Sprobe forest from Santa Elena: A fairytale hike in Costa Rica

Veröffentlicht:

Aktualisiert:

Von:

The fog forest of Santa Elena was the highlight of our trip to Costa Rica. Here we try to explain why

If you google after the "best activities in Costa Rica", it is unlikely that you will find the Santa Elena fog forest under the top results, which is strange when you consider that this was the best part of our nine-day visit.

we had traveled independently, we might have skipped it. As chance, our National Geographic Expedition according to Costa Rica included a visit to the Santa Elena fog forest.

Most visitors to the region are content to see the more famous fog forest of Monteverde. Although it is certainly breathtaking, we found Santa Elena calmer, more intimate and better for hiking.

alt = “”> Atlas & Boots moss, ferns and epiphytes thrive in the fog forest of Santa Elena

Our group met for a natural hike through the forest on a foggy Wednesday morning. The weather was not ideal, but when we saw how the leaf roof was trembling under the rain, it almost seemed as if the forest was breathing.

Of course this is not too far from the truth. Fog forest, defined as a highland forest with almost 100 % humidity all year round, benefits from a constant cloud cover that offers continuous moisture supply and supports a variety of living things.

alt = “The cloud cover ensures continuous supply with a lifelong moisture”> Atlas & Boots The cloud cover ensures continuous care with a lifelike moisture

In Santa Elena, the cloud cover amounts to over three meters of rain a year. Tree trunks, branches and even roots are covered with other plants: epiphytes, braids, mosses and more.

water -loaded branches often break and fall to the ground, form light gaps in the leaf roof and add nutrients to the soil, which contributes to creating a living, breathing and sighing forest.

alt = “Nebelwald cover only 1% of the global forest area”> Atlas & Boots Santa Elena is a lively, breathing, sighing forest

The Santa Elena fog forest, which is located at 1,600 m above sea level, also supports a number of fauna. Although they are more difficult to recognize, insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds in a fantastic number thrive.

Vogel observer can hope to discover the three -lobed bell bird, the Kielschnabeltukan and the magnificent Quetzal. White face and roaring monkeys live here as well as Jaguars, Agouti and the triple sloth.

alt = “A bird spider in the fog forest of Santa Elena”> Atlas & Boots A bird spider crawls out of his residence in the fog forest of Santa Elena

In view of the thick leaf roof, we didn't see many wild animals (apart from a creepy bird spider), but visitors who hike more from the 12 km hiking trails here will probably do better. Either way, it is not the fauna, but the flora, which is particularly magical here.

We went through lush gardens with mosses, ferns and flowers, navigated for dangling roots of vines that floated over the paths, and were amazed at the extraordinary atmosphere of this fairytale forest.

Interestingly, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest is not a national park. Instead, it is under the patronage of the Community High School from Santa Elena. The 765 hectare country was originally intended for agriculture, but was set up in 1992 as an ecotourism reserve.

The Santa Elena fog forest is one of the first reserves managed by the community in Costa Rica and serves as an example of what normal people can do to maintain the environment in which they live.

  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">

The preservation of the Santa Elena fog forest is particularly important. Fogwald covers only 1 % of the global forest area and is very sensitive to climate change. Warmer, drier weather patterns destroy the clouds and threaten the forest ecosystem.

In the Monteverde fog forest next door, the dry days have quadrupled over the past four decades and have been on average over 100 days a year since 2011.

It is sobering that scientists have described the fog forest together with ice caps and coral reefs as one of the most sensitive ecosystems in the earth. In this sense, our walk in the clouds of this fairytale forest was nothing but an absolute privilege.

fog forest of Santa Elena: The essentials

was: Visiting the Santa Elena fog forest as part of a 9-day tour to the natural highlights of Costa Rica with National Geographic Expeditions.

Where: We stayed in a number of mid -range hotels, from the lavish facilities and comfortable rooms in the Arenal Manoa in La Fortuna to simpler subconsctions in the mountain hut style in the Hotel Heliconia in Monteverde and even ship containers, which were converted into EL Faro at Manuel Antonio.

When: The best travel time for Costa Rica is the dry season from December to April. A lot of sunshine makes it an ideal time to explore both the tree tops and the coast. However, this is high season, so you can expect more tourists and higher prices. The low season from May to July and November is also a good time for a visit. It is raining more, but it is quieter and the forests of Costa Ricas are brimming with leaves.

How: We took part in a 9-day tour to the Costa Rica natural highlights with National Geographic Expeditions, which included a visit to the Santa Elena fog forest.

The tour itself costs from £ 1,199 and includes a chief experience officer (CEO), all accommodations, the transport between the goals, all breakfasts, some meals and numerous activities, including a guided natural hike in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, a guided hike Manuel Antonio National Park, how to learn tortillas from Doña Mara in her family house Manufactures, and a tour through the coffee cooperative Mi Cafecito. The optional activities include volcanic hiking, riding, canyoning, zip-lining, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing and parasailing.

The tour is classified as a "National Geographic Journey", which is carried out in partnership with G Adventures. Luxurious options are available among the banners Luxury Eco Lodges, private tours, private jet expeditions, expedition cruises, river cruises and tours with an expert.

For more information or bookings, call 0800 440 2551 or book online.

We flew to Costa Rica with British Airways. Book flights at the best prices via Skyscanner.

alt = “>

disclosure: We traveled to Costa Rica with the support of National Geographic Expeditions. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots 
 .