Top Things to do in Santa Elena
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What to do and see in Santa Elena, Costa Rica: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Santa Elena, Costa Rica including Cafe Monteverde Coffee Tour, Monteverde Orchid Garden, Santa Elena Skywalk, Monteverde Frog Pond, Ecological Sanctuary.
Restaurants in Santa Elena
1. Cafe Monte Verde Coffee Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By Susan M
This tour was absolutely incredible. I had expected to learn about coffee and coffee plantations. I had not expected to learn so much more. This farm is totally sustainable. Not only that, they are pretty much totally organic. Not only that, they have done it all themselves, and now teach many, many others both here and around the world about sustainable farming.
Of course they harvest coffee beans and they show you that entire process. I was also fascinated by their composting, and harvesting of methane (which they use for all their cooking). Everything they do, they do for a purpose. We that come from 'better first world countries' could learn a lot from them.
Our guide was one of the brothers who own the farm, and he was great. My husband said the coffee was really good - I don't drink coffee but still loved the tour.
All in all, for me, this was not 'touristy'. It was interesting and educational.
2. Monte Verde Orchid Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
The Monte Verde Orchid Garden is a place where you can enjoy beauty that is found in the marvelous world of orchids. Our garden has a large collection of orchids; we have more than 425 different species. You can find species that are endemic to Monte Verde, and a collection of miniature orchids, including the smallest one in the world. We offer guided walks both in English and Spanish. We are in a great location in down town Santa Elena.
Reviewed By Tsturgess - Belfast
Took guided tour lasted around 3/4 hour but were free to wander after for pics. Really interesting showing so many types of orchids some so small you had to use the magnifying glass provided! Guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable
3. Santa Elena Skywalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
Half way between the town of Santa Elena and the Santa Elena Preserve the Sky Walk is located: This complex use trails, suspension Bridges for a more tranquil introduction to the ecology and natives of the forest canopy, constructed within the cloud forest. It allows a vision of the forest from a different perspective which starts with a walk on the ground taking you up to explore the treetops, a hardly discovered habitat, called the “canopy” with a naturalist guide. Also discover the night wildlife at our Sky Walk Night Tour.
Reviewed By acorna - Vilnius
It is not so much about the animals, though we saw butterflies, birds, howler monkeys and a tarantula. And, of course, welcoming coati mundi at the entrance. It is more about different perspective of forest. There are several information boards at the name sake Bridges with useful information and pictures. More of it we got from our guide. There are two trails – the longer and the shorter one. We did both – even the longer one is not too long. The skywalk was not included in our tour but we did not regret the money spent there.
4. Monte Verde Frog Pond
Overall Ratings
4 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By CohenD1234 - Houston, Texas, United States
The frogs are great but be prepared for searching. They are in glass terrariums and they like to hide. Many (most) are also nocturnal. We saw several with a very knowledgeable guide in an afternoon and visited their butterfly exhibit which was super abundant. On the same ticket, you can come back at night to see the nocturnal frogs. So we returned the next night, borrowed flashlights from the front desk and had fun searching the terrariums for the amazing and colorful frogs. We went on three naturalist guided hikes and only saw one sleeping frog. This place really allows you to see them if you do a bit of work and you’re up close. But if you want to see the butterflies, go during the day too.
5. Ecological Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4 based on 93 reviews
Our family wakes up early at the warmth of the wooden stove, we gather to plan the day around the flavor of handmade tortillas. We grew up at the shade of the great ficus and enjoys the songs of the free birds and the mischievous monkeys, cultivate life and food to help us survive in an economy in which money has value, but we have the certain that it is not all !!! We are a local family and our job is to share the life philosophy that we got as a heritage, communion with the great diversity in which we have the opportunity of walking up, working on the conservation of the forest and offering visitors the unforgettable experience of nature image, walking through our different trails you will encounter a transition forest a bridge between The Cloud Forest and the Dry Forest; with an abundance of endemic and fruit bearing trees in the area that make it suitable birds watching, wildlife observation and wide array flora that characterizes the area. You will be surprised by two beautiful Waterfalls, panoramic views, coffee and banana plantations grown in harmony with the rich biodiversity of 48 hectares of protected area. In our quest to conserve the forest we are part of the Biological Corridor Bellbird, planting and giving maintenance to about 1,000 trees per year, this association's project to reforest the corridor where they nest and eat these beautiful birds. Bellbird Association
Reviewed By Samantha L
I loved these trails because they were rustic, meandering, and explored the banana and coffee plantations spread throughout the sanctuary. I spotted both Howler and Whiteface monkeys, and numerous interesting beetles on the trails - I was even graced by a colony of army ants,...MoreHi Samantha, thanks for your comment. We're glad you enjoy walking in to the Santuario Ecologico sharering with the nature and animals. With your visit you contribute to the conservation and maintenance of these 52 hectars of forest. Regards Familia Salazar Santuario Ecologico
