Since then, the cloud forests near Monteverde and Santa Elena have become Costa Rica's premier destination for everyone from budget backpackers to well-heeled retirees.

BBC: Lonely Planet��s top 10 spots in Central America

This slim corridor of civilization, which consists of the Tico village of Santa Elena and the Quaker settlement of Monteverde, is strung between two lovingly preserved cloud forests.

BBC: Lonely Planet��s top 10 spots in Central America

It was chaired by Jan Monteverde Haakonsen, special advisor of the Research Council of Norway, member of the Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO, and Vice-President of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Council of the MOST Programme.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences