Private Night Walk in the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge

Overview

After sunset the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge changes shift. Diurnal animals settle into their roosts and the nocturnal cast takes over: katydids and stick insects on the leaves, tarantulas at their burrows, tree frogs calling, vipers coiled on vegetation at eye level, and mammals moving quietly along the trail edges.

On a private walk your guide works the trail for your party alone, which matters at night more than it does by day. Spotting depends on a single trained beam sweeping slowly over leaves and branches, and being able to stop, stay silent and wait — hard to do when strangers are waiting behind you.

Two departures are offered: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, which catches the changeover at dusk, and 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm, which is fully dark from the first step. Flashlights for every guest and a night-range spotting scope are included; nights in Monteverde are cool and damp, so bring a warm rainproof layer.

Guided by Nasua Tours' certified naturalist guides, led by founder Oscar Castillo Mejía (license #1090) — read more about the team. Still comparing options? The Monteverde planning guide explains how this tour differs from the others.

Itinerary

What to expect

Reserve admission can be included in your tour price or purchased separately — choose your admission option when requesting the tour.

Booking & cancellation policies

These terms apply to every Nasua Tours booking and you accept them before your request is sent.

• Booking cutoff: 24 hours

  Requests close 24 hours before the tour starts, so admission and guiding can be arranged in time.

• Reserve admission is refundable up to 48 hours before the tour

  Cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts and the reserve admission (entrance tickets) is refunded. With less than 48 hours' notice the entrance tickets are no longer refundable.

• Rain or shine — 50% of the guide service is non-refundable

  Monteverde weather is unpredictable, so tours run rain or shine. If the tour is cancelled, 50% of the guided-service charge is non-refundable, and entrance fees already purchased are non-refundable.

• Minimum booking: 2 people (solo guests welcome)

  Every tour is sold from a 2-person minimum, so a solo guest books the service for 2. If only one guest travels, Nasua Tours refunds 50% of the extra charge for the second person.

Questions about this tour

Which departure should we pick — 5:30 pm or 8:00 pm?

The 5:30 pm walk includes the dusk changeover, when day and night species overlap. The 8:00 pm walk is entirely in the dark and tends to suit guests who prefer a later evening. Both are guided the same way.

Is the refuge entrance included on this page?

This product covers the guided service only: you can buy the reserve entrance yourself (online or at the gate) or we can arrange it for you when you request your tour. Tickets purchased through us can be changed or refunded with at least 48 hours' notice. On the day, the walk starts with the participants who already hold their entrance tickets — shared groups keep this strict so no one is delayed, while private tours allow more flexibility — and trails remain subject to the tickets available at the time. You can also book the version of this page that already includes the entrance.

What time is the night walk and how long is it?

There are two departures: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Where does the night walk take place?

In the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge.

What might we see?

At dusk diurnal animals settle down and nocturnal ones appear. There may be opportunities to observe insects, tarantulas, snakes, mammals and sleeping birds — nothing is guaranteed, as all sightings are wild.

Do I need my own flashlight?

Flashlights are included, along with the guide and a spotting scope.

Are reserve entrance fees included?

You choose. "Tour with admission included" covers the guided service plus the applicable reserve or activity admission with 13% tax, so there is nothing to buy at the gate. "Tour without admission" covers the guided service with 13% tax only, and you pay the reserve entrance yourself. Infants 0–3 are free on both options.

How much does the tour cost?

Both options show a live total in the request panel, with 13% tax already included. Prices per guest depend on group size, whether the tour is private or shared, and — for the all-inclusive option — which reserve you visit, since admission differs by reserve and age. Children 4–10 have their own rate and infants 0–3 are free. You confirm the exact total with Nasua Tours before anything is booked.

Is a night walk in Monteverde worth it?

The forest works differently after dark: species that are hidden by day become active, and a guide with a trained eye and light finds what is nearly impossible to see alone. What appears varies from night to night.

Are we likely to see a kinkajou or a snake?

Both are possible and both are wild. Guests commonly see frogs, insects, sleeping birds and mammals, and vipers or kinkajous appear on some nights, but nothing is guaranteed.

Is the night walk suitable for children?

Yes, from 4 years old, on an easy-paced trail. Children 4–10 have their own rate and infants 0–3 are free but still count toward group capacity.

What should I wear on the night walk?

Monteverde is cool and often damp after dark: long trousers, closed walking shoes and a warm or rainproof layer are recommended. Your guide carries the lights used for spotting.

Continue your Monteverde experience

You can combine tours to see different sides of Monteverde. These pair well with this one: