Your Travel Experience with Finest Journeys
Boat across Lake Arenal to Monteverde
Travel to Monteverde with a scenic boat trip across Lake Arenal and a drive through lush mountain landscapes. This four-hour trip is the quickest route to the cloud forest, offering views of Arenal Volcano and tropical birds along the way. Nestled in the Pacific highlands, the quaint town of Santa Elena serves as the gateway to the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, renowned as some of the most extraordinary wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. With its alpine-style wooden houses and cool, misty climate, Santa Elena evokes the charm of a tropical Switzerland. Here, the altitude creates a unique environment where the forest rises through the clouds, earning it the name "cloud forest" rather than "rainforest." After settling into your accommodation, the remainder of your day is yours to relax or explore. For a taste of local flavor, try the Monteverde Cheese Factory, established in 1953 by the area’s original Quaker settlers. Famous for its Monte Rico cheese and creamy ice cream, it’s a must for food lovers. Alternatively, dive straight into Monteverde’s wildlife attractions, such as the Butterfly Garden, Serpentarium, Frog Pond, or Bat Jungle, all offering a closer look at the region’s incredible biodiversity.