Travel Answers

Can anyone suggest a good spot for a veggie lunch near the El Establo Hotel in Monteverde? I've read good and bad about Stella's Bakery.

Planning a Costa Rica tour for Feb/Mar and plan to visit Arenal and Monteverde. What's the weather like?

Hi, We're only going to be in Monteverde for one day - arriving in the morning and departing the following morning. We don't want to waste a lot of time going to/from stuff, so what are some hotels that are right by the cloud forest so that we can go ziplining, etc. shortly after checking in? Thanks.

Hi. I am planning for a trip to Costa Rica for next year. What would be the ideal number of nights for the Monteverde/Arenal Area?

Hello, Can anyone tell me what the difference between zip lining in Monteverde vs. Manual Antonio would be? We are sort of pressed for time in Monteverde and would prefer to do a hike to experience the wildlife and maybe spend some time on the suspension bridges. We would love to zip line, but are we missing out if we do it somewhere else rather than Monteverde? Any input is appreciated! Thanks, Andrea

Hello Travelers, I am looking to find the most efficient way (time and expense-wise) to get from Monteverde to Montezuma. It looks to me like most of the bus options are once a day and in the morning. Does anyone know of any options that leave in the early afternoon? Affordable travel options are always appreciated! I am open to most modes of transportation, i.e. bus, shuttle, rental car, ferry, etc? From what I have read so far, I should expect around 5 and a half hours for travel time? Definitely looking for an afternoon departure! Thank you in advance for your thoughts & suggestions! Andrea

Trying to work a day trip from arenal to Monteverde. We want to work it that we leave our arenal hotel early am and get to Monteverde to do a guided hike and bridges.... [we probably don't have time for a zipline but maybe somewhere else is just as impressive... near playa conchal or in arenal??] I know to go and return to arenal in a day is a lot but please someone help us make it happen!!! We have the idea we can do it but we have had no tour operator to help us make a day schedule. Please help!!!!!! Please tell us it is possible too haha ;))

We are planning on visiting Monteverde in March. What is the best way of getting to Manuel Antonio from Monteverde? Around how much does it cost? Thanks

We are planning on visiting CR in Aug. and are planning on visiting Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde. We are a family of 4 with 2 kids. We were wondering if it is possible to travel from Tortuguero to Monteverde without having to go back to San Jose? Thanks. Terri

Does anyone have an expierence in staying at Hotel Don Taco or Pie de Monte? Do you know if they are on the bus route?

We are going to be in Monteverde at the end of December and would like to go ziplining while we are there. Is there a specific company that we should look into? Should we make a reservation in advance since it is high season? Any other suggested activities? We will be there for two days.

Trying to find a way to get from Monteverde to the coast by Samara. If I do the bus from there, where would it go? Seems everything I've found goes to or from San Jose. Is there a bus schedule/routes on-line somewhere? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

We plan to do a night time hike while we're in Monteverde and are wondering about your experiences with the various options. There are night hike options in the Children's Forest, at Selvatura, and in the Montana Forest (booked through a homestay organization) that we know about. Any experiences you can share? Thanks.

We're going to spend a couple of days in Monteverde and need an affordable place to stay. I would prefer a small hotel/B&B. Hostel would do as long as there are individual rooms as opposed to dorm style. Our max budget is40-50 per night for two people. Since we're not renting a car I would prefer somewhere closer to the site.

Which lodge do you think would be better for 2 nights? Arco Iris or Trapp family? We are stumped. I liked the fact that Arco iris is next to the town and the price seems very reasonable, although after looking at the town in photos, the town really doesnt look all that appealing, but I could be wrong. We will have a rental car to get to town if we choose the Trapp Family Lodge. I like that Trapp has its own restaurant, cable tv and a nice view from the mountain suites, but then I hear it's very cold and windy. The problem I find with Arco Iris is that there are no screens on the windows and I dont know if that is going to be a big problem or not. Hopefully someone can help me make a decision, Im so confused. Would love to hear your input. Thanks!

I'm planning on booking our last three nights at Cabanas La Pradera in Monteverde in mid-May. Has anyone stayed here before? They offer fully equipped rustic cabins that look super cute online. The price is a steal too! Our only concern is getting to San Jose on our last day around 12pm. Our flight departs at 3pm. Does anyone see any big problems getting to San Jose in time to catch our flight? Thanks!

We are considering a trip to Costa Rica in June, but are concerned about going during the rainy season. Does anyone have experience traveling in Costa Rica at this time? Any advice?

Im trying to figure out how to get from Monteverde to Tamarindo in the afternoon. Looks like the bus leaves only in the morning. Even Interbus or Grayline. Thinking about taking a taxi to Tilaran and catching the public bus to liberia from there and then on to the beach. Anyone know a better way? Or how much a taxi from Monteverde to Tilaran would cost? I know that we could just get a private minibus for the whole trip that leaves whenever we want but thats like100. A bit too much. Thanks

Where is better to stay with 2 children? Lonely Planet says Vista verde is the best but reviews complain about bad electricity and problems with hot water. I am confused. Does anybody have an opinion? Sapo Dorado is40 a night more but it is not important.

Hello- What is the best way to get from Arenal to Monteverde? Thanks

HI This is a general question about shopping in CR, do you barter as in Mexico? Thanks for help we are heading to CR in 5 days.

I've got a rental car. Does anyone have any good directions from Monteverde to Quepos? I appreciate the help! Misty

We will be staying in San Luis for about 10 days over the Chirstmas/New Year's holidays. Our son is a competitive runner on a track team and has a training regimen he is supposed to be following during the period we will be staying in San Luis. I think part of the plan is to work on some improvement during the period he is away from school. I received the following email from him. "I'm a little worried about fitting in runs down there. It's gonna be tougher cause I'm supposed to do some workouts there--tempo runs of a couple miles where it would be helpful to have miles marked (he normally keeps track of his time for each mile and has different target times for each mile of the run), and then some shorter stuff it would be nice to have a track for. I'm guessing I'll have to just go by feel and time." Do you have any thoughts regarding where/how he might best be able to accomplish this or whether he might be able to get some information/suggestions from someone there? Presently his longer run each day is about 7-9 miles. As I recall the Santa Elena/Monteverde road is relatively level. He might hire a taxi one time 9we won't have a car) and use the odometer to get some visual distance markers along the Santa Elena road. I don't think he is too concerned about these issues as he feels he is in pretty good shape and that he will probalby be fine as long as he keeps up his shape even if he can't exactly follow the training plan his coach has for him. Bill

Hi, we just returned from Costa Rica, and we had such a wonderful time! We went on a 3 hour tour in the morning at Monteverde, and our guide was terrific. However, I didn't know what I should give him for a tip! What is a good tip for 2 people (as a part of a larger group) to give to a guide at Monteverde? I heard previously that5 per person for a day is a good tip for any tour in Costa Rica, but this tour was only15 per person, so5 seemed percentage-wise like a large tip, but I wasn't sure. Also, do you know if people ever tip at the Frog Pond or Butterfly Garden? I didn't see anyone else tip, so I didn't either, but I would have been happy to give a small tip there too. Everywhere we went, our guides were very knowledgeable and fun. If you have any input, I just thought I'd ask, as other people who travel there may be wondering the same thing. Cheers,

What should I expect to play for a really good room? Thanks!

Is anyone familiar with this hotel? Also, we are going in August and wonder how bad the weather will be. Are we correct is assuming the mosquitos are pretty bad, and if so, whats the most effective repellent? I see people mention long slacks versus shorts - what should we take? Thank you! Bob

I am going to Costa Rica the last week of August. Unfortunately, I booked it before reading about the right time of the year to go. I think I have narrowed it down to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio. Any suggestions? Or any other places I should visit? I only have about 6 days there. Thanks

My wife and I are going to CR on the 19th for 10 days visiting Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. We are worried about the rain of course but are also wondering what daily temperatures will be like in Monteverde? And are the roads getting to Montverde dangerous during this time of year. Is it cooler at this elevation? All of our trips are in the mornings so I am happy about that. any advice will be appreciated.....we are bringing our rain gear. Ryan