Travel Guide To Monteverde, Costa Rica

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, Monteverde is a must — especially if you love adventure + nature. Monteverde is known as a “village in the clouds” because of the cloud forests. It is so unique, lush + peaceful… + of course, absolutely beautiful.

Stay: I loved the Airbnb we stayed in. We also splurged + stayed one night at the Belmar Hotel. Can’t say enough good things about both spots!

Best Coffee: Near the Casem Coop, there are two coffee shops I really liked — Cafe Monteverede + Cafe Zuccaro. Taste both + see what you like best! Next to the Coop, is also Wholefoods [not *the* Whole Foods, lol]… a tiny market with fresh fruits, veggies, + some snacks.

Best Cafe: Orchid Coffee. The menu is huge + everything looks amazing — you could go here for breakfast, lunch, or even an early dinner. I loved the savory Orchid Bowls. Also, their desserts are a must.

Best Dinner: Hotel Belmar. A treat yourself, date night dinner with a stunning view — so make sure you go before sunset! Breakfast is incredible here too… banana bread French toast, wow wow. Also! Across from the restaurant is a juice bar with delicious juices + smoothies that I’d recommend if you airbnb/hotel is near Hotel Belmar.

Wellness: Monteverde is very small, + I didn’t see any local yoga studios or spas. There are yoga classes + a spa at Hotel Belmar, though! Chances are — all of your wellness needs will be fulfilled by hiking + just immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. Soak it in!

Outdoor Adventures:

• Guided Night Walk: I highly recommend hiking with a guide in Monteverde — it’s the best way to learn about the rainforest + see wildlife!

Funny Story: Okay… I have no idea why but I thought the rainforest of Costa Rica was going to look like snakes + tarantulas + monkeys everywhere. Like, I was terrified of the *guided night walk* Isaac had booked on our first night there. Thankfully, the ~scariest~ thing I saw was a scorpion.

• Selvatura Adventure Park: It has everything… hanging bridges [*MUST], ziplining, butterfly + hummingbird garden, + sloth sanctuary. So bummed that I decided against paying extra to go into the sloth sanctuary… plz go for me!
• Hike the Monteverde Cloud Forest
• Go on a coffee tour — we didn’t do this, but I would love to!

Tips:

• Chances are you’ll fly into the San Jose Airport. There’s a San Jose, Costa Rica + a San Jose, California — make sure you book the right San Jose [I learned my lesson the hard way ; )]
• Make sure to visit during “dry” season [even though it most likely will still rain ; ) — it is very wet!]
• Try to spot a moonbow at night [a night rainbow!]
• Driving anywhere in Costa Rica is… an adventure. Crazy pot holes, winding roads, river crossings [literally]. Try your best to get a 4 wheel drive, even though they are hard to come by seemingly!
• It’s perfect for a 2–3 day adventure to add to the back end [or front end] of your visit… or, if you are like me, you may want a week there ; ) [I wish I would have had more time!]

Have you been to Monteverde? Any of your fav spots that I missed?

Elisabth