Monteverde Orchid Garden

Monteverde Orchid Garden

monteverdeorchidgarden.com
4.5/5
(814) · Botanical garden in Santa Elena, Costa Rica
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The Monteverde Orchid Garden is a place where you can enjoy beauty that is found in the marvelous world of orchids. Our garden has a large collection …

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4.5/5 · 812 reviews
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Jan 17, 2025
The knowledgeable guides make tours in Costa Rica a deeply rewarding experience. The Monteverde Orchid Garden was no exception. Our guide's genuine interest in orchids was infectious and his knowledg… Full review by Julie M
Jan 17, 2025
Knowledgeable guide. Mostly small orchids but very interesting experience. We enjoyed the small group included tour for $18pp Full review by Luxtraveller69
Jan 15, 2025
Learned a lot for orchid. The garden itself is also a wonderful place to visit. Our guide was so kind and knowledgeable. There is a nice orchid cafe right net of the garden. It is also good to visit … Full review by Esther B
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Questions & answers

Q:
Are there any orchids in bloom at this time of year? We will be there the 22nd and 23rd... thanks!
A:
Yes, they are in bloom. However they are all of the miniature variety that grow from/off of other plants and trees. Do not expect to see the large ones that we are used to here in …
A:
Yes, they are in bloom. However they are all of the miniature variety that grow from/off of other plants and trees. Do not expect to see the large ones that we are used to here in the USA (they do have a few in the greenhouse in planters just as a reference/educational tool).
A:
Q:
When is the best time of year to visit? I am fascinated by species orchids, although I enjoy looking at hybrids. Are …
Q:
When is the best time of year to visit? I am fascinated by species orchids, although I enjoy looking at hybrids. Are these primarily species?
A:
Perhaps a fact you should consider is that the Monteverde area has more orchid species (native) than Europe, US and Canada all together. Over 500 local species, so far identified, …
A:
Perhaps a fact you should consider is that the Monteverde area has more orchid species (native) than Europe, US and Canada all together. Over 500 local species, so far identified, mean that any given month you visit, there are between 45 to 65 orchids in bloom. Of course that, considering that only 10% of those plants grow on the ground, all the others are up on the canopy or tree tops. From December to February is the cloud forest "summer", extreme;y windy at times, misty and "cold" (chilly). From March-May is kind of dryer and is the season for bird nesting and most visitors go to Monteverde. Reservations need to be made ahead of time for almost everything. Then the rain season starts on May normally and it gets rainier all the way 'till the end of November. When you understand the weather patterns, that up in this cloud forest may totally change within seconds without warning, the location of most plant species and the fact than most orchids are miniature orchids, then you should really consider visiting not just one but both orchid gardens in Monteverde. There are two orchid gardens located in two different sides of the Continental Divide. The orchid garden in town is on the Pacific slope (much drier) and the San Bosco Orchid Garden is on the Caribbean slope (way less dryer). Papo Salazar and his family own the one in town (the town is just half a block) and Grettel Cruz, a passionate orchid lover who couldn't finish school, is one of the country's experts and has created her garden at home with even more species than the one in town. Her broken English is not a limitation because she has an amazing mind and knows all there is to know about orchids. Thanks to her I saw the smallest orchid in the world twice. Papo's family is well educated and they speak English. The place is modern for Monteverde standards. Even a wheel chair can be used there. They are very knowledgeable and have learned a lot ever since they got the orchid collection from an expert who used to own a garden before. Due to location I would really consider both places to see all the orchids as possible on both slopes. Location. higher, lower and elevation are a big deal for orchids in the cloud forest. I don't recall Grettel has page on trip advisor but her number at home is 2645 6410. Papo and family have a page here and their number is 2645 5308. You won't see all 513 species there are but most definitely more than any other visitor if you visit both gardens. I remember an orchid exhibit at the Cleveland Botanical Garden with not nearly as many species and most non native plants and certainly pricy compared to the fee for both gardens in Monteverde. Both places will provide a magnifying glass but you could consider buying a great quality one for this trip. Grettel made that suggestion to me and she can't afford better glasses for visitors so I promised to take some to her next time I visit. It was a wonderful tip, I got to see details that amazed me. I am not an orchid lover at all but she made me enjoy every second of the tour. Have a great visit and don't forget your magnifying glass and "macro" camera.
A:
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Frequently asked questions

Q:
Are there enough flowers in bloom?
A:
Yes. We have an average of 120 different species in bloom every day of the year, regardless of the month or the season.
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