Where to Stay in Monteverde: The Best Hotels for Every Budget

Planning a trip to Monteverde? Here are our favorite accommodations for every type of traveler.

Monteverde should be high on your list of places to visit in Costa Rica, with its unique, biodiverse ecosystem, full of gorgeous views and tons of activities. While the entire area of Monteverde is not all that large, there are a so many different types of accommodations, from centrally located hotels in town to rustic, secluded bed and breakfasts with sweeping valley views.

With Moneverde’s mountainous terrain, precipitous weather conditions, and sometimes less-than-stellar road quality, transportation is an important piece to consider when choosing where to stay. In this guide, we’ll review where to stay in Monteverde for every style of travel.

About Monteverde and Santa Elena

"Monteverde" describes the area around the town of Santa Elena that includes a number of nature reserves and eco-adventure parks. Staying near town makes transportation a bit easier, as most tour companies will offer pickup in town, and more readily available taxi, Uber, and bus options.

Accomodations outside of town, on the other hand, offer a serene retreat surrounded by nature and wildlife. If staying outside of town, renting a car tends to make the day-to-day a little easier and you can be a bit more spontaneous in exploring the area. Hotel hosts are happy to assist with transportation if you don't have a car.

While there’s really no wrong choice when it comes to where to stay in Monteverde, I recommend first deciding whether you want to be close to shops and restaurants or fully immersed in nature, then narrowing your options from there.

Best Hotels in Santa Elena

The town of Santa Elena is the small but lively hub of the Monteverde region. You'll find walkable dining, coffee shops, grocery stores, and affordable places to stay. Staying centrally positions you well to explore the various parks the region has to offer, with the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Children's Eternal Rainforest, and Curi Cancha just to the southeast of town, and Santa Elena Cloud Forest and several adventure ecoparks just to the north.

Best For: Ideal for travelers who prefer easy trasportation logistics or being within walking distance of a variety of restaurants.

	Hotel	Price
	Hotel Claro de Luna	$$
	Hotel con Corazon	$$
	La Guayaba	$

Hotel Claro de Luna

A cozy family-run lodge with rustic charm and a sense of warm Costa Rican tradition. The property sits on a hillside near town, with gardens and green spaces that offer views toward the mountains, or even the distant Gulf of Nicoya (on clear days).

While the rooms and the amenities are simple, this hotel offers a great balance of peaceful, green surroundings while being within a short walk to restaurants, shops, and tour operators. The breakfast buffet is full of delicious, fresh options, and is complimentary for the deluxe rooms.

The property also has a free-standing house option (called House Claro de Luna) which can be booked for up to 10 people. (Breakfast isn't included with the house, but it only runs $6 per person, which is really a bargain for the generous buffet!)

If you value location and atmosphere over frills, Claro de Luna is easy to recommend.

Hotel con Corazón

Previously established in Mexico and Nicaragua, Hotel con Corazón recently opened their Costa Rican location in Monteverde. The hotel operates as a nonprofit, with profits reinvested into local education projects for children and youth in the area. The hosts, Joan and Ronald, are deeply committed to the local community and to making guests feel at home.

While the hotel is sleek and modern, its intentional incorporation with the natural surroundings is clear. There are warm, natural materials used in the rooms, common areas with floor to ceiling windows and weeping views, and outdoor dining/lounging areas available throughout the hotel.

Breakfast is included with five different local food options. This is a bit longer of a walk to the center of town than Hotel Claro de Luna, but still only takes about 15 minutes.

La Guayaba

A small, locally-run bed and breakfast that focuses on simplicity and views. La Guayaba sits on a hillside just outside the busier parts of Monteverde/Santa Elena. The atmosphere is rustic and calm, surrounded by gardens and forest, while still being within walking distance to restaurants and reserves. La Guayaba is much quieter than other nearby hotels and has beautiful balcony views. Breakfast is made to order and WiFi is available.

For an affordable stay that's in town but still with views and a rainforest vibe, La Guayaba is hands-down our favorite!

Best Nature Retreats

Far and away, the number one reason to visit Costa Rica is the nature experience. If you picture staying a bit further away from town surrounded by the forest, these are our favorite options.

Best For: Travelers who want an immersive experience with more flora and fauna.

	Hotel	Price
	Koora Hotel	$$$
	Cloud Forest Lodge	$$
	Cabañas Valle Capanas	$

Koora Hotel

For a luxury experience, we love Koora, a 4-star eco-lodge on the edge of the Aguti Reserve. It features a small collection of comfortable suites and bungalows, some with private plunge pools, that blend into the natural setting. The location on the private reserve means easy access to nature experiences like birdwatching, forest walks, and night hikes.

The restaurant, Kiré, serves delicious international and Costa Rican cuisine with sustainably sourced local ingredients, and has amazing views of the ocean and cloud forest.

Koora's warm, peaceful atmosphere is the perfect getaway for a couple. While we probably wouldn't stay here with our young kids, the spacious, two-story bungalows would be amazing for our family once the kids are a bit older.

Cloud Forest Lodge

Another luxury eco-lodge option (also in the Aguti Reserve) that is a bit more affordable than Koora is Cloud Forest Lodge. It is more remote-feeling and you can often spot wildlife right from your room or while wandering the on-site trails. You'll be able to see a number of hummingbirds around the hotel. The spacious suites and cabins are cozy yet refined, with private terraces.

The on-site restaurant is a standout, serving beautifully prepared, locally inspired meals.

Overall, it’s a quiet, immersive place that’s perfect if you’re looking to unplug, enjoy great food, and fully experience the cloud forest.

Cabañas Valle Campanas 

This is a charming, family-run cabin getaway that feels more like staying with extended Costa Rican relatives than in a typical hotel. While just a short walk from Santa Elena’s restaurants and shops, Hotel de Cabañas Valle Campanas is surrounded by forest and is quiet and serene. The cabins are equipped with kitchenettes and balconies or patios with mountain or garden views, with plenty of wildlife fluttering and chirping around you. The owners take pride in sustainability and hospitality, often helping guests plan tours and activities while serving fresh local touches like homemade sugarcane products from their farm.

With a laid-back, nature-immersed vibe and high marks for cleanliness, comfort, and value, it’s a great pick if you want a peaceful, homey base that is still walkable to town.

Best Stays for Families

Costa Rica is the perfect place for an adventurous family vacation, and having a little extra space (or even a full kitchen) makes a family stay even more enjoyable. While kids are welcome at the majority of the properties on this list, here are the standout Monteverde stays for families.

	Hotel	Price
	El Sol Monteverde	$$
	Los Pinos Cabins	$$
	Hotel Belmar	$$$

El Sol Monteverde

A charming, locally-owned cabin-rental-meets-bed-and-breakfast that is tucked into the hills a little ways outside Santa Elena on route 606, offering a tranquil escape with beautiful cloud forest views. Each cabin is unique and sleeps anywhere from two to six people. Some of the cabins have amazing valley views directly from the bed.

El Sol is perfect for families thanks to the full kitchen and living room in some cabins. Coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are included. Breakfast and dinner are delivered to the room upon request and are amazing, with kid-friendly and vegan options available.

There is a natural spring pool that are kids love, though it can be a bit chilly as it's not heated.

Los Pinos Cabins

A family-run cabin retreat just outside Santa Elena in the Monteverde cloud forest, surrounded by a private forest reserve you can explore right from the property. Each cabin is spaced well apart for privacy and comes fully equipped with a kitchen, private bathroom, terrace, and cozy living space. The largest cabin offers three bedrooms with a hot tub. The playground and on-site forest trails make this a great option for families. There is a hydroponic garden and guests are able to sample some of the herbs grown there.

Hotel Belmar

For a family-friendly luxury option, take a look at Hotel Belmar. With its charming chalet-inspired architecture and thoughtful design, the hotel offers rooms and suites with panoramic forest and valley views, warm wood interiors, and private balconies where you can watch birds and mist drift through the trees.

Its on-site farm-to-table restaurant, Celajes, crafts seasonal meals from ingredients grown on the hotel’s own farm and local producers. There are also casual spots including a tap room and juice bar.

The hotel manages the private Savia nature reserve, which provides guided experiences that foster conservation awareness and contribute to the education of local kids. The onsite rainforest activities really stand out, with suspension bridges and the opportunity to tree climb from the inside of a ficus tree.

Best Hotels Near Monteverde Cloud Forest, Bajo del Tigre, and Curi Cancha Reserve

If staying near multiple nature reserves is a priority for you, consider staying in one of these hotels. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is not too far from Curi Cancha Reseve or the Bajo del Tigre station of the Children's Eternal Rainforest, meaning you can stay in this area and be within walking distance of multiple nature expereinces.

Best for: Travelers who plan to visit one or more of these reserves and don't want the fuss of figuring out transportation.

	Hotel	Price
	Fondavela Hotel	$$$
	Monteverde House	$$
	Hospedaje Mariposa	$

Fondavela Hotel

For a cozy mountain experience with perks, we recommend Fondavela, a boutique hotel set within a restored historic structure. This hotel blends old-world character with modern comfort and is surrounded by nature. Though small, the hotel is full of amenities, with an on-site restaurant (breakfast is simple butcomplimentary), spa, and heated pool and jacuzzi. The pool is indoors, which is a plus for the cool, rainy climate of Monteverde. There is a also a cozy sports bar with billiards table and a nature trail on the premises.

Monteverde House

Monteverde House is located in a great spot for a fantastic price, being both close to restaurants and nature reserves. This is a quiet apartment-style property (complete with kitchenette and washing mashine) featuring traditional construction, large windows, and outdoor spaces designed to connect you with the surrounding forest. The hostess, Marcela, goes above and beyond to make her guests feel at home. Monteverde House is a bit closer to town, in easy walking distance of multiple restaurants, and very close to Curi Cancha Reserve and Bajo del Tigre. Monteverde Cloud Forest is a bit further away (about 40 minutes by foot).

Hospedaje Mariposa

Hospedaje Mariposa is a modest, budget-oriented guesthouse that focuses on practicality, offering straightforward rooms and a quiet, low-key atmosphere. It's perfect for travelers who value affordability and simplicity, but with a warm and helpful host who will ensure your stay is pleasant. You can book a room for up to two people, but for a family, the 2-bedroom apartment complete with kitchen is available at an incredibly affordable rate.

Best Accomodations by Budget

Monteverde is one of our favorite places, and the perfect place to slow down for a few days just enjoying the scenery, if your itinerary allows for it. If you're combining a trip to Monteverde with Arenal and Guanacaste, read our one-week Costa Rica intinerary and our overview of the various regions of Costa Rica.