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Forest reserve in Costa Rica
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves are in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica.
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4 gardens, hundreds of butterflies and live insects all included in the price! Half the price of other similar attractions in town. In the center of Santa Elena and Monteverde in Cerro Plano.
A bean-to-bar chocolate tour at an Oompa-Loopa-sized chocolate factory.
This botanical garden has arboretum trails and 75 species of medicinal plants. Resident naturalists offer day and night-time natural history walks through forest trails. Visitors can also participate in UGA Costa Rica's Carbon Offset Program and help reforest with native species, and enjoy a cup of coffee or fresh, cold juice and a meal after hiking to the San Luis waterfall.
A fun 10 minute hike down to the waterfall. Has some steep steps but nothing crazy. You can swim there for a nice place to cool off mid-day.
Horse Trek Monteverde
Horse-back riding in Monteverde Costa Rica. From 2.5 hours to the all-day cowboy ride and San Luis horseback ride. Good horses, fantastic scenery.
The Panaderia Jiménez on Santa Elena's main street has delicious bread, pastries, coffee, and more at budget prices. Stop by for breakfast or a snack for the trail or bus ride. Their products are served at restaurants and on the store shelf throughout the region.
Café Caburé is an Argentine restaurant, chocolate, and coffee shop, located at the Paseo de Stella Tourist Center in Old Monteverde. Products include handmade truffles and assorted chocolates, as well as a variety of Argentine and other international dishes. Fine food at a moderate price.
This hotel doesn't have a restaurant but the owners make their own Gelato. Based on a few days spent at the hotel it seems very popular with people coming to the hotel just to pickup the ice cream.
Restaurant at the back of an all-women artist collective shop. Take a break from the touristy variety of Santa Elena restaurant fare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked quality Costa Rican food. Order and pay at the counter.
The premier place for Ticos and tourists to mingle. Beers are ₡700, but expect an occasional ₡1000 cover charge. Service is mediocre but the food is great.
A unique bar and restaurant which incorporates a large tree within the premises, which remains open til late. Predominantly frequented by tourists as the prices here are very expensive by comparison.
The Arco Iris Lodge is a mid-range hotel at US$65 per room. Breakfast is extra but worth the price. A family-run hotel in a beautiful parklike setting. Walking distance to everything in Santa Elena.
An excellent and economic option for backpackers. Singles for US$12 per night. The place operates as a hostel and an information center (English spoken). The hostel offers free internet, kitchen, and breakfast.
Cheap hotel with friendly management. Rooms available with private or shared bathroom, breakfast included.
Bed and breakfast style lodging opened in 2009 on the edge of Santa Elena. Although part of chain of three accommodations in Monteverde it remains very much a family-run business. Even the owner's daughter can often be found mucking in. The B&B is laid out in the style of a family house and guests are encouraged to treat it as their home. The building was in fact once the owner's family home which gave inspiration to this Tica House designed hotel. Breakfast is included.
Free internet, free breakfast, large rooms for US$8 per person. The owner, David, speaks perfect English and is willing to help you organize your trip.
On the grounds of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
La Casona is the only lodging establishment inside the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - built in harmony with nature.
At UGA Costa Rica
The University of Georgia operates a campus in San Luis, including the 12-room Ecolodge San Luis. Offers an educational, nature-based experience. Internet and wi-fi, but no television or phones in rooms. Hot water and private bathrooms. Meals and a variety of on-site activities included in nightly rate. Neighboring the San Luis waterfall and adjacent to the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve.
In the heart of the touristic zone of Monteverde 7 km from the Santa Elena Rain Forest and 4 km from the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Set in a private farm (50% protected primary forest) adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve.
The Fonda Vela hotel's proximity to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve makes this luxurious eco-lodge a favorite with bird watchers.
Hotel Sapo Dorado offers private entrance and porch, private bath with hot water shower, 2 queen-sized beds with orthopedic mattresses, versatile lighting, and a table and chairs for writing, playing games, or enjoying room service. The menu always includes a choice of whole grains, vegetarian and vegan dishes, pastas, seafood, chicken, beef, pork, and decadent desserts. Organic produce is used whenever possible.
One of the cheapest options in town, in the middle of Santa Elena. Prices fluctuate but are never high. Both private rooms and dorm rooms. Fast, reliable internet, and a large and well maintained communal kitchen, and a communal hang out area. Free breakfast. Owners are fluent English-speakers from Austin, Texas.
200 m south of bus stop, in front of World of Insects. Another cheap option US$5-10 includes breakfast and internet access.
The closest lodge to the Monteverde Reserve Costa Rica, a 15-minute walk, great for bird watching. This cozy 20-room inn pays tribute to its setting with beautiful tropical wood appointments, private balcony in each guest room, and a family-style restaurant fronted by huge picture windows and a balcony overlooking gardens and verdant rain forest. Set in a small private reserve.
The cheapest way to get to Monteverde is by bus, but you may also choose to use the "Jeep-boat-jeep" option (which in reality is more of a "bus-boat-bus" trip) if you are coming from La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano area.
Read in the guideThere are several taxi companies, and local bus services are going up and down the hill every 2 hours every day. Many of the activities in the area are in walking distance.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
La Fortuna · Regional · FON
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