Monteverde: The Ultimate List of Top Things to Do in the Cloud Forest

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I spent five nights in Monteverde, and it was unlike anywhere else I visited in Costa Rica. The misty mornings, the constant birdsong, and the way the clouds wrap around the trees made it feel almost magical—like stepping into another world. The air is also a lot cooler than the rest of the country, which makes for a nice change from the constant tropical heat.

That said, I’ll be honest—if you’re short on time, Monteverde isn’t the most essential stop in Costa Rica. The bumpy roads make getting there a bit of a mission, and while the forest is beautiful, you’ll find better wildlife experiences in other parts of the country. Still, if you can fit it in, Monteverde offers a side of Costa Rica you won’t get on the beaches or volcano trails: it’s quieter, moodier, and deeply atmospheric.

This guide covers everything you need to know if you’re planning a trip to Monteverde, from where to stay, the best things to do, how to get there, and a few tips to help you decide if Monteverde deserves a spot on your Costa Rica itinerary.

10 Top Things to Do in Monteverde

As always, I’ll jump straight to the fun stuff, namely the top things to do in Monteverde. If you also need more practical info like where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and other practical info, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need to plan your vacation.

Hike in the Monteverde & Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

This is the most popular thing to do in Monteverde and why most people come here in the first place. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can experience the unique ecosystem made by warm winds from the pacific cooling off in the high mountain altitude. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

You can explore different trails winding its way through the misty forests on your own. If you’re very lucky you can spot a variety of animals here as well, but I wouldn’t expect it. Yes, there are a lot of animals here, but because of the forests density it’s very hard to spot them. If wildlife is what you’re looking for, you have a better chance of seeing them in Manuel Antonio. If you really want to try and spot some animals, your best bet is to hire a guide to walk you through the forest.

Most people might not know that there are actually two different cloud forests to choose from in Monteverde. The most popular one called Monteverde Cloud Forest, and a slightly lesser known one called Santa Elena Cloud Forest. You can of course choose to visit both, but I don’t think that’s necessary.

The main differences between the two are that Monteverde Cloud Forest is more popular which also means bigger crowds and higher prices than the Santa Elena Cloud Forest. We decided to go to Monteverde Cloud Forest and when we went there in May which is the beginning of low-season, we had no trouble with crowds at all. The reason we chose this one is because it’s the only one of the two that has a huge suspension bridge in it. Other than that they seem to be pretty similar from my research.

Book your guided tour to Monteverde Cloud Forest in advance here

Book your guided tour to Santa Helena Cloud Forest in advance here

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Go Zip-Lining through the jungle

After the Cloud Forest this is probably the most popular thing to do in Monteverde. Monteverde is the area in Costa Rica that first started building zip-lines and is still considered to have some of the best ones in the country.

I went zip-lining on my first visit to Costa Rica and found it both fun and a bit scary so I chose to skip it on my most recent visit. However, it’s a truly unique experience flying through the trees and I definitely don’t regret doing it. You’ll find lots of companies offering trips through the jungle, but below are what I think are the best ones.

Book The Original Zipline Tour in Monteverde here

Book a Zipline and Hanging Bridges Combo Tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest Here

Different trails in Monteverde Cloud Forest

Walk across hanging bridges in the forest

Walking across a hanging bridge and looking out into the jungle should be on every Costa Rica itinerary. It’s such a surreal and cool experience. You’ll find many hanging bridge courses in Monteverde, all of them operated by one of the zip-line companies. Even if you don’t want to do a zip-line, you can still book a trip like this one just to explore the hanging bridges.

If you visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest you’ll be able to experience one suspension bridge and see how you like it.

Book your trip to the Hanging Bridges in Monteverde here

Take a Coffee or Chocolate Tour

Monteverde is one of the best places in Costa Rica to learn about coffee and chocolate. Tours take you through the process from bean to cup (or bar) and always end with tastings. It’s a delicious way to connect with Costa Rica’s culture.

During my 6 months through Central America I had already done this a couple of times so I didn’t do it here aswell and therefore don’t have any personal experience to share. However, I can say that my experiences in Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua were all very fun and interesting, so if you’re only visiting Costa Rica on this trip I would absolutely add it to your itinerary. This is also something you can do in La Fortuna if you decide to skip visiting Monteverde.

Join a Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour here

Join a Night Walk

After sunset, the forest wakes up in a completely new way. Guided night walks reveal glowing insects, frogs, snakes, tarantulas and more. Make sure to book a guided tour like this one inside one of the nature reserves for the best chances of seeing wildlife.

Birdwatching in Curi-Cancha

Monteverde is a birdwatcher’s paradise with more than 400 species calling this area home. The most popular spot to go birdwatching is Curi-Cancha Reserve just outside Santa Elena.

If you’re lucky this is a great spot to see the often elusive quetzal. I wasn’t so lucky, but it was still a wonderful place to explore. You can explore the area yourself or book a guided tour for an even bigger chance of spotting birds as well as learning more about the wildlife in the area. If you decide to explore on your own, make sure to bring binoculars.

Book the most popular birdwatching tour here

Monteverde

Chase Waterfalls & Natural Pools

While less famous than La Fortuna and honestly not as spectacular as Bajos del Toro, Monteverde hides a few waterfalls and streams where you can cool off after a day of exploring. The two most popular ones are Catarata Los Murciélagos and El Tigre Waterfall. You can drive to both of them on your own and explore or book a guided tour like the one below.

Book a guided hike to El Tigre waterfalls here

See Hummingbirds at Café Colibri

If you’re lucky you can see hummingbirds all over Costa Rica, but seeing them up close is a completely different thing. As soon as you spot them, they are usually off again. At Café Colibri they’ve set out different feeders making it easier to observe the beautiful birds sitting still for a moment.

The café is located just outside the Monteverde Cloud Forest, so if you choose to visit that one, don’t miss the chance to see the hummingbirds outside.

How to Get to Monteverde

Monteverde doesn’t have an airport, which means you’ll need to arrive by road or a combination of road and boat. The roads leading to Monteverde are pretty narrow, winding and parts of it are in pretty poor condition, so expect it to take a while to get there.

Getting to Monteverde by car

Renting a car and driving yourself is the absolute easiest way to get to Monteverde. Expect it to take you about 3-4 hours to drive from La Fortuna and about 5-6 hours if you’re coming from San Jose.

Find the best deals on your rental car here.

Getting to Monteverde by shuttle

If you’re not driving yourself, the easiest option is to book a tourist shuttle. They can be a bit expensive, but it‘ll take you from almost any of the big cities in Costa Rica to Monteverde with a combo of shuttle and boat.

Book your shuttle to Monteverde from different areas of Costa Rica here.

Getting to Monteverde by bus

There are public buses that can take you you from San Jose to Monteverde. Check Transmonteverde’s websites for updated schedules.

Best Places to Stay in Monteverde

Monteverde isn’t a town in itself, which can be confusing when looking at accommodations. The best place to base yourself is in the little town called Santa Elena. It’s not a huge town, but it’s walkable and actually kind of cute. This is a very good base to explore Monteverde from, especially if you don’t drive yourself.

If you want to immerse yourself more in the surrounding forest there are plenty of spots scattered around the area that will give you a secluded and peaceful feeling.

Budget friendly places to stay in Monteverde

Hostel Cattleye ($20 per night)

A friendly, family-run hostel with simple but comfortable rooms, a communal kitchen, and a central Santa Elena location perfect for budget travelers.

Outbox Inn ($65 per night)

A stylish hostel-meets-hotel with modern design, clean dorms and privates, a social vibe, and great location near Santa Elena’s restaurants and shops.

Los Pinos Cabins & Reserve ($100 per night)

Self-contained cabins with kitchenettes and private terraces, all set on an 8-hectare private reserve where you can hike your own trails.

Best Mid-Range Hotels in Monteverde

Tityra Lodge ($130 per night)

Cozy wooden cabins with balconies overlooking the forest, offering a quiet, rustic stay just a short walk from Santa Elena town.

Monteverde Country Lodge ($140 per night)

A set of rustic-chic wooden cabins set in peaceful gardens, offering a comfortable balance of nature and charm.

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco ($300 per night)

A boutique option right in Santa Elena with a heated pool, spa, and easy walking access to restaurants and shops.

Best Luxury & Boutique Hotels in Monteverde

Hotel Belmar ($500 per night)

A family-run eco-boutique hotel with stunning views, organic gardens, spa, yoga, and one of the best farm-to-table dining experiences in Monteverde.

Cloud Forest Lodge ($430 per night)

A set of stylish, eco-luxury cabins set deep in the forest with private trails, incredible views, and a romantic restaurant perfect for sunset dinners.

Senda Monteverde Hotel ($800 per night)

An elegant boutique hotel near Santa Elena with sustainable design, chic rooms, and a quiet, upscale atmosphere. This is the best Hotel you’ll find in Monteverde.

When to Visit Monteverde

No matter what time of year you decide to visit Monteverde it’s nice to know that the weather here is generally cooler than in the rest of Costa Rica do to the altitude. So even if you visit Costa Rica during dry season, bring a light jacket and long pants.

Dry Season (Dec – April)

This is the time to go if you want to avoid the worst rain and hope for clear skies. This is however also the most busy season, so expect more crowds and know that you should book hotels and guided tours in advance to get what you want.

Green Season (May – Nov)

No matter when you visit Costa Rica you can expect some rain, but during this period the rain will be heavier and last for longer. We visited in May and had heavy rainfall every day except one of the five days we spent there. However, you can expect fewer crowds and somewhat lower prices.

Things to Know Before You Visit Monteverde

Pack Smart: Waterproof shoes, a rain jacket, and layers are essentials. Don’t forget insect repellent and a flashlight for night walks.

Book Tours Early: Hotels, Zip-lining, night walks, and guided hikes can fill up quickly, especially in high season.

Eco-Focus: Monteverde thrives on eco-tourism. Choose tours and hotels that prioritize sustainability—it helps protect this fragile ecosystem.

Final Thoughts: Top Things to Do in Monteverde

Monteverde ended up being one of those places I was glad I experienced, but it doesn’t make it to the top list of places for me in Costa Rica. Had we had better weather it might have been different. I think the cloud forest was incredible, but other than that you can do pretty much the same things in Monteverde as you can in other areas of Costa Rica with even more diversity.

If you have enough time I recommend going, but if you’re short on time or prefer staying longer in each spot, then I wouldn’t make Monteverde one of my bases.

I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Monteverde and Costa Rica. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media if you have any questions. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid