This small community in north-western Costa Rica was founded by Quakers in 1951 and is now a popular and interesting destination for both local and international visitors. The small town of Santa Elena is the closest settlement to the Monteverde cloud-forest reserve.

The road leading from the town's center to the reserve is clustered with attractions including the butterfly garden, the serpentarium, a cheese factory and number of art galleries. Interesting though these attractions are, they are merely the warm-up acts for the main event.