Santa Elena
Hostels, food, toursThe main town.
Town guide
Things to do in Monteverde
Cloud forest high in the Tilarán mountains: hanging bridges and canopy walkways, some of the longest zip lines in Costa Rica, night walks for tarantulas and sloths, coffee farms and, with luck, a resplendent quetzal.
21
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 12,354 reviews
1,400 m
Above sea level
2–3
Days
Into the clouds
Monteverde is a mountain area at around 1,400 metres, known for its cloud forest, a misty, moss-covered rainforest kept wet by clouds blowing across the Continental Divide. It is one of the richest places for wildlife in Costa Rica, with hundreds of bird species, including the resplendent quetzal, as well as sloths, monkeys, frogs and orchids.
The area was settled in the 1950s by American Quakers, who set aside land to protect the forest, and it now has several reserves. The main town, Santa Elena, has hostels, restaurants and tour offices, and a cooler, fresher climate than the lowlands, so bring a jacket.
Monteverde is the place for canopy adventures: hanging bridges, long zip lines and a Tarzan swing. Night walks reveal a different forest, full of insects, frogs and sleeping birds. Give it two or three days, usually combined with La Fortuna.
Where to base yourself
Santa Elena for hostels, food and tours, or the road towards the reserve for quiet lodges in the forest.
Reserve road
Forest lodgesLodges between town and the reserve.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Monteverde
Walk the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve or the quieter Santa Elena Reserve, ideally with a guide early in the morning, when birds are most active. Look for the resplendent quetzal, especially from February to May.
Cross the hanging bridges at parks such as Selvatura or Sky Adventures, and fly through the canopy on long zip lines. Take a guided night walk to see tarantulas, frogs, sloths and sleeping birds.
Visit a coffee, chocolate and sugar cane farm, and see hummingbirds up close at the feeders of the Hummingbird Gallery.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking around Santa Elena and the roads between the reserves costs nothing, and you can often see birds and coatis along the way. Some cafes have hummingbird feeders you can watch from.
The ficus tree near town, a hollow strangler fig you can climb inside, is free to visit.
The reserves and tours charge entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Sodas in Santa Elena serve casados for €5 to €9. The area produces excellent coffee and cheese, and has good bakeries.
Cooler weather makes hot chocolate popular.
Restaurant bills add 13 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge, so check whether menu prices include them; an extra tip is optional.
Nightlife
Going out
Nightlife is quiet: a few bars and hostel gatherings in Santa Elena. Most people do night walks instead.
Evenings are cool, so bring layers.
Imperial beer costs €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
Shuttles run to Monteverde from San José, La Fortuna and the Pacific coast, for €40 to €70. Public buses from San José take around four to five hours. The jeep-boat-jeep transfer links Monteverde with La Fortuna in about three hours.
The road up is winding but now paved for most of the way.
Tours include pick-ups from Santa Elena, and local buses run to the reserve.
Costs
What Monteverde costs
Dorm beds start at around €14 to €22 a night. Casados cost €5 to €9.
The main costs are the reserves, around €20 to €25 entry, plus guides, and canopy tours, €45 to €75. Night walks cost about €25 to €35.
US dollars are accepted everywhere alongside colones.
Safety
Safety and scams
Monteverde is very safe. Trails are muddy and slippery, so wear good shoes.
Go zip lining with established operators and follow the safety briefing.
Do not touch wildlife on night walks; some snakes, frogs and insects are venomous. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Reserves, farms and the volcano.
La Fortuna
The volcano and hot springs.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Quetzal season and green season.
February to May
Quetzal season
Monteverde
The best time to see the resplendent quetzal.
May to November
Green season
Monteverde
Mist, rain and fewer people.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Monteverde, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Camino Verde Hostel and B&B
Rooms from €21 a night
See dates and book
Cabinas Vista al Golfo
Rooms from €17 a night
See dates and book
Cabinas Vista Al Golfo
Rooms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Sleepers/Campos de Oro Wilderness Lodge
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
OutBox Inn
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Pension Santa Elena
Rooms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Studio Apartments Coati - Sloth B&B Monteverde
Rooms from €59 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Cattleya
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Hostel la Suerte
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Monteverde Backpackers
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Monteverde Monkey Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Sloth Backpackers Hostel and Bed & Breakfast
Rooms from €38 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to April is drier, with quetzals easiest to see from February to May. The green season brings rain and mist, which makes the cloud forest even more atmospheric. It is cool all year.
Jan
Dry, windy
Feb
Quetzals
Mar
Quetzals, dry
Apr
Quetzals
May
Green season, quetzals
Jun
Misty
Jul
Short dry spell
Aug
Rain
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wettest
Nov
Windy
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Much cooler than the coasts.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Monteverde prices.
Treat these as a guide. Reserves and tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Monteverde questions
The ones we get asked most.
Which reserve is best in Monteverde?
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the most famous; Santa Elena Reserve is quieter. Go early with a guide.
When can I see a quetzal?
Most often from February to May, with a guide.
Is Monteverde cold?
Cool, especially at night. Bring a jacket.
How many days do you need in Monteverde?
Two or three days.
How do I get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
By jeep-boat-jeep in about three hours, or by shuttle.
Are the night walks worth it?
Yes. You see a completely different forest.
Is the road to Monteverde paved?
Mostly, though it is winding.
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