Luxury Travel to The Central Cloud Forests made for you
Hiking trails and incredible wildlife
Mystical, magical and flourishing with life
Costa Rica’s central highlands are dotted with a number of exquisite and captivatingly biodiverse cloud forests.
Typified by elevated and tropical evergreen forest land with 100 per cent humidity the area is therefore almost always shrouded in clouds and mist. Costa Rica is fortunate enough to have at least six cloud forest zones concentrated in the central highlands and in the central south.
Monteverde is the country’s most renowned destination for cloud forests. A small town hemmed in by the Santa Elena and Monteverde Reserves, it is also very close to the Arenal volcano area. Here you can hike along the trails that traverse these copious habitats of lichen, moss and orchids, populated by ocelots, butterflies, umbrella birds and the endangered Quetzal.
To the south-east of Monteverde and 1.5 hours north of San Jose is Bajos del Toro and the Bosque de Paz Biological Preserve. This cloud forest is sandwiched between the Juan Castro Blanco and Poas Volcano national parks and home to a large number of bird species such as four types of heron, hawks, falcons, eagles, doves, parakeets, owls and hummingbirds.
The closest to San Jose to the west is San Ramon. Just over an hour’s drive from the capital, this area is characterised by tranquil coffee plantations and the magnificent Peñas Blancas and Alberto Manuel Brenes Reserves. See deer, black guans, 57 different types of mammals and the clay-coloured Robin among much more.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Central Cloud Forests specialists
Journey from bean to cup
Learn the art of coffee-making at farms and coffee plantations, delving into time-honoured processes.
Sip the finest Costa Rican rum
There’s nothing better than a private tasting to learn about Costa Rican rum.
Walk the forest after dark
Explore how the forest changes at night with a guided experience.
Watch for local wildlife
You’ll have the chance to spot deer, black guans, parakeets and ocelots.
A word from one of our experts
The Central Cloud Forests are a great destination for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in nature. Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and incredible wildlife. The forests here are truly grounding.
Delfina Russo
Luxury accommodation in The Central Cloud Forests
There are many incredible places to stay in The Central Cloud Forests. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel is a villa in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Discover moreWhy book with Jacada?
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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our The Central Cloud Forests example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
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Community and Conservation in Costa Rica
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Into the Moment in Costa Rica
Let nature set the pace on your luxury journey through Costa Rica. Enjoy experiences that help you notice the small details: a barefoot grounding practice that…
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Arenal
Nowhere else in Costa Rica allows you the luxurious yet captivating proximity to a (now) dormant volcano encircled by rich rainforest, dive…
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Boca Tapada
You’ll find Boca Tapada nearby the mouth of the San Carlos river in Costa Rica’s Northern Lowlands. It’s an area of unspo…
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Central Valley
Coffee hills near the capital.
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Cerros de Turrubares
Nestled between the Rio Grande de Tarcoles to the north and the Fila Negra mountains to the west, Cerros de Turrubares is a wonderfully rur…
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Dominical
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Guanacaste
Wide stretches of golden solitary beaches, wildlife reserves jostling with exotic nature, a dry consistent climate, great surfing spots, an…
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Jacó
Jacó is THE surfer beach town of Costa Rica. And whilst not as sleepy as it used to be due to growing popularity, it still offers the best…
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Manuel Antonio
With its accessibility, teeming national park, turquoise marine reserve, white coral beaches and range of luxury hotels, Manuel Antonio is…
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Nicoya Peninsula
Known for its stunning semi-deserted beaches linked together by grey stone cliffs or tangles of knotted mangroves, the rustic Nicoya Penins…
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Orosi Valley
It makes sense that Costa Rica’s fertile Central Valley, ringed by volcanoes and stretching in a verdant arc from San Ramon lying to the we…
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Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is one of the most remote locations in Costa Rica. But its seclusion has everything to do with its inimitability, making…
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Pacuare
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Puerto Viejo
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Rincón de la Vieja
Discover a world of wildlife and geology at this exciting National Park which boasts 34,800 acres of flourishing nature and volcanic wonder…
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Río Celeste
The north of Costa Rica remains largely off the beaten path, but if you’d like to get under the country’s skin and explore further afield,…
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San Gerardo de Dota
The newly created Los Quetzales National Park named after its most famous and elusive resident, the resplendent quetzal, is a bird watching…
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San José
Costa Rica may be renowned as a bountiful, serene paradise, but lesser known is its cosmopolitan heart: San José. Positioned in the mid-wes…
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Sarapiquí
Sarapiquí is a small but beautiful region. It is an area frequented in particular by eco-tourists yet is also a regular if not unmissable s…
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Tortuguero
A dense and intricate network of rivers, lagoons, and canals crisscross 11 different habitats of rainforest, swamp and beach, to be explore…
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Turrialba
Just a mere forty miles (65 km) east of San Jose in the Central Valley region of Cartago, Turrialba is a wonderfully rustic area in which t…
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Meet your Latin America team
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Berni De Luca
Client Experience Manager for Latin America
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Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
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Dan Scott-Kerr
Travel Designer
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Delfina Russo
Travel Designer
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Demi Roberts
Senior Travel Designer
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Em Jennison
Travel designer
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Flavia Toledo
Latin America Concierge
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James Sirotkin
Travel Designer
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Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
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Lizzie Slater
Travel Designer
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Melanie Vieira
Senior Concierge – Latin America
When to visit
Costa Rica has two distinct seasons: the dry season, which runs from December to April, and the green season, which runs from May to November. We recommend avoiding travelling from September to October as many regions experience heavy rainfall during this time. No matter when you go, Costa Rica offers the chance to discover some amazing ecosystems and see fascinating wildlife all year round.
Dry season
December–April
Green season
May–November
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica travel guides
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The 8 Best Family Things to Do in Costa Rica
Families visiting Costa Rica will find a wide range of activities year-round. Our travel designers highlight the best wildlife, water adventures, zip lines, ho…
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The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica During the Green Season
Costa Rica in the green season is quiet, green and full of life. The rain keeps the jungle fresh, animals are easier to spot and waterfalls are at their most i…
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We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.