El Tigre History

The Story of El Tigre

Where the Name Comes From

In the mid-1980s, the Rodríguez family lived and worked on the land that is now home to El Tigre Waterfalls.

At the time, a large jaguar — commonly called a “tigre” by local farmers — began moving through the surrounding forest and preying on cattle and horses. The family and members of the community spent days trying to track the animal, and the story eventually became part of the local history of the area.

Years later, that encounter inspired the name El Tigre Waterfalls — a reference to both the family’s past and the wildlife that has always been part of these mountains.

From Farmland to Conservation

What was once primarily agricultural land has gradually changed over the years.

Today, more than 80% of the property is dedicated to reforestation and conservation, allowing large areas of forest to recover and wildlife to return.

The reserve protects part of Monteverde’s cloud forest ecosystem, with native vegetation, orchids, giant ferns, birds, mammals and other species that depend on this habitat.

What makes El Tigre distinctive is the landscape through which visitors experience that forest: rivers, waterfalls, rustic and hanging bridges, steep terrain and open mountain views all form part of the route.

Living Alongside Wildlife

The story of the jaguar also helped inspire a broader conservation initiative known as El Grito del Puma y del Ganadero.

The project focuses on an important challenge in rural areas: protecting wild cats such as jaguars and pumas while also helping farmers protect their livestock and livelihoods.

With support from organizations including Panthera Costa Rica and SINAC, participating farmers have been introduced to new practices designed to reduce conflict between livestock and wildlife without harming native predators.

For us, conservation is not only about protecting forest. It is also about finding practical ways for people, agriculture and wildlife to coexist in the same landscape.

Walk Through the Story

Today, visitors can experience the same mountains where this story began.

The main hiking route passes through cloud forest, rivers and four waterfalls, crossing nine rustic and hanging bridges along the way. Depending on the experience selected, the complete route can extend to approximately 8 km.

What began as a working family property has gradually become a place dedicated to nature, adventure and conservation — while remaining deeply connected to the history of the land and the people who have lived here for generations.