Around 4,600 ft above sea level, Monteverde is famous for its ethereal cloud forests, which are not only home to rich and complex biodiversity but also a variety of fun-filled activities, from strolling on hanging bridges to ziplining above the canopy. If you only have a few days to spend in this luxuriant upland in Costa Rica, here are the things you cannot afford to miss.

1. Ficus La Raiz

Leaving La Fortuna with a jeep-boat-jeep tour – door-to-door transportation that involves two shuttle drives and a 45-min boat ride on the Arenal lake in between, I arrived in Santa Elena, the head town of Monteverde, at midday when the annoying drizzle didn’t care to stop. The hostel staff suggested that I go on an easy trail nearby to see Ficus La Raiz, also known as the root bridge. It’s free to visit, but a guy near the entrance told me they would put a price tag on it soon as preservation would be needed with more tourists coming (I’m not sure if he is legit). A handed-painted sign guides you to the ten-minute path that leads to the famous ficus tree, of which the roots crisscrossed to form a bridge about 15ft high and extended to the creek below for support. A group of French girls stepped onto the slippery bridge, posing for photos, and kindly offered to take one for me. I had no choice but to reject as watching them already sent chills down my spine.

2. Night Walk Tour

Going into the forest after dusk sounds like an adventure, and a mission to look for as much wildlife as possible made it even more thrilling. Among the companies that offer night walk tours in their private reserve, the hostel staff helped me sign up for the Kinkajou Night Walk. In a group of eight, each of us was given a torch for exploration. We are not allowed to use our own torch as it might be too bright and cause disturbance to the animals. Several groups were doing the tours simultaneously, and the guides would share their discoveries over the walkie-talkie so we could hurry there in the hope that the animal had the patience to wait for our arrival. We saw a snake curling up on a branch, a stick insect, a raccoon, tiny frogs sitting on leaves, a scorpion, a tarantulas, a grey-necked wood rail, a thrush, and a kinkajou. As we’re in the wild, we cannot expect those nocturnal creatures to greet us proactively. It’s a test of luck.

3. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Visiting a cloud forest is a must here, and many would choose to go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. However, I was recommended to head to the lesser-known Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve to escape the crowd while enjoying basically the same thing – a lush jungle of trees, mosses, ferns, and epiphytes supported by the consistent moisture from the hazy cloud cover. Be patient and observant, and you may find monkeys swinging among the branches and colorful centipedes resting on rocks or crossing the path. Though I chose to enjoy the walk on my own, I do recommend signing up for a guided tour which provides you with more insights about the forest as well as animal spotting. There is a total of four trails circulating the reserve area, with the 4.5km Cano Negro Trail being the longest one. The park opens daily from 7 am to 4 pm and offers transportation for a small fee.

4. Hanging Bridges

A stone’s throw away from the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is Selvatura Adventure Park, a nature center that offers a range of activities, from a sloth sanctuary and a butterfly garden to the canopy walkway bridges I went there for. Perfect for families with children or the elderly, the eight hanging bridges come in different heights and lengths, offering distinctive vantage points to take in the breathtaking view of the cloud forest. When I embarked on the trail, the sound of thunder worried me. Walking on a steel structure inside a jungle does not sound wise with the approach of a storm. Seeing no one sharing the trail with me made me even more anxious. I was scurrying until I saw an Indian family sauntering and taking photos on the bridge. It gave me comfort knowing that I was not the only insane person.

5. Ziplining & Tarzan Swing

Ziplining in a forest is the coolest thing I have done in Costa Rica. Relishing the magnificent view of the cloud forest on an elevated bridge is enjoyable, but flying through a jungle is on another level. The Zipline Tour by 100% Adventure Park starts with nine standard ziplines, where you can quit if you think it’s too much for you after the first few tries, followed by a 1.5km long zipline, hailed as the longest in Latin America. You have the option to complete it in superman-style, meaning you would be lying face down with the harnesses holding your back. Though I was told I might get stuck in the middle of the zipline as I weigh less than 55kg, I was doing fine and it was a once-of-a-kind experience. The adrenaline-rushing journey continues if you pluck up your courage to try the Tarzan Swing, where you jump down (or are pushed down) from a 45-meter high platform before swinging high back and forth like Tarzan. Being nervous was an understatement when I saw the gate open and was asked if I was ready. Before I knew it, I was screaming at the top of my lung. This is something I could brag about in my whole life, but I would never do it again as my neck was strained from the impact, and it took quite some time to heal.

6. Coffee, Sugarcane & Chocolate Tour

As Costa Rica is known for producing high-quality coffee and chocolate, it’s a good opportunity to learn more about them from their origin. At the tour by Don Juan, you will learn about where the chocolate comes from, taste the cacao fruit, and learn about the roasting and grinding process of the beans. Then, they will demonstrate how to extract sugar cane juice, followed by an introduction to the history and variety of coffee in the country. The most exciting part is the coffee all-you-can-drink session at the end of the tour. On the table are medium and dark roast coffee, as well as a special variety called honey coffee. Unlike the more common washed processing, only the pulp and fruit are removed from the coffee cherry during the honey processing, leaving a layer of sticky mucilage for the drying process. On the taste, the honey coffee is lightly sweet with a balanced acidity.