This is a neat little place up in the cloud forest with well maintained trails and lush scenery. Being at this elevation makes for cool, damp (possibly wet) hiking conditions, so be prepared. As with anywhere else, if you're going for birds, it's best to go with one of the guides who is familiar with the trails and habitats of specific species. The road to the reserve is typical of the area; narrow, unpaved, steep and winding. In spite of the rocky road up, I would enjoy a return visit.
Loved the vegetation. Have never seen nothing like it. It rains 250-300 inches a year and leaves plants pristine. So lovely! However, I am not in to etymology and am afraid of insects, especially those which I have never encountered.
We stayed three nights at Cloudbridge in Casita Blanca, a lovely, light filled cottage with all the amenities...hot water, full kitchen, dining area, comfortable bed and even wifi. It was an excellent base for hiking in and around the reserve. The casita is very private, located at the top of a hill planted with tropical flowers. In the distance you can see peaks of the nearby mountain range. Tom and Linda, the resident caretakers of the reserve and its programs, are not only very gracious, but also extremely knowledgable about the forest and area. We would highly recommend going for a hike with Tom if you can, and check out the art studio near the reserve entrance, where Linda creates and displays some of her beautiful cloudforest artworks. We also like the fact that proceeds from the accommodation go to support the reserve.
A return visit to Cloudbridge Nature Reserve this year brought some lovely new experiences. More hiking deeper into the old forest, rivers, majestic waterfalls and wild life. Thanks to the knowledgeable guides, Tom and Linda for some great day hikes. There are so many different options for trails that you rarely run into others while out hiking. You have the rainforest to yourself. The trails are well marked, there are maps to use at the visitor centre and even some hiking sticks to borrow while on the mountain. We thoroughly enjoyed a night hike led by Matt, a resident researcher. Exploring the forest at night is an entirely new experience. We visited the lovely little art gallery at the entrance of the reserve. Beautiful artwork reflecting the beauty of the rainforest. The reserve is a little off the beaten path but well worth the trip.
We originally planned to stay in the Casita Blanca cabin for 2 nights, then changed it to 3. As soon as we arrived and saw the place, decided we wanted to stay 4, and then still missed it when we left. It's a beautifully designed, simple but very comfortable modern cabin in a magical setting. I was so happy there! The reforestation program and the research efforts underway there are all really interesting, and we were warmly welcomed to join in a research hike with a group of visiting students and to watch their end-of-week research presentations. This added immensely to our overall experience. The hiking is wonderful. You need not only a 4WD drive vehicle to get to the top of the very steep dirt road, but also one with a decent engine. We had a 4WD with a weak engine, and it conked out 2x on the hill going up. But absolutely worth it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Hiking in Cloudbridge Reserve is very beautiful. Lots of waterfalls, amazing forest, lots of wildlife. We even saw a Quetzal! We highly recommend a visit!
The opposite of Chirrupó park, this is well-organized, well-marked, volunteers are helpful vs. the typical government employees, disinterested and not helpful. Truly fabulous!
The hike through this reserve was one of the most exciting in Costa Rica. Although it poured rain the entire time we were exploring the reserve, it was very exciting to walk along the narrow pathways, listening to birds and enjoying a truly natural environment.
If you want to prepared for the great hike to the Chirripo, go to the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve. There are a lot of waterfalls and the trails are well maintained. There is no entrance fee, just a volunteer contribution. You can spend the whole day there, so don´t expect to cover all the trials before going to the Chirripo!
It's not the hike, the challenge or the price and hassle either!If you enjoy nature, it is priceless and free although they accept donations.