Monteverde, Costa Rica
The Monteverde Vibe
Monteverde Costa Rica is home to a unique cloud forest destination filled with lush green mountains and a cloudy moody feel. This area is great for hiking, wildlife viewing, zip lining, and more!
Downtown Monteverde is small and has some nice restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops that we enjoy. Just make sure you get out of the downtown and really explore. You’ll be happy you did.
Also, just to note when planning hotels, restaurants, things to do etc. Santa Elena is the name of the downtown area of Monteverde.
We have gotten a lot of questions from people wanting to know if Santa Elena Costa Rica is an OK place to stay if visiting Monteverde. The answer is yes!!
OK, now on to the Monteverde Costa Rica travel guide!
Map Of Monteverde
Monteverde is located in the mountains. At first glance, it is not too far from La Fortuna. However, to get between the two locations you’ll have to drive around Lake Areal which takes a while.
Monteverde at a Glance
Popular Things to Do
zip lining, hanging bridge walk, night wildlife tour
Best Way to Get Around
Rental car, walking in the downtown area
Best Time of Year to Visit
Dry season is from late December until mid-April
Book Your Trip
Getting to Monteverde
Flights to Costa Rica
Monteverde is great because it is pretty centrally located between the Liberia airport and the San Jose airport. It will take you about two and a half hours to drive from either location.
More and more airlines are starting service to Liberia so check out the rates. It may be worth it for you.
If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner. We consistently find the best rates through their website.
The best option to get to Monteverde is to rent a car. If coming from San Jose or from Liberia you can rent a car from close to the airport (but free transportation to the rental car office is provided from the airport).
We suggest using Adobe because they are the most trustworthy rental car company in this country and we have partnered with them to get a 10% discount for you on your rental car. You can find out more about renting a car here.
The drive from Liberia or San Jose is not too bad for the first half. The highways are well maintained. Things get a little crazy during the last part of the drive, though.
You will be driving on somewhat steep and curvy roads that are not paved in many parts. I would definitely recommend a 4×4 or at a minimum, all wheel drive.
Also, please don’t drive it at night. We made that mistake recently and because you are in the cloud forest you sometimes can’t see even a few feet in front of you.
The car we were driving did not have fog lights, so we literally couldn’t see anything. We had to wait for a truck to pass and follow them closely to get to Monteverde. NEVER AGAIN!
If you don’t feel comfortable driving that distance on your own (I know, I’m not really selling it as a fun drive, but it’s not bad during the day), the cheapest option is to take the public bus. The bus leaves from San Jose every day at 6:30am and 2:30pm.
It will take you about five hours to get to Monteverde (the bus stops a lot). The problem with taking the bus is that it does not leave from near the airport. You will need to take an Uber (don’t take a taxi they are crazy expensive) to the bus terminal in downtown San Jose in order to catch the bus.
From Liberia there is no direct bus. You will have to take the bus from Liberia to Puntarenas and then Puntarenas to Monteverde.
The bus from Liberia to Puntarenas leaves every day at 5:00am, 7:45am, 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30. It will take about three hours to get to Puntarenas.
The bus from Puntarenas to Monteverde leaves at 8:30am, 1:30pm, and 2:15pm. This also takes about three hours.
It’s not the most comfortable ride, but it’s cheap (under $10 per person). Definitely get there early before the departure time because once all the seats are taken you may be left standing for a long ride.
Tip: If you don’t feel comfortable driving, a private shuttle is always a great option. Find out more here.
Getting Around in Monteverde
We like having a car while in Monteverde because it gives you the flexibility to do a lot of off the beaten path activities and not have to depend on day tours.
However, I will say that a lot of companies within Monteverde are really good about providing free transportation to and from your hotel. As I mentioned before, it is a popular backpacking destination and companies in Monteverde realize that.
If you do opt to rent a car (which we definitely suggest if going to more off the beaten path activities) we personally love Adobe rent a car.
We have partnered with them to bring you a 10% discount because, in a country where a lot of people will try to rip you off, Adobe is extremely trustworthy. Unfortunately, Adobe does not have a rental car office in Monteverde at this time.
This means that if you would like to drive while in Monteverde and would like to rent with Adobe, you will need to rent a car near the airport and make the drive yourself rather than taking the bus.
Book Your Transportation
Monteverde Weather
Monteverde is a cloud forest. It is not unusual to have rain all year round. Even if you are visiting when it is dry season in the rest of the country, we still suggest packing that rain jacket. You never really know here!
We have visited in July and had amazing weather with very little rain. We have also visited in August and had nonstop rain.
It is also a bit cooler here than most of the country. I usually always wear long pants and at least bring a long sleeve shirt when visiting this area.
Grab a free copy of our Costa Rica guide
Monteverde Hotels
High-End Hotels
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens– Beautiful rooms in a unique jungle setting. There is a restaurant and the staff are happy to organize day tours for guests.
Chira Glamping– It is hard to describe this place because it is just so unique. Picture your own private yurt like dome with private bathroom and a beautiful jungle view. There is a shared kitchen on-site for guests to use.
Mid-Range Hotels
Camino Verde Bed and Breakfast: This place is newly done and looks beautiful. Breakfast is included and there is a communal kitchen that guests can use.
Los Pinos Lodge & Gardens– Every cottage has a private kitchen and balcony. The property is great for exploring.
Budget Hotels
Casa Campo Verde- Simple hotel surrounded by lush gardens. The owners here are so nice and helpful.
Hostel Cattleya– Nice hostel with private rooms and shared dorms. There is also a shared kitchen for guests.
Backpackers Hakuna Matata– Nice hostel with dorms and private rooms. There is a shared kitchen and tour desk on the property.
Greemount Hotel: The owners here are the sweetest. The perfect place for budget private accommodations.
Monteverde Homes & Villa Rentals
We always love renting a home or villa for our vacation. This gives you more privacy and allows you the flexibility to cook your own meals.
Note: We try to only ever suggest places with good cancellation policies, but always double check before booking.
High End
Modern Stay House – 5 bedroom/ 5 bath home that sleeps 12. This home is modern and peaceful. We love the large yard area.
Million Dollar View Eco-Villa – A modern oasis that sleeps six guests in two bedrooms. The views here are amazing.
Casa Guarumo – A four bedroom home that can sleep up to 12 guests. This home is just straight up cool. You need to look at this pictures to see what I mean. It’s the perfect place for a group of friends.
Mid Range
Casa Ira Rosa – A 3 bedroom home that can sleep 5 guests. The home has a rustic modern feel. We love how secluded it feels here.
STAR HOUSE MONTEVERDE – A two bedroom house that can sleep 7 guests. This is a good spot for a family.
Budget Friendly
Casa Terraza – A modern studio apartment with kitchen. A great spot for a couple.
Things to Do in Monteverde
Take a Coffee Tour
There are several great coffee tours in Monteverde, but we suggest this coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane tour.
Go Hiking in the Cloud Forest
There are several reserves you can go hiking in Monteverde. We like the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. The cloud forest is beautiful and something everyone can enjoy. Another option is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
You can always do this on your own, but if you would prefer to walk with an informative guide you can book that here.
Walk Some Hanging Bridges
Monteverde is home to many suspension bridge parks. At these parks, it is possible to fully enjoy the cloud forest from above.
Go Bungee Jumping
We haven’t actually done this, because we are wimpy, but a friend of ours went last year and had such a great time.
If you think that bungee jumping with cloud forest views sounds like your kind of thrill, book your trip here.
Note that this tour includes transportation from your Monteverde area hotel.
Take a Night Tour
Taking a night tour in Monteverde is the perfect way to see night active wildlife with an experienced guide. We have a complete guide to Monteverde night tours for all the details.
And we suggest booking your tour with Johnny here. Just note that this tour does not include transportation.
If you would like a tour with transportation, we suggest this one.
Go Ziplining
If you plan on doing any zip lining while in Costa Rica, Monteverde is the place to do it! There is a full guide to Monteverde forest canopy tours here.
Monteverde Restaurants
Fine Dining
San Lucas Tree Top Dining– This is one of those not to miss dining experiences. This restaurant is located in the trees and each table has its own private little area. The food is also incredible.
Restaurant Celajas– Amazingly fresh food served with a view. A great date spot.
Mid-Range
Orchid Coffee – Great place for an afternoon coffee and cake or dessert. Their baked goods are ridiculously good!
The Green Room – This is a great dinner spot. They do excellent burgers and steaks, but their menu has a weird variety of other options as well.
Tree House Restaurant – This is one of those tourist destinations that I think you should go to just for the experience. The food isn’t the cheapest or the best, but we suggest going just for a drink.
After all, when else can you go to a treehouse restaurant?
Restaurante Thomas & Thiago– Delicious restaurant with a bit of everything on their menu.
Budget-Friendly
Taco Taco– Super tasty Tex-Mex style tacos at a good price. Plus they have a really good selection of craft beers.
Soda La Amistad – Great place for affordable typical Costa Rican cuisine.
Multi- Day Tours That Go to Monteverde
Take the planning, stress, and guess work out of traveling by booking a multi-day tour with an experienced guide
Remote Working in Monteverde
If you plan on working while in Monteverde there are a few things you should know.
– In general the internet is usually ok, but it’s always a good idea to ask about the internet speed before booking a place. Plus, this is a cloud forest which means that sometimes heavy rains can cause connectivity problems.
– If you need a co-working space check out Selina hostel. They offer co-working spaces for as low as $10 per day.
Packing for Monteverde
This is a cloud forest so it is almost always rainy. Don’t forget your rain gear and plenty of changes of clothes.
We love having a waterproof backpack for hikes here. We also suggest lot of layers because it can be cold.
Check out our Monteverde Packing List on Amazon for all the essentials.
Monteverde Travel Tips
– If you are interested in the whole cloud forest thing but want a more peaceful experience, check out San Gerardo de Dota.
– We have always felt safe in Monteverde. However, please don’t carry large amounts of cash on you and never leave anything of value in your car.
Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance for a wide variety of reasons.
Travel insurance doesn’t just cover you for medical issues and accidents during adventures it is also there to help if your flight gets cancelled, if your luggage gets lost, if something gets stolen, or if you get sick and need to extend your stay in Costa Rica.
We always use WorldNomads for our travel insurance and highly suggest them to you.
You can get a quote and secure your insurance below. ↓
Monteverde Articles
Glamping in Costa Rica – 21 Unique Places to Stay
One of our favorite things about staying in a hotel in Costa Rica is waking up to all the sounds of the jungle. A great
Costa Rica Hostels – Read This Before Booking a Place
Costa Rica is often considered the most expensive country in Central America, and for good reason. It is expensive here compared to other countries! However,
Costa Rica Zip Line – Adventure Guide
Zip lining in Costa Rica is a thrilling way to see the lush jungle canopy landscape of the country from a different perspective. Soar above cloud forests, enjoy volcano views, and more!
Costa Rica Highlights Itinerary in Two Weeks
Costa Rica is difficult to see in a short amount of time. There are just so many cool places to experience, but transportation between places
Costa Rica Hanging Bridges – Where to Visit
Have you ever experienced the thrill of walking over a bridge suspended high in the air with amazing views on all sides? The hanging bridges
Costa Rica Itinerary 3 Weeks in Paradise
three weeks Costa Rica Paradise itinerary Get a taste for all the beautiful things that Costa Rica has to offer One of the most common
Zip Lining in Monteverde – The Best Places
Zip lining is one of the most popular activities to do in Costa Rica. How fun would it be to zip over dense jungles and
Costa Rica Jungle Vibes One Week Itinerary
Costa Rica Jungle Vibes One Week Itinerary We made this Costa Rica Jungle Vibes itinerary for all of you that want to get a feel
Costa Rica Adventure Lovers Two Week Itinerary
Adventure Lovers Two Week Itinerary Are you ready to get your adrenaline pumping with fun activities such as surfing, white water rafting, zip lining, and
Santa Elena Reserve in Monteverde
I never knew that hiking in a cloud forest was something I needed in my life until we visited the Santa Elena Reserve in Monteverde,
