Monteverde Cloud Forest

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a unique environment for tourists to explore. It was established in 1972 by George Powell and Wilford Guindon, two Quakers. They had fled from America so as not to be enlisted in the army and established the reserve to prevent the area from being destroyed by local farmers. It is one of the three cloud forest reserves in Monteverde along with Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and Bosque Eterno de los Ninos. The reserve spans 35,089 acres of land and stands 4,662 feet above sea level. The name “cloud forest” comes from the low-hanging clouds that linger in the forest's upper canopy which enchants many visitors. The climate is humid and it has an average rainfall of 102 inches annually. There are many hiking trails for guests to tour and enjoy and the biodiversity and vegetation of almost 2,500 different plant species. The forest reserve is also home to a diverse amount of animals, there are around 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, thousands of different insects, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. In conclusion, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a special and captivating biome that attracts many people for the mysterious, stunning clouds.