The Monteverde Region with the Santa Elena town as the center is situated in the Cordillera of Tilaran at an altitude of between 1200 and 1500 meters above sea level. Monteverde has a population of about 5000 people; average daily temperature is 15-24 with dry season from January to April and rainy season from May to November. Recommendation: to bring a rain gear as well as pants and a light jacket.

Monteverde with his protected cloud forest reserves, his extraordinary flora and fauna is known as one of the most famous ecotourism destinations in Central America. We recommend you to stay at least a few days to explore the Monteverde Region, one of the most interesting places to visit in Costa Rica...MORE MAPS

How to get to Monteverde

By Car

Take the Inter-American Highway north from San José to the 149 kilometer road marker. Turn right before crossing the Río Lagarto and continue 35 kilometers up the road. It takes about 4 hours from San José to Monteverde.

By Bus
From San José:

There is a bus at 6:30 AM or at 2:30 PM. You can take it at the old Puntarenasbus stop, at Calle 14, avenida 11 y 9. The morning bus pass by Lagartos at about 9:00 AM arriving in Monteverde at 11:00 AM. In wet season the afternoonbus pass by Lagartos at 5:00 PM arriving at 7:00 PM.

From Puntarenas:

There are 2 buses: one via Las Juntas at 1:00 PM and one direct at 2:00 PM. The 1:00 PM bus pass by La Irma, and the 2:00 PM bus pass by Lagartos at 3:00 PM both arrive at 5:00 PM.

From Guanacaste:

There are buses from Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Flamingo, Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, the Nicaragua Border and Liberia. Taking one of these buses, you can go to Lagartos and La Irma and hop on one of the Monteverde buses. See above, San Jose.

From Tilarán:

Tilarán to Monteverde the bus leaves at 1:00 PM, arriving at 3:30 PM approximately, later in wet season.