Monteverde, Costa Rica: travel guide
Misty cloud forest, hanging bridges and canopy walks
Misty cloud-forest mountain town in the Cordillera de Tilarán (Puntarenas), world-famous for canopy zip-lines, hanging bridges and biodiverse cloud-forest reserves.
About Monteverde
Monteverde is a mountain community in the Tilaran range, wrapped in cool, misty cloud forest that is rich in plant and bird life. The air is fresher than on the coast, and the setting, with its winding lanes and forest reserves, feels quiet and green.
The main activity is exploring the canopy by hanging bridges, zip-lines and forest trails, at places such as Selvatura Park and the Curi-Cancha Reserve. Waterfalls at El Tigre add a trail-based outing, while coffee and chocolate tours explain how local crops are grown and made. The CASEM cooperative shows locally made crafts.
Monteverde suits nature lovers, birdwatchers and families. The dry season is the easiest for walking, though the forest is by nature damp, and a light rain jacket is always useful.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
Last updated
Top places to visit in Monteverde
El Tigre Waterfalls
Waterfall · 4.9 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A strenuous circuit hike past a chain of waterfalls and suspension bridges southwest of Santa Elena.
Curi-Cancha Reserve
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Private reserve prized as one of the best spots for quetzals and open-forest wildlife.
Café Monteverde Coffee Tour
Cultural · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cooperative coffee tour tracing sustainable, shade-grown beans through the mill.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Wildlife · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The legendary misty cloud-forest reserve, a birding and biodiversity mecca famed for the resplendent quetzal.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Nature · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Community-run cloud-forest reserve with quieter trails and volcano views on clear days.
Selvatura Park
Nature · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Adventure park with a hanging-bridges trail, long zip-lines and sloth, butterfly and hummingbird exhibits.
Sky Adventures Monteverde (Sky Walk)
Nature · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Six hanging bridges, a tram and zip-lines through the cloud-forest canopy, including a 236 m span.
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
Wildlife · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Four habitat gardens showcasing native butterflies plus an insect and arthropod exhibit.
Monteverde Frog Pond (Ranario)
Wildlife · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Living exhibit of Costa Rica's colourful frogs, best visited on a guided night tour.
Jardín de Orquídeas (Orchid Garden)
Nature · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Compact garden in Santa Elena displaying 400+ orchid species, including some of the world's smallest.
Don Juan Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Cultural · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Working-farm tour covering coffee, chocolate and sugarcane from crop to cup.
CASEM Artisan Co-op
Market · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Women's craft cooperative selling embroidery, textiles and Monteverde artwork.
Things to do
- Selvatura Zip-line Canopy Tour Adventure · 2.5 h · from USD 55 per person
- Monteverde Hanging Bridges Tour Nature · 2 h · from USD 40 per person
- Monteverde Night Walk Wildlife · 2 h · from USD 28 per person
- Coffee, Chocolate & Sugarcane Tour Food · 2.5 h · from USD 40 per person
- Cloud Forest Guided Birdwalk Wildlife · 3 h · from USD 60 per person
- Monteverde Horseback Riding Adventure · 2 h · from USD 50 per person
Day trips and tours
- Monteverde Canopy & Cloud Forest Day 8 h · from USD 130
Where to stay in Monteverde
- Santa Elena Town about CRC 60 per night
Main village with budget hostels, sodas, tour offices and the bus terminal.
- Cerro Plano about CRC 120 per night
Midway on the road to the reserve with mid-range hotels, restaurants and wildlife exhibits.
Hotels
- Hotel Poco a Poco 3-star · USD 110 to USD 160 per night
- Pensión Santa Elena 1-star · USD 14 to USD 55 per night
- Monteverde Country Lodge 3-star · USD 90 to USD 140 per night
- Hotel Belmar 4-star · USD 180 to USD 320 per night
Where to eat
- Restaurante Tramonti Italian, Pizza · about USD 18 per person
- Sabor Tico Costa Rican · about USD 10 per person
- Taco Taco Mexican · about USD 9 per person
- Stella's Bakery Cafe, Bakery · about USD 10 per person
- Morphos Restaurant International, Costa Rican · about USD 16 per person
- Restaurante Tico y Rico Costa Rican · about USD 10 per person
Getting to Monteverde
Nearest airport: La Fortuna (FON), about 32 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Shuttle
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions about Monteverde
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Monteverde?
- The highest-rated places in our Monteverde guide are El Tigre Waterfalls, Café Monteverde Coffee Tour, Don Juan Coffee & Chocolate Tour, Curi-Cancha Reserve, CASEM Artisan Co-op.
- Where should I stay in Monteverde?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Monteverde: Santa Elena Town, Cerro Plano.
- How do I get around Monteverde?
- Ways to get around Monteverde covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.