Wander with Ocotea Tours & Transfers into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve early in the morning, just before the mist lifts, and you might catch sight of something remarkable – tiny red-eyed frogs that shimmer like dewdrops, glowing hummingbirds in mid-flight, or miniature sloths suspended in imagined treetops. But these aren’t sightings on the trail. They’re the creations of Ángel Castellanos – both of them.
Fauna Glass is a true family enterprise. Ángel Castellanos and his son, also named Ángel Castellanos, are the artisan duo behind these intricate sculptures, are joined by business partner Marianela, the sales manager – and the Ángels’ wife and mother, too! Marianela helps run the family’s Santa Elena storefronts. Their work blends generations of glassblowing skill with the unique inspiration of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
You might spot Ángel (son) at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in the morning, where he often demonstrates the art of glassblowing, coaxing tiny, lifelike creatures to emerge from molten glass. Or you might find him and his father behind their shop table in Santa Elena, just right of the church, shaping mushrooms, frogs, and quetzals with practiced ease.
"The most beautiful thing is when someone sees a piece and says, 'I just saw this on the trail,” says Ángel (son) "It’s not a souvenir at that point, it becomes part of their experience of Monteverde."
As with our own Ocotea story, the tale of Fauna Glass begins three generations ago. Ángel (father) learned the art of glassblowing from his own father while growing up in San José. He first visited Monteverde in the 1990s, invited by members of the Tropical Science Center to demonstrate his work at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. What began as occasional visits became a passion – and eventually, a way of life.
At the beginning of his career, Ángel (father) mostly made glass nativity scenes and farm animals, but coming to Monteverde changed everything. The forest soon became a shared source of inspiration for both father and son.
In 2005, the family moved to Santa Elena and opened Fauna Glass. Over the years, both father and son have contributed their own style and favorite subjects. Ángel (son), who began helping with the glass as a child, became fully involved in the business after age 18, after completing his university studies.
"I love making pieces about nature, especially the lesser-known species, like mushrooms," he says. "They’re so important to the ecosystem, and especially Monteverde’s ecosystems, and I want to raise awareness and help people see their beauty and value."
Each Fauna Glass piece is created from borosilicate glass – an incredibly durable material commonly used in scientific labs and kitchenware (like your favorite Pyrex baking dish). Unlike standard glass, it resists breaking and warping from heat. To bring color to life, the Castellanos family incorporates trace metals like silver, gold, manganese, and iron – each adding its own hue.
From vibrant hummingbirds to gentle sloths and coiled snakes, every sculpture is shaped by hand using flame and gravity, then cooled and inspected for strength and clarity. The results are realistic yet full of art and soul – each frog’s foot or wingtip formed with precision and care.
"We don’t just want to make pretty things," says Ángel (son), "We want to spark connection and memory. We want to remind people of why they loved visiting Monteverde, and why local conservation efforts are so important."
There’s a quiet poetry in their medium. Like nature, glass is both strong and fragile. A single careless step can shatter it – and gentle protections can preserve it for generations. The Castellanos family sees their work as a way to honor that delicate balance, and to remind visitors of what must be protected.
From the beginning, Fauna Glass has supported conservation through its work. Their lives are steeped in forest stewardship and environmental action, especially through their close ties to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Beyond that, they see their glasswork as a way to inspire reflection and action.
"It’s not just art – it’s a message," says Ángel (son). "We want people to take home a piece that reminds them of what they saw here, and why it matters."
Monteverde has long been a magnet for creatives – painters, woodworkers, illustrators, and dancers drawn to its natural beauty and community values. Fauna Glass is a part of that cultural legacy, offering handmade pieces that celebrate biodiversity and support local livelihoods.
Because Monteverde is unique. There’s inspiration everywhere. And as artists – or as visitors who love art and beauty – we all want to give back to the place that gives so much to us.
Fauna Glass has three locations: two connected storefronts in downtown Santa Elena (just right of the church), and a daily presence at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Store, where you can often catch live glassblowing in the mornings.
And here at Ocotea Tours & Transfers, we want to help you experience it all: book a private morning tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, spot wildlife on the misty trails, and witness Ángel’s mesmerizing glassblowing demonstration firsthand. Afterward, stop by Fauna Glass (either location) to choose a piece that reminds you of your favorite cloud forest moment.
Remember – when you bring home a piece from Fauna Glass, you’re not just buying something beautiful. You’re carrying a piece of Monteverde’s magic — captured in fire, formed by hand, and made to last. These meaningful souvenirs help sustain the conservation values, local culture, and natural beauty that define this extraordinary place.