Wildlife: Cloud Forest

The main point of staying at El Silencio Lodge is to take advantage of the endlessly beautiful cloud forest at its doorstep. We took a guided walk one morning, strolling from waterfall to waterfall, each more lovely than the last. Along the way, our affable guide pointed out plants notable for their medicinal properties. In contrast to busy Arenal, where trails can feel crowded with tourists, we encountered no other hikers. The three of us moved silently, allowing us to observe black guans, green-crowned brilliant hummingbirds, tufted flycatchers and, most thrillingly, a gorgeously colorful and notoriously reclusive quetzal. Larger groups invariably become chatty and tend to scare away much of the wildlife, making it important to book private hikes whenever possible.