Monteverde Hanging Bridges, Sloth Sanctuary & Butterfly Garden

Three habitats in one morning: canopy, sanctuary, and 50 species of butterflies

A guided tour in Monteverde combining three wildlife experiences: 3 kilometers of suspension bridges through the forest canopy with a certified naturalist, a 45-minute visit to a sloth sanctuary housing 20 animals in a natural habitat replica, and a tour of a 300-foot butterfly garden hosting 50 species. Transport, water and lunch are included. The tour runs 4 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Monteverde wildlife and canopy

• Walk on ground trails
• Cross 8 suspension bridges
• Visit Sloth Sanctuary exhibit
• Take guided sloth tour
• Tour Butterfly Garden exhibit

The experience

The day starts on the ground and climbs into the canopy via eight suspension bridges strung across the treetops. Walking 3 kilometers above the forest floor gives a view of the ecosystem most visitors never reach: the habitat where the animals actually live. A certified naturalist guide leads the way and explains what you're seeing as you move through this layer of the forest. The bridges themselves are the route. The canopy is what opens up.

After the canopy, the tour moves to the Sloth Sanctuary, a 45-minute stop in an exhibit built to mirror the animals' natural environment. Twenty sloths live here: slow-moving, tree-dwelling creatures that have become one of Costa Rica's most recognizable animals. The guide walks you through the space and covers the species' habits and why their pace is what it is. Then comes the Butterfly Garden, a single enormous structure 300 feet long and 90 feet wide with a 50-foot dome ceiling. Fifty butterfly species live inside. The tour includes an explanation of their life cycles and behaviors as you move through.

Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and lunch are part of the booking. The guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 2 are welcome, though the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with cardiovascular concerns. A moderate fitness level helps with the bridge walking. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them when you book.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• lunch with a vegetarian option available upon request.
• a certified naturalist guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (22 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 21 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Guanacaste Adventure & Travel

Is this one for you?The 4-hour span leaves room for another activity or a meal elsewhere in Monteverde, but the three stops (canopy, sanctuary and garden) fill the morning completely. Book this if you want wildlife and forest in one outing rather than spreading separate visits across the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 21 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 4 years).

What does it feel like to walk the suspension bridges in Monteverde?

The eight bridges span 3 kilometers above the forest canopy, giving you a view of the treetops from above rather than from the ground. You start with a walk on solid ground that gradually takes you up into the canopy layer itself: a habitat most visitors never see. A certified naturalist guide is with you the whole way and explains the ecosystem as you cross.

How many sloths are in the sanctuary, and what is the exhibit like?

The Sloth Sanctuary is home to 20 sloths living in an exhibit designed to replicate their natural habitat. The space is built around their slow-moving, tree-dwelling nature, and the guided tour covers their habits and behavior during a 45-minute visit.

How large is the butterfly garden and what can I expect to see there?

The Butterfly Garden is one of the largest on the continent: 300 feet long, 90 feet wide, with a 50-foot dome ceiling. It hosts 50 species of butterflies, and the tour includes information about their life cycles and special behaviors as you walk through the live exhibit.

What is included in the price, and how long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 4 hours and includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and lunch. A certified naturalist guide leads all three stops and speaks English or Spanish.

Are there any restrictions I should know about before booking?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, especially for the suspension bridge section. Children from age 2 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at booking.