Location: 168 kms. (105 miles) northwest of San José

Weather: Moderate to cool. Cloudy and wet conditions are common at higher elevations. See bottom of page for more details on the climate

Temperatures: Average 65-75° F, see Monteverde climate

Altitude: 1440m (4600 ft), with elevations reaching 1800 m (5900 ft)

Read more about the Monteverde Tourism Region


Monteverde is a refreshing break from the heat of the beaches. Its green slopes and cascading waterfalls (and low humidity) will leave you in awe. Best known for its rich biodiversity and cloud forests, the Monteverde area is a must see. Nestled in the Tilarán Mountain Range with views to the Gulf of Nicoya and of Arenal Volcano, Monteverde is a paradise of lush landscapes.

The area known as Monteverde really consists of a few small towns, Santa Elena being the most well known, and of several private reserves and forested areas. This region is unique in that all of the protected lands are private endeavors, not government mandates. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the largest of these private protected areas, with over 25,730 acres (10,415 hectares) of land. More than 500 species of orchids cling to the limbs of enormous trees, while vines, ferns, mosses and lichens fill every other available space.

The cloud forests of Monteverde house more than 130 species of mammals, 400 species of birds including 30 species of hummingbirds, 5000 species of moths and 3000 species of plants. It is a nature lover's paradise.

Hiking, bird watching and canopy tours are the biggest attractions here, but horseback riding, coffee tours and the plethora of natural history museums need not be forgotten.