Destination: Monteverde

Introduction

Monteverde is like no other area in the country offering a combination of climatic, altitude and geographic factors, which creates temperature and humidity gradients that change dramatically over relatively short distances.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest preserve, the main attraction in the area, supports over six different life zones which includes over 100 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds (including the infamous Quetzal ) and butterflies, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 2500 species of plants as well as tens of thousands of insect species.

This is a great place for families, couples or for any traveler looking to get off the beaten path and relax in a quiet, mountain atmosphere.

Getting There

Usually shuttle or car rental from San José.

Places to Stay

Hotel Fonda Vela

There are a total of 20 standard rooms, 6 junior suites, and 2 mountain suites in seven buildings that are scattered around the beautifully landscaped 35 acre property. more >

El Sapo Dorado

This unique hotel offers 20 mountain suites situated in a pastoral setting providing you with a spacious, comfortable accommodations just minutes from the Cloud Forest and the other nearby attractions. more >

Places to Eat

Morphos Restaurant

Located opposite the supermarket in Santa Elena, above the Desafio office. It has a very pleasant atmosphere and unique rustic decor. The food offered includes vegetarian options, Costa Rican dishes, pastas, fish and meat dishes.. Prices range from $2-$7 per dish. Try their delicious variety of desserts and ice creams - some of which you may find impossible to resist!

El Marqués

This restaurant is located beyond the Panadería and opposite the bank in Santa Elena. It does not look particularly special from the outside, with a rather basic decor and plastic tables and chairs. However, the food is good and very reasonably priced and the restaurant owner prides himself on always using fresh products. The restaurant specializes in fish dishes with a whole sea bass, served with fries and salad costing $5, various other fillet options or seafood dishes and a range of prawn dishes. The restaurant also offers some chicken dishes and hamburgers and is planning to extend its menu to include Chinese rice (arroz cantonés), fried chicken, tacos, casados, etc.

Las Palmeras Restaurant

Located just before the turning to the Butterfly Farm and Finca Ecológica on the road to the Monteverde Reserve, this pleasant restaurant offers an extensive menu, ranging from typical Costa Rican cuisine, to pizza, pastas, fish, meat and chicken dishes. There are also dishes for vegetarians. It is a restaurant where you will see local people dining but which also caters for international customers. The staff are friendly and helpful.

La Pizzeria de Johnny (Johnny's Pizzeria)

Elegant but comfortable atmosphere and has been described by some as the best restaurant in the Northern Zone! It is certainly a popular place to eat, offering a wide range of pizzas and pastas, meat, and some fish specialties together with a good selection of wines and a choice of sandwiches. Personal size pizzas start about $5.50. There is also a terrace if you prefer to eat outdoors. It is not the cheapest restaurant in town but far from being expensive and the food is excellent with very attentive staff.

De Lucía Restaurant

This restaurant is located in a peaceful spot on the road towards the Finca Ecológica and Butterfly Garden . The restaurant offers typical Costa Rican casados, vegetarian lasagna as well as meat dishes, a selection of sandwiches and hamburgers. Great filet mignon. There is a terrace where you can sit outside and watch the hummingbirds visit the feeders. Prices range from $5 or $6 for a vegetarian lasagna or a casado, to $12 for steak, while sandwiches cost $2.50 and a hamburger $3 .50.

Café Flor de Vida

Formerly called the Cafe Paraiso. Located opposite the Hotel El Establo, this is an interesting place to stop as, in addition to food, they offer paintings, jewelry and batik for sale and you can also arrange craft workshops through the Flor de Vida Café. As regards food, they offer vegetarian food and a mixture of Costa Rican and international dishes. For breakfast you can choose from fruit plates, granola, eggs, omelet's, gallo pinto or tortillas. They also offer bagels (from $1.30), vegetarian sandwiches, pizzas and burgers. In addition there are a variety of desserts, including tiramisu and chocolate chip cookies, and a selection of drinks, from water to milkshake with ice-cream .

Moon Shiva

A new place to eat in Monteverde. Located below the Bromeliad art gallery adjacent CASEM arts coop. Some may have known this place to be the home of the Jungle Groove which closed in the beginning of 2003. Moon Shiva offers a variety of snack foods like guacamole and nachos as well as Mediterranean cuisine

Soda La Central

If you're looking for a more typical Costa Rican restaurant, this is it! Soda La Central is located next to the Sky Trek office in Santa Elena and is very unpretentious but good with very big portions.. This is a great option for budget travelers who want a filling meal for a reasonable price. Great place for a casado .

Restaurante Tramonti

This is one of Monteverde's best places to dine. Located just before CASEM and Stella's Bakery on the road from Santa Elena up to Monteverde. It is a good option for those staying in hotels nearer the Monteverde Reserve. The restaurant offers a range of different foods and is tastefully decorated. Pizza is prepared in a wood burning oven. The only authentic Italian food in Monteverde!

Things to Do

Local activities include canopy tours, guided tours of the forest, sky walks, butterfly farms, birdwatching, and much, much more. There is a particularly great horseback ride between Arenal and Monteverde that we highly suggest. The biggest attraction is Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, of course.

Other Adventures

• Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve – Of course, this is the main attraction of the are, offering one of the most unique ecosystems on the continent. The cloud forest reveals a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift in and settle among the slopes, giving the continuous moisture required for such exuberant plant growth.
• Monteverde Cheese Factory - Here they produce the tastiest cheeses in Costa Rica . The cheese-production process can be witnessed through the observation window
• Butterfly Farm - This is a study center and gardens are full of many stunning butterflies, including the Blue Morpho.
• Orchid Garden - M ore than 430 native Monteverde species are on display with guided tours
• Canopy Tour – Probably Costa Rica 's most sought after and famous adventure tour. Strap into a harness and zip through the jungle canopy between a series of platforms to experience the adventures of the jungle from a different perspective.
• Horseback ride to Arenal Volcano - Take advantage of this unique method of transportation from Monteverde to Arenal. The ride is not for beginners due to the duration, but definitely a worthwhile experience for those horse and nature lovers. If you have a rental car, arrangements can be made to have your car driven from one destination to the next.

Things to Avoid

If you are traveling by public bus, keep an eye on your luggage at the bus stop, as this has been known to be stomping grounds for petty thieves.