This Blog is part of our Costa Rica Retirement Travel series. If you want to catch up on our back story, you can go to
Today we traded the beaches of Jaco for the misty cloud forests of Monteverde — one of Costa Rica’s most magical mountain regions.
Pink Bear decided to stay at home since it was going to be a long day. She decided to spend the day at the pool.
As part of our retirement strategy, we once again chose to take a private tour. We find most of our private guides on Tours by Locals. This site has been an invaluable resource for finding quality local guides who provide authentic experiences worldwide. Today our guide was Henry. Henry is a great guide and has a wealth of knowledge about Costa Rican wildlife and the environment. We were transported to the Monteverde Cloud Forest area in a spacious van with a dedicated driver.
Meet Henry!
Coffee Stop:
Costa Rica is known for its mountains, forests, wildlife, watersports, and of course, coffee! Since Monteverde is about 2.5 hours from Jaco, we had to leave very early, and so we stopped for coffee along the way. Rest El Mirador provided us with an authentic Costa Rican breakfast experience.
We not only had authentic Costa Rican coffee, but we were also treated to mountain views.
Of course, there is always an opportunity to view the native wildlife.
Skywalk Hanging Bridges:
The cloud forest hanging bridges have been on our bucket list since my retirement in 2020, and it was very exciting to finally get to see them. Although we were in the “cloud” forest, we had a nice sunny day, so no mysterious cloud pictures today; however, it was still a magical experience. Walking across the hanging bridges felt like floating above the rainforest canopy while tropical birds called from the trees below.
Costa Rica is a bird watcher’s paradise. We heard birds chirping in the trees, and the sounds filled the air. Download a bird sounds app to your phone. It is a great way to aid in bird spotting, and it helps with identification. Henry was great at bird spotting
We also came across this little insect. Henry warned us not to touch it.
Hummingbird Garden
After we visited the hanging bridges, we stopped at the hummingbird garden. This was such a treat seeing so many beautiful hummingbirds. So many splendid hummingbirds whizzing around us was an enchanting sight. It was fun and challenging trying to get pictures of them as they fluttered all around us.
Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary of Monteverde:
Because this is a retirement vacation, Henry was kind enough to switch up the tour a bit for our abilities. This is an important reason that private tours are great for retirement travel. The tours are personalized to individual preferences and abilities. Instead of another cloud forest hike, we visited the wildlife sanctuary, which was a real treat.
This sanctuary is a wonderful place that is home to wild animals that cannot be returned to the wild. They have been injured and, although nursed back to health, are not strong or capable enough to survive in the wild. Or they may be orphaned and raised in captivity, so they do not have the skills to survive outside the sanctuary. At Natuwa Monteverde, they are committed to animal welfare
Our first stop was to gaze at the incredible sloths. The sanctuary presents an environment that not only stimulates the sloths to live as they would in the wild but also provides a unique opportunity for visitors to observe these incredible creatures in a natural habitat. It is truly a heartwarming experience witnessing these adorable animals hanging from the trees.
Our next stop on the tour was to observe and learn about the two jaguars, Onka and Monteverde. Jaguars are a powerful symbol of Costa Rica’s biodiversity. Weighing 100 to 250 pounds, the Costa Rican jaguar is the largest wild cat in the country. Males can reach over 7 feet in length. These are two orphaned jaguars that do not have the skills to live in the wild. Learning about jaguars and observing these two was fascinating and educational
Our next stop was to observe a Baird’s Tapir. They are Costa Rica’s largest terrestrial mammal, measuring between 29 and 42 inches at the shoulder, and weighing from 500 to 800 pounds. Having an opportunity to observe this unique mammal was very special. We were mesmerized as he lumbered through his watering hole, so large yet somehow graceful. We felt blessed to have been able to view this interesting creature.
One of the things I love most about retirement travel is finally having the time to slow down and appreciate places like Monteverde. Watching hummingbirds dart through the gardens and seeing sloths peacefully resting in the trees reminded me of why we chose this lifestyle.
Heading home after the animal sanctuary, we had a sense of contented exhaustion. Although it was a long day trip from Jaco, we felt it was absolutely worth the journey. However, if you prefer a slower pace, spending one or two nights in Monteverde would allow more time to explore the cloud forest region. Everything from the hanging bridges to the hummingbirds to the amazing wildlife was so gratifying.
Monteverde is a must-see area on any Costa Rican Vacation.
Retirement Tour Rating:
⭐ Retirement Comfort Level: 8/10
⭐ Adventure Level: Moderate
⭐ Pink Bear Approved: Yes
Tips for the Monteverde tour
- Bring a light rain jacket — it gets cooler in the mountains.
- Expect some rain during Costa Rica’s green season.
- Wear sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes for hiking
- Bring your camera — the views and wildlife are spectacular
- Private tours offer great personalized service and flexibility
- Costa Rica is a bird watcher’s paradise. Download a bird sound app to enhance the bird-watching experience.
To read about our entire Costa Rica adventure: