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Our final day in the Monteverde area gave us one last opportunity to immerse ourselves in Costa Rica’s incredible cloud forest. Over the previous days we had explored hanging bridges, hiked through protected reserves, and learned about the people and traditions that make this region so special. Before leaving the mountains behind, there was one more place we wanted to experience: the Children’s Eternal Rainforest.

Of all the places we could have chosen for our final hike in Monteverde, this one stood out because of the story behind it. Known locally as the Bosque Eterno de los Niños, this protected area is the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. While its biodiversity and natural beauty are remarkable, what makes it truly unique is the story behind its creation. This rainforest exists because children from around the world decided it was worth protecting.

With that in mind, we made our way to the Bajo del Tigre sector of the reserve, eager to spend our final morning exploring a forest unlike any other.

1. A Rainforest Protected by Children
2. Trail Guide: Bajo del Tigre Sector
3. Hiking the Bajo del Tigre Trails
4. Wildlife & Views Along the Trail
5. Inspiring Future Conservationists

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A Rainforest Protected by Children

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest covers more than 57,000 acres and is managed by the Monteverde Conservation League. While only a portion of the reserve is open to visitors, the majority is protected for conservation and scientific research.

The story of how the reserve came to be is just as inspiring as the forest itself. In the late 1980s, a biologist from the United States gave a presentation to a class of students in Sweden about the threats facing tropical rainforests. The students were so moved that they began raising money to help protect a section of forest in Costa Rica.

Their efforts inspired children around the world to join the project. Eventually, students from more than 40 countries contributed funds to purchase and preserve rainforest land. What began as a classroom project grew into the largest private reserve in Costa Rica.

Today, the Children’s Eternal Rainforest stands as a reminder of what can happen when people—even very young people—decide to make a difference.

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Trail Guide: Bajo del Tigre Sector

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest is divided into four public access areas, each offering a different way to experience the preserve. During our visit, we chose the Bajo del Tigre sector, located just outside Monteverde.

This area offers several interconnected trails that can be combined into loops of varying lengths. The trails are well marked and can be explored on a self-guided visit, making them a great option for travelers who enjoy hiking at their own pace.

Highlights of the Bajo del Tigre Sector include:

• multiple trail options ranging from short walks to longer loops
• opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, and other wildlife
• educational exhibits focused on conservation and rainforest ecology
• a visitor center with information about the preserve
• ineractive activities and learning spaces designed for children
• a quieter hiking experience compared to some of Monteverde’s more popular attractions

Visitors should be aware that some trails may close seasonally due to weather conditions, particularly during the rainy season. Checking trail conditions at the visitor center before setting out is always a good idea.

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Hiking the Bajo del Tigre Trails

We chose to visit the Bajo del Tigre sector of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, one of four public access areas within the reserve. After turning off the main road onto a winding dirt track, we arrived at the visitor center and purchased tickets for a self-guided hike through the forest.

Several trails branch out from the visitor center, offering visitors a variety of route options depending on how much time they have available. We decided to create a loop that would allow us to experience several different sections of the reserve. Our route followed the Bat Trail before connecting to the Bellbird Trail and eventually leading toward the overlook.

From the moment we stepped onto the trail, we were surrounded by the lush greenery that had become so familiar during our time in Monteverde. Moss-covered trees, tangled vines, and layers of vegetation seemed to fill every available space. Even after several days exploring the cloud forest, we still found ourselves stopping often to admire the scenery around us.

One of the things we appreciated most about the trail system was how peaceful it felt. Unlike some of the more popular attractions in the area, the Children’s Eternal Rainforest offered a quieter experience where it was easy to feel immersed in the forest itself.

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Wildlife & Views Along the Trail

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest is considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. The reserve provides habitat for hundreds of bird species, several species of monkeys, sloths, wild cats, and thousands of plant species, including an incredible variety of orchids.

As we continued along the trails, it was easy to understand why this forest is so important. Every turn seemed to reveal another layer of life hidden among the trees.

We had hoped to hike the Jaguar Trail during our visit, but it was closed because of the rainy season. Instead, we continued toward the overlook, eager to see what views awaited us at the top. While the lookout itself no longer offers sweeping vistas—the surrounding trees have grown tall enough to obscure much of the view—the journey there was still worthwhile. The forest itself was the real attraction.

One of our favorite moments came along the Monkey Trail. We could clearly hear monkeys moving through the canopy above us, their calls echoing through the trees. Despite searching carefully, we never managed to spot them among the dense foliage. It was one of those reminders that we were visitors in a living ecosystem that often reveals itself on its own terms.

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Inspiring Future Conservationists

As we neared the end of our hike, we found that the reserve’s connection to children extended far beyond its name.

Along the Children’s Trail, interactive displays introduced visitors to the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make the rainforest so unique. The signs encouraged curiosity and helped explain the importance of conservation in ways that were accessible to younger visitors.

Near the visitor center, we also discovered a brightly colored clubhouse filled with books, games, art supplies, and educational activities. It was a thoughtful addition that invited children to engage with the forest beyond simply hiking through it.

Seeing these spaces felt like a fitting conclusion to our visit. After all, this rainforest exists because children cared enough to protect it. Decades later, it continues to inspire new generations to learn about the natural world and understand why places like this matter.

Conservation can sometimes feel like a problem too large for any one person to solve. Yet this forest exists because thousands of children believed their individual contributions mattered.

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As much as we enjoyed hiking through the rainforest, what stayed with us most was the story behind it.

Protected areas are often associated with governments, large organizations, or wealthy donors. The Children’s Eternal Rainforest tells a different story. This forest exists because thousands of children around the world believed it was worth saving.

Walking through the reserve felt different knowing that fact. Every trail, every tree, and every protected acre stands as evidence that small actions can grow into something much larger. What began as a classroom project in Sweden became a conservation effort spanning more than forty countries and resulted in the protection of tens of thousands of acres of rainforest.

We often underestimate the impact that young people can have on the world around them. The Children’s Eternal Rainforest is a powerful reminder that meaningful change can begin with a simple idea, a shared goal, and the determination to act on it.

For us, it was a fitting final stop in Monteverde—a place that combined the natural beauty of Costa Rica with one of the most inspiring conservation stories we encountered during our travels.

Thanks for coming along on this hike through the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. May you always want to preserve and protect the natural world around you.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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