A visit to Monteverde while you are in Costa Rica will be an experience you will never forget.

We think that a visit to Monteverde is most fun and easiest when you have a rental SUV, and driving to Monteverde from Liberia or San Jose airports is an easy 2.5 hours from either direction if you stay on Route 1. You will drive through scenic countryside and little towns lined with fruit and honey stands, public bathrooms and restaurants. A gas station is located right on the corner of the turnoff you will take toward Sardinal, but there are also two gas stations in Monteverde which are similar in the price range.

It is worth spending at least a week in Monteverde, but you can get a good amount done in a couple of days if you are short on time.

Having a 4×4 is not mandatory because of the newly paved mountain pass, but you will need a vehicle with high clearance. If you are wanting to explore the San Luis area for some agro-tourism or explore some of the more off-beaten areas of the region, it is recommended that you rent a 4×4 because of the claylike mud and rough roads that will greet the adventurer in you once you turn off the main tourist treks.   

Monteverde is not just a pristine ecological cloud rainforest destination; it also offers a buffet of ziplining, rainforest walks, night wildlife tours, butterfly gardens, horse-back riding, farmer’s market, artisan shops and fine dining. Tours and adventure bookings can be done at any of the tourism businesses in downtown Santa Elena.

Monteverde is an experience of history and culture if you know where to look.

For a better understanding of the history of Monteverde and more local flavor,  the sustainability-based coffee tour offered by Café Monteverde not only gives a unique family-friendly tour on coffee and the history of the region, but if ask in advance, they provide a very reasonably priced farm prepared meal that is better than most of the typical Costa Rican food you will find.

If you are interested in staying within walking distance to town and are a group of four or less, casahaydee provides a luxury style room with all the amenities next to their family home. You will be served a delicious Costa Rican family-style breakfast and an optional traditional BBQ prepared for you as you hang out with their family and relax under the stars around a fire while hearing about Monteverde or getting advice on what to explore.

For a real farm experience, El Turruno de Los Torres is a multi-generation family-run farm that provides modern lodging, forest walking trails, incredible vista points and an amazing optional farm tour that includes milking their family cows. The Torres farm is located across from the local eco-park which is free and open to the public and a great place to explore rope bridges and toboggan grass sledding with the locals.

Monteverde also offers extreme luxury at places like the Belmar which offers farm to table restaurant dining, a spa massage treatment, and amazing cocktails and an exquisite view.

For the night-life, there is the local Bar Amigos in downtown Santa Elena or Salina’s, which often has live music to enjoy.

Be prepared for cool evenings, warm days and rain or wind any time of the day!

One of the best things about renting an SUV in Costa Rica is that it gives you the ability to see and experience the more beautiful, rural areas of the country like Monteverde Cloud Forest. Reach out today and book your rental; you’ll be so glad you did when you get off the beaten path!