10 Best Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Are you looking for the best things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica? Monteverde is famous for its cloud forests, hanging bridges, diverse wildlife, and adventurous activities. This unique place is perfect for nature and adventure lovers.

Wondering what to do in Monteverde? Visit the beautiful cloud forests, hike to the waterfalls, enjoy bird watching, take a coffee tour, join an exciting night tour, or go ziplining.

This ultimate guide to visiting Monteverde includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

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Where is Monteverde?

It is located in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica, about a 2.5-hour drive from Liberia and a 3-3.5-hour from San Jose and La Fortuna.

Best Time to Visit Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde is located at 1,440 m (4,662 ft) above sea level, so the weather is much cooler and wetter than in other parts of Costa Rica. The best time to visit Monteverde is during the dry season, which runs from December to April when there is less rain and is ideal for enjoying outdoor activities and exploring the cloud forests. Since this is one of the wettest places in Costa Rica, unexpected rains can occur even in the dry season.

The wettest months are September and October. So bring quick-drying and warmer clothes, long pants, socks, hiking shoes, a light raincoat, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen.

Here are all your hotel options in Monteverde.

How to Get to Monteverde

Most people arrive from San Jose, Liberia, or La Fortuna. You can easily get to Monteverde by shared and private transfer, taxi, Jeep-Boat-Jeep tour, bus, or car.

We have a detailed post on how to get from San Jose to Monteverde with all the information you need + the cheapest way.

There is no airport in Monteverde. The nearest domestic airport is Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON), and the closest international airports are Liberia Airport (LIR) and San Jose Airport (SJO).

TIP
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Costa Rica.

The best way to get to Monteverde is by car. You can easily rent a car at San Jose Airport or pick up your pre-booked car. You don’t need a 4×4, but a car with a higher ground clearance is worth booking for your Costa Rica road trip. But if you plan to visit Costa Rica in the rainy season, especially the area around Monteverde, 4WD is recommended.

We did our 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

Good to know
It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). So we don’t recommend driving at night!

Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Costa Rica and driving tips.

There are two paved roads to Monteverde, Route 606 and Route 145. We drove from La Fortuna to Monteverde and made a detour to the Rio Celeste Waterfall on the way.

Recommended post → Best Ways from La Fortuna

Where to Stay in Monteverde

Santa Elena is the main town of Monteverde and the best base for exploring the area. But for the best experience, stay in the jungle.

If you don’t have a car or are looking for budget accommodation, you should stay in the town center. You’ll be close to the great restaurants and shops and can easily book tours or shuttles to attractions. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Monteverde

Mid-Range: Hotel Belmar or Chira Glamping
Budget: Hotel Socialtel

more hotels

We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Monteverde.

Photo credit: Chira Glamping

Best things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

1. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Visiting the cloud forests of Monteverde is one of the most popular things to do. You can visit the cloud forest on a self-guided tour or join a guided tour to learn more about the cloud forests and see wildlife. There are many hiking trails in the cloud forest, with a total distance of 13 km.

Did you know that only 1% of the world’s forests are classified as cloud forests? The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was established in 1972 to protect this area. The cloud forest is home to diverse wildlife, and you can easily visit it from Santa Elena by car, public bus, taxi, or shuttle.

It is open every day from 7 AM to 4 PM. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve entrance fee is 26 USD for foreigners and 8 USD for citizens/residents. Parking is 5 USD.

Book your Cloud Forest tour here.

2. Take a Night Tour

Looking for exciting things to do in Monteverde? Since most wildlife is active at night, join a guided group or private night tour. During the night walk, you can see many different frogs, snakes, insects, sloths, tarantulas, armadillos, and toucans, as well as a variety of plants, and experience the sounds of wildlife.

The cheapest night tours start from 30 USD. Tours are available at 6 PM and 8 PM and take approximately 2 hours.

Book your Night Tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

If you want to see more animals in Monteverde, visit the Butterfly Gardens, Curi Cancha Reserve (best for bird watching), and Frog Pond Ranario.

See also → Manuel Antonio National Park

3. Stay in the Jungle

Not far from the town of Santa Elena, there are beautiful jungle lodges, which are the perfect place to relax and observe wildlife up close. You can see tucans, sloths, and white-faced monkeys in the accommodation and hear howler monkeys from the treetops.

Most accommodation is further out of town near the jungle, and as the roads are worse in many places, we recommend renting a 4×4 car. If you are traveling with your family and want to wake up to the sounds of nature in the middle of the jungle, stay at Tityra Lodge or Cloud Forest Lodge by Böëna.

But if you’re planning a romantic getaway, Amalú is the place for you.

Here are the best → Jungle Hotels

Photo credit: Amalú

4. Hummingbird watching at Café Colibri

Hummingbird watching was one of our favorite things to do in Monteverde. As the hummingbirds are always attracted to the hanging feeders, you can take great pictures of them. To be honest, we spent a lot of time admiring these colorful and beautiful hummingbirds, but we didn’t regret it.

Café Colibri is located right at the entrance of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, so be sure to visit. It’s the perfect place to start your day with a coffee and a delicious pastry. There is also a gift shop where you can buy some souvenirs.

The Hummingbird Gallery is free to visit, and the café is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.

Here are all your hotel options in Monteverde.

5. El Tigre Waterfalls

One of the best things to do in Monteverde is to visit the El Tigre Waterfalls. You can see 4 waterfalls, hike across 10 bridges, and swim in the river pools. The waterfalls are about a 30-minute drive from Santa Elena.

El Tigre Waterfalls has two entrances, which can be reached via the Monte de los Olivos or Las Nubes road (currently closed). We recommend taking the Monte de los Olivos road, as you don’t need a 4×4.

Book your waterfalls hiking tour with lunch and a guide HERE.

El Tigre Waterfalls is open every day from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. You can visit El Tigre Waterfalls on a self-guided tour for 33 USD + taxes, but booking is required.

The total hiking distance is 8 km, which is moderate-difficult and takes about 3-4 hours.

Recommended post → Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica

6. Join a Coffee Tour

Looking for one of the best things to do in Monteverde? Costa Rica is well known for its delicious coffee, so if you’re a coffee lover like us, you should take a coffee tour. Take a guided tour of the different coffee plantations, learn about the process from seed to cup, and taste 6 different types of coffee.

Coffee tours are available at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 2 PM, and 3 PM and are available in several languages. The Café Monteverde Farm & Roastery tour costs 40 USD for adults and 12 USD for children (6-12 years old) and takes about 2.5 hours.

See also → Chocolate Tours in Costa Rica

7. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

The cloud forests of Monteverde are the best birdwatching spots in Costa Rica. So, if you have enough time, visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is open every day from 7 AM to 4 PM, and self-guided tours cost 18 USD for foreigners and 12 USD for locals.

Book a private guided tour here.

The weather is very humid and rainy, so bring a light raincoat and plenty of water, and wear quick-drying clothes.

You can’t leave Costa Rica without walking on the suspension bridges. So visit Selvatura Park and walk along the magnificent hanging bridges.

Keep reading → La Fortuna Guide

8. Climbing the Ficus La Raiz (Living root bridge)

One of the best things to do in Monteverde is to climb the Ficus Root Bridge. However, if you don’t want to climb it, it’s still worth a visit as it offers fantastic photo opportunities. Be careful when climbing the bridge, as it can be slippery!

There are no opening hours, as the giant ficus tree is on private property, but the gate is usually open. The entry fee is 1000 Colones or 2 USD per person for the donation box (bring cash).

You can easily reach Ficus La Raiz from Santa Elena by a short walk or car.

9. Go on a Zipline Canopy tour in Monteverde

Monteverde offers many exciting activities such as ATV tours, horseback riding, night tours, and zipline. There are many zipline tours to choose from, and in our opinion, whichever one you choose, you won’t regret it. For the best experience, book a zipline and hanging bridges combo tour in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Check prices and availability for the best zipline tours on Viator or GetYourGuide.

10. Take a Day Trip to Rio Celeste Waterfall

Looking for more places to visit during your stay in Monteverde? Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfall is the Rio Celeste, about a 2.5-hour drive from Monteverde in Tenorio Volcano National Park. You don’t need a 4×4 to get to Tenorio Volcano National Park. But a car with higher ground clearance is recommended.

The national park is open every day from 8 AM to 2 PM, but you can stay until 4 PM. Spend at least 3 hours in the national park, hike the rainforest trails, and explore other beautiful attractions.

Read the full post → How to Visit Rio Celeste Waterfall

Day Trip to Rio Celeste Waterfall from Monteverde

Is Monteverde Worth Visiting?

In our opinion, Monteverde is a unique destination with many adventurous activities, so well worth a visit. But if you are visiting Costa Rica for the first time or have limited time, we think La Fortuna is a much better choice.

Is it Safe to Travel to Monteverde?

It is generally safe! Not all roads are in good condition, so always drive carefully, especially in the rainy season or after heavy rain. There are bumpy roads and potholes, so we recommend planning for longer driving times and renting a car with a higher ground clearance.

Take care of your valuables, always lock your car, and keep your belongings in the car boot or your hotel room when parking.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How to Get Around Monteverde

The small town of Santa Elena is easy to explore on foot. However, getting around Monteverde without a car is difficult, so we recommend renting a car in San Jose or Liberia. But some roads are unpaved and bumpy!

If you don’t have a car, you can book tours that include transportation, use taxis, or take public buses to get to nearby attractions.

Best Restaurants in Monteverde

There are local (soda) restaurants where you can taste delicious Costa Rican food. But you will also find restaurants offering international cuisine.

Tree House (One of the most popular restaurants built around a tree)
The Green Restaurant (International cuisine, healthy food, and local dishes)
Restaurante Sabor Tico (Best Costa Rican food)
Orchid Coffee & Restaurant (Perfect place for breakfast or lunch)
Bon Appetit (Italian pizza, pasta)
Taco Taco (Mexican food and vegan & vegetarian options)
Soda La Amistad (Authentic Costa Rican food)

Learn how to make Costa Rican bread.

How many Days do you Need in Monteverde, Costa Rica?

We recommend staying for at least 2-3 days to enjoy the best things to do in Monteverde. Then, travel to Uvita, La Fortuna, or San Jose.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Monteverde will help you plan your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

10 Best Things to Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica