The Bat Jungle Tour

Exhibit / Walk-in Tour
No Reservation Required
Admission: $15 Per Person
Operating Hours:
Everyday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Guided Tours in English:
12:00 PM (noon) to 3:00 PM

Walk-in tour NO RESERVATION NEEDED.
Within a 17-meter (57-foot) enclosure, you’ll find 90 live bats representing 8 different species
The guided tour typically lasts around 45 minutes.
Our bats actively engage in flying, eating, socializing, nurturing their young, and even giving birth, all of which you can witness firsthand.
The exhibit is equipped with a specialized ultrasonic microphone that enables visitors to listen to bats as they echolocate (use biosonar) and interact with each other in real-time.
Dr. Richard K. Laval, a renowned bat biologist, is the mastermind behind the design and operation of this attraction.
Situated in the heart of historic Monteverde, it stands as one of Costa Rica’s premier tourist destinations.

PICTURES

HISTORY

Richard LaVal came into the world in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, back in 1938. LaVal’s mother had a deep passion for birds, while his father was an avid hunter, providing young Richard with an early introduction to the natural world and sparking his enduring curiosity for capturing and observing wildlife. It wasn’t long before LaVal’s interest veered towards spelunking, igniting a lifelong passion for bats.

Following the completion of his undergraduate degree and a stint in the Army, LaVal secured employment at a printing plant in Indiana. It was during this time that he made a pivotal decision to enroll in evening biology courses at a local community college. This choice ultimately guided him to graduate school at LSU, where his focus shifted to the study of avian life. Upon completing his coursework at LSU, he relocated to Texas to work under the mentorship of a professor who specialized in researching bats across Latin America. The subsequent summer, he embarked on the renowned Tropical Biology course hosted in Costa Rica by the Organization for Tropical Studies.

Following the successful completion of his PhD in Wildlife Science, LaVal assumed the role of an assistant to a renowned mammalogist at the University of Kansas. During his tenure there, he received a compelling offer to conduct a year’s worth of research in Costa Rica. While engrossed in his bat studies in Monteverde, a local young woman approached him and offered her assistance in the field. Little did he know, that encounter would lead to a profound connection – she would become his future wife, Meg. In 1974, they exchanged vows, and subsequently, they teamed up as researchers, exploring the world of bats together in locales as diverse as South Africa and Missouri.

“At the outset, our aspirations leaned towards cultivating organic gardens and raising goats… We were very much idealistic in our youth,” recalls Richard. As the Laval family expanded through the adoption of five children, the need for additional income became apparent to sustain their growing household. To meet this challenge, Meg ventured into the realm of artistry, crafting stained glass windows that can be spotted throughout Monteverde and even in San Jose. Meanwhile, Richard transitioned into the role of an ecotourist guide. Along their journey, they played pivotal roles in the establishment of institutions like The Monteverde Institute, The Monteverde Conservation League, and the Cloud Forest School.

In the year 2000, Meg and Richard, in collaboration with Bob Carlson and Susana Salas, engaged in discussions about the prospect of constructing a mini-mall to accommodate multiple tourist-oriented enterprises. LaVal firmly expressed his stance, declaring, “We won’t proceed unless we incorporate a live bat exhibit.” Drawing wisdom from the counsel of friends, colleagues, researchers, and experts from various zoological institutions, the Bat Jungle came into existence, welcoming its first visitors in 2006.