Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a protected area in Costa Rica established in 1973. It covers 105 square kilometers at an elevation of about 1,500 meters and is one of the most looked-up sights in the country.
Planning a visit
The driest months are February and March, which see between 5 and 6 days of rain and highs around 22 °C to 24 °C. Rainfall increases significantly starting in May and peaks in October with over 500 mm of rain and about 26 rainy days. Temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year, with daily highs between 20 °C and 24 °C and lows between 13 °C and 15 °C.
The reserve is 88 km from San José. The nearest airport is La Fortuna Arenal Airport, located 29 km away, while the Juan Santamaría International Airport is 72 km from the site. Visitors can combine a trip here with visits to the Arenal Volcano, 19.9 km away, Lake Arenal, 30.1 km away, or Tenorio Volcano National Park, which is 46.6 km away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is April, with an average high of 24 °C. The wettest is October, with about 504 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Average low, °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Rainfall, mm | 118 | 69 | 62 | 85 | 339 | 417 | 380 | 433 | 480 | 504 | 276 | 178 |
| Rainy days | 6 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 23 | 26 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 20 | 10 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
