Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Stunning rainforest, wildlife, zip-lines, good food. There is plenty to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Monteverde is a nature lover’s paradise where the lush cloud forests, abundant wildlife, and serene landscapes seem almost otherworldly. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking to zip-line through the treetops or a nature enthusiast eager to spot the elusive quetzal, Monteverde will have something you love. Most activities are done through tours and it can get costly quickly, not to worry, I made sure to throw in some free activities as well for my fellow backpackers on a budget.

Find out more about my absolute favorite waterfall in Costa Rica. 

Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Self guided hike santa Elena cloud forest reserve (or Monteverde cloud forest)

Whatever you do, don’t be an idiot (like us) and try to go hiking in the middle of the afternoon. However well prepared for rain you are, you will end up completely drenched. Go early in the morning to really enjoy this stunning rainforest! You’ll have the biggest chance of staying dry at that time of the day. We lasted about half an hour before the downpour completely soaked us and had to go back, because we honestly couldn’t even see anything anymore. If you want to go to santa Elena cloud forest reserve don’t forget to prebook the shuttle. Monteverde cloud forest has the reputation of being more crowded than Santa Elena’s. Santa Elena’s is also a little bit cheaper.

Go on a zip-lining canopy tour

You can go zip-lining in many places in Central America, but Monteverde is the place to do it. Go with 100% Aventura to enjoy the longest zip-line in Latin America! It is 1,6 km long and it feels awesome soaring over the rainforest. Their canopy tour also features a ‘Tarzan swing’. This is not for the faint of heart as this means jumping from a height of 50 meters/148 feet. If you’re trying to imagine how high that is, imagine a 13 story building. I’ll admit I was a little nervous and needed some time to mentally prepare. The guide thought I was taking a little to long (to be fair, I was) and he helped me out by pushing me off the platform. (Picture below to prove that I did end up enjoying it in the end)

Hanging bridges in Selvatura park

This is the place for all you instagrammers out there. We all know you want that shot of yourself on a hanging bridge overlooking the rainforest;) This is a nice easy trail that everybody should be able to do. There are a total of 30 suspension bridges in the park and you’ll see monkeys and birds along the way!

Do a night walk tour

If you’re a wildlife love, like me, you may enjoy the night walk tour. Lots of wildlife can only be viewed at night and scouring the rainforest at night is kind of exciting! Wear shoes with good grip or you’ll end up face first in the mud, I can tell you from experience.

Go to Catarata Los Murciélagos

Since all the tours are pretty expensive we looked for something to do for free. Back when I visited, this waterfall was free to visit. Although this is no the case, entrance to this nature reserve only costs $6 and I think it’s well worth it! We had read about a waterfall and set out with a few friends to find it. Back then there was no sign, but it seems things are a lot clearer these days. Walk in the direction of Stella’s bakery and when you’re almost there just ask the locals where the trail starts. They will point you in the right direction. The trail is well kept and about 20 minutes long, leading to a secluded waterfall that you can swim in. The water is cold, but it’s a great place to visit at the end of the day. Find the entrance here.

Climb the fig tree

Another free activity, yay! There are alway people climbing this tree, so if you want it to yourself go early or find the other tree that no one knows about. To the right side of the famous fig tree there is actually another one. You might as well try to find this one while everyone else is waiting their turn to climb the tree.

Visit the butterfly garden

You’ll see plenty of butterflies in costa Rica, but here they have 40 different species in one place! This is the perfect activity for a lazy afternoon. A hike in the morning calls for a relaxing afternoon and what is more relaxing then walking around in a garden full of butterflies.

Where to eat in Monteverde

The orchid Cafe

This place is a little expensive for the average backpacker, but the lunch is so worth it. We splurged on lunch here a couple of times, because we couldn’t get enough. The coffee is here great too! 

Taco Taco

To compensate for your expensive lunch at the orchid cafe, head to Taco Taco for dinner. This is for a fast and easy meal. The serve super nice Mexican food for cheap:)

Stella’s Bakery

Stella’s bakery has some stellar (see what I did there) pastries. This place is good for breakfast or for lunch. Make sure you sit outside and watch the bird feeders, because they attract a variety of birds.

Monteverde Beer House

I’m a huge lover of any kind of alcohol craft beer and they serve a variety of local craft beers here! If like me, you like to try a new beer everywhere you go, this is a mandatory stop.

Where to stay

Like always, we were traveling on a budget and we try to spend around €10 a night. To stay under budget we usually went for a dorm, but at Cabinas Vista al Golfo we booked a double private room for €22 a night. If you share that’s only €11 a night! The view from their terrace was beautiful and breakfast is included! They were also super helpful with booking trips. The rooms aren’t anything too special, but for that price and service I would definitely recommend them!