FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Tour Conditions

Will I see wildlife during the tour?

You’ll be in great hands with your guide. But wildlife is not predictable, and is not guaranteed. 

Is the Cloud Forest Tour like a safari?

A Cloud Forest Tour is not a safari or a zoo-like experience. First and foremost it is a natural history walk. Quetzals, bellbirds, sloths, monkeys and other awesome wildlife sightings are goals we aim for during every tour, and we will do our darned best to encounter them. Tip: mammals are sometimes easier to see during a night tour than a day tour.

How long are the tours?

Approximately 3 hours. The pace is slow and leisurely, focused on learning about the forest. You’ll usually cover about 1 – 2.5 km. Please remember, it’s an educational tour, not an adrenaline tour.

Is it a walk or a hike?

Our guided tours are walks meant for all levels of fitness. If you are interested in a longer hike focused on distance and different terrains, contact us for more info.

2. Guides & Certifications

What is a naturalist guide?

A naturalist guide educates about the cloud forest and, through experience and good eyes and ears, works to spot interesting flora and fauna.  He or she also furthers understanding about the symbiotic relationships found in the forest.

Are the Naturalist Guides certified?

There are many guides in Monteverde with decades of experience, encyclopedic knowledge, and the soft skills to run exceptional tours.  As such, many guides have a non-traditional education and don’t hold specific certifications. There are also guides who have completed a more traditional academic guide training. We value and support both experiences, as long as we feel the individual guide meets our standards of a personalized, high-quality tour

Is a Guide really necessary?

You can certainly visit the cloud forest of Monteverde without a guide. However, we recommend hiring a guide.  It’s like our friends at Casa Batsú say, “you can visit a museum and browse without a tour guide, but unless you have someone to show you the intricacies of the works of art, you won’t be able to fully appreciate them.” This is how we feel about our forests.

4. Food & Beverage

Does the tour include food and drinks?

No, the tour does not include food or water. Please bring a refillable water bottle if you’d like water.

Where can I eat in Monteverde?

Popular restaurants are Choco-Café, The Treen, Sabor Tico, Don Luis, De Lucía, and Boca2Café.

6. Payment & Reservations

How do you make a reservation?

You can make a reservation on our online form. Or you can contact us via email or phone.

How do I cancel a reservation?

For online bookings, cancellations must be received at least 24hr ahead of time for a full refund. For email bookings, cancellations must be requested in writing. contact us for details.

Do the prices include taxes?

Yes, all our tours include the required taxes which are 0% VAT through June 30, 2021, and 4% VAT beginning July 1 2021.

3. Equipment & Clothes

What should I wear?

Normal walking shoes (closed toed) are fine on the cloud forest, birding and night tours. Nothing too special or Hi-Tech is needed. Wear layers

Should I bring my own camera and binoculars?

Bring your camera, we will provide binoculars for use during the tour.

Can I buy or rent equipment in Monteverde?

We recommend the Monteverde Outdoor Center.

5. Accommodation

Do you offer accommodation?

Yes, we recommend Casita Meg or Casa Kiskidee, two fully furnished free standing houses. 

Where can I stay in Monteverde?

Popular hotels and lodging in Monteverde include Fonda Vela, Hotel Belmar, Trapp Family Lodge, and Mariposa B&B.

Where can I stay in Santa Elena and Los Llanos?

Popular hotels in Santa Elena and Los Llanos include Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, Arco Iris, Ficus, Poco a Poco, Casa Batsú, Valle Campana, La Pradera Monteverde, and El Sol (La Lindora).

Where can I stay in Cerro Plano?

Popular hotels in Cerro Plano include El Establo, Cabañas Los Pinos, Monteverde Country Lodge, Cala Lodge, and Historias B&B.

7. Health & Safety

What security measures should I take during my visit to Costa Rica?

There are several measures to consider for a more pleasant visit to our country, for this we recommend the Security Passport developed by the Costa Rican Tourist Board (ICT). In our Health & Safety section you can find a summary of the key points.

Does Pasión Costa Rica offer insurance for the tours?

We strongly urge you to purchase travel insurance for the duration of your stay in Costa Rica. Our transport vehicle has insurance, and all trails in the area have insurance.

Is there any risk during the tours?

Pasión Costa Rica’s tours involve some inherent risk due to the physical nature of the tours as well as the presence of wildlife where the tours take place. Pasión Costa Rica may not be held responsible for an encounter with any wildlife or natural disaster/occurrencePasión Costa Rica is not responsible for lost, broken or stolen items such as jewelry, money, cameras, passports, day packs, etc.

If I have a medical condition can I take the tour?

Though most Pasión Costa Rica tours are non-strenuous and take place on well-kept trails, it is recommended that clients be in good physical condition without any recent surgery, heart condition, injury, or pregnancy beyond 36 weeks. If a client takes medication such as allergy pills and needs them with him/her or has other medical concerns, please have him/her inform the guide.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Tour Conditions

Will I see wildlife during the tour?

You’ll be in great hands with your guide. But wildlife is not predictable, and is not guaranteed. 

Is the Cloud Forest Tour like a safari?

A Cloud Forest Tour is not a safari or a zoo-like experience. First and foremost it is a natural history walk. Quetzals, bellbirds, sloths, monkeys and other awesome wildlife sightings are goals we aim for during every tour, and we will do our darned best to encounter them. Tip: mammals are sometimes easier to see during a night tour than a day tour.

How long are the tours?

Approximately 3 hours. The pace is slow and leisurely, focused on learning about the forest. You’ll usually cover about 1 – 2.5 km. Please remember, it’s an educational tour, not an adrenaline tour.

Is it a walk or a hike?

Our guided tours are walks meant for all levels of fitness. If you are interested in a longer hike focused on distance and different terrains, contact us for more info.

2. Guides & Certifications

What is a naturalist guide?

A naturalist guide educates about the cloud forest and, through experience and good eyes and ears, works to spot interesting flora and fauna.  He or she also furthers understanding about the symbiotic relationships found in the forest.

Are the Naturalist Guides certified?

There are many guides in Monteverde with decades of experience, encyclopedic knowledge, and the soft skills to run exceptional tours.  As such, many guides have a non-traditional education and don’t hold specific certifications. There are also guides who have completed a more traditional academic guide training. We value and support both experiences, as long as we feel the individual guide meets our standards of a personalized, high-quality tour

Is a Guide really necessary?

You can certainly visit the cloud forest of Monteverde without a guide. However, we recommend hiring a guide.  It’s like our friends at Casa Batsú say, “you can visit a museum and browse without a tour guide, but unless you have someone to show you the intricacies of the works of art, you won’t be able to fully appreciate them.” This is how we feel about our forests.

3. Equipment & Clothes

What should I wear?

Normal walking shoes (closed toed) are fine on the cloud forest, birding and night tours. Nothing too special or Hi-Tech is needed. Wear layers

Should I bring my own camera and binoculars?

Bring your camera, we will provide binoculars for use during the tour.

Can I buy or rent equipment in Monteverde?

We recommend the Monteverde Outdoor Center.

4. Food & Beverage

Does the tour include food and drinks?

No, the tour does not include food or water. Please bring a refillable water bottle if you’d like water.

Where can I eat in Monteverde?

Popular restaurants are Choco-Café, The Treen, Sabor Tico, Don Luis, De Lucía, and Boca2Café.

5. Accommodation

Do you offer accommodation?

Yes, we recommend Casita Meg or Casa Kiskidee, two fully furnished free standing houses. 

Where can I stay in Monteverde?

Popular hotels and lodging in Monteverde include Fonda Vela, Hotel Belmar, Trapp Family Lodge, and Mariposa B&B.

Where can I stay in Santa Elena and Los Llanos?

Popular hotels in Santa Elena and Los Llanos include Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, Arco Iris, Ficus, Poco a Poco, Casa Batsú, Valle Campana, La Pradera Monteverde, and El Sol (La Lindora).

Where can I stay in Cerro Plano?

Popular hotels in Cerro Plano include El Establo, Cabañas Los Pinos, Monteverde Country Lodge, Cala Lodge, and Historias B&B.

6. Payment & Reservations

How do you make a reservation?

You can make a reservation on our online form. Or you can contact us via email or phone.

How do I cancel a reservation?

For online bookings, cancellations must be received at least 24hr ahead of time for a full refund. For email bookings, cancellations must be requested in writing. contact us for details.

Do the prices include taxes?

Yes, all our tours include the required taxes which are 0% VAT through June 30, 2021, and 4% VAT beginning July 1 2021.

7. Health & Safety

What security measures should I take during my visit to Costa Rica?

There are several measures to consider for a more pleasant visit to our country, for this we recommend the Security Passport developed by the Costa Rican Tourist Board (ICT). In our Health & Safety section you can find a summary of the key points.

Does Pasión Costa Rica offer insurance for the tours?

We strongly urge you to purchase travel insurance for the duration of your stay in Costa Rica. Our transport vehicle has insurance, and all trails in the area have insurance.

Is there any risk during the tours?

Pasión Costa Rica’s tours involve some inherent risk due to the physical nature of the tours as well as the presence of wildlife where the tours take place. Pasión Costa Rica may not be held responsible for an encounter with any wildlife or natural disaster/occurrencePasión Costa Rica is not responsible for lost, broken or stolen items such as jewelry, money, cameras, passports, day packs, etc.

If I have a medical condition can I take the tour?

Though most Pasión Costa Rica tours are non-strenuous and take place on well-kept trails, it is recommended that clients be in good physical condition without any recent surgery, heart condition, injury, or pregnancy beyond 36 weeks. If a client takes medication such as allergy pills and needs them with him/her or has other medical concerns, please have him/her inform the guide.

Tips, facts & more!

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Most people come to Monteverde mainly for two reasons: nature and/or adventure. Fortunately, at Pasión Costa Rica, we are passionate for both of them, and this blog will cover both subjects. So, let's get to the point and start with nature. 1. Nature Monteverde is...

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