Luxury Travel to The Central Cloud Forests made for you
Birdwatching
Spot the many species of birds which inhabit the forests
Scenic hikes
Navigate the numerous beautiful trails in the surrounding jungle
Local traditions
Visit coffee plantations and learn about time-honoured processes
Mystical, magical and flourishing with life
Costa Rica’s central highlands are dotted with a number of exquisite and captivatingly biodiverse cloud forests.
Typified by elevated and tropical evergreen forest land with 100 per cent humidity the area is therefore almost always shrouded in clouds and mist. Costa Rica is fortunate enough to have at least six cloud forest zones concentrated in the central highlands and in the central south.
Monteverde is the country’s most renowned destination for cloud forests. A small town hemmed in by the Santa Elena and Monteverde Reserves, it is also very close to the Arenal volcano area. Here you can hike along the trails that traverse these copious habitats of lichen, moss and orchids, populated by ocelots, butterflies, umbrella birds and the endangered Quetzal.
To the south-east of Monteverde and 1.5 hours north of San Jose is Bajos del Toro and the Bosque de Paz Biological Preserve. This cloud forest is sandwiched between the Juan Castro Blanco and Poas Volcano national parks and home to a large number of bird species such as four types of heron, hawks, falcons, eagles, doves, parakeets, owls and hummingbirds.
The closest to San Jose to the west is San Ramon. Just over an hour’s drive from the capital, this area is characterised by tranquil coffee plantations and the magnificent Peñas Blancas and Alberto Manuel Brenes Reserves. See deer, black guans, 57 different types of mammals and the clay-coloured Robin among much more.
Highlights
Learn the art of coffee-making from bean to cup at traditional farms.
Taste the art of Costa Rican rum with a private tasting.
Explore how the forest changes at night with a guided experience.
Spot wildlife such as deer, black guans, parakeets and ocelots.
The Central Cloud Forests are a great destination for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in nature. Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and incredible wildlife. The forests here are truly grounding.
Delfina Russo
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in The Central Cloud Forests
There are many incredible places to stay in The Central Cloud Forests. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our The Central Cloud Forests example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Where to go
Arenal
The omnipresent Arenal Volcano towers over the region, contrasting against sheer blue skies or framed by verdant jungle foliage as you glance up from your activities. Enjoy hikes, zip lines, hot springs and much more.
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Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
Osa enjoys an exceptional wealth of biodiversity, from primary rainforests to sandy coastline. Remote and exciting, this is one of the best places for wildlife encounters in Costa Rica.
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Dominical
A sleepy surf village with great access to the national park and various stunning beaches. Learn to ride the big waves or sit back and relax in nature watching fiery sunsets.
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Manuel Antonio
One of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations, and for good reason. A marine reserve protecting an idyllic coastline and important, verdant rainforests. Spot dolphins, whales, howler monkeys and kingfishers.
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Nicoya Peninsula
Tangled stone cliffs and winding mangroves greet the rugged, beautiful coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. A natural paradise with a focus on sustainability and respecting the precious environment.
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Pacuare Reserve
Exhilarating and remote, get off the beaten track here with white water rafting, vast areas of primary, virgin rainforest and masses of wildlife. Stay at sustainable, luxury lodges in this stunning riverside location.
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Puerto Viejo
Located on the southern Caribbean coastline there’s plenty to do here. Visit Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge for wildlife, surf the big waves on Salsa Brava beach or find the calmer waters and beach bars at Limon.
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Rio Celeste
Over 100 kilometres from San Jose, truly off the beaten track. Many habitats converge here attracting hundreds of bird species. Float on the azure blue river and meet with the Maleku Indigenous Tribe.
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San Jose
A cosmopolitan city with some worthwhile highlights to explore. The colonial quarters of the city are vibrant and filled with smells of food stalls and ground coffee.
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The Coffee Valley
Fertile volcanic soil and a tropical climate make Costa Rica one of the best places in the world for growing delicious coffee beans. Learn about the culture connected with the land and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and more.
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The Guanacaste Coast
Known for wide, long stretches of coastline and consistent sunshine, Guanacaste has long been a ‘surfers paradise’. Explore inland to discover the region's wildlife in Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
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Tortuguero
Explore this region on foot or by boat, discovering its many lagoons, canals and rivers. With 11 different habitats attracting a diverse range of wildlife species, including turtles, this is a great place for nature lovers.
Discover moreMeet your Latin America team
When to visit
Costa Rica has two distinct seasons: the dry season, which runs from December to April, and the green season, which runs from May to November. We recommend avoiding travelling from September to October as many regions experience heavy rainfall during this time.
No matter when you go, Costa Rica offers the chance to discover some amazing ecosystems and see fascinating wildlife all year round.
Dry season
December – April
Green season
May – November
Costa Rica travel guides
Plan your trip to The Central Cloud Forests
Whatever you want from your adventure in The Central Cloud Forests, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
