THE 6 BEST TIPS FOR MONTEVERDE

The 6 best tips for Monteverde

Monteverde is a stunning place nestled in the cloud forest of Costa Rica. Due to the high humidity, there is a constant presence of mist and fog. The cloud forest boasts an incredible diversity of unique plants and animals. Situated at 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) above sea level, Monteverde offers breathtaking views. It is the ultimate destination for nature lovers.

Monteverde is a district in the province of Puntarenas, with its main town being Santa Elena.

How to get to Monteverde?

Monteverde can be reached from various locations in Costa Rica.

From Uvita/Dominical to Monteverde

By car: From Uvita/Dominical, it takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive to Monteverde

By bus/shuttle: There are no direct buses from Uvita or Dominical to Monteverde. However, you can opt to take a shuttle from Uvita or Dominical. Depending on the provider, this journey takes between 4.5 and 6 hours.

Crocodile Bridge

When traveling from Uvita or Dominical to Monteverde, the shortest route passes by the crocodile bridge in Tárcoles. If you take a shuttle, you can ask the driver to stop there briefly. It's highly recommended to take a look, as you can see many American crocodiles on the sand and in the water from the bridge. These crocodiles can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) long. You’ll usually spot a few, which is an incredible experience!

From La Fortuna to Monteverde

By car: From La Fortuna, it’s about a 3-hour drive to Monteverde.

By bus: From La Fortuna, you can take a local bus to Monteverde. Ask your accommodation for the current departure times, as these may change regularly.

By shuttle: From La Fortuna, you can take a shuttle to Monteverde. The journey takes just over 3 hours.

Another fun way to travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde is by shuttle and boat. You will sail across Lake Arenal, enjoying beautiful views of the Arenal Volcano.

From San José to Monteverde

By car: From La Fortuna, it’s about a 3-hour drive to Monteverde.

By bus: From San José, you can take a local bus to Monteverde. You will often need to change buses once. Be sure to ask your accommodation for the current departure times, as they can change frequently.

By shuttle: From San José, you can take a shuttle to Monteverde. It often takes a bit longer than traveling by car.

The best things to do in Monteverde

There’s plenty to see and do in Monteverde, making it worth staying for a few days. We’ve listed the best tips for you!

1. Admire the Monteverde Cloud Forest

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is a large nature reserve that includes both rainforest and cloud forest. The cloud forest is particularly special, as only 1% of the world’s forests are cloud forests. In the Monteverde Cloud Forest, you'll find amazing wildlife and spectacular landscapes.

Monteverde Cloud Forest is open daily from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can check the current entrance fees on their website. You can explore the park with or without a guide. The great thing about having a guide is their ability to spot animals you might miss on your own.

Tip: It can be rainy in the park, so it's a good idea to bring rain gear or a poncho.

Tip: The Monteverde Cloud Forest is popular with tourists, so it can get crowded. The earlier you arrive, the quieter it will be.

How to get there?
It’s about a 7-minute drive from Monteverde and a 15-minute drive from Santa Elena to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. You can also take a local bus. Ask at your accommodation for departure times and where to board.

2. Hike through the Santa Elena Cloud Forest

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest is another cloud forest near Monteverde. It is usually a bit quieter than the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Here you can admire the beautiful cloud forest and see animals. You can explore the park on your own, but you can also book a guide. The advantage of a guide is that they are good at spotting animals that you might miss. The park is open every day from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can check the website for current prices.

How to get there?
It is about a 30-minute drive from Monteverde to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest. From Santa Elena, it’s a slightly shorter drive. There are no direct buses, so you’ll need to take a taxi if you don’t have your own car.

3. Go for a night walk

Another fun way to get to know Monteverde is by taking a night walk through the cloud forest. Although it is called a night walk, it often takes place in the evening. Many animals are more active when it gets dark, so you'll encounter different animals than during the day. Some organisms also display bioluminescence, meaning they emit light. For example, certain types of insects, plants, and fungi. It's often quieter in nature in the evening and at night, allowing you to hear the animals clearly. A night walk is a great way to discover even more of the cloud forest!

4. Get an adrenaline rush at Selvatura Park Monteverde

Selvatura Park is a park with a lot to offer. You can do various activities here: walk over suspension bridges, go ziplining, and spot animals. On Selvatura Park's website, you can see all the tours they offer. You can also choose different packages to combine activities. You’re sure to have a great time here!

Tip: If you love an adrenaline rush, Monteverde Extremo Park is also highly recommended. Here, you can do various activities, such as ziplining or bungee jumping. The bungee jump in this park is 143 meters (469 feet) high, and you fall over 80 meters (262 feet). It’s known as the highest bungee jump in Costa Rica. The focus in this park is more on activities than on nature.

How to get there?
It’s about a half-hour drive from Monteverde to Selvatura Park. From Santa Elena, it takes a bit less time. The park also offers transportation from Monteverde or Santa Elena. Transportation is free if you’ve already booked a zipline, canopy, or suspension bridge tour. If not, you'll have to pay for transportation.

5. Walk across the hanging bridges of Monteverde

Monteverde is known for its beautiful cloud forests. Several hanging bridges have been created in the area to provide better views of the forest and its wildlife. There are different parks that feature hanging bridges. For instance, Sky Walk Monteverde offers six hanging bridges, including the longest one in Costa Rica. In the tip above, we mentioned Selvatura Park, where you can walk over eight hanging bridges, along with other activities. The 110%Aventura Park has a three-kilometer-long route (1.86 miles), during which you will cross eight hanging bridges.

6. Learn about coffee and chocolate

In the area around Monteverde, you'll find many coffee plantations. The climate and volcanic soil provide ideal conditions for growing coffee. In addition to coffee, Monteverde is also a paradise for chocolate lovers. Cacao also grows well in the area, resulting in delicious chocolate. Some coffee plantations and chocolate shops offer fun tours and/or workshops, where you can learn more about the process of making coffee and chocolate!

Do you want to read more about Costa Rica?

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Do you want to read more about Costa Rica?

See all our articles with the best tips to discover all beautiful places in Costa Rica.

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