The tour begins from Stellas Bakery at 6am which is located accross from the CASEM womens cooperative and the Cafe Monteverde store.  Stellas is just below Bajo del Tigre and the Children's Eternal Rainforest is a very popular gathering area for all types of birds including Bellbirds, Toucans, Mot Mots and dozens and dozens of other birds.  

Besides being a popular meeting and feeding area for birds it is also easier to see some of the birds because the canopy is not as dense as the Monteverde Cloud Forest where visibility can be a challenge.  From Stellas Bakery you and your guide will plot a course along the road toward the Monteverde Reserve pointing out and identifying the birds perched in trees, flying by and singing their songs welcoming the new day.   

The tour continues up along the road for a kilometer or so in search of birds as well as other wildlife including Monkeys, Coati's, Paca's and other cloud forest mammals.  Generally after an hour or so of searching for birds in the pre-mountain and secondary forest environments the tour will catch the bus for the final 2km acsent to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where the tour will continue on the trails of the reserve.  

About the Monteverde Reserve

In 1972, under the threat of homesteading in the surrounding rain forest, visiting scientists George Powell and his wife joined forces with long-time resident Wilford Guindon to promote the establishment of a nature reserve. The Tropical Science Center was receptive to these efforts and accepted institutional responsibility for ownership and management of the protected areas. An initial land purchase of 328 hectares formed the initial core of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

In 1975, the 554-hectare community watershed reserve, founded in the mid-60s by members of the Quaker community, was annexed under an administrative contract to the reserve. After the reserve&s creation, the Tropical Science Center continued to secure the financial and human resources necessary to expand, consolidate and properly protect and manage the non-profit rainforest reserves current 10,500 hectares.

Early Birdwatching Tour:

This tour is lasts about 4 to 5 hours depending on the endurance of the group.  You will have the luxury of having your own personal guide so that you may ask as many questions as you would like and gear the tour towards your interests.  TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED. Taxi's are readily available from all Monteverde area hotels and from the Monteverde Reserve back to your area hotel.