Whether you rent a car in Costa Rica or decide to brave public transportation, getting around Monteverde requires some advanced planning. Monteverde is a top tourist spot, known for its lush cloud forest, diverse wildlife, and coffee farms. That said it’s also a mountainous region and therefore not easily walkable.
Plan ahead how you will get around in Monteverde and I promise you will have an amazing trip!
Wait, Am I In Monteverde or Santa Elena?
I was confused the first time I came to Monteverde because the directions might say either Monteverde or Santa Elena. When getting around Monteverde, you want to be sure you know the distinction between the two.
Santa Elena is the central tourist town where you’ll find the bus station, grocery stores, and most businesses and tour operators. Monteverde, on the other hand, is a very small town just a 15-20 minute drive from Santa Elena. It’s higher up in the mountains and nestled deeper into the jungle.
If you want to be within walking distance to the most shops and restaurants, you should choose accommodations closer to Santa Elena.
Stay in Monteverde if you prefer a more remote and secluded experience. Lastly, if you’re taking the bus to Monteverde, it is probably easiest to stay close to the town of Santa Elena for ease of navigation.
Looking for how to get TO Monteverde from San Jose? Check out this post first!
How to Get Around Monteverde
| By Car | By Bus | By Taxi | By Shuttle |
Whether you prefer the freedom of driving, the budget of public transport, or the thrill of a guided tour, here are the different ways to get around in Monteverde!
Getting Around Monteverde By Car
Renting a car in Costa Rica is the best way to see all the sights in Monteverde at your own convenience. The benefit of renting a car is that you don’t need to wait for a bus or hail a taxi to get around town. Simply download Google Maps or Waze and use one of the navigation apps to get to where you need to go.
When renting a car, many tourists ask if they need 4-wheel drive in Monteverde. The answer is that it depends on the plan you have for your trip. If you’re flying into Liberia airport, the road to Monteverde is not well paved the entire way. The road from San Jose is mostly paved (with some potholes here and there).
You might want to rent a car with 4-wheel drive if you’re taking the route from Liberia to Monteverde. You should also find out from your accommodations if where you are staying is easily accessible and if they recommend any specific vehicle choices.
Getting Around Monteverde By Taxi
There are licensed taxis in Monteverde that can take you to where you need to go if you don’t end up renting a car. When taking a taxi, be sure you’re taking a red-colored taxi with a yellow triangle on it. These are licensed taxis in Costa Rica. You should avoid taking trips in any unlicensed cars.
You can find taxis waiting at either the bus station in the Centro Comercial Plaza or the town center next to the Santa Elena Catholic Church. If you are outside of town at a restaurant or on an excursion and need to call a taxi, ask the business owner if they can help arrange a pick-up for you. Most will be happy to do so!
Or if you want, you can contact a licensed taxi for a ride between 5 AM and 11 PM by calling +506 2645-7625, +506 2645-7070, or +506 2645-7171.
Getting Around Monteverde By Bus
Traveling to Monteverde from San Jose by bus is fairly straightforward but it helps to be a savvy traveler with basic Spanish skills. Purchase your ticket online at transmonteverde.com and meet at the 7-11 bus terminal in San Jose. From there, the bus will drop you off directly in the center of Santa Elena.
While you’re in Monteverde, you might want to take the public bus to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where you can experience the diverse jungle wildlife and beautiful hanging bridges. There is a bus that leaves from Santa Elena town and drives up to the reserve that leaves 5 times per day.
The bus that goes from Santa Elena to the Monteverde Reserve leaves at 6:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 1:20 PM, and 3 PM from in front of the Banco Nacional. There is a return bus that leaves from the Monteverde Reserve to go back to Santa Elena at 6:40 AM, 8:30 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.
Don’t miss this last bus or you’ll have a long hike back to town (more than likely in the rain)!
Getting Around Monteverde By Tour Shuttle
If you didn’t rent a car in Costa Rica, you might be wondering how to get to the tours you want to experience such as night walks, zipline tours, and coffee tours. The good news is that most tour companies offer transportation and pickup from hotels in town.
Simply message the tour company a day or two before your excursion and ask if they offer round-trip transport. Find out if you’ll need to pay extra, or if the cost is included in the tour price.
How to Get Around Monteverde Recap
Monteverde is a very mountainous town! If Monteverde is on your list of places to visit in Costa Rica and you’re trying to decide whether you should take public transportation or rent a car to get here, keep in mind that even what looks like a short 10-minute walk might involve walking up and down some big hills.
Also, it can get very rainy in Monteverde (and not just a sprinkle, its a full-on downpour!) so if you decide not to rent a car, definitely wear a raincoat and bring a plastic bag for your phone or any electronics.
No matter how you get around town, you’ll experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest as one of the most special and magical places in all of Costa Rica. Don’t miss Monteverde on your trip to Costa Rica!
Planning a Trip to Monteverde?
If you are still looking for fun things to do in Monteverde, check out some of our top recommendations! Or, make your life (and planning) seamless with this complete 3-Day Guide.
- Best Ziplining Tours in Monteverde
- Everything to Know about Monteverde Night Walks
- Where to stay in Monteverde
- Best Suspension Bridges in Monteverde
Lindsay Gantz lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica with her husband who is Costa Rican. She helps visitors plan trips to Costa Rica and also organizes small group trips for solo female travelers. You can reach her on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
