Monteverde Cloud Forest & Sloth Sanctuary: 6 Hanging Bridges

Step quietly to watch rescued sloths move slowly through their natural home

This shore excursion from port combines a guided walk across six hanging bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest with a visit to a sloth sanctuary housing rescued animals. The tour includes a Costa Rican lunch, professional guide in English or Spanish, and port pickup and drop-off. Eight hours total, with moderate physical fitness required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Monteverde Cloud Forest and Sloth Sanctuary

• Leave port and travel Panamerican Highway
• Drive road to Monteverde
• Explore six hanging bridges in cloud forest
• Enjoy Costa Rican lunch with local produce
• Visit sloth sanctuary and guided tour
• Observe sloths in natural habitat
• Return to pier

The experience

The tour starts when you leave the port and head up the Panamerican Highway toward Monteverde. The road itself tells the story: descendants of Quakers who arrived in the 1950s deliberately kept these access roads unpaved to protect the region from mass tourism. In a place where heavy rains turn dust to mud within hours, that choice worked. You'll see why once you arrive at the Cloud Forest and step onto the first of six hanging bridges that cross through the canopy.

After the bridge walk, you'll have a Costa Rican lunch made from fresh local produce. Then comes the sanctuary visit: a guided tour through a natural habitat where rescued sloths live. These animals were saved from poaching, habitat loss, illness and accidents. You'll observe them from a respectful distance as they move through the trees at their own unhurried pace: a rare chance to watch them in an environment built around their needs rather than around tourism pressure.

The full day runs eight hours from port departure to return. A professional guide leads the entire experience and speaks English or Spanish. Bottled water is provided throughout, and all taxes and fees are included in the price. Port pickup and drop-off are part of the booking.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• six hanging bridges at Selvatura Park in the cloud forest.
• Costa Rican lunch with fresh local produce.
• guided tour of the sloth sanctuary.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by GioTours

Is this one for you?Eight hours is the full commitment, which leaves little room for other activities on a port day but fits the cloud forest and sanctuary into a single excursion without rushing either one. If your ship's schedule allows a full morning and early afternoon ashore, this tour fills both.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What are the six hanging bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest like to walk?

The bridges cross through the cloud forest canopy at Selvatura Park. They're part of the first section of the tour, before lunch and the sanctuary visit, and they're the main reason to come to this part of Monteverde.

What will I eat during the eight hours?

Lunch is a Costa Rican meal made with fresh local produce and is included in the price. Bottled water is provided. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase if you choose.

How difficult is the walking on this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The bridges require balance and comfort with heights, and there's walking through the forest before and after the bridge section.

What is the Sloth Sanctuary and how is it different from a typical zoo?

The sanctuary was created in partnership with the Caribbean Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica and houses rescued sloths in a natural habitat. You observe them from a respectful distance as they move through trees in an environment designed around their needs, not tourism convenience.