The Children's Eternal Rainforest

In 1987 a class of nine-year-olds in Sweden, having learned about rainforest loss, decided to raise money to buy some, and the idea spread: children in dozens of countries fundraised, the money went to a Costa Rican trust, and the result is the Bosque Eterno de los Niños, now around two hundred and twenty square kilometres and the largest private reserve in the country. It adjoins Monteverde and protects the wet Caribbean slope below it, which is less visited and holds different species. The Bajo del Tigre station near Monteverde has accessible trails and night walks; the remote stations at San Gerardo and Poco Sol require a hike in and an overnight stay.

What you actually see

• Bajo del Tigre - the accessible station with trails and night walks.
• The night walk - one of the better ones in the Monteverde area.
• San Gerardo station - a hike in, with Arenal visible from the terrace.
• The story - a reserve assembled with money raised by schoolchildren.

When to go

December to April is drier, though this slope is wet year-round. Night walks run daily at Bajo del Tigre and book out in high season. The remote stations require booking well ahead and a walk in of two to four hours.

Honest expectations

Most of the reserve is not accessible: the vast majority has no trails at all, deliberately, and what visitors see is a small fringe. Bajo del Tigre is a modest trail network compared with the Monteverde reserve next door. The remote stations are basic and reaching them is a serious walk. Wildlife is heard far more than seen.

Nearby

Monteverde and Santa Elena are minutes away; Arenal is visible from San Gerardo station.