
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 97 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour worth booking?
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour is a 1-hour experience in Monteverde, Costa Rica, from $27 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 97 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (97)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $27 per person
Our tours are a little over an hour in length, and include the following: An introduction to Costa Rica bugs, and an orientation to the Gardens An up-close experience with a variety of insects and arachnids A look at our rearing chamber, where caterpillars are becoming butterflies A stroll through our 3 unique gardens, full of spectacular butterflies. The most valuable part of every admission to the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens is a tour with one of our dedicated and passionate guides. Available in English or Spanish our tours will take you through each section of the insectarium and gardens. With our guide at your side, you will see and learn far more than you ever would by yourself. Our guides love bugs! Our guide will provide lots of interesting information as the tour progresses. Once the tour is over, you are welcome to continue exploring on your own for as long as you'd like. Pay your entry once and keep coming back as long as you are in Monteverde!
What you get
About this experience
Our tours are a little over an hour in length, and include the following: An introduction to Costa Rica bugs, and an orientation to the Gardens An up-close experience with a variety of insects and arachnids A look at our rearing chamber, where caterpillars are becoming butterflies A stroll through our 3 unique gardens, full of spectacular butterflies. The most valuable part of every admission to the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens is a tour with one of our dedicated and passionate guides. Available in English or Spanish our tours will take you through each section of the insectarium and gardens. With our guide at your side, you will see and learn far more than you ever would by yourself. Our guides love bugs! Our guide will provide lots of interesting information as the tour progresses. Once the tour is over, you are welcome to continue exploring on your own for as long as you'd like. Pay your entry once and keep coming back as long as you are in Monteverde!
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Photo opportunities
Not included
- Transportation to/from attractions
What you'll see and do
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
Here at the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, we have been teaching people about Costa Rica's insects and arachnids for over 30 years. We have made it our mission to change the way people think about these small, misunderstood creatures. This may seem like a daunting task, but our bugs and tour guides can win over even the most skeptical visitor! With up to 30 species of butterfly in 4 different habitats, over 20 species of live insects and arachnids in our nature center, an active leaf-cutter ant colony and the best guides in the business, we truly have something for everyone!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Monteverde
Cerro Plano, 20 minute walk or short cab ride from downtown Santa Elena
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Cerro Plano, 20 minute walk or short cab ride from downtown Santa Elena
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Jardin De Mariposas Monteverde JM SA
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 97 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
97 verified traveler reviews for Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful
Butterflies are more amazing after the tour, are tour guide gave us tons of information and answered all are questions, she was a delightful tour guide
via Viator
Butterflies and bugs
Called as we were staying next door. $20 p/p. Started with an introduction to the local insects, which was conducted inside and very interesting. We then swopped guide (Ollie) and got a tour outside visiting the various (X4) areas - each a specialist area Both guides were really enthusiastic and passionate with excellent knowledge. Perfect visit for after visiting the cloud forest.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience at the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
At first I was skeptical that the cost was worth it ($20/adults, $18/students), but by the end of the tour, I was convinced that it was a great experience! I highly recommend it for anybody visiting Monteverde. Our guide, a young lady from England, started with a 30 minute presentation about spiders, scorpions, beetles, stick bugs, and butterflies. Not only was she thoroughly knowledgeable about her topic, but presented the information in a fun and enjoyable way. We then went out to a series of greenhouses, where she identified each of the species of butterflies, and spoke about their characteristics. She finished the tour by taking us to one final screened-in area that contained the butterflies indigenous to Costa Rica. If you come to Monteverde, especially if you have children, make sure to add this to your list of “must do” activities.
Response from the operator: Thank you!! 💚🪲🐝🦋
via Tripadvisor
Butterfly Bliss!
What a wonderful and surprising and educational experience! Our guide made everything very interesting and fun with her personal stories and amazing knowledge!
Response from the operator: Thank you!! 🪲💚🐝🦋
via Tripadvisor
The insect room made it worth the visit
This was a great way to spend a couple hours that we had free in the afternoon when we were in Monteverde. We had our 10 and 12 year olds with us, and all four of us were fascinated by all of the things we learned in the insect room with the tour guide, who was excellent. In fact, we came to see the butterflies, but we ended up finding the insect room to be the best part of the experience. Because we came late in the afternoon, the butterflies weren't very active, so if you want to see more of them flying around, you may want to visit in the morning. But no matter when you come, you will learn a lot about the interesting bugs of Costa Rica.
Response from the operator: 💚🪳🪲Thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you guys enjoyed our awesome bugs!🐛🕷️💚
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 34
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monteverde.
How much does Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour cost?
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Prices start at $27 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Monteverde usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Monteverde is not rushed.
Is Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 97 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Monteverde, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour?
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Around 34 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Monteverde can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Monteverde and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Monteverde within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Monteverde?
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On Outty we rank every Monteverde experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde, Zipline, Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Tour with Expert Naturalist, Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Monteverde?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Monteverde?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour?
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Included: Professional guide; and Photo opportunities. Not included: Transportation to/from attractions. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour?
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Cerro Plano, 20 minute walk or short cab ride from downtown Santa Elena Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Monteverde. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour?
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Across 97 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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