If you’re considering to add Monteverde to your Costa Rica itinerary but are not sure how many days you need in Monteverde, if you should skip it altogether or what to do in Monteverde, then this blog post will help you answer all your questions.
Although Monteverde is a small canton up in the Tilaran Mountain Range, there is a lot to do in this beautiful cloud forest destination. Here are our 1 and 2 days in Monteverde itineraries and if you’re planing on staying more days, then we have ideas for your extra days too.
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Monteverde Quick Introduction
- Is a canton in the Puntarenas province. The main town and tourism hub is called Santa Elena.
- 135 km (84 miles) from San Jose International Airport (Juan Santamaria International Airport) on Route 1, 27 and 606. About a 3 hour drive.
- 120 km (75 miles) from Guanacaste Airport on Route 1 and Route 145. About a 2.5 hr drive.
- Famous for tropical cloud forest, hiking, ziplining, hanging bridges and birding.
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Should You Visit Monteverde?
Yes! Monteverde is one of our favorite destinations in Costa Rica. The tropical cloud forest is truly unique and it may even vanish in the future. The mountain views, fantastic birding and exciting adventures make Monteverde one of the wonders of Costa Rica.
We have visited Monteverde numerous times the past 15 years and each time, we see and experience something new which makes us fall even more in love with the place. I can’t get enough of the tropical cloud forest and fresh mountain weather!
It is important to note that La Fortuna and Monteverde are very different. Many people think that they are the same but they offer very different experiences. La Fortuna has rainforest and volcano with hot and humid temperatures while Monteverde has the cloud forest, high elevations and cooler temperatures.
Due to Monteverde’s small size, most people stay 1 or 2 days in Monteverde. Although we highly recommend more days, 1 full day is possible to enjoy the highlights of this cloud forest town.
Sample Itinerary
Most people will visit Monteverde in an itinerary like this one below.
San Jose – La Fortuna – Monteverde – Manuel Antonio. This is an extremely popular itinerary. We wrote a full 11 day Costa Rica itinerary with those exact destinations and you stay 2 days in Monteverde.
However, if you only have 1 week, it is best to pick just two destinations. Most people choose La Fortuna over Monteverde because they want to see a volcano and visit the hot springs in La Fortuna.
So if you only have 5-7 days, we don’t recommend Monteverde due to limited time, even if you visit for just one day. It is around a 3.5 hour drive from La Fortuna – Monteverde and 4 hour drive from Monteverde – Manuel Antonio so you will be spending a ton of time in the car.
You can do an itinerary like this 8 days itinerary that goes to La Fortuna and Playas del Coco. However, if you prefer mountains, birding and cloud forest, then go to Monteverde instead of La Fortuna.
If you can visit both destinations, most people will visit Monteverde after La Fortuna. Here is a sample 5 day Arenal and Monteverde itinerary to get ideas. Depending on your next destination, it is completely possible to do Monteverde first, then La Fortuna.
What to Do in Monteverde in One Day (2 Nights)
After a good nights rest, wake up early for a full day of fun in Monteverde. This 1 day in Monteverde itinerary will let you enjoy the highlights: ziplining, hiking, nature and the trropical cloud forest.
IMPORTANT: Sunrise and sunset is approximately 530 AM and 530 PM every day. It gets dark by 6 PM every day.
Day 1: Selvatura Park Full Day
For your one day in Monteverde, you will do a full day pass at Selvatura Park. You can drive there on your own or get free transportation included in your all day pass.
Why Selvatura Park? This eco nature and adventure park literally has it all: ziplining, hanging bridges, cloud forest, wildlife and nature.
Their All Day Pass includes ziplining with an optional Tarzan swing and 2 cable Superman add on, hanging bridges, sloth sanctuary, reptile exhibit and butterfly garden. As Selvatura Park is higher in elevation and is actually in the tropical cloud forest, their unparalleled views as you fly over the tree tops and walk through the forest canopy top is a once in a lifetime experience.
Then you can see animals up close at their sloth sanctuary, butterfly garden and reptile exhibit.
With options for both adventure and nature, Selvatura Park is ideal for those who want to experience Monteverde in one day.
All Day Pass
Start the All Day Pass at 830 AM so you can have the entire day to enjoy the park. If you are visiting during rainy season, you should go in the morning because it usually starts raining hard in the afternoons. If you start at 830 AM, you will finish around 130 PM or so. They do not include lunch but they have food for purchase on-site.
If you only want to zipline and walk the hanging bridges, you can perfectly opt for their Gold Pass which is just those two activities. They offer many different packages. Read more about Selvatura Park and request to book your passes in the link.
Evening: Night Walk
Book a night walk to learn about how the cloud forest comes alive in the dark when the various nocturnal animals wake up. They usually start around 5-530 PM and last two and a half hours.
We did a night walk at the Children’s Eternal Rainforest Bajos del Tigre which was really cool and we got to watch the sunset from their viewpoint. You can also do a night walk at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
Want to book the Monteverde night walk? Click the link to go to our Monteverde tours booking page so schedule your tour!
Where to Eat
If your hotel doesn’t offer free breakfast, Panaderia Jimenez Santa Elena and Santa Elena Coffee Shop are great options. Panaderia Jimenez has yummy local food with big portions.
Lunch: Stella’s Monteverde (great sandwiches, bowls, juice, coffee), Restaurante Sabor Tico (local food), Choco Cafe (bowls, sandwiches).
Dinner: Tramonti (Italian $$$), The Open Kitchen (one of our favorites), Taco Taco Monteverde, Octuma Bar and Restaurant.
The Next Day When You Check Out
If you want to do something the next day before you check out and leave Monteverde for your next destination, it is possible.
We highly recommend the early morning birdwatching tour at Curi Cancha Reserve. Pick up is around 7 AM with return around 11 AM. You can check out early and ask your hotel to hold your luggage for you. You can see beautiful colorful birds like the Resplendant Quetzal, Keel billed toucans, Golden Browed Chlorophonia and so many hummingbirds.
2 Days in Monteverde: What to Do on Day 2
Day 2 is a fun day of hiking and exploring Santa Elena.
Morning: El Tigre Waterfalls
For day two, wake up early, have a good breakfast and head on your way to El Tigre Waterfalls. This is a moderately difficult hike to cross hanging bridges over rivers to see several beautiful waterfalls deep in the forest. It takes around 3 hours depending on how fast you walk.
Don’t miss these waterfalls! They’re one of our favorite things to do in Monteverde.
We recommend to get there around 9 AM so that you can have lunch at their restaurant when you finish the hike.
Afternoon: Ficus Root Bridge
After the hike and lunch, head back to your hotel to shower and freshen up. Then head out to your afternoon activity: a visit to the Ficus Root Bridge. This cool spot is right in town and is really cheap, like 1000 CRC per person (~$2 USD). Easy walk down to the viewing platform from the parking lot.
It is a ficus tree that fell down and the roots naturally created a bridge across a river. Very Insta-worthy and you only need about 30 to 45 minutes here.
Afterwards, get an afternoon pick me up at Choco Cafe or Santa Elena Coffee House. Also grab some snacks, some beer or drinks for the evening spot. You can walk around town a bit to do some souvenir shopping.
Sunset: Cerro Pinocho
At around 4 PM, start driving out towards Cerro Pinocho, the best sunset spot in Monteverde. You have to have a 4×4 to get there but the harrowing drive is worth it for these spectacular views.
Stay up there until about 6 PM and then start driving back to town.
Dinner
After the beautiful sunset, go to town to get some dinner. For a special last night in Monteverde, book a tree top dining experience at the San Lucas TreeTop dining experience at 830 PM.
If you do not have a 4×4, we love the Mirador San Luis for sunset views.
If you want an even cooler sunset experience, book the 530 PM San Lucas treetop dining slot. You can watch the sunset over the mountain range while sipping on wine, cocktails and eating delicious food up in the treetops.
The Next Day When You Check Out
For your last day of your 2 days in Monteverde, if you want to do another activity, then this would be a great time to do a birdwatching tour at Curi Cancha.
If You Have a Third Full Day in Monteverde…
Then we highly recommend either the birdwatching tour at Curi Cancha in the morning or hike the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve or the Bosque Nuboso Reserva Santa Elena.
We personally love Bosque Nuboso Reserva Santa Elena as it was not as crowded as the Monteverde Reserve and you felt a bit more like a fairy tale cloud forest as it’s even higher in elevation. But if you want to see birds, we definitely recommend the birding tour.
In the afternoon, you can do a 2 hour coffee/sugar cane/cacao tour with El Trapiche. Then in the evening, watch the sunset at the Mirador Valle Escondido Preserve view point.
Want more ideas? Check out our Monteverde tours booking page to sell of the activities we can help you book!
Monteverde Hotel Recommendations
Monteverde has mostly lodges and small boutique B&Bs. Use our 5% promo code “mytanfeet” to save $$ at the following hotels: Hotel Poco a Poco, Monteverde Country Lodge and Sibu Lodge. All wonderful places to stay in Monteverde with a great location, excellent restaurant and very cozy and comfortable rooms.
We have also stayed at Hotel El Establo and loved it. There are also a ton of Airbnbs.
How to Get to Monteverde
- Driving: As Monteverde is at the top of the Tilaran Mountain Range, it is highly recommended to have a 4×4 in rainy season and high clearance car in the dry season due to the nature of the rural mountain roads.
- Check our Driving in Costa Rica, Renting a car in Costa Rica and our Costa Rica car rental discount for more driving in Costa Rica resources and to save some $$ on your rental.
- Public bus: There is a direct bus to Santa Elena from San Jose. No direct bus from Liberia.
- Shuttles: You can also take shared and private shuttles to Monteverde. Contact us to help you book your shuttle.
- Important: Monteverde does not have a local airport. There aren’t any car rental agencies in Monteverde. If you want a car, then you have to get a car delivered to Monteverde but for a hefty fee.
Read more about the Best Route to Monteverde in this guide.
Monteverde Weather
As the cloud forest is over 1400 meters above sea level (4500 feet), the weather in Monteverde is much cooler and fresher than down by the beach. It tends to follow the typical tropical weather with the dry and rainy seasons. Dry season is December through April, rainy season is May through November.
Temperatures do not change much throughout the year. Average year round day time temperatures range from 21 to 26° C (70-80° F). Average night time temperatures range from 12-15° C (55-60° F).
It can get very windy up in Monteverde, especially in December, January and February. It can start raining as early as April but it can sprinkle any time of the year. I like it when it sprinkles because then you can see rainbows everywhere!
What to Pack for Monteverde
Whether you’re visiting for 1 or 2 days in Monteverde, make sure to bring warmer clothes as it’s not as hot as the coast.
Bring a warm sweater, long pants, trail running shoes/hiking shoes/running shoes and a waterproof rain jacket. Check our Costa Rica packing list and Costa Rica rainy season packing list to be prepared.
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica. Get 10% off your Airalo eSIM package with our promo code “mytanfeet”
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels. Save more money with our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
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