In Monteverde, where you sleep decides how much driving you do. The town, the cloud forest reserves and most restaurants are spread along one winding road.
The best Monteverde hotels fall into three areas: Santa Elena, the small town with restaurants and tour offices; the road toward the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, about 6 kilometers away; and the quieter hillsides around them. For a splurge with views and a strong sustainability record, book Hotel Belmar. For a mid-to-upscale lodge you can walk to town from, choose Monteverde Lodge & Gardens. Families and self-caterers do well at Los Pinos, with kitchen-equipped cabins about a kilometer from town. To be close to the reserve entrance, look at Trapp Family Lodge or Hotel Fonda Vela.
This guide covers where to stay in Monteverde, our hotel picks and what to know before you book.
| Hotel | Best for | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Belmar | Couples, views, sustainability | Hillside, about 4 km from Santa Elena | $$$$ |
| Monteverde Lodge & Gardens | Gardens, food, walking to town | Edge of Santa Elena | $$$ |
| Los Pinos Cabins & Reserve | Families, self-catering | About 1 km from Santa Elena | $$ |
| Trapp Family Lodge | Early starts at the reserve | About 1 km from the reserve entrance | $$ |
| Hotel Fonda Vela | Nature, near the reserve | Near the reserve, outside town | $$ |
| Santa Elena town hotels | Budget, no car | In town | $ |
Location first
Where to Stay in Monteverde
- Santa Elena: the most convenient base. It has the restaurants, sodas (small family-run restaurants), supermarkets, banks, tour offices and the bus stop. Best if you don’t have a car.
- Cerro Plano and the road to the reserve: hotels and restaurants line the main road between town and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, about 6 km away. The road is paved for part of the way, then turns rough. You’ll want a car or taxis.
- Near the reserve: quieter and better for dawn walks, but you’ll depend on a car, taxis or the few daily buses to get to dinner.
Our picks
Best Hotels in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Hotel Belmar: best for a splurge
Belmar sits on a hillside about 4 kilometers from Santa Elena, between the Monteverde and Santa Elena reserves, with rooms facing the Nicoya Peninsula and, on clear days, the Pacific. It’s family-owned and holds Level 5, the top level, of Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism. Restaurante Celajes serves farm-to-table food, much of it from the hotel’s organic garden and its Madre Tierra farm, and there’s an on-site microbrewery, a juice bar, yoga, massages and a hot tub. Choose it for a special-occasion stay with views. You’ll drive or take a taxi into town.
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens: best all-around
This upscale lodge is within walking distance of downtown Santa Elena but feels secluded, with designed gardens, a private cloud forest reserve and trails. It has 28 rooms, a heated pool, a fireplace lounge and El Jardín, one of the area’s better restaurants, with a strong plant-based menu. It’s a good choice if you want a comfortable lodge without needing a car for dinner.
Los Pinos Cabins & Reserve: best for families
Los Pinos has freestanding cabins spread across wooded grounds about a kilometer from Santa Elena. Each has a full kitchen, some cabins sleep larger groups, and guests can pick vegetables from the hydroponic garden. There’s a private reserve with walking trails and a playground. There’s no restaurant, but town is close. It’s the best value here for families and anyone who wants to cook.
Trapp Family Lodge: best for reaching the reserve early
Trapp Family Lodge is about a kilometer from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve entrance, with chalet-style rooms and mountain suites. If your priority is being on the trails when they open, this location saves the drive up from town.
Hotel Fonda Vela: best for nature near the reserve
Fonda Vela is one of the closest lodges to the Monteverde reserve, set on more than 30 acres of mostly forest with its own trails and gardens. It has a heated pool, two hot tubs and two restaurants. It’s well outside Santa Elena, so plan on a car or taxis.
In Santa Elena: budget and walkable
Town has hotels and hostels at every price, all within walking distance of restaurants and tour pickups. Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco, near downtown, has pools and a spa. Smaller family-run hotels and hostels are the cheapest options in the area.
Before you book
What to Know Before Booking a Monteverde Hotel
- Book early in high season. December to April and holidays fill up, especially the smaller lodges.
- Ask about heat, not air conditioning. Hot water, extra blankets and a fireplace matter more here.
- Check the road. The main road into Monteverde is paved, but some hotels sit on steep, rough side roads. Ask before you book if you’re not in a 4×4. Our self-drive guide covers the routes in from Arenal and San José.
- Plan your reserve visit. Reserves open early, and early mornings are best for birds, including the resplendent quetzal. Stay close if you plan a dawn start.
- Arrive in daylight. It’s dark by about 6 p.m. year-round, and mountain roads are hard to drive at night.
For things to do once you’re there, see our Monteverde guide and our guide to ziplining in Costa Rica. Heading to the volcano next? See the best hotels in Arenal.
Good to know
Monteverde Hotels FAQ
What is the best area to stay in Monteverde?
Santa Elena is the most convenient, with restaurants and tour pickups within walking distance. Stay along the road to the reserve or near the reserve if you have a car and want quiet or early starts.
What is the best luxury hotel in Monteverde?
Hotel Belmar is the best-known upscale choice, with views toward the Pacific, an on-site brewery and the top level of Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism certification.
Which Monteverde hotel is closest to the Cloud Forest Reserve?
Trapp Family Lodge is about a kilometer from the reserve entrance, and Hotel Fonda Vela is also one of the closest lodges.
How far is Santa Elena from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve?
About 6 km. A few buses run daily, and taxis are easy to arrange in town.
Do Monteverde hotels have air conditioning?
Many don’t, and you won’t need it. Monteverde is cool and often misty, so look for good hot water and warm bedding instead.
How many nights should I stay in Monteverde?
Two nights is enough for one reserve visit and one or two activities, such as hanging bridges, a night walk or a zipline tour. Stay three if you want to visit more than one reserve.
The short version
Stay in Santa Elena for convenience, along the reserve road for quiet, or near the reserve for dawn walks.
Hotel Belmar is the splurge, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens the all-rounder, Los Pinos the family pick, and Trapp Family Lodge or Fonda Vela the choice for early reserve visits.