In terms of hospitality, it is the most developed region of Costa Rica with brands such as Four Seasons, Andaz, Westin, JW Marriott, and Secrets. Day 5: Depart mid-morning from the highlands of Monteverde to the lowlands of the North Pacific Coast. Discover a different world up in the trees as you explore the park's collection of 12 cables, 18 different platforms, and an optional 'Tarzan Swing.'. The Papagayo Peninsula is a 1400-acre private community flanked by the ocean on three sides and in the range of the huge Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, a UNESCO Heritage site protecting the rare tropical dry forest that thrives in the region. If you are staying at a hotel right in downtown or right off the main road, take Route 606 to Monteverde, park your car at the hotel, take taxis or and you can get there in a sedan. Drive to the El Tigre Waterfalls parking lot (less than a half-hour from Santa Elena) and enter the reception area. Please double check prices with usmost routes are about $50pp - $55. Group discount is applicable to cruise portion only, and does not apply towards additional services such as hotels, extensions, airfare, etc. Another great place to grab a drink with a view is atBelmar Craft Brewery. There are fewer places to dine and drink closer to the shore, but they are popular, especially after sunset. Make sure you wear good shoes for hiking as this trail has lots of uphill and slippery sections. As you arrive at Santa Teresa Beach, you will feel a slowness in the pace, a general easiness to it all. Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. ), so youre more likely to see some of the amazing animals here. This boutique hotel has beautiful rooms, deck with magnificent views, and includes breakfast. Contact Details Liberia Guanacaste Guanacaste Costa Rica Download Itinerary Download this tour's PDF brochure and start your planning offline. It is a popular fishing and scuba diving destination. Water Safety in Costa Rica - Beware of Riptides. Some of the other beaches in the Bahia Salinas region are Rajada, La Coyotera, Copal, and Papaturro. Recommended option Bus via Monteverde 4h 20m Monteverde is Spanish for "green mountain," and you'll see that name makes a lot of sense. SJO is located in Costa Rica's Central Valley, near the country's geographic center. This is a quick stop in Monteverde to see more than 25 species of frogs and toads. Get inbox inspiration you'll look forward to: photos, videos, live webinar invites, special offers, and updates. There are a couple options to see wildlife. They use local water rich in minerals combined with local ingredients like organic coffee and fruit. Where to go in Costa Rica beyond the beach. We do not recommend driving the sedan outside of the paved roads as it will have a hard time going up the steep mountain roads if you go outside of the Santa Elena town center and it will be easier to damage the car for all the potholes. Nosara is a popular resort for surfers, yogis, families, and environmental enthusiasts due to its stunning verdant beaches. South of Santa Teresa, you can find Malpais, and it is completely worth it to mention it here. This taproom and beer garden has a gorgeous natural spring lake to look out onto while you sip a beer. (B). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 20 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica. It is surrounded on three sides by the beautiful Pacific Ocean. They are about a 25-35 minute drive from Liberia Airport. TheExtreme Bungee Jumping in Monteverde Tourhas a daring jump from over 460 feet. Monteverde is a special place because cloud forests are rare around the world. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We can arrange shared shuttles throughout Costa Rica. visit the Monteverde Bat Jungle to learn about Costa Rica's diverse - and important - bat population. 8 days itinerary: Playas del Coco and La Fortuna. Home Monteverde 20 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica, Categories Destinations, Monteverde, Things to do. Very close to Nosara, 1 hour from Samara, 1.5 hours from Tamarindo and 2 hours from Gulf of Papagayo. The distance from San Jose Airport to Monteverde is 133 kilometers, or 83 miles via Route 606. You can drive yourself or take an Uber or taxi to 100% Aventura Park as its conveniently located just outside Santa Elena. Are there tour companies from the Guanacaste area to Montverde? Furthermore, the majority of hotels and restaurants are environmentally friendly and contribute to the community. Where to See Sloths in Costa Rica: Best Places & Time of Year - MytanFeet Alternatively, you may use, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hotels and Places to Stay, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica, Where to go in Costa Rica beyond the beach. It was declared Costa Rica's national tree in August 1959 and is also known as the "Elephant Ear Tree" (. What options are there for travelling around Costa Rica? Santa Elena town itself has paved roads and ends where the El Establo Hotel is. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is smaller and tends to be less busy but is equally as beautiful. The twists, turns, and drops of the challenging rapids will get your adrenaline pumping and make for a fun day trip. "It turns out that when you remove [cars] out of the equation and construct communities the way they were before automobiles, the result is sociability, beauty, and safety," Johnson asserts. Youll also get views of the Gulf of Nicoya, coffee and sugarcane plantations, tropical forests, and open fields. The hostel is beautiful, has great reviews, and lots of activities including yoga. Costa Rica Shuttle services are door to door from most hotels. There are 5 ways to get from Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to Guanacaste by shuttle, bus, taxi or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Armed with a flashlight, youll get to see dozens of bats flying around and eating little bits of fruit. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. If youre afraid of bats, dont worry, the animals are still behind glass while you view them. Download PDF You can send your enquiry via the form below. DEPARTURE TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE and MAY VARY BASED ON PICK-UP LOCATION - EXACT PICK-UP TIME WILL BE CONFIRMED UPON BOOKING. The steep hillside directly behind the main road is also dotted with homes and rentals. The Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) is 2.5 hours away (71.5 mi./115.2 km) from Monteverde and less than an hour away from the ocean. Access to the whitish-sand beach is a bit more difficult since it is separated from the main strip by private mansions, hotels, and vegetation. Enjoy free beer and wine (excluding super-premium brands) on all 2023 departures aboard National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, and National Geographic Sea Lion. We can also arrangetaxi-boat-taxiservices between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano. These are the beaches of Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama, Playa Ocotal and Bahia Pez Vela. In that case, booking shuttles and tours is fine. Any cover you get above that is extra. The 45-minute tour involves a short walk with accessible trails. These hotels are an attraction in themselves because of the unique experience they offer. "This Car-free Beach Town Is a Hidden Gem in Costa Rica With Beautiful Beaches and Charming Cobblestone Streets." 3 Jun. However what makes Conchal unique, gives its name (Concha means shell in Spanish), and has granted it recently the title of the Most beautiful beach in the World is its sand composed of white, brown, and pinkish tiny grains of broken shells. Although I love Monteverde, spending more than 4 days, unless youre a bird watcher, is too long. Monteverde is a small town in the mountain ranges of Costa Rica and a major destination for ecotourism in the country. Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more. You can see the route in our video below. It isnt typically too busy, and the entire nature reserve only allows 50 people in at a time. Great itinerary if flying in and out of San Jose Airport. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. Route 606 from San Jose is a fairly straightforward route. I highly recommend taking a tour at Monteverde Brewing Co. Monteverde is the best place to experience a cloud forest. While you enjoy your brew youll be surrounded by hummingbirds from a range of species. So, before you arrive, make sure to pack for colder nights and days that can be windy, rainy, and a little bit on the chillier side. I hear Easter time - Holy Week is a busy time in Costa Rica. (B,L,D), Disembark and transfer to bird watch and search for American crocodiles. Here is the map below. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The Bat Jungle is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book. The collection started with one orchid over 30 years ago and grew as the founder rescued orchids the wind stripped from trees. Best Adults Only All Inclusive in Costa Rica. Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. Youre still going up a mountain on a narrow road with no physical barrier so drive slow, take your time and dont stress out. channel that and dine above the trees! What are some memorable moments for travellers to Costa Rica? Its undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You can also check out Nosara, which is an hour north of Samara and more rural. This offers children more freedom, which usually implies that adults do as well, N.a. Furthermore, the Papagayo Peninsula and the neighboring Bay of Papagayo are less than an hour's drive from the Guanacaste International Airport, allowing for quick and simple transportation to your accommodation and the beach. Remember when you were a kid and wanted a treehouse (or were lucky enough to have one!) Itinerary Option 1 - San Jose Airport Summary This itinerary has you flying in and out of San Jose Airport (SJO). No airports in Monteverde, so driving is your only option. You might even spot some baby bats! 2022. There are 5 ways to get from Guanacaste to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve by bus, shuttle, taxi or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Youll walk on a 2.2 kilometer trail through a private reserve, learning about the gems of a primary tropical rainforest. The closest town to Conchal beach is Brasilito and where you will have to stay if you dont stay at those resorts. You dont need to be an experienced rider either as all the tours are suitable for beginners. Shuttles are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. Later, as we enjoy lunch onboard, cruise to a cluster of offshore islets collectively called Isla Tortuga. You will continue on this road for 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and drive through the town of Las Juntas and continue up towards Monteverde, passing small towns like Eco Museo, Canderlaria and Campos de Oro. And it takes that long because of its side dirt roads and its difficult access. Admission is $16 USD for adults and $7 USD for kids. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Its a luxury hub that encompasses gated communities, high-end resorts, private homes, a beach club, a golf course, and a marina. L ater you will discover the amazing process of the coffee from the plant to the table, as well as learn about the chocolate and sugar cane process.. Monteverde Discovery Tour from Guanacaste starts early . The Santa Elena Cloud Forest has 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of trails filled with viewpoints (including a great observation tower) and stunning scenery of the lush rainforest. In our Where to go after Monteverde: The Pacific Coast we talked about the most popular beaches that are within reach of Monteverde. Weve been at this for 50+ years. Monteverde and Santa Elena sit at over 4,250 feet (1,300 meters) above sea level. You can take a private shuttle, the public bus or rent a car. The natives can live that long because of the clean air and water; plenty of fresh food all year; an active lifestyle; and a strong feeling of family. It is the region of the country with the most sunshine hours and the slowest onset of rain. for an adrenaline filled ocean view zipline, animal sanctuary and traditional farm experience. Check prices and book now byclicking here. The shoreline is lined with hip bars and restaurants, as well as a wide range of lodging options for all budgets. A tour guide is really helpful for spotting birds as they know exactly what to look for and have specialized equipment like a spotting scope to help you see them too. About 3 hours from San Jose, it is one of our top recommended destinations in Costa Rica. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-115366480', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Riu Guanacaste to Monteverde cloud forest/ Santa Elena.