Monteverde, Costa Rica: A Forest in the Clouds

Last Updated: September 10, 2025

Located in the country’s northwestern mountains at the Continental Divide is Costa Rica’s top ecotourism destination, Monteverde. Translating to Green Mountain, this small town, originally founded by Quakers, really lives up to its name. Here, trees are covered in layers of moss, and plants grow on top of each other due to a constant haze of clouds and filtered sun. This unique environment, called the cloud forest, is home to so many birds and animals.

We have lived in Costa Rica since 2013 and visit Monteverde regularly. In this post, we’ll share information on getting to Monteverde, Costa Rica as well as our top recommendations for things to do, restaurants, and hotels.

Map of Monteverde, Costa Rica

Our interactive map of Monteverde with the main cloud forest reserves and attractions.

Monteverde Is Best For:

• Nature enthusiasts looking to explore pristine cloud forests
• Birders (especially those hoping to spot the Resplendent Quetzal)
• Adventure seekers interested in zip lining and hanging bridges
• Travelers keen on sustainable tourism and conservation
• Coffee lovers who want to experience farm-to-cup tours
• Those looking for a cooler climate escape in Costa Rica
• Families seeking educational and memorable nature experiences

Monteverde Is Not Ideal For:

• Beach lovers (the nearest beaches are at least 1.5-2 hours away)
• Those with mobility issues (many trails can be muddy and uneven)
• Travelers with tight schedules (the remote location requires dedicated travel time)
• Those seeking a hot, tropical climate (Monteverde is cool and misty year-round)
• Visitors looking for nightlife and shopping (it’s a quiet, nature-oriented destination)

Don’t miss our Insider Tips section below for hidden gems and practical advice from our years of exploring Monteverde.

Orientation

Monteverde is located high in the Tilaran Mountain Range (Cordillera de Tilaran). While remote, it is only about three hours from each of Costa Rica’s international airports in San Jose and Liberia.

Monteverde is a popular pass-through destination for people going from La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano to points along the Pacific coast and vice-versa.

The main town in the area of Monteverde is Santa Elena. Santa Elena has a busy, but small, downtown with shops, restaurants, a few attractions, and some hotels. Many people visiting without a car choose to stay here for the convenience.

A main road leads out of Santa Elena and eventually dead-ends at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Along this stretch are many more hotels and restaurants nestled into the forest and on quieter side roads.

Getting to Monteverde, Costa Rica

Road Conditions

Getting to Monteverde is often a topic of concern for first-time travelers. Indeed, some of the roads leading to this remote destination can be rough and bumpy, but with the right vehicle, they are fine most of the year.

We have a post about the two main driving routes to Monteverde and included some video footage of the road conditions to give you an idea.

Renting a Car

Keep in mind that you don’t absolutely need a car in Monteverde. While attractions are spread out, most tours include transportation for free or a small fee.

If you do decide to rent a car, we recommend an SUV with higher clearance and 4×4 if possible. Check out our Rental Car Discount page to save 10% and get free extras. Learn more about car rentals with our post Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing Up the Confusion.

Taking a Shuttle or Bus

If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, shared or private shuttles are a popular choice. Many people are also intrigued by the Van-Boat-Van option that goes between La Fortuna/Arenal and Monteverde. This is a shared shuttle van service with a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal in the middle.

Lastly, public buses can take you to and from Monteverde, though they tend to be slower and may require connections. Here is a link to a local bus website with the schedule and more information.

If you would like help arranging a private shuttle or the Van-Boat-Van option, please contact us through the links below. You can find more routes on our Shuttle Booking page. Learn more about our travel agency.

How Much Time to Spend in Monteverde – Can You Visit as a Day Trip?

Many people look at the map and figure that they can do Monteverde on a day trip from La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano and even parts of Guanacaste.

Although Monteverde may seem close, the roads and mountainous conditions make for at least a three-hour drive no matter where you’re coming from. While possible, driving to Monteverde as a day trip makes for a long, exhausting day.

We recommend staying at least a couple of nights to make the trip worthwhile. Two nights is the minimum amount of time to see the major attractions. If you prefer to travel at a slower pace or have more must-sees on your list, staying three or four nights is best. You still won’t run out of things to do and great places to eat.

Best Time to Visit Monteverde

The best time to visit Monteverde is during the dry season (approx. January to April), when there’s less rain. January through March tend to be the driest months. However, this is also high season, so expect more crowds and higher prices.

The rainy season (May to November) has its own advantages, namely, fewer people. While afternoon showers are common, mornings are often clear. May through July are excellent shoulder season months, offering a good balance of decent weather and smaller crowds.

We don’t recommend visiting Monteverde in October due to rain.

As for other months during rainy season, our family has visited in June and July and had good weather, with little rain. In September, we experienced more rain but it was mostly at night. This can, of course, vary depending on the year.

Check out our short video of Monteverde’s weather in July

Weather & Packing Tips

Monteverde’s cloud forest climate is consistently cooler and misty year-round.

Temperatures average around 70 °F (21 °C), with cooler nights. Daytime temperatures are generally a pleasant 75-80 °F. The area’s elevation (around 4,500 feet/1,400 meters) means it’s a lot cooler than Costa Rica’s beach towns. Learn more with our post on Weather in Costa Rica.

Here are a few essentials to pack for your visit:

• Lightweight, waterproof jacket
• Pants and layers for cool nights and early mornings
• Closed-toe hiking shoes with good traction (and an extra pair if you’re visiting in rainy season and plan to hike a lot)
• Quick-dry clothing (humidity makes cotton slow to dry)
• Binoculars if you enjoy bird-watching

For a complete packing list for Costa Rica, check out our detailed Packing post.

Things to Do in Monteverde

You would never guess that Monteverde is a small town based on the long list of activities available.

Nature lovers can enjoy hiking, hanging bridges, bird-watching, and wildlife exhibits. Adventurous types can do heart-pumping activities like zip lining and even bungee jumping. With all to choose from, here is a narrowed-down list of some things you won’t want to miss.

Free Booking Service

For more information and help booking, use the links below and we will take care of all the arrangements. Booking through us doesn’t cost extra and helps support our website.

View tours all in Monteverde
Learn more about our travel agency

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserves

Hiking through the cloud forest is the most popular activity in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

There are several protected areas to choose from, but the most visited is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This reserve gives a great cloud forest experience and has trails for all levels, but can get busy during peak tourist months like December and January.

Less crowded options include the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, which is higher altitude, and Children’s Eternal Rainforest, the largest private reserve in Costa Rica.

There are also many smaller reserves. Curi-Cancha is one, and we have found it to have some of the best bird-watching because of its varied habitat. The nature guides we use in Monteverde for tours also recommend it for seeing animals.

We highly recommend getting a naturalist guide for your hike through the cloud forest. Birds and animals are often hiding in the thick canopy, making many visitors leave disappointed that they didn’t see much. Guided hikes are around $40-95 per person.

Night Tours

You also can do night tours at many of the reserves.

These allow you to see different types of wildlife that is not active during the day and are fun because, well, it’s dark. Usually the terrain is fairly flat so these kinds of tours are good for just about everyone, seniors and kids included.

Prices are around $30-40 per person.

To learn more, check out our experience doing a night tour with a local guide: A Night Walk in Monteverde: Sleeping Toucans, Sloths & Snakes.

Zip Lining and Hanging Bridges

Monteverde has numerous zip-line operators and hanging bridge facilities. Not many people know this, but Monteverde is where zip lining was first developed for tourism back in the 1990s. While zip lines are now found throughout Costa Rica, cruising through the clouds is a unique experience to just Monteverde.

Hanging bridges offer another way to enjoy the cloud forest canopy. Strolling through the treetops, you can see lots of birds and occasionally other wildlife like monkeys. We’ve done lots of hanging bridges around Costa Rica, but Monteverde’s are some of the best.

To hear about our experience at Selvatura’s hanging bridges (our favorite in the area), read our post Selvatura Park: Cloud Forest Hanging Bridges Walk.

Selvatura Park and Treetopia Park offer combo tours where you can do both zip lining and hanging bridges in one day. We have been to both facilities and enjoyed each of them for different reasons. Prices are around $115-145 per person, depending on if you have a guide for the hanging bridges. See the links below for more information and to book.

Gardens and Wildlife Exhibits

Monteverde is known as being one of the most biodiverse places in Costa Rica, with hundreds of different plants, animals, and birds. Seeing wildlife or specific plants in the cloud forest, though, can be difficult since the foliage is so thick and cloud cover so dense.

To supplement what you will see on the trail, it’s fun to check out the many nature exhibits around town. These really showcase how much life can be found in the area.

Some are attached to other attractions (a hanging bridge company might have a butterfly garden), but many are stand-alone. We recommend the Sloth Sanctuary, Monteverde Orchid Garden, Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, Bat Jungle, and Hummingbird Gallery.

These places are great to visit if you have extra time between tours or need to duck away during a passing rain shower. They’re also wonderful with kids!

Traveling with kids? Be sure to check out our Costa Rica with Kids page for more family-friendly activities and travel tips.

Coffee and Farm Tours in Monteverde

Before Monteverde became a popular tourist spot, farming was how most locals made a living.

Today, many families still work the fertile land. Coffee, along with sugar cane and chocolate, is the most prominent crop in the area. You will see the shiny green leaves of this important plant lining the steep hills on your drive into town.

Coffee Tours

Several different coffee tours are available in Monteverde. Some are larger, more commercial operations, while others feature small, organic farms.

A couple of options that our family has enjoyed are Don Juan (a coffee-sugar-chocolate combo) and Cafe Monteverde (a small, organic grower). Book a coffee tour using the links below.

Farm Experience

A unique activity in the Monteverde area is a sustainable farm tour at Finca Madre Tierra.

This working farm is where an upscale hotel in Monteverde called Hotel Belmar gets ingredients for its restaurant. Our family loved the tour. It lets you experience authentic farm life in Costa Rica and also includes a horseback ride along the scenic hills.

If you’d like to book this tour, just use the link below.

Restaurant Recommendations in Monteverde

Being a popular tourist destination, the Monteverde area now has so many options for restaurants. You’ll find a mix of international eateries, including Italian and fusion, as well as cafes, bakeries, and sodas (traditional Costa Rican restaurants).

Here’s a list of some that we have enjoyed.

Green Restaurant

For an elegant dinner in Santa Elena, head to the Green Restaurant. This farm-to-table restaurant features chicken, steak, fish, and pasta entrees paired with interesting sauces. Many of the ingredients come from the owner’s own family farm.

Located in Plaza Monteverde (near the Mega Super grocery store) on the second floor.

Tramonti

One of the most popular options in town, this charming Italian restaurant has delicious homemade pasta, brick-oven pizza, and tasty desserts like Tiramisu.

The atmosphere at Tramonti is romantic for dinner and warm and welcoming for lunch, especially after hiking in the cool cloud forest. The restaurant is now situated up on a hill so has amazing views all the way to the ocean.

Located about 5 minutes from Santa Elena center, just off the road to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Cafe Cabure

Offering a large menu that ranges from sandwiches and wraps to chicken, fish, beef, or pasta, Cafe Cabure cooks up eclectic food with an Argentinian flare. Be sure to save room for dessert as they make their own chocolates (including truffles).

Located next to Bat Jungle on the road to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Sabor Tico

A staple in town, Sabor Tico serves up typical Costa Rican cuisine and is the best spot to catch a soccer game on TV or have a beer. This place can get crowded with locals and visitors alike because the food is really good, so be sure to bring your patience.

Has two locations in Santa Elena: one in Plaza Monteverde (near the Mega Super grocery store) on the second floor, and another across the street from the soccer field.

Orchid Coffee & Restaurant

This well-loved hangout right in downtown Santa Elena offers a wide selection of coffees and drinks, both hot and cold. Orchid Coffee and Restaurant also has a huge food menu with everything from waffles and crepes to wraps, salads, and dinner entrees.

Free Wi-Fi and a nice outdoor deck keep patrons here for hours so make sure to grab a table when you can. Open for all three meals, with breakfast served all day.

Monteverde Gastroclub

If you’re craving sushi, we recommend the Monteverde Gastroclub. This small restaurant is in the main commercial center in Santa Elena. We’ve been a couple of times and the sushi rolls are always delicious. Service can be slower so bring some patience.

Located on the second floor of the Monteverde Plaza, near Mega Super grocery store.

Restaurante Celajes at Hotel Belmar

For a high-end dining experience, the restaurant at Hotel Belmar is one of the best options in Monteverde. Not only is the food excellent, but the service is too. The menu is farm-to-table with many of the ingredients coming from their own organic garden. Cocktails are fresh and delicious as well.

The Belmar also has a separate brewpub that serves casual fare and delicious craft beer. We loved the private location, right on a small pond backed by thick cloud forest.

Hotel Belmar is located right off the main road to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Kapi Kapi Restaurant

Set in the quiet countryside just outside Santa Elena is Kapi Kapi. Kapi Kapi translates from the local Maleku indigenous language to “welcome,” and you will surely feel welcome at the family-run restaurant.

We enjoyed the thin-crust pizza for lunch, but they also have a full dinner menu with upscale fish, pasta, and meat dishes. The restaurant is located on a hill so has really nice views.

Located about 20 minutes outside Santa Elena on Route 606.

Stella’s Bakery

We first discovered this cafe after giving the owner’s elderly father a ride into town from the countryside. He recommended we stop by and we are happy we did.

Stella’s is a comfortable lunch spot that offers many soups and sandwiches. They also have homemade baked goods like giant cinnamon buns, empanadas, and carrot cake.

Located across the street from CASEM on the road to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Soda Abuela at the CASEM Gift Shop

Hidden in the back corner of the CASEM art collaborative building is Soda Abuela. If you are looking for an authentic dining experience in Costa Rica, this is your place.

Dishes like arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), casados (lunch plates), and traditional soups are carefully prepared on a woodstove by local women who know what they are doing.

As a bonus, while eating here you can explore the CASEM gift shop, which has a decent selection of artwork and crafts made by locals.

Hotels in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Below are a few of our favorite hotels and lodges in the Monteverde area.

For a full list in all price ranges, read our separate post, Monteverde Hotel Guide. This guide gives our complete recommendations for everything from family-friendly cabins and affordable inns to romantic lodges with cloud-forest views. It also gives essential tips on what to look for in lodging.

Hotel Belmar

With gorgeous architecture that complements the breathtaking views, Hotel Belmar is best described as a luxury lodge. Nestled in the cloud forest, this boutique hotel has well-appointed rooms and beautiful wooden finishes throughout.

Its restaurant embodies the hotel’s commitment to sustainability by offering farm-to-table cuisine, homemade mixers, and craft beer that is brewed onsite.

We have stayed here and really enjoyed it. They have a mix of rooms, ranging from standards with two queen beds to luxurious suites with jacuzzis. Read our full review,  Hotel Belmar: Sustainable Luxury in Monteverde.

Located right outside downtown Santa Elena off the main road to the Monteverde Reserve. $270-1,200/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.

Cloud Forest Lodge

Cloud Forest Lodge is an upscale ecolodge with only 25 suites, creating an intimate setting high in the cloud forest.

The spacious rooms have large outdoor porches, perfect for wildlife viewing, and the property sits on a 23-hectare private reserve with hiking trails. The on-site restaurant, Endemica, focuses on local fusion cuisine. A good breakfast is included.

Our family has stayed here and loved having direct access to the cloud forest right from our room. The restaurant was also great. Read our full review.

Located about 10 minutes from Santa Elena. $270-600/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.

Los Pinos Cabins and Reserve

A good mid-range option, especially for those who like privacy, is Los Pinos Cabins and Reserve.

Stand-alone cabins are spaced out on the wooded property with forest and trails in between. The various-sized cottages accommodate everyone from couples to larger families and offer fully equipped kitchens that allow you to dine in. There’s even a free-use veggie garden.

Los Pinos has the certification of sustainable tourism in Costa Rica.

Located on the main road between Santa Elena and Monteverde. $100-300/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.

Valle Escondido Nature Reserve Hotel & Farm

Valle Escondido Nature Reserve Hotel & Farm is a special property because of its location. It sits at the end of a quiet side road, surrounded by cloud forest.

Various room setups accommodate solo travelers, couples, and families. Some have been recently renovated and have a more modern feel.

Trails through their private reserve are free for guests, and the property is known for having a wide variety of birds and animals. Valle Escondido has the certification of sustainable tourism in Costa Rica.

Located next to the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens on a side road a few minutes outside downtown Santa Elena. $140-285/night (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here.

Casa Batsu B&B

If you’re looking to have a more authentic visit to Monteverde, Casa Batsu B&B is a great option.

This charming bed and breakfast has a handful of rooms a short drive from the main area of town. The hosts are a lovely Costa Rican family who make you feel at home. We have stayed here and enjoyed it. The hospitality was amazing, and the elaborate, home-cooked breakfasts were memorable. $130-160/night.

Read our Monteverde Hotel Guide for lots more choices.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book a hotel using one of the links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our Privacy Policy for more information.

Local Insights: Insider Tips for Monteverde

Now that you know where to stay and eat, here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your trip.

Local Knowledge

• Monteverde refers to the entire geographic area around the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, while Santa Elena is the name of the main town. People typically use Monteverde for the entire region.
• Many locals still have connections to the original Quaker settlers who founded Monteverde in the 1950s. Strike up a conversation to hear fascinating stories about the area’s unique history.
• Early mornings (6-9 a.m.) offer the best wildlife viewing as birds and animals are most active and the clouds often haven’t fully rolled in yet.

Hidden Gems

• Santa Elena Reserve has a little-known observation tower where you can get some amazing 360-degree views of the cloud forest and nearby mountain ranges.
• If you’re traveling with kids, there’s a small public library in the main commercial plaza in Santa Elena (near Mega Super grocery store). This is a great spot to pass the time if it’s raining.
• Stop en Route: If you’re driving between La Fortuna and Monteverde, there’s a small family-run sugar cane farm called Trapiche Vasquez. It’s a great stop for a delicious lunch and quick sugar cane processing demo.

Practical Advice

• Many hotels have a reserve and trails right onsite. Take advantage of these for early morning wildlife viewing.
• Always carry a rain jacket, even on sunny mornings. Weather changes quickly in the mountains.
• Most restaurants close relatively early (by 9 p.m.).
• If driving, fill up before heading to Monteverde as there’s only one gas station in the area.
• Tour Booking Tip: Some tour companies’ booking engines charge a fee (e.g., for zip lining and hanging bridges). Book tours through our Tours page to avoid this.

Conclusion

For one of Costa Rica’s more remote destinations, Monteverde certainly has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, thrilling adventure, or something in between, you can find the perfect mix here in the green, misty cloud forests. We’ve enjoyed each trip we’ve taken to Monteverde and can’t wait to return again to discover more.

Practical Information About Visiting Monteverde, Costa Rica

Currency and Payment Info

Most businesses in Monteverde accept credit cards, but it’s good to carry some cash (both colones and US dollars are accepted) for smaller vendors and tips. ATMs are available in Santa Elena. See our detailed Money post for more info.

Safety Tips

Monteverde is generally a very safe destination, but the usual precautions still apply. Don’t leave valuables in your car or unattended and use the hotel safe for passports. Check out our Safety Tips post for more information.

Language

While Spanish is Costa Rica’s official language, English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants, and on tours in Monteverde. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases is appreciated but not necessary.

Weather Considerations – Activities

Try not to worry too much about Monteverde’s weather affecting your plans. The misty, occasionally rainy conditions are what create the magical cloud forest environment!

Most tours operate during light rain, and trails remain accessible (though sometimes muddy). Only high winds or thunderstorms could temporarily pause activities like zip lining for safety reasons. Keep in mind that we have been booking tours in Monteverde for years, and weather cancellations are very rare.

If you’re traveling during rainy season (especially September through mid-November), we recommend planning activities for the morning when rain is less likely.

Getting Around

If you’re staying right in Santa Elena, you will be able to walk to many restaurants and some attractions.

If your hotel is outside town, a car is nice to have since the area is a bit spread out. Check out our Rental Car Discount to save 10% through one of Costa Rica’s most reliable rental companies.

Sample Itineraries

Due to its central location, Monteverde pairs well with several other Costa Rica destinations. Consider combining it with:

• La Fortuna/Arenal for a cloud forest and volcano/hot springs experience.
• Guanacaste beaches like Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, Nosara, or Samara to include time at some of Costa Rica’s best beaches.
• Manuel Antonio for easy wildlife viewing and beach along with cloud forest.

Have a question about visiting Monteverde? Ask us below.

Looking for more information to help you plan? Check out these posts:

San Gerardo de Dota: A Hideaway in the Cloud Forest – This quaint village in the mountains south of San Jose is a great alternative to Monteverde.

Tortuguero: Wildlife and Culture on the Caribbean Coast – Tortuguero is another popular destination in Costa Rica, with excellent wildlife viewing.

Bijagua: A Gateway to the Rio Celeste – Bijagua, a couple of hours from Monteverde, is a small town that offers many authentic travel experiences and is close to the bright blue Rio Celeste.

Best Hotels Near SJO Airport – If you’re flying in or out of San Jose, don’t settle for a bland airport hotel. See our picks that will make your first or last travel days memorable.

Destinations: Plan your trip with our Destinations page. We cover more than 50 towns/cities all across Costa Rica.