Monteverde Guidebook
Adventure
Treetopia Park
(Use code ANANTA for a discount when booking)
OUR FAVORITE! In Treetopia Park (formerly known as Sky Adventures) you will find different adventure activities like zip lining, hanging bridges (including the only glass bridge in Monteverde), tree climbing, bicycle zip lining, and sky tram with view towards Arenal volcano if you are lucky and the sky is clear.
This zipline is the easiest to manage due to their pulley system where they will take care of everything for you. The platforms of this zipline are not built in the trees, but instead are metal towers/platforms on land but high enough to reach the canopy.
The tree climbing and monkey bridge course can be a very fun activity for couples or families altogether.
El Tigre Waterfalls
Beautiful waterfalls, amazing nature and lots of adventure here. If you love hiking (medium level) this is the place. They also have a crazy bike zipline in case you are feeling the need for more adventure! You can choose to end the hike by walking back up to reception, riding a horse or getting on the safari 4x4 truck.
Nature Reserves
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
This reserve is the reason why Monteverde became famous worldwide in relation to conservation.
Gorgeous reserve, sometimes a little bit more crowded with visitors but still a beautiful and quiet place. If you come here we highly recommend visiting "La Ventana" here where you will be standing on the Continental Divide (Pacific on one side and Atlantic on the other).
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
This is one of the main reserves here in Monteverde.
It is beautiful and with lots of exuberant nature and wild life. One of our favorites. In a clear sky day you can get to see the arenal volcano from here and if you are lucky even a couple more volcanos a little bit further in Guanacaste.
Curicancha Reserve
Beautiful trails and an amazing place for bird watching. Easy and intermediate hikes in here.
Night Tours
Wildlife Refuge Monteverde
They are very well know for their wildlife night tour!
Coffee Tours
Coffee Tour Café Monteverde (Finca Life)
Get a comprehensive tour of our favorite locally owned coffee farm. Learn about the coffee process from the coffee seed to the final product and have a tasting of the different varieties of roasts they offer.
Ecological Sanctuary
Gorgeous reserve run by a lovely local family. Here you can find peaceful and beautiful trails. Also they produce their own organic coffee and provide our favorite coffee tour done by Chris. This is one of our favorite places in Monteverde! An authentic local experience with a local family.
Food Scene
Kiré Restaurant (Koora Hotel)
One of our favorites, or maybe our FAVORITE!
Best burger in town by far! Delicious food and a nice property. The staff is amazing!
Celajes Restaurant (Hotel Belmar)
Celajes is part of the Hotel Belmar but open to public. You can find breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour here.
All of their ingredients are local sourced or cultivated by them in their farm. You will find delicious options for all people, including vegetarian and vegan dishes that we love.
The space captures the essence of Monteverde with a nice balcony overviewing their property and cozy beautiful indoor spaces.
Café Monteverde
Our favorite coffee shop!
Coffee is produced here in Monteverde and we just love the place. Sitting there for a while will allow you to see a bit of the local life here in Monteverde. They have two locations but we prefer the one by CASEM.
Stella's
Stella's is one of our favorite places for breakfast and lunch (or brunch as normally we do). You will find delicious options there with local and good quality ingredients. Nice vegetarian and vegan options are available here as well.
Stella's owner (Glenda) loves plants and that is something you will see right away. Eating in their beautiful outdoor areas surrounded by plants and green makes the experience even better.
The staff is super nice and kind, we love them all.
We highly recommend having breakfast here on nice sunny mornings! Enjoy!
Belmar Craft Brewery
This place has a beautiful scenario, surrounded by nature and in front of the Hotel Belmar´s lake. The food is good. It is more a snack menu than full meals. On Saturdays there is normally live music. This is one of the places we enjoy the most.
Pizzeria e Ristorante Tramonti
Italian cuisine. The architecture of this place is really nice and has a great view to the gulf. Excellent to watch the sunset.
Monteverde Brewing Company
Local brewery and sports bar. Burgers, chicken wings and more fast food options.
Taco Taco
This is one of the most visited restaurants.
Mexican cuisine, good drinks and right in downtown.
Restaurante Flores Y Sabores
This is the closest restaurant from our property. This is local cuisine and really good! We totally recommend if you want to try some nice Costa Rican dishes.
Bon Appetit
Wood fired pizzas. One of the closest restaurants to our property so if you want something quick, go here.
Souvenirs
Brillante Souvenir
This beautiful souvenir is located in Santa Elena downtown. This is a wonderful option in case you are looking for presents to take home or just a little something for you. All the things in here are truly 100% produced here in Monteverde and Costa Rica. None of their products are imported or mass produced. They support local artists creating things that truly come from the heart, plus! everything is beautiful!
Faunaglass
(You can find Mary's pottery here)
Here you will find ceramics done by Mary (your host). Ask for Hija De La Montaña's pieces. All of her pottery is 100% locally done. Lots of beautiful things overall.
Vecinas Souvenir (Stella's)
Stella's souvenir shop with 100% Costa Rican artisan products.
Grocery Stores
Monteverde Whole Foods
Without doubt this is our favorite place to buy groceries in Monteverde.
Here you will find a lot of local products. Most veggies are organic, a lot of vegan and vegetarian options can be found here as well and our most favorite thing here is the peanut butter!
This shop is owned by locals and here in Monteverde we love supporting local!
Bonus:
We cannot stop mentioning here you will find the best peanut butter ever. It is produced with so much care by Mary Rockwell, one of the first Quakers that arrived to Monteverde back in the 50s.
Casa Variedades (Cerro Plano)
If there is anything you need, here you will definitely find it!
Grocery store owned by locals.
Other Tours
Monteverde Orchid Garden
Oasis in the middle of Santa Elena downtown. If you are into Orchids this is a very interesting tour for you!
El Terruño De Los Torres
If you are looking for a real Costa Rican Farm experience, this is your tour. This place is very close to our property, offers a real experience of a Costa Rican family farm.
