Guidebook for Monteverde
Parks & Nature
The Children's Eternal Rainforest (or “BEN” after the Spanish “Bosque Eterno de los Niños”) is owned and operated by the Monteverde Conservation League (MCL), a Costa Rican non-profit conservation organization whose mission is "to conserve, preserve, and rehabilitate tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity."
Throughout the 30 years of its history, the MCL has promoted conservation through land purchase, environmental education, reforestation and restoration of degraded land, sustainable development, ecotourism, and scientific research.
$5 adults $3 students
Official website
https://www.acmcr.org/content/
Bajo del Tigre Road
Bajo del Tigre RoadThe Children's Eternal Rainforest (or “BEN” after the Spanish “Bosque Eterno de los Niños”) is owned and operated by the Monteverde Conservation League (MCL), a Costa Rican non-profit conservation organization whose mission is "to conserve, preserve, and rehabilitate tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity."
Throughout the 30 years of its history, the MCL has promoted conservation through land purchase, environmental education, reforestation and restoration of degraded land, sustainable development, ecotourism, and scientific research.
$5 adults $3 students
Official website
https://www.acmcr.org/content/
Miguel's favorite hike. Get ready to hike a super steep road for about 1,5 hours to the top of Cerro Amigos Mountain.
This is a very secluded road as not many tourists know about it. However, the view on the top is super wide if you are lucky and its not too cloudy.
Free walk
Google map it to find your way up!
Cerro Amigos
Miguel's favorite hike. Get ready to hike a super steep road for about 1,5 hours to the top of Cerro Amigos Mountain.
This is a very secluded road as not many tourists know about it. However, the view on the top is super wide if you are lucky and its not too cloudy.
Free walk
Google map it to find your way up!
Entrance fee $20 BUT HUMMINGBIRD OBSERVATORY IS FREE. ASK UPON ARRIVAL
Make this walk even if you do not want to enter the reserve as on the way you will walk through the main iconic areas of Monteverde.
This is the main reserve in Monteverde.
You do not need a guide as it is pretty easy to get around with a map. However if you would like to learn interesting facts about flora and fauna you better sign in for one of their
group tours.
Recommended trails: La Ventana (the window) has the best view of La Cordillera Continental and if
you still want to walk after this walk the “Sendero Pantanoso”.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
http://www.cloudforestmonteverde.com
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Carretera a Reserva de MonteverdeEntrance fee $20 BUT HUMMINGBIRD OBSERVATORY IS FREE. ASK UPON ARRIVAL
Make this walk even if you do not want to enter the reserve as on the way you will walk through the main iconic areas of Monteverde.
This is the main reserve in Monteverde.
You do not need a guide as it is pretty easy to get around with a map. However if you would like to learn interesting facts about flora and fauna you better sign in for one of their
group tours.
Recommended trails: La Ventana (the window) has the best view of La Cordillera Continental and if
you still want to walk after this walk the “Sendero Pantanoso”.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
http://www.cloudforestmonteverde.com
FREE
Super fun too climb from inside!
This is not a hiking trail is more about the experience of climbing a ficus tree. The property the tree is at belongs to the water administration national entity called AYA.
The Ficus Tree in a patch of forest across the main entrance of Cloud Forest Lodge. The path is easy to miss, so look carefully.
Ficus Tree Climbing
FREE
Super fun too climb from inside!
This is not a hiking trail is more about the experience of climbing a ficus tree. The property the tree is at belongs to the water administration national entity called AYA.
The Ficus Tree in a patch of forest across the main entrance of Cloud Forest Lodge. The path is easy to miss, so look carefully.
Food Scene
The Monteverde Cheese Factory has played an integral role in the development of the Monteverde community since the 1950s, when a group of American Quakers arrived on the scene and began farming dairy cattle. They opened the factory in 1953, using the milk from their own farms to produce about 10 kg of cheese per day. Within two years, their reach had expanded to nearby, non-Quaker farms, whose milk was used to make an increasing amount of cheese. This was an important step in this rural economy, as it helped generate a living for many of the farmers and families living in the central highlands of Costa Rica
Must try their Ice Cream!
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Monteverde Cheese Factory
The Monteverde Cheese Factory has played an integral role in the development of the Monteverde community since the 1950s, when a group of American Quakers arrived on the scene and began farming dairy cattle. They opened the factory in 1953, using the milk from their own farms to produce about 10 kg of cheese per day. Within two years, their reach had expanded to nearby, non-Quaker farms, whose milk was used to make an increasing amount of cheese. This was an important step in this rural economy, as it helped generate a living for many of the farmers and families living in the central highlands of Costa Rica
Must try their Ice Cream!
Local Owned Bakery!
Budget friendly.
Try their Costa Rican Traditional Breakfast that Includes Coffee for less that $5. LOCATED JUST AROUND THE LEFT CORNER FROM OUR HOME.
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Panadería Jimenez
620Local Owned Bakery!
Budget friendly.
Try their Costa Rican Traditional Breakfast that Includes Coffee for less that $5. LOCATED JUST AROUND THE LEFT CORNER FROM OUR HOME.
Vegan/vegetarian/permaculture friendly restaurant!
A nice quiet 10 minute walk from our home.
Its a nice experience just to walk their by itself but its a plus if you try some of their locally grown foods. Best time is at sunset as it has a beautiful view of the Nicola Golf
Good prices!
MUST TRY:
pizzas
coconut infusion
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Monteverde Inn / Valle Escondido
Vegan/vegetarian/permaculture friendly restaurant!
A nice quiet 10 minute walk from our home.
Its a nice experience just to walk their by itself but its a plus if you try some of their locally grown foods. Best time is at sunset as it has a beautiful view of the Nicola Golf
Good prices!
MUST TRY:
pizzas
coconut infusion
CASEM its souvernir. However, next to it is a very HIDDEN SPOT A COSTA RICAN TRADITIONAL RESTAURANT CALLED "GRANDMA' SPOON"
Its the best place if you want to try local and traditional dishes at a very good price. Its the most real it can get as the ones working there are local moms and grandmas cooking the best traditional dishes.
Open for breakfast and lunch only.
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CASEM--Cooperative of Artisans Santa Elena Monteverde
CASEM its souvernir. However, next to it is a very HIDDEN SPOT A COSTA RICAN TRADITIONAL RESTAURANT CALLED "GRANDMA' SPOON"
Its the best place if you want to try local and traditional dishes at a very good price. Its the most real it can get as the ones working there are local moms and grandmas cooking the best traditional dishes.
Open for breakfast and lunch only.
Drinks & Nightlife
Local Bar with excellent food is you are not feeling to "too healthy" today. Try their nachos, fried yuca, and if you like trying different local alcoholic drinks you must try "chiliguaro" shots. A combination of lemon, spicy and local guaro.
You can also go at lunch and it will be more like a restaurant than like a bar if you want to avoid the "bar" atmosphere.
Located Downtown Santa Elena
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Bar Amigos
Local Bar with excellent food is you are not feeling to "too healthy" today. Try their nachos, fried yuca, and if you like trying different local alcoholic drinks you must try "chiliguaro" shots. A combination of lemon, spicy and local guaro.
You can also go at lunch and it will be more like a restaurant than like a bar if you want to avoid the "bar" atmosphere.
Located Downtown Santa Elena
Essentials
Downtown Santa Elena
15 minute walk from our home.
Where locals buy their foods.
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Super Compro
Downtown Santa Elena
15 minute walk from our home.
Where locals buy their foods.
Getting Around
This is where you get the bus to San Jose, to Puntarenas and to Las Juntas.
www.laterminalcostarica.com
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Transmonteverde Bus Terminal
Centro ComercialThis is where you get the bus to San Jose, to Puntarenas and to Las Juntas.
www.laterminalcostarica.com
Shopping
The local Farmers Market. Good to see the local scene and try national foods and fruits and vegetables at a local price!
FRIDAYS : 9 AM-3PM
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Centro Comercial
Centro ComercialThe local Farmers Market. Good to see the local scene and try national foods and fruits and vegetables at a local price!
FRIDAYS : 9 AM-3PM