What it's like
Hotel Montaña Monteverde is a mid-sized hotel on the edge of Santa Elena, the main town of the Monteverde area. It sits at about 4,500 ft, and right next to the property is a 15-acre private forest with walking trails and a small pond, so you can see birds and wildlife before you even leave the grounds. You'll also see the hotel listed under its English name, Monteverde Mountain Hotel.
It's been running since well before we first wrote about it in 2015. We checked it again in October 2026: its website was up with rates for 2025, and guest reviews on booking sites ran through 2025.
This isn't a design hotel. It's a practical, comfortable place to sleep after long days on the trails, with a restaurant, bar and tour desk under one roof. Recent guests mention the views and gardens as highlights, and some found the rooms a bit old-fashioned.
The rooms
There are 42 rooms in two main types:
- Standard rooms are small and simple, with a double bed (plus a single in the double and triple versions), a desk, a phone, a safe and a private bathroom.
- Superior rooms are larger, with a king or two double beds, a bigger bathroom with a tub, cable TV, a minibar and a private balcony with a table and chairs.
If you can, go for a superior room. The balcony and the view make a real difference here.
Food and services
The restaurant serves home-cooked Costa Rican food, and there's a bar for the evening. The hotel also has a conference room, laundry service, a gift shop and free parking. The staff can book tours and arrange private transport to other parts of the country, including Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Jacó, Tamarindo and Liberia.
What to do from here
Monteverde's main sights are a short drive away. The hotel's tour desk can set up:
- Guided hikes in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena reserve
- Hanging bridges, ziplines and canyoning
- Coffee tours, horseback rides and night walks
- The butterfly garden, the bat jungle and other small nature exhibits
Santa Elena also has art studios and gift shops if you have a spare afternoon. For more on the area, see our Monteverde guide.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It suits travelers who want a sensible, mid-range base with a restaurant on site, and birders who like having forest trails right next door. It's less suited to anyone looking for a polished boutique stay. Guests also say the walk into town is steep, so plan on a car or taxi.
Getting there
From San José, the hotel suggests Route 27 to Caldera, then the Pan-American Highway north to the Route 606 turnoff at Sardinal, and up the mountain through Guacimal. Allow 3 to 4 hours. From Liberia or La Fortuna, you go via Tilarán and then about 45 km of gravel road, roughly 3 hours from Liberia. The hotel can also arrange shuttles. Monteverde fits well between Arenal and the Pacific in our 10-day itinerary.
Costa Rica Journeys also has a profile of Hotel Montaña Monteverde if you'd like a second take before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hotel Montaña Monteverde the same as Monteverde Mountain Hotel?
Yes. It's the same hotel, and its website uses both names.
How many rooms does it have?
42, split between standard and superior rooms.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
Yes. It has a restaurant serving Costa Rican home cooking, plus a bar.
Can the hotel book tours and transport?
Yes. It books local tours such as reserve hikes, ziplines and coffee tours, and it offers transport to other destinations in Costa Rica.
How long is the drive from San José?
The hotel says to allow 3 to 4 hours.
