Recomendations
THE FOREST
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve: close by with views of Arenal Volcano
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve: original reserve in Monteverde
Curi Cancha Preserve: slightly lower forest than MCFBP, great bird watching
Children's Eternal Rain Forest Reserve (Bajo del Tigre): lower forest, trails and views
GREAT HIKES (public and free)
Cerro Amigos TV Towers: a steep windy hike to spectacular 360º views
San Gerardo mirador: a quiet dirt road to amazing views of Arenal Volcano and lake
San Luis mirador: along the road in upper Monteverde looking to San Luis valley and the Pacific with spectacular sunsets
Sendero Pacifico: in San Luis valley, a community-run trail through dry forest and across farmland
NIGHT TOURS
One of the coolest things you can do in this area is go on a night hike. That means walking slowly through the nocturnal cloud forest, with a naturalist and flashlights provided. The forest comes alive at night - you may see kinkajous, bats, tarantulas or sloths. There are several places to choose from including:
Santamaria’s: nearby in the lower forest
Santa Elena Reserve: like most of them, starts at 5:45 pm
Monteverde Night Tour: in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
SPECIAL SPOTS
Climbing strangler figs: near La Creativa (Cloud Forest School) and in Rachel Crandell Reserve
Chicharronera (Ramon’s): fig tree, great views, delicious food, mountain tennis
THE FOREST
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve: close by with views of Arenal Volcano
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve: original reserve in Monteverde
Curi Cancha Preserve: slightly lower forest than MCFBP, great bird watching
Children's Eternal Rain Forest Reserve (Bajo del Tigre): lower forest, trails and views
GREAT HIKES (public and free)
Cerro Amigos TV Towers: a steep windy hike to spectacular 360º views
San Gerardo mirador: a quiet dirt road to amazing views of Arenal Volcano and lake
San Luis mirador: along the road in upper Monteverde looking to San Luis valley and the Pacific with spectacular sunsets
Sendero Pacifico: in San Luis valley, a community-run trail through dry forest and across farmland
NIGHT TOURS
One of the coolest things you can do in this area is go on a night hike. That means walking slowly through the nocturnal cloud forest, with a naturalist and flashlights provided. The forest comes alive at night - you may see kinkajous, bats, tarantulas or sloths. There are several places to choose from including:
Santamaria’s: nearby in the lower forest
Santa Elena Reserve: like most of them, starts at 5:45 pm
Monteverde Night Tour: in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
SPECIAL SPOTS
Climbing strangler figs: near La Creativa (Cloud Forest School) and in Rachel Crandell Reserve
Chicharronera (Ramon’s): fig tree, great views, delicious food, mountain tennis
Bat Jungle: in Monteverde, a unique experience with knowledgeable guides and live bats! Feedings at 3. Donation or tour.
Specialty Guides: will take you to where the birds, animals, views and best photos are
ADVENTURE PARKS
Selvatura: ziplines, suspension bridges, hummingbirds and an incredible insect art museum
Monteverde Extremo: catering to smaller groups, bungee, ziplines and superman!
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Monteverde Friends School and Meeting: The Quaker School offers tours and the possibility to participate in half day activities. You are welcome to share in the Quaker meetings on Wednesday at 9 am and Sundays at 10:30 am.
Monteverde Institute: Check out what this educational and research institute is up to, take a walk around the grounds and up the trail to the Rachel Crandell Reserve
Futbol partidos: Close by in Santa Elena or a nice drive to San Luis will put you with the local community and their passion for futbol. Sunday afternoons.
AGRICULTURAL TOURS
Finca la Brisas: Traditional coffee farm, trapiche, and horse rides to spectacular views.
Horse Trek Monteverde: go riding with Marvin the horse whisperer
Don Juan Coffee Tour: Educational agro-tour of coffee, caña, and chocolate (with samples!)
FINE DINING RESTAURANTS
Tramonti's Pizzeria: best pizza and Italian, a favorite in Monteverde
Cabure: Argentinean cuisine, great balcony, homemade chocolates
Monteverde Lodge and Garden Restaurant: always one of the best in Santa Elena
CASUAL DINING RESTAURANTS
Choco Cafe and Restaurant: in Santa Elena, a favorite of locals and tourists alike
Cuchara de Abuelo: slow service but excellent traditional foods in Monteverde Centro behind CASEM.
Sabor Tico: two locations with a big menu of traditional Costa Rican foods
Arrecife Seafood: owner/chef Memo will prepare seafood as you like it
RESTAURANTS WITH MUSIC
La Taberna: live music, DJs, locals and more; patio, lounge & good food
Bar Amigos Sports Bar: Live Latin music on Friday nights, pool hall, dance floor, good food
Amy’s: Uptown, nightly live latin fusion music with Bernardo Pacheco at 7 pm, pricey good food
Treehouse: Supports nightly live music, varied menu, and that amazing tree!
COFFEE SHOPS
Stella's Bakery Coffee Shop and Restaurant: beautiful early morning bird watching with excellent coffee, pastries, lunches and occasional dinners with live music.
Cafe de Monteverde: in Monteverde Centro, serious coffee, local gathering spot
Cafe Orchideas: excellent coffees, desserts and lunches in downtown
NOT TO BE MISSED
Taco Taco: a happening hole-in-the-wall in downtown Santa Elena for tacos and burritos (and their new spot La Cantina)
Hotel Belmar Celajes: a favorite happy hour (4:30-5:30) sunset spot, great original cocktails, farm to table food and often live music
Sunset viewing: near the bomberos, near the bomba, on restaurant balconies and especially the San Luis mirador
FOOD SHOPPING
Whole Foods Monteverde: locally made products, exotics, organic produce, bulk
Marlene’s Trail Foods: in Santa Elena mall, organics, bulk nuts, chocolates and sweets and party goods
Supermercado Vargas: large selection of vegetables, fruits, meat and chicken and booze
Monteverde Cheese Factory: Cheeses, chorizos and ice cream!
La feria: local farmer’s market in the Santa Elena mall, Friday at 2 pm
ART AND CLOTHES SHOPPING
Roberto Wesson’s Jaguar Gallery: on the road to San Luis in upper Monteverde, original art and large miniature orchid collection
Sarah Dowell Art Gallery: a lovely walk through the woods behind the cheese plant, original watercolours
Marco Tulio Art Studio: occasional exhibitions and workshops, always creative
Foresta Gallery: local artists and artisans, jewellery, clothes
Luna Azul: national designers of clothes and jewellery
MASSAGE AND YOGA
Karen Gordon at Revive Healing Arts: massage plus http://revivehealingarts.com/
Soul y Paz Yoga: schedule and info on Facebook
Drishti Monteverde: yoga info under DrishtiMonteverde and Anahata Costa Rica
Hotel Belmar Wellness Center: on Facebook
Bat Jungle: in Monteverde, a unique experience with knowledgeable guides and live bats! Feedings at 3. Donation or tour.
Specialty Guides: will take you to where the birds, animals, views and best photos are
ADVENTURE PARKS
Selvatura: ziplines, suspension bridges, hummingbirds and an incredible insect art museum
Monteverde Extremo: catering to smaller groups, bungee, ziplines and superman!
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Monteverde Friends School and Meeting: The Quaker School offers tours and the possibility to participate in half day activities. You are welcome to share in the Quaker meetings on Wednesday at 9 am and Sundays at 10:30 am.
Monteverde Institute: Check out what this educational and research institute is up to, take a walk around the grounds and up the trail to the Rachel Crandell Reserve
Futbol partidos: Close by in Santa Elena or a nice drive to San Luis will put you with the local community and their passion for futbol. Sunday afternoons.
AGRICULTURAL TOURS
Finca la Brisas: Traditional coffee farm, trapiche, and horse rides to spectacular views.
Horse Trek Monteverde: go riding with Marvin the horse whisperer
Don Juan Coffee Tour: Educational agro-tour of coffee, caña, and chocolate (with samples!)
FINE DINING RESTAURANTS
Tramonti's Pizzeria: best pizza and Italian, a favorite in Monteverde
Cabure: Argentinean cuisine, great balcony, homemade chocolates
Monteverde Lodge and Garden Restaurant: always one of the best in Santa Elena
CASUAL DINING RESTAURANTS
Choco Cafe and Restaurant: in Santa Elena, a favorite of locals and tourists alike
Cuchara de Abuelo: slow service but excellent traditional foods in Monteverde Centro behind CASEM.
Sabor Tico: two locations with a big menu of traditional Costa Rican foods
Arrecife Seafood: owner/chef Memo will prepare seafood as you like it
RESTAURANTS WITH MUSIC
La Taberna: live music, DJs, locals and more; patio, lounge & good food
Bar Amigos Sports Bar: Live Latin music on Friday nights, pool hall, dance floor, good food
Amy’s: Uptown, nightly live latin fusion music with Bernardo Pacheco at 7 pm, pricey good food
Treehouse: Supports nightly live music, varied menu, and that amazing tree!
COFFEE SHOPS
Stella's Bakery Coffee Shop and Restaurant: beautiful early morning bird watching with excellent coffee, pastries, lunches and occasional dinners with live music.
Cafe de Monteverde: in Monteverde Centro, serious coffee, local gathering spot
Cafe Orchideas: excellent coffees, desserts and lunches in downtown
NOT TO BE MISSED
Taco Taco: a happening hole-in-the-wall in downtown Santa Elena for tacos and burritos (and their new spot La Cantina)
Hotel Belmar Celajes: a favorite happy hour (4:30-5:30) sunset spot, great original cocktails, farm to table food and often live music
Sunset viewing: near the bomberos, near the bomba, on restaurant balconies and especially the San Luis mirador
FOOD SHOPPING
Whole Foods Monteverde: locally made products, exotics, organic produce, bulk
Marlene’s Trail Foods: in Santa Elena mall, organics, bulk nuts, chocolates and sweets and party goods
Supermercado Vargas: large selection of vegetables, fruits, meat and chicken and booze
Monteverde Cheese Factory: Cheeses, chorizos and ice cream!
La feria: local farmer’s market in the Santa Elena mall, Friday at 2 pm
ART AND CLOTHES SHOPPING
Roberto Wesson’s Jaguar Gallery: on the road to San Luis in upper Monteverde, original art and large miniature orchid collection
Sarah Dowell Art Gallery: a lovely walk through the woods behind the cheese plant, original watercolours
Foresta Gallery: local artists and artisans, jewellery, clothes
Luna Azul: national designers of clothes and jewellery
MASSAGE AND YOGA
Karen Gordon at Revive Healing Arts: massage plus http://revivehealingarts.com/
Soul y Paz Yoga: schedule and info on Facebook
Drishti Monteverde: yoga info under DrishtiMonteverde and Anahata Costa Rica
Hotel Belmar Wellness Center: on Facebook
PARQUE ECOPAZ
The forested property adjoining ours at the back is called Parque EcoPaz. Our neighbor, Sergio Araya, has created a public space for the community with hiking trails, recreational areas, picnic tables and more.
One of the activities we have become involved in is planting trees through the Monteverde Roots program. There is information about this included in this booklet.
Our guests have been given permission to access EcoPaz through our back gate but there are some rules that apply. If you enter by our back gate, you must leave the park by the back gate – you cannot use the park for hiking to town. You can walk 100 meters down the road to the front gate of the park and enter there – but then please also exit by the front gate so they can monitor where guests are. There are over 5 km of trails on 20 + hectares of property, much of it forest.
The park is closed after sunset. It is a beautiful place to enjoy the setting sun, but please do not go on the trails at night.
Please respect that this is a family recreational area. There is no drinking or smoking on the trails. If you want to use the common areas (tennis, soccer, volleyball courts etc.) please check in with Sergio or his staff who are in the main area of the park.
And please do not feed the animals. They are wild and will be happy to remain that way.