What you need to know about the Monteverde cloud forest to enjoy an unforgettable experience?
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Monteverde is a large nature conservation area located throughout the provinces of Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Alajuela Costa Rica. It consists of several privately owned protected land reserves, including: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Children’s Eternal Forest (which is the largest private protected forest in the country with more than 30,000 hectares of land, and it’s contiguous to the Selvatura Park forest).
Monteverde is home to 4% of the world’s total biodiversity, and it covers most of the top of the Tilaran mountain range, which allows access to both the Pacific and the Atlantic sides of the forest.
We want everyone who visits Monteverde to experience these unique surroundings in the best way possible. It’s very easy to discover all that this part of the country has to offer, so we always emphasize the importance of conservation at the places you will be visiting.
Clima de Monteverde
The weather in Monteverde varies, but it’s pleasant throughout the year, both in the dry season between November and April, and the rainy season between May and October. The temperature is usually between 16ºC and 28ºC (62ºF and 82ºF). The average annual precipitation is around 3,000 mm of rain, but it can be up to 6,000 mm in forest areas. It’s common for mornings to be sunny and afternoons to be rainy, which is why, when planning you trip, it’s always important to bring:
Comfortable clothes and a sweater or a rain jacket
Shoes or boots that are suitable for muddy terrain
A change of clothes to carry with you
Insect repellant
Main areas and where to stay
Monteverde is divided into four main areas or towns that you can visit:
- Santa Elena
- Cerro Plano
- Monteverde
- San Gerardo
Santa Elena, Monteverde, stands out for being the most populated area. It has the most businesses operating there as well, including banks, supermarkets, souvenir shops, a local high school, a town hall, restaurants, and hotels. We recommend our high quality hotels: Jaguarundi Lodge and Ficus Sunset & Suites, the latter being a place where you can enjoy a variety of types of cuisine.
Cerro Plano is an area that’s filled mainly with hotels. We recommend Hotel Heliconia) which has several specialty restaurants and is located near main roads.
Jaguarundi Lodge
The only hotel in the cloud forest near Santa Elena, Monteverde, where you can have an experience that’s 100% natural.
Hotel Heliconia
One of the most famous and classic hotels in Monteverde: beautiful views and excellent value for money.
Ficus Lodge
Located in the heart of Monteverde: the perfect combination of luxury and nature.
If you’re thinking of spending more than one night in Monteverde, we recommend reading:
Five hotels in Monteverde, Costa Rica, to have your dream experience
Monteverde is another well-known town. There’s a cheese factory here and a large Quaker community, a community arts centre called CASEM, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
San Gerardo is one of the areas in Monteverde that gets the most visitors as there are several adventure parks here that are focused on ecotourism, among which: Selvatura Park stands out.
You can see the wonders of the cloud forest from up high at Selvatura Park when you purchase the Gold Pack, which includes a zip line tour and a hike across the safest and most extensive hanging bridges in Monteverde..
What to do and see in Monteverde, Costa Rica
As we’ve mentioned, Monteverde is the ideal place to do recreational activities and to explore your love for nature and adventure as a traveler.
These tourism activities include visiting butterfly gardens as well as reptile and amphibian exhibits, going on a guided hike through private cloud forest reserves, and visiting adventure parks where you can go zip lining and hike across hanging bridges go on a night hike, and visit a coffee plantation, along with many other tours.
Here are several articles with useful and detailed advice about what to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica:
What to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica: 5 activities that are not to be missed
Five tours in Monteverde, Costa Rica that are not to be missed
The three best adventure parks in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Selvatura Park: The adventure that you deserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica
A guide of places in Monteverde to visit as a family
GIVE THEM AN
ADVENTURE
Are you traveling to Monteverde
with your whole family?
This is the ideal package for you.
Monteverde is a great place to enjoy visiting as a family. In fact, there are hotels and tours specially designed for trips with children, teenagers, or seniors. Adventure can be for everyone.
If you’re traveling as a family, we recommend reading:
A guide of places in Monteverde to visit as a couple
CREATE UNFORGETTABLE
MEMORIES
Do you want to travel to Monteverde
with your significant other?
This is the best option for you.
Monteverde is an ideal option for everyone, it’s just a matter of getting the best advice about how to enjoy your stay in the cloud forest. It’s great to travel here as a couple, as there are hotels and tours that are specially designed for trips taken with the love of your life.
If you’re traveling as a couple, we recommend reading:
How to get to Monteverde
Making your way around the country isn’t difficult, it’s just a matter of choosing the right route, the right kind of transportation and good travel companions. It’s important to keep in mind that most of the route to Monteverde is made up of country roads, and we recommend reading about some of the rules and tips for driving in Costa Rica.
Here are some other articles to learn about transportation in Costa Rica and how to get to Monteverde:
We invite you to have an adventure in nature at the Monteverde cloud forest. You can have a unique experience and see the forest from up high by booking the Gold Pack tour, that includes zip lining and a hike across the hanging bridges. If you book this package, you can use Selvatura Park’s free transportation.