When you think of Costa Rica, the first images that spring to mind are of pristine rainforests teeming with wildlife and dotted with waterfalls cascading into clear blue pools. It is the first tropical country on Earth to actively reverse deforestation and now has a quarter of its territory under protection – one of the largest proportions in the world. Tucked away in the Tilarán mountain range in the northwestern interior lies misty Monteverde, a canton with a serious environmental record. Nearly half of Costa Rica’s biodiversity is found in the surrounding pristine cloud forest, which is protected by several reserves.

Monteverde’s main attraction is its wildlife, which ranges from the red-eyed tree frog to the country’s huge variety of colorful birds. Travelers of all ages will be equally impressed by treetop bridges and nighttime walks that offer a magical introduction to the region’s unique ecosystem, the cloud forest. Here’s how to plan an adventurous family trip.

What to do

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the nature reserve that put the area on the map. Get your ticket in advance – only 250 visitors a day can explore the reserve’s trails, which wind between evergreen trees dotted with bromeliads and strangler figs. However, further north, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve has quieter trails. Look out for white-shouldered capuchin monkeys perched in the treetops and groups of coatis (raccoon-like animals known as coatimundis) trotting along the trails. On clear days, you can also see the huge cone-shaped Arenal Volcano in the distance.

Next, experience the rainforest from a perspective usually reserved for birds and monkeys at the 850-hectare Selvatura Adventure Park. Eight rope bridges are suspended in the forest’s mist-shrouded canopy, forming part of a 3km trail suitable for all ages. Families can take a guided tour of the forest to learn more about it from a biological and ornithological perspective. Dusk falls early, so even the youngest travelers will be awake for a guided night walk through the Children’s Eternal Rainforest reserve. The family-friendly trails transform into a bustling metropolis filled with creatures you’d probably not see during the day—if you’re lucky, you might spot golden-wheel spiders, pit vipers, and even sleeping toucans.

Where to eat

For a relaxed brunch, you can enjoy a coffee, freshly prepared pancakes or a typical Central American dish: Chicken eggs (Eggs with chili, tomatoes and peppers in burritos) at the excellent Stella’s Cafe, a no-frills cafe surrounded by greenery and flying hummingbirds. If you’re craving something sweet after an active day, book a tour of Don Juan, a nearby coffee and chocolate farm. You’ll learn about the cultivation and harvesting of coffee and cocoa beans before watching the real magic of turning cocoa into chocolate. Tasting is included, of course. A late lunch or early dinner is best enjoyed on the terrace of the hillside Restaurante El Sapo, where options range from salads to pasta, all made with locally sourced ingredients. The Mini Explorers Menu is designed for those with a smaller appetite and is a hit with young people – popular options include burgers and mac and cheese.

What to see

More than 400 species of birds inhabit the Monteverde region, but its most prized resident can be hard to find. Rise early to search for the resplendent quetzal at dawn with a naturalist guide in the Curi Cancha Reserve. With their dazzling plumage of shimmering green and red, their half-meter-long tails, and their feathery mohawks, quetzals are easy to identify but surprisingly difficult to find. Fortunately, Monteverde is one of the easiest places to see these remarkable birds. If you come during mating season (February to July), you’ll increase your chances of seeing them.

Smaller animals are also well represented in Monteverde. On the outskirts of the region’s capital, Santa Elena, the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens are best visited on a sunny day – see a riot of colour as the giant iridescent blue morpho butterfly and 29 other species flutter about in the enclosures. Then spend an hour or two at the Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond, with its glass terrariums housing numerous species of frog, including the poison dart frog and the colourful red-eyed tree frog. A little further south, the Bat Jungle is similarly fascinating. Bats make up more than half of the region’s mammal species – watch them feeding and even listen in on their conversations via the sanctuary’s ultrasonic microphone.

Where to stay

There’s nothing better than waking up to the sound of spectacular morning singing at boutique hotel Koora. This 24-room hotel features suites with plunge pools, bungalows and spacious family rooms nestled in the cloud forest. Enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire, relax with a board game or watch the wildlife – like monkeys, coatis and birds – that regularly pass by. The hotel also offers a family-friendly tour planning service so you can plan your Monteverde adventures with ease. The adjacent Aguti Wildlife Reserve has 4km of private hiking trails and is home to large old trees and a host of interesting characters – including the eponymous rodent and cousin of the guinea pig, the agouti. Embark on a self-guided tour of the tranquil reserve or enlist the expertise of a guide to learn more about the flora and fauna.