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Sun on the horizon behind layers of mountains seen from Monteverde.

Costa Rica · Monteverde

Closed or changed in Monteverde

Places that appear in older guides but can no longer be visited the same way, and what to do instead.

2 places2 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    NatureClosed or prohibited

    Hollow strangler fig (ficus tree)

    Calle El Sapo, Cerro Plano2.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A strangler fig that is hollow inside, famous because you could climb up through its interior to the crown.

    Since 2023 the area has been fenced with barbed wire, signs and cameras: it is private land protecting water springs and fines have been reported. Alternatives: the guided climb inside a ficus at Finca Modelo Ecológica or the Original Canopy Tour, or the nearby natural ficus-root bridge.

    Source: My Tan Feet – Climbing the Monteverde ficus tree · 2023

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: The Original Canopy Tour (0.5 km) · Monteverde Orchid Garden (0.6 km) · Jeep-boat-jeep to La Fortuna (0.7 km)

    Sources: My Tan Feet – Climbing the Monteverde ficus tree

  2. 2

    FoodRestricted access

    Monteverde Cheese Factory

    Road to the Monteverde Reserve, Cerro Plano1.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Dairy founded by the Quakers in 1953; its shop sells cheese, ice cream and milkshakes, and you can watch production through a window.

    The factory no longer offers the guided tour: you can only shop and look through the glass. For a dairy experience, look for family cheese-farm tours.

    Source: Monteverde Tours – Monteverde Cheese Factory · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $ · under US$15

    Tip: Combine it with Curi-Cancha, right next door.

    Nearby: Curi-Cancha Reserve (0.2 km) · CASEM women’s craft cooperative (0.4 km) · Caburé chocolate tour (0.5 km)

    Sources: Monteverde Tours – Monteverde Cheese Factory · Tripadvisor – Monteverde Cheese Factory

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