| La Montana Rainforest, province of Guanacaste Costa Rica |
On a recent trip to Costa Rica, my husband and I had the experience of a lifetime exploring the flora and wildlife of the beautiful La Montana Rainforest located in the province of Guanacaste. The region is known for its biodiversity, history of conservation and unique ecological role.
| La Montana Rainforest |
The history of Costa Rica’s rainforests, especially in areas like Monteverde and La Montana, stretches back to the mid-20th century. In the early 1950s, settlers from the United States moving to the Monteverde area to raise dairy cows quickly recognized the ecological significance of the surrounding rainforest and set aside large areas of land for preservation. La Montana is closely associated with the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and other major sites for ecological preservation and wildlife, inhabiting over 755 species of trees, 2,500 tropical plants and hundreds of mammals and birds including two or three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, vultures and tree frogs, all which call this region home.
| Orchid |
Costa Rica is known for its beautiful orchids. The National Plant is the Guaria Morada, a vibrant purple orchid which usually blooms from January to March. It is a symbol of the country's abundance, elegance, and beauty, and is deeply connected to its folklore and traditions.
| Heliconia (Lobster Claw) |
Heliconia, also referred to as 'Lobster Claw' is known for its vibrant red claw-like bracts with yellow tips, which protect the small true flowers. The bracts can display different colors in combinations of red, yellow, orange, pink and green depending on the plant. Heliconia is a symbol of pride, passion and success and they are an important food source for hummingbirds and used as shelter by some bats. The name Heliconia comes from Mount Helicon, the mythological home of Muses in Greek mythology.
| Ginger Plant |
Costa Rica is the home to several species of Ginger, including the edible Zingiber officinale and ornamental varieties such as Torch Ginger, Red Ginger, and Butterfly/White Ginger. It is often cultivated for both its culinary use and aesthetic appeal. The Red Button Ginger (Costus woodsonii) is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae, native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.
| Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) |
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant native to Costa Rica and known for its ecological role as a habitat for the strawberry poison frog, which deposits its eggs in the axils of the plant's leaves. Specific species such as Dieffenbachia grayumiana and Dieffenbachia beachiana are found in specific regions of Costa Rica and Panama. Dieffenbachia is commonly referred to as Dumb Cane because its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, which if ingested can cause temporary swelling of the mouth and throat, resulting in a difficultly to speak.
| Two-Toed Sloth |
This was a once in a lifetime experience as we started to walk through the rainforest and the tour guide pointed out the trees Sloths prefer to feed on. As we looked up, there was the mother Sloth with her baby, a sight to behold. Two-toed Sloths are slow moving, nocturnal mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South America. They are herbivores with a very slow metabolism, requiring them to have 15-20 hours of sleep per day. Their favorite food is Cecropia leaves and various fruits like mangos. Their long claws are used for hanging and they are excellent swimmers, but their ground movement is limited. They are typically spotted snoozing in trees during the day and more active at night.
| Two-Toed Sloth |
Sloths were declared a national symbol of Costa Rica's wildlife in 2021 and conservation measures are in place to protect their species from deforestation. Other Sloth species such as the Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth, which lives on a single island off the coast of Panama are critically endangered.
| Red-Eyed Green Tree Frog |
The Red-Eyed Green Tea Frog is the iconic symbol of Costa Rica with green skin and bright red eyes. It is not poisonous and lives among the trees in the rainforest. Although not poisonous, their skin does secrete mild toxins as a defense mechanism when feeling threatened.
| Searching for Strawberry Poison Tree Frog |
The red strawberry poison dart frog's call is generally a series of high-pitched insect-like churrs or pings. The frog was not readily viewable, so our determined and excited tour guide decided to lure it out of hiding with sounds on his phone, and it worked! This was such a rare opportunity!
| Strawberry Poison Tree Frog (Oophaga pumilio) |
This extremely poisonous species of tree frog, and member of the Dart Frog family, has toxins in its skin and lives in the lowland rainforests of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. They hide mainly among leaf litter but frequently climb up on trees and vines. It is active during the day and known for its loud calls. Females carry tadpoles on their backs to water-filled plants to complete metamorphosis. These frogs require terrestrial habitats with abundant water-filled plants for successful reproduction. In order to hold the frog for visitors to view, the tour guide must out a protective layer of mud on the palm of his hand to not allow any contact with the frogs skin.
| Ficus Tree |
This Ficus Tree, known as Matapolo in Costa Rica, thrives in its rainforests. It is known that a larger tree can wrap its roots around other trees and take over them over for their nutrients, leaving a hollow trunk behind. This is all part of nature and survival of the fittest.
| Our Tour Guide! |
Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Tree Hugging Dirt Worshiper"? Our tour guide with his love and enthusiasm for nature made the saying come true! The girth of this tree was amazing! The local residents refer to it as the Guanacaste Tree!
| Fungi |
On the tour we learned that this particular fungi is a sign that the rainforest ecosystem is healthy and functioning properly. The fungi is a result of the poop left by healthy Sloths, and apparently the more fungi the better.
| Termite Nest |
This giant nest is the home of the forest termite, a vital insect who's role is to clean up the forest floor by breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. These large, complex nests are made of soil, saliva and feces and can be over 20 feet tall. While termites play a vital role in decomposition, the nests are built to have a sophisticated ventilation system to maintain a stable temperature and humidity.
| Thank You to Our Tour Guides! |
Today, La Montana and the broader Monteverde region are top global destinations for ecotourism with marked trails, hanging bridges, and night hikes offering glimpses of rare wildlife and endemic plants. Only select areas are open to visitors, ensuring protection for the most sensitive zones. La Montana Rainforest stands as a testament to the power of grassroots conservation, international collaboration, and the preservation of Costa Rica's biological diversity.
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and the virtual tour of this magnificent rainforest, its flora and inhabitants.
As Always...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.