Monteverde was founded about 40 years ago by a small group of conservation-minded Quakers who were looking for a peaceful place to live.
Its Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most outstanding wild life sanctuaries in the tropics. This high elevation rain forest offers miles of trails with excellent opportunities for bird watching.
The resplendent Quetzal is often sighted up here (mostly January to July). It is for this reason that more visitors are attracted to this private reserve than to any other in Costa Rica.
Monteverde offers a wide range of accommodation options that include everything from moderate to deluxe and secluded mountain lodges.
How to get there:
From San Jose
Take the Panamerican Highway # 1, passing through the airport and following the signs to San Ramon, Puntarenas, Liberia. Once you arrive to the Puntarenas intersection continue driving north towards Cañas and Liberia. After the intersection of Puntarenas there are 2 main entrances to Monteverde:
1. Via Sardinal, after the intersection to Punarenas you will see a sign to your right that reads Sardinal/Santa Elena/Monteverde.
At this point you will notice the Panamerican highway gets 1 lane wider. Take this road to your right and it will lead you to Monteverde.
(This road is in better condition than the via Lagarto road).
2. Via Lagarto, after the Puntarenas intersection, keep driving on the highway and take a right before the bridge at Rio Lagarto (there is a sign for Monteverde). At this point you will
have traveled 100 miles (160 km) from San Jose. You will travel then for 20 miles (35 km) on a dirt road all the way up to Santa Elena and Monteverde.
