Monteverde Night Tour: Cloud Forest Wildlife & Sloths Walk

Summary

Cloud forest night walk in Santa Elena with wildlife spotting and local guides

You’ll step into Monteverde’s cloud forest just as night falls, guided by a local expert who knows every rustle and call. Watch for glass frogs on wet leaves, sleepy birds hidden above you, and maybe even catch a sloth stretching under moonlight. With hotel pickup included and flashlights provided, you’ll feel part of something secret—and probably leave thinking about those sounds long after.

What’s the experience like?

You don’t really expect the forest to sound louder after dark, but stepping onto the Ficus Trails in Santa Elena just after 6 p.m., it felt like everything was waking up at once. Our guide, Luis, handed out flashlights (mine flickered a bit—he just grinned and swapped it without a word) and led us down a path that smelled like damp earth and something sweet I still can’t name. The air was thick, almost sticky on my skin. There were nine of us—small enough that you could actually hear Luis whisper when he pointed out a sleeping bird tucked under a leaf. I didn’t know birds slept like that.

We moved slow. Sometimes we’d stop for ages while Luis angled his light just right to show us a glass frog—tiny, greenish, almost invisible except for its belly. He said only about 2% of the world’s forests are cloud forests like this one. At some point, someone behind me gasped and there was this quiet scramble as we all tried to spot a sloth high up in the branches. It looked like a fuzzy lump until it moved its arm (very slowly), which made everyone laugh for some reason. I tried to take a photo but mostly got blurry leaves—Luis said it happens to everyone.

There was this moment where we all stood still because Luis thought he heard an olingo nearby. It went quiet except for the insects—a kind of constant background hiss—and I realized how different the forest feels at night. Not scary exactly, but sort of alive in ways you don’t notice during the day. On the way back, someone asked about the plants glowing faintly along the trail; turns out it’s some kind of fungus. I wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t pointed it out.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening Cloud Forest Night Tour

• Hotel pickup around 5:30 p.m.
• Travel to Ficus Trails
• Join naturalist guide at 6:00 p.m.
• Explore Cloud Forest at night
• Observe nocturnal animals and birds
• Use flashlights and take photos
• Return after approximately two hours

Top questions

What time does the Monteverde night tour start?

The tour begins at 6:00 p.m., with pickups starting from 5:30 p.m., depending on your hotel location.

How long does the Monteverde night walk last?

The night walk lasts approximately two hours through the cloud forest trails.

Is transportation included in the Monteverde night tour?

Yes, transportation is included within the Monteverde–Santa Elena area for hotel pickup and drop-off.

How many people are in each group?

The groups are small, with a maximum of 9 people per group for an intimate experience.

What animals might I see on this Monteverde night walk?

You may see glass frogs, sloths, sleeping birds, mammals like olingos, and various nocturnal insects.

Are guides bilingual on this tour?

Yes, bilingual naturalist guides lead each group through the cloud forest trails.

Do I need special equipment or clothing?

Closed shoes, long pants, a light jacket or poncho are recommended; flashlights are provided.

Is lunch or dinner included on this tour?

No meals are included; only hotel pickup/drop-off and guiding services are provided.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Santa Elena–Monteverde area, guiding by a bilingual naturalist who brings flashlights for everyone in your small group—so you can focus on spotting wildlife instead of logistics before heading back to your hotel later that night.