Provide an atmosphere of cooperation and exchange of knowledge and culture. Mostly cloud forest, with pre-montane wet tropical forest in the river valleys below 1,400 meters. Range in elevation from 1,200 to 2,700 meters. Precipitation between 2,500 and 4,000 mm annually. Drier season from July to October.
Temperatures are refreshingly cool and the bugs mild compared to lowland tropical forests.
A rich diversity of epiphytic flora, with Aracea and Orchidaceae families particularly abundant. Over 200 species of orchids have been identified so far. A partial bird list of 170 species includes the endangered Cock of the Rock and Toucan Barbet, as well as the magnificent Golden Headed Quetzal. Mammals of the reserve include Puma, Margay, Jaguarundi, Spectacled Bear, Brown Headed Spider Monkey, White Throated Capuchin, Howler Monkey, a small deer and several rodents. Herpetofauna include many examples of the genera Eleutherodactylus and Centronella.