Not all of the plants in Monteverde grow up from the ground. In fact, some spend their entire lives, from spore to seedling to mature flowering plants, without ever touching terrestrial soil. In this article, come with us to discover the epiphytes of Monteverde's cloud forest, including fragile orchids, striking bromeliads, the deadly strangler fig, and many others!

Perched in the misty cloud forests of Costa Rica, Monteverde is known as one of the most tranquil, peaceful places in a country known for the concept of pura vida. Monteverde was founded by Quakers from the US who objected to the Vietnam War’s draft, and they found common ground with Costa Rica’s anti-war beliefs. In this way, even the very creation of Monteverde was an act of peaceful protest.

When you arrive by car and enter the Ocotea Boutique Hotel, you’re welcomed under the branches of the Damas, a mid-sized, flowering tree with a gentle scent and pale flowers. The Damas tree is a favorite for the honeybees and other pollinators in the area, and whenever the flowers are in bloom, you can see them industriously buzzing around in their day’s work. 

Each journey to Monteverde brings something different. That’s the beauty and the joy of living a life intertwined with thriving and untamed wilderness. But the dream we have for your stay with us in Monteverde is something that remains the same time after time. 

First of all, what are The Monteverde Institute and  Life Monteverde, and what do they do?

Normally, we focus on Monteverde as a tourist destination but this amazing place is so much more. It’s a hub for education and research into many aspects of ecology, biodiversity, flora and fauna, microclimates, interconnectivity, and the effects of global warming.

We’ve said it before, and it is worth repeating- one of the things that genuinely sets Monteverde apart as a destination, is the sense of community which enfolds you the moment you arrive. So what creates that magical feeling of warmth and welcome? The people of course!

We often talk about how important the forests are to the health and welfare of the planet, and about how much work goes into their preservation and care, but what many people don’t understand- at least until you take a tour- is that it really is a labor of love.

Heading out to visit a new place is always an adventure. With the right amount of planning, it can be a wonderful experience… or not. There are always things you can’t control, like delayed flights or flat tires, that can keep things from running as smoothly as they might have… but we aren’t going to focus on those.