Monteverde for Toddlers to Teens

Age limits and child prices shape a family day in Monteverde more than anything else, so this page is arranged by age group. The valley is cool, misty and often wet, so pack a jacket for each child. Agree one rule before you set out: animals are for watching, never for feeding, touching or holding.

Under 5

Several places admit the youngest children free or at a low rate.

  • Monteverde Butterfly Gardens charge nothing for children under 3 and $6 for ages 4 to 6. Guided tours run daily between 9am and 3:30pm.
  • Curi-Cancha lets ages 0 to 4 in free, and Bajo del Tigre does the same for under 6s.
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is free for under 5s, so only the adults pay for the 1.4 km Essence Trail. It is easy, takes about an hour and has no bridge.
  • Treetopia’s Tree Tram has no minimum age. The cableway ride lasts about 20 minutes and costs $59.
  • Treetopia Sky Walk welcomes all ages, and wheelchairs can reach the sixth bridge.
  • Monteverde Orchid Garden has about 300 m of accessible path, and the guided tour is included.

The Preserve has no restrooms on its trails and does not allow umbrellas, so plan a stop before you start and eat after the walk.

Ages 5 to 8

  • Selvatura hanging bridges cost $34.30 for ages 4 to 11, on a 3 km route with 8 bridges. Few sections suit wheelchairs.
  • Selvatura Sloth Habitat, $40, shows 12 sloths living freely among the trees. A guide leads the 30 to 40 minute visit, and children must not touch the animals.
  • Treetopia Sky Trek zipline starts at age 5 and costs $99, tram ride included.
  • Selvatura canopy tour starts at age 4, costs $56 for ages 4 to 11, and has a 125 kg limit.
  • Curi-Cancha charges $15 for ages 5 to 20. Anyone under 18 must stay with an adult, and climbing trees or swinging on vines is not allowed.
  • Monteverde Extremo offers a 2 hour horseback ride from age 5 at about $48, with a 100 kg limit. The park is in La Cruz de Abangares, and transport from Monteverde is $10 per person.

Ages 9 to 12

  • Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve charges 5,500 colones (about $12) for ages 8 to 12 in 2026. The Mundo Joven trail meets Costa Rica’s accessibility standard, and the 13 m tower is a good goal for older children.
  • Bajo del Tigre charges $10.80 for ages 6 to 12 on self-guided visits.
  • Monteverde Extremo Longest Canopy takes riders from age 6.
  • Night walks suit children who can stay quiet in the dark. Curi-Cancha charges $35 for ages 5 to 20, and Bajo del Tigre charges $22.80 for ages 6 to 12. Nights are 12 to 14 C, and flash stays off.

Teenagers

The Extremo bungee jump starts at age 14, with a weight range of 45 to 113 kg. Treetopia’s AR Boreal challenge course costs $69 and takes about 90 minutes. Students aged 12 to 18 save about 10 percent at Selvatura, and Santa Elena and Bajo del Tigre both post student rates. Zipline operators post weight limits, and Selvatura’s Tarzan swing is limited to 90 kg, so check before anyone queues.

Rain Plans

Treetopia pauses its rides in strong wind or thunderstorms, and canopy operators stop for the same weather. The Bat Jungle and Frog Pond are indoor exhibits with captive animals, so they suit a wet afternoon, and their hours and prices are best checked with each venue.

Read more: the group activities and outdoor activities pages. If Monteverde is one stop in a longer trip, the Costa Rica 6 day itinerary shows how the days can fit together.

Bridge and sloth prices are at selvatura.com , and cableway rules are at treetopiapark.com . Family-sized tours can be searched on GetYourGuide .