutely incredible. He was excited to help us find all the birds/animals and share his knowledge. This was my favorite activity in Costa Rica so far, and I had already been to Mistico, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal National Park, and Rio Celeste. Christian- thank you for a wonderful experience!

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that your visit to Curi Cancha became your favorite experience in Costa Rica. Even without a quetzal sighting that day, it sounds like the reserve delivered an incredible variety of birds, mammals, and memorable moments. Christian will be very happy to hear how much you appreciated his enthusiasm, knowledge, and dedication to helping you find and understand the wildlife. We’re also glad you noticed the teamwork between guides, which often helps everyone make the most of the experience. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours and for sharing such kind words about Christian!

Fascinating tour!

Sondra_M, May 2024

We saw a variety of birds and animals to include a bellbird, saberwing hummingbird, several toucans, trogons, a mama and baby owl, tarantula, coatis with their young and an agouti. We so enjoyed Chris’ vast knowledge of rainforest ecology and how it is so intertwined with geography and human behavior. We even met George Powell along the trail! We have learned so much about Costa Rica on all of our tours! Worthwhile!

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that Chris made the tour such a fascinating and educational experience. It sounds like you had an exceptional day with bellbirds, hummingbirds, toucans, trogons, owls, coatis, an agouti, and even a tarantula. We’re especially glad you enjoyed learning how rainforest ecology connects with geography and human activity. And meeting George Powell along the trail was certainly a memorable bonus! Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours and for sharing such kind words about Chris and your experience in Costa Rica.

Sergio was the best

Carl_P, Aug 2023

Sergio was excellent and we had a fantastic tour. Would highly recommend to anyone in Monteverde as this was fab

Response from Host, Oct 2023

All our guide are excellent( 15+ years of experience) so we know they will do a wonderful work

Best tour I've ever had.

Lauren_H, Mar 2023

My holiday in Costa Rica was the best I've ever had, Curi-Cancha and Sergio stand out as the best tour and guide we had among many brilliant tours. Sergio spoke perfect English, above that he cared so dearly for the nature reserve. He explained he'd been attending there since school. We felt incredibly lucky to have seen a collared peccary. Seconds later we would witness a mother collared peccary feeding her young. You could see how happy and excited this made Sergio, it was a wonderful experience. Sergio had an excellent eye for the wildlife and took us down some quieter trails which made the experience more encapsulating. Sergio's care for the wildlife and the park came across very quickly. He had a great knowledge and was so open about his upbringing and how this had influenced his love for biodiversity, environmentalism and his job within this. Sergio explained that he had grown up in Monteverde, and that visits to the reserve during school were weekly, you could see how much Curi-Cancha meant to him. You couldn't have asked for a more immersive tour or a better tour guide. This tour stands out as my favourite. I cannot thank Sergio enough for this tour. It was excellent.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for such a heartfelt and detailed review! We’re truly delighted to hear that your tour at Curi-Cancha with Sergio became one of the highlights of your entire Costa Rica trip. His deep connection to Monteverde, passion for conservation, and knowledge of the reserve are very much part of what makes exploring with him so special. Seeing the collared peccaries, especially a mother feeding her young, sounds like an unforgettable moment, and we love hearing that Sergio was just as excited about the encounter as you were. Thank you for recognizing the care he puts into choosing quieter trails, sharing his personal connection to the area, and helping guests understand the importance of biodiversity and conservation. We’ll be very happy to share your wonderful words with Sergio. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours and for allowing us to be part of such a special memory from Costa Rica.

Small discovery

Eric_D, Jan 2026

I had booked by Viator a guided tour of Curi Cancha Park. Pretty happy with this visit although we did not see any large animals outside of a coati and an agouti. Lots of birds. Very disappointed to see no monkeys or toucans. Thanks to Steven for his explanations and positive attitude

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Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you very much for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour overall and appreciated Steven’s explanations and positive attitude. Curi Cancha is especially rewarding for birdlife, although wildlife sightings can vary greatly from one day to another. We understand the disappointment of not seeing monkeys or toucans, but we’re happy you were still able to enjoy species such as the coati and agouti along with many birds. Thank you for choosing Nasua Tours. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Steven.

José was an exceptional guide

SARAIGOMEZ_T, Jul 2025

Despite the weather that day, José kept the tour running perfectly. He told us many interesting things about the country, the plants, and of course, we saw animals. The reserve is spectacular and thanks to our guide we were able to make the most of it.

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Response from Host, Sep 2026

¡Muchísimas gracias por compartir su experiencia! Nos alegra saber que, a pesar de las condiciones del clima, José logró mantener el tour interesante y agradable, compartiendo información sobre Costa Rica, la flora y la fauna de la reserva. También nos encanta saber que pudieron aprovechar al máximo Curi Cancha y disfrutar de sus paisajes y vida silvestre. Gracias por elegir Nasua Tours. Le haremos llegar a José sus amables palabras.

Excellente visite guidée

Dorothee_A, Jan 2025

Nous avons passé un excellent moment accompagné de notre guide Oscar. Nous avons pu voir de nombreux oiseaux dont le fameux quetzal flamboyant. Et également appris pleins de choses sur la faune et flore de Monteverde. Nous laissant un souvenir merveilleux. Je recommande fortement.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure guiding you and sharing the wildlife and plants of Monteverde with you. I’m especially happy that we were able to see the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal along with many other birds. I’m very glad the experience left you with such special memories. Thank you for your kind recommendation!

Coup de cœur

Eva_D, Aug 2024

Une de mes meilleurs expériences du Costa Rica. Notre guide était fabuleux, nous avons beaucoup appris sur les animaux, les fleurs, les arbres. Je vous le recommande à 100% !!

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that the tour became one of your favorite experiences in Costa Rica. It’s wonderful to know that your guide helped you learn so much about the animals, flowers, and trees of the cloud forest. Thank you for recommending Nasua Tours so warmly. We truly appreciate your kind words!

Una mañana de naturaleza y cultura costarricense

David_M, Jul 2023

Somos una familia con 2 chicos (8 y 12 años). Nuestro guía Oscar fue muy atento.cinlos chicos, nos mostro muchas especies animales y vegetales, nos contó datos sobre la reserva y sobre la Costa Rica de ahora y de antes. Ah casi vimos un quetzal... si lo hubieramos visto hubiera sido perfecto. Vimos colibris, coatis, orquideas en miniatruara, arboles huecos, monos arañas, monos carablanca...

Response from Host, Sep 2026

¡Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia! Fue un verdadero placer acompañar a su familia por Curi Cancha y compartir con ustedes tanto la naturaleza como un poco de la historia y cultura de Costa Rica. Me alegra mucho saber que los chicos disfrutaron del recorrido y que pudieron observar tantas especies, desde colibríes y monos hasta coatis, orquídeas y árboles tan especiales. Nos quedó pendiente ese quetzal, así que habrá que dejarlo como una buena razón para regresar a Monteverde algún día. Un abrazo desde Monteverde.