Casa Tigrillo - secluded forest cabin just minutes from the Monteverde Preserve

We are biologists who have conducted research in the Monteverde area since 1980. We retired from college teaching (at mid-size private college in the Midwest) several years ago, but we still have active research projects in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. We love the biological setting of Monteverde as well as its human community, and we think that both have a lot to offer to anyone who gets the chance to visit. Monteverde literally changed our lives, and we love the idea that offering our home for rent can give others the opportunity to experience something truly unique.

We came to Monteverde in 1980 because one of our professors at the University of Florida was starting a new research project there in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and because that project would also provide us with great opportunities for each of us to conduct our own independent doctoral research. We fell in love with the forest, the birds, and the plants right away, of course, but we didn't anticipate just how important the Monteverde community would become to us - the friendships we formed early on are still dear to us after all the years, and the idea of "coming home" to Monteverde is something we look forward to ever year. Moreover, the community as a whole continues to inspire us with just how good people can be. Of course, being one of the closest houses to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and nestled right up against the forest, Casa Tigrillo never disappoints the naturalist in us - we've seen scores of species of birds (including about 10 species of hummingbirds!), three species of monkeys, foxes, brocket deer, kinkajous, olingos, and lots of other mammals right from our front porch. And, of course, hundreds of species of colorful butterflies, beetles, and other insects!

Because Casa Tigrillo is well off the main road yet one of the closest houses to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, it's quiet and provides lots of opportunities to observe wildlife right from the front porch. With a car, one can get to the restaurants and shops of Monteverde, Cerro Plano, and Santa Elena in just 10-15 minutes, without having to cope with the bustle of being right in town or at one of the hotels. We think it's the best opportunity to relax and yet still have access to all of the amenities one could want.