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Is Monteverde Worth It?
I’ve long heard of the beauty and lush that is Costa Rica, but I had yet to see it for myself until a couple of months ago. While I usually pursue more budget-friendly adventures in places like Guatemala and Mexico, Monteverde was a destination that surpassed my expectations and had me wanting to steep longer in its rich rainforests and invigorating waterfalls. If you’re planning to visit Monte Verde, here’s what you need to know about accommodation, activities, food, transportation, and more.
Like many places, Monteverde can be explored on different budget levels. While I am usually taking public transportation and staying in hostels, I explored the town via rental car and Airbnb. This guide will explore different pricing options in the area.
Is Monteverde, Costa Rica Safe?
It’s impossible to say wether one location is “safe” or not. Accidents can happen all over the world and people may expense safety different depending on their race, class, gender, etc. But after traveling all over the world to different countries solo and on a budget, I can confidently say that Monteverde felt incredibly safe to me, as did Costa Rica as a whole. This is a great destination for new travelers, families, and those who have never been out of their home country before. With that in mind, I still purchased travel insurance before my trip (in case of any unforeseen accidents) and encourage you to do the same!
Where To Stay in Monte Verde, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is filled with creative hotels, homestays, hostels, and more. I honestly wish that I had more time in the Monte Verde area just to check out the interesting accommodations that I saw through HostelWorld. While it’s likely that you’ll be out and about exploring during the days, you’ll want to put some thought into where you rest your head at night.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation
If you’re looking to find cheap accommodation there are many budget-friendly hostels in the area that range from $7 to $100. Within this price range you can find shared rooms, dorm rooms, and private rooms. Many of these hostels are around 1.2 miles from the city center, making them good options for those who choose to explore Monte Verde by foot or taxi.
Mid-Tier Pricing Accommodation
If you’re looking for something more private and ave some more money to spend, I highly recommend checking out these gorgeous domes that are owned by a local. For 79$ a night you can have an elevated experience (literally) in the country side of Costa Rica. I was lucky enough to chat with the owner of the property and he explained how his land and the land surrounding him has been deforested to graze cattle. But over the years he’s been working hard to rewild the area and fill it with trees. Hosting guests and travelers helps him continue his project and aid in the repair of the local ecosystem.
These geodesic domes had all of the comfort amenities that one could want: hot showers, a small yet full kitchen, wifi, and air conditioning. If you do book the domes, don’t miss the time-stopping sunsets, yoga and tea on the porch, and asking your host about his eco-restoration projects.
What To Do In Monteverde
Monte Verde is definitely geared towards eco-tourism and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Be sure to bring your hiking boots, rain gear, camera, and curiosity with you as you embark on green adventures.
Hanging Bridges & Waterfalls At El Tigre
If hanging bridges are on your list, you’re going to want to spend some time at ‘El Tigre Waterfalls‘. We chose this location because we were able to hike to 4 big waterfalls and cross 9 gorgeous bridges. We were delighted to find streams and swimming pools in river along the way as well.
The total distance of the El Tigre loop is around 5 miles (8km) but 1.8 of those miles (or 3km) at the end section can be traversed in a 4×4 vehicle. The company also allows visitors to cover the final section by horseback but this is a cruel, exploitative option that hurts the horses. The whole hike takes visitors on average 3.5 hours to complete but there is no time limit on your adventure. At the end of your tour you’ll get to indulge in a wholesome plant-based meal with a tree-top view of the forest. Be sure to let the employees at the front desk know when you check in that you’re opting for a vegan meal as it is included in your ticket.
The hike, transportation, and meal is $60.83 for adults, $50.53 for children and teens, and $49.50 for citizens of Costa Rica. You must book your experience online through El Tigre’s calendar in advance and can learn more about what they have to offer here.
Forest Bathing In the Cloud Forest Of Monte Verde
Established in 1972 by a scientists and Quakers, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve is the perfect place to practice forest bathing. The trails are lined with little notes to encourage mindfulness and treading gently through the land. Many people visit to witness the incredible biodiversity, and it’s estimated that around 50% of Costa Rica’s biodiversity can be found within this area.
If you’re wondering what to expect weather wise, the website states that “The rainy season extends from May through November and is characterized by having sunny mornings and rainy afternoons and evenings. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes are becoming increasingly abundant especially in September, October and November during the peak rainy season. By mid to late November the trade winds break and they begin transporting vast amounts of mist into the mountain range.”
As for pricing, adults from outside of the country can expect to pay $25 for a day pass (children/students are $12) while local adults will pay $8 ($6 for children/students). They offer bird watching, natural history walks, and more. You can either buy your ticket on site or online ahead of time.
Take A Nighttime Tour In Monte Verde
Discovering different bugs, snakes, frogs, monkeys and forest-dwellers doing their thing at night was one of our highlights in Monteverde. Surprisingly, I felt more excited about watching our guide come to life and jump into action when he learned that another creepy-crawler was nearby than actually seeing the critters themselves.
We booked a tour that was $30 per person through Wildlife Refuge Monteverde with a local guide. Tours start at 6 or 8 PM and generally last for a couple of hours. While your guide will provide you with a headlamp and any other necessary gear, I recommending wearing high socks to keep the ants out and comfortable shoes that allow you to easily navigate the forest floor at night.
Go Birding, Biking, And More In Monte Verde
Other activities that Monteverde has to offer includes birding, ebike rental, zip lining, and other guided tours. When booking activities be sure to ask your local host (wether it be at your hostel or Airbnb) what their recommendations are. Locals know best and will probably point you in the right direction!
Dine Amongst The Treetops
Eating at San Lucas Treetop Dining is a must-do for anyone visiting Monteverde that appreciates locally-sourced, fresh, and creative food experiences. While it’s not a budget-friendly activity, it is a once in a lifetime experience that was worth it (in my frugal and humble opinion).
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect when I showed up at the restaurant. We started our night checking out the drink menu that had creative alcohol creations and a good bit of vegan-friendly herbal teas and smoothies.
When our 7+ course meal started I was blown away by all of the intense, magnificent, and unique flavors. I don’t want to give it away, but it was some of the best food that I’ve ever had in my entire life (and I live with an incredibly talented veganic gardener who knows their way around the kitchen!). It seemed like staff knew what vegan-friendly meant when it came to food, and our server went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. If you can afford this place, it’s worth the splurge!
Where To Eat (Vegan-Friendly) In Monte Verde
HappyCow lists 24 places for vegan-friendly eating in Monteverde. Aside from the meal at El Tigre and San Lucas Treetop Dining we did most of our cooking at our accommodation, so I don’t have many personal experiences to share with the vegan grub in Monteverde. But other vegan travelers have left hundreds of reviews of the food in Monteverde and you can read all about it here.
If you’re heading more off the beaten path and needs some general tips for plant-based food finding in Costa Rica, check out my how-to vegan food guide that is helpful in Central and South America.
The Best Travel Insurance For Costa Rica
I used to skip out on travel insurance, but there are so many unknowns we face while traveling these days. I never let that stop me from pursuing my travel dreams, but with epic adventures on the horizon I feel more comfortable in my wanderings knowing that I am protected financially with travel insurance in case any medical issues or trip interruptions occur.
I recommend SafetyWing travel insurance to folks as I find it easy to use, affordable, and flexible (especially for digital nomads!). I highly recommend getting your travel insurance ahead of time but if you forget, you can still buy it on the go.
How To Get Around Monte Verde
If you’re up for an adventure and are a creative traveler, you could find countless ways to get around in Monteverde (as listed in my travel guide here). But for those who have limited time in the area or prefer more conventional methods of transportation, your main options in Monteverde include taxis, rental cars, shuttles and walking.
As mentioned before, many hostels are located within walking distance to the town center of Monteverde, but at some point you’re going to have to catch a cab or tour shuttle if you’re headed out of town on one of the adventures mentioned above. Things are very spread out and require traversing bumpy and windy dirt roads. Uber works in bigger cities of Costa Rica but not here. I got to explore the area in a rental car and it offered a lot of freedom and flexibility in our itinerary, but it’s not the only option! I’ve rented from AutroEurope in the past and had a wonderful experience while still getting the lowest prices on the market. If you decide to rent a car for your time in Costa Rica, check them out!
Do you have any other questions about traveling Costa Rica? What about vegan travel? Don’t be shy, drop a comment below!
