Cloud Forest Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary & Tours

The Los Angeles Reserve is a haven for butterflies, hummingbirds, and exotic moths, including the world’s largest, the White Witch Moth, with wingspans up to 12”. The moisture-laden trees create a lush, misty habitat for amphibians, reptiles, insects, and 259 species of birds. The reserve is also home to a number of mountain cloud forest cats — pumas, ocelots, jaguarondis, and margays, plus a diverse array of other mammals including Howler and White-throated Capuchin monkeys, tapirs, peccaries, coatis, tayras, and raccoons. The dense biodiversity of flora and fauna found on even a single cloud forest tree is best be described as extraordinary.

Multifaceted biological investigations, climatic research, and conservation and education programs are conducted in tandem with universities, government agencies, and NGOs. The Reserve manages a reforestation project and memorial grove planted in honor of former Vice President of Costa Rica and Greentique Hotels Board Member, José Miguel Alfaro, for whom the research station is also named. Greentique Certified Guides are involved in research in the Reserve as well as volunteering for regional conservation programs, and staffing anti-poaching patrols inspection check points to reduce plant and wildlife smuggling, and to help eradicate the endangered species trade.

The Wildlife Refuge is a showcase of regional biodiversity, a safe haven for representatives of almost 50% of the local species of insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians, spiders, plants, and trees. The Butterfly Atrium features 25 species of butterflies, including the mesmerizing Blue Morpho; 150 bird species reside here, with some 70 species visiting during peak periods of the Central American bird migration; and Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth, Three-toed Sloth, Howler Monkey, Squirrel Monkey (Titi), and the White-faced Capuchin Monkey make their homes in the canopy. A number of Caimans and the fierce Central American Crocodile are protected here, as well as turtles, various snakes, exotic spiders, and particularly at night, the world famous Pacific Coastal Wet Forest Chorus – tree frogs, toads, and bull frogs, backed up a gazillion insects, all shouting for attention.

Each year, the Wildlife Refuge hosts research projects coordinated by resident biologist, Jimmy Mata. Working with Costa Rica’s environmental ministry (MINAE), the team assures the proper care and research of species within the refuge. It has also hosted studies with INBio, The Institute of Biodiversity, the Corcovado Foundation, and the Alliance for the Mono Titi, plus projects with the University of Costa Rica, the National University, and the Latin University of Costa Rica. A various times, students living at the WLR in dormitories that Greentique provides, earn credits for projects they compelete at the Refuge. Our staff also volunteers in regional wildlife rescues and support local firemen in removing and relocating troublesome wildlife from homes or businesses. Each year, at least 12 primary schools in the area participate in workshops offered by resident biologist, Jimmy Mata, and the guides that include classes in sustainable practices, including the proper gardening of local flora to support the natural balance with local fauna.

The newest of the Greentique Nature Reserves, this extraordinary sanctuary harbors more than 2,000 species, a truly impressive array of Central Pacific Mountain Wet Forest biodiversity. Cloudmaker is fast becoming a must-do destination for birders from around the world. Among its 150 bird species is the Red-capped Manakin, known locally as the Michael Jackson Bird for its amazing moonwalking mating dance. You’ll also spot white hawks, crested and yellow-headed caracara, gray-necked wood rails, southern lapwings, purple gallinules, black mandible toucans, fiery-billed aracaris, pale-billed woodpeckers, royal flycatchers, swallow-tailed kites, wood storks, king vultures, and crested guans. During peak migration, the Reserve’s count increases about 25% to 250+ species, as does the auditory resonance of their voices. Resident mammals include white face capuchin and squirrel monkeys, two-toed sloths, plus three species of Costa Rica’s exotic wild cats — puma, jaguarondi, and ocelot.

Cloudmaker is also home to a number of reptiles and amphibians. Frogs and toads include the Green and Black Poison Dart Frog, litter toad, marine toad, grainy Cochoran frog, glass frog, and the hour-glass tree frog. Among the 15 species of snakes are the boa constrictor, fer-de-lance, eyelash pit viper, bird-eating snake, vine snake, false coral snake, and the oriole snake. Always remarkable is the common basilisk and its not-so-common ability to run on the water, earning it the moniker “Jesus Christ Lizard.” Other reptiles include a variety of geckos, black and green iguanas, caimans, and American crocodiles.

Several Cloudmaker Nature Reserve conservation programs are supported by proceeds from the Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Tour, the Santa Juana Adventure Lodge, and Sí Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge. Guest donations are another important funding source. Programs include The Greentique Native Tree Nursery Reforestation Program, a reforestation initiative started in 2008, just prior to the first Santa Juana tours. The program involves guests in tree adoption, thus far resulting in the planting of over 11,000 trees.

Greentique Certified Guides work with Santa Juana residents, many of whom are hotel employees, to patrol and protect the reserve from poaching and sport hunting. Among the 26+ species of trees on the reserve are several species of exotic tropical hardwoods, plus wild cashew, Breadfruit, rose apple, sea almond, Ylang Ylang (Perfume tree) and the lychee (mamon chino) producing Rambutan.