Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [152]
EL JARDíN DE LAS MARIPOSAS
One of the most interesting activities is visiting the El Jardín de las Mariposas (Butterfly Garden; 2645-5512; www.monteverdebutterflygarden.com; adult/student $10/8; 9:30am-4pm). Admission entitles you to a naturalist-led tour (in Spanish or English) that begins with an enlightening discussion of butterfly life cycles and the butterfly’s importance in nature. A variety of eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adults are examined. Visitors are taken into the greenhouses, where the butterflies are raised, and on into the screened garden, where hundreds of butterflies of many species are seen. The tour lasts about an hour, after which you are free to stay as long as you wish. There’s also a theater that presents an informational video in English, Spanish, French, Dutch or German. It’s best to visit in the morning when the butterflies are most active. There are good volunteer opportunities available here. To save a few bucks, consider purchasing an adult combo ticket (US$16) that also includes admission to the Ranario.
RANARIO
Monteverde’s cloud forest provides a heavenly habitat for amphibians, which, if you’re lucky, you’ll see in the park. But at the Ranario (Frog Pond; 2645-6320; www.ranario.com; adult/student & child US$10/8; 9am-8:30pm) about 30 species of Costa Rica’s colorful array of frogs and toads reside in transparent enclosures lining the winding indoor-jungle paths. Sharp-eyed guides lead informative tours in English or Spanish, pointing out frogs, eggs and tadpoles with flashlights. You’ll get to see the brilliantly fake-looking red-eyed tree frog, the glass frog and a variety of poison-dart frogs.
If you’re lucky, your guide may also imitate frog calls, or give you the lowdown on local folklore (tips are always appreciated). Many resident amphibians are more active by night, so it’s best to visit during the evening; your ticket allows you to return for free in the evening. The adult combo ticket (US$16) also includes admission to the butterfly garden (Click here).
SERPENTARIO
Biologist Fernando Valverde has collected about 40 species of snake, plus a fair number of frogs, lizards, turtles and other cold-blooded critters at his serpentario (serpentarium; 2645-6002; adult/student/child US$8/6/5; 9am-8pm). Sometimes it’s tough to find the slithering stars of the show in their comfy, foliage-filled cages, but guides are available in Spanish or English for free tours. The venomous snake displays are awesome, and you’ll get to see your first (and hopefully last) fer-de-lance.
BAT JUNGLE
Learn about echolocation, bat-wing aerodynamics and other amazing facts about the (incredibly cute) flying mammal, the bat. The stellar Bat Jungle (2645-6566; adult/child US$10/8; 9:30am-7:30pm), a labor of love realized by biologist Richard Laval, has terrific exhibits including a free-flying bat habitat, beautiful sculptures and a lot of bilingual educational displays. The Bat Jungle makes up part of the new Paseo de Stella visitors center, a modern hacienda-style building that also houses a cafe specializing in Argentine chocolate, a museum of Monteverde history and an art gallery. The wide terrace of the building is a wonderful spot to stop for coffee and a handmade truffle.
MUNDO DE LOS INSECTOS
The Mundo de los Insectos (World of Insects; 2645-6859; adult/student US$10/6; 9am-8pm) goes beyond just butterflies with its collection of creepy cloud-forest crawlies, from hermaphroditic walking sticks to notoriously venomous banana spiders. During our recent visit, the museum was changing management and undergoing a much-needed remodeling.
JARDíN DE ORQUÍDEAS
This sweet-smelling Jardín de Orquídeas (Orchid Garden; 2645-5308; www.monteverdeorchidgarden.com; adult/child under 12yr US$10/free; 8am-5pm) has shady trails winding