Night hike Monteverde: Forest animals with guide

Nocturnal animals move differently than you expect them to.

A guided night hike through Finca Lantana's forest trails in Monteverde, where an experienced guide leads you with a flashlight to spot sloths, frogs, snakes, tarantulas and other wildlife active after dark. The trails are designed to give you the best conditions for seeing animals in their natural habitat, though sightings depend on what is moving that night. Optical equipment and a lantern are included. The hike runs about two and a half hours. English and Spanish guides are available.

The experience

The forest changes completely after sunset. What looked like ordinary canopy during the day becomes a different ecosystem: animals emerge that stay hidden in daylight, and the ones you might pass without noticing become visible in the beam of a flashlight. Your guide knows which trails give you the best chance of encountering them and what to listen for before you see anything. The flashlight is not just for you to see. It also helps the guide spot the reflective eyes of frogs, the slow movement of a sloth in the branches, or the sudden stillness of a snake.

Finca Lantana sits in a biological corridor, which means the animals here are wild and unpredictable. You might see two-toed sloths, armadillos, olingos, kinkajous or glass frogs. You might see tarantulas, insects, or the strangler fig trees that grow through the forest. The guide cannot guarantee a particular species (that is the trade-off of watching animals in their natural state instead of in a controlled setting), but the trails are built to maximize your chances, and the guide's knowledge of local ecology means you will understand what you are looking at when something does appear.

The hike takes about two and a half hours. You will need to be comfortable walking forest trails at night with a flashlight, and the guide will provide optical equipment to help you see what would otherwise be invisible. If you want to request a specific guide (Kevin Rodriguez specializes in the local ecology), you can arrange that before you book.

What’s included

• Experienced guide in English or Spanish.
• flashlight and optical equipment.
• lanterns for the walk through the forest.

Options for this experience

3 options

Regular TourGuide in English or Spanish · 18:00 and 20:00

Regular tour that includes transportGuide in English or Spanish · 18:00, 18:30 and 20:004x4: the rate includes pickup and drop-off at local hotels in Monteverde

Private tourGuide in English or Spanish · 18:30 and 20:00Private tour: local transportation plus a 2-hour private tour

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00, 18:30 and 20:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (7 to 90 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 10

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cloud Forest wildlife tour

Is this one for you?The night hike suits anyone who wants to see forest animals in their natural, active state rather than during the day when they rest. The trade-off is that sightings depend on what is moving that night, not on a guarantee. If you prefer to request a specific guide who knows the local ecology, you can arrange that before you book.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What animals am I most likely to see on a night hike at Finca Lantana?

Finca Lantana's trails are home to two-toed sloths, armadillos, olingos, kinkajous, glass frogs, tarantulas and many species of insects. Because the forest is a biological corridor where animals move freely, sightings depend on what is active that night. Your guide cannot guarantee you will see a particular species, but the trails are designed to give you the best conditions for spotting whatever is moving.

Do I need special equipment or fitness level for the night hike?

The hike is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Your guide provides a flashlight and optical equipment, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. The walk is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

How long does the night hike last?

The hike runs about two and a half hours on the forest trails of Finca Lantana.

What is included in the night hike?

The hike includes a private guided tour, a flashlight, optical equipment and lanterns to help you see nocturnal wildlife on the trails.

Is transportation to Finca Lantana included?

Public transportation options are available near Finca Lantana. The tour itself includes the guided hike and equipment. You can choose a purchase option that includes transport if you prefer not to arrange it separately.