Santa Elena Reserve

Santa Elena Reserve Review

Several conservation areas that have sprung up near Monteverde make attractive day trips, particularly if the Monteverde Reserve is too busy. The 765-acre Santa Elena Reserve just west of Monteverde is a project of the Santa Elena high school, and has a series of trails of varying lengths and difficulties that can be walked alone or with a guide on tours that depart each morning at 7:30 and 11:30. The 1.4-km (¾-mi) Youth Challenge trail takes about 45 minutes to negotiate and contains an observation platform with views as far away as the Arenal Volcano—that is, if the clouds clear. If you're feeling hardy, try the 5-km (3-mi) Caño Negro trail, clocking in at around four hours. There's a shuttle service to the reserve with fixed departures and returns. Reservations are required, and the cost is $2 each way.