Monteverde Biological Reserve covers 10,500 hectares of tropical cloud forest. Cloud forest is different from lowland rainforests in that it is found in highland areas at elevations high enough to often be blanketed in low-lying clouds. This keeps cloud forests quite moist and humid, despite having slightly lower temperatures than lowland forests. ( Beletsky )

Monteverde - which literally means "Green Mountian" (2500 ha / 6200 acre) was founded in 1972 by a dairy community of Quakers and Costa Ricans. This was to preserve it in its natural state and the scientists were especially concerned with preserving the Golden Toad ( probably extinct by now). Over time, the reserve expanded and changed hands. It is now run by the Tropical Science Center and is one of the model sucess examples of the benefits of ecotourism. ( Beletsky )

Monteverde is one of the best locales to see the Three-wattled Bellbird, Crested Guan, Orange-fronted and Orange-chinned Parakeets, White-fronted and Red-lored Parrots, Immaculate and Bicolored Antbirds and Bare-necked Umbrella bird amongst many others. It has a great biodiversity due to the variable climate and great altitudinal gradient. Other interesting wildlife recorded include the Jaguar, Ocelot and Baird's Tapir. ( Beletsky )