Adventure Planning
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
TOP 5 QUESTIONS
We’ve amended our booking & cancellation policies for travel through October, 2024.
Payment due dates are as follows:
- Wildlife Season Reservations – 30 days prior to check-in
- High Season Reservations – 60 days prior to check-in
- Holiday Season Reservations – 90 days prior to check-in with 25% confirmation deposit 120 days prior to check-in
Once paid, reservations that are canceled or adjusted before 30 days will receive a credit with the hotel, valid for use within one year of the original date of stay, any adjustment or cancelations later than 30 days of the reservation will be fully penalized.
In Monteverde, predicting the weather can be a mission. Just as quickly as the low clouds roll in enveloping the town in a light mist, they pass by, making way for spells of sunshine. This capricious microclimate is part of the Monteverde magic – sit in the same spot for an hour and you’ll likely observe at least two or three dramatic weather changes!
Located some 4,660ft above sea level, temperatures are pleasant year round, ranging between 68-77°F (20-25°C) during the day, before dropping at night. While dry weather can never be guaranteed in moisture-rich Monteverde, there are two main seasons:
Dry Season: January – Mid May
Green Season: Late May – Mid December
In Dry Season, heavy rains are rare and the sun can be blazing during the day. In Green Season, you can expect anything from blue skies, sunny days to fine cloud mist – and the accompanying rainbows – to gusty winds and full downpours.
Below are some general visa guidelines, but please check with your airline or travel agent to confirm your legal requirements for entering Costa Rica. All visitors to Costa Rica need a passport valid for at least 6 months at the date of entry.
1. Visa not required for nationals of the USA, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, and the UK and its dependencies for stays of up to 90 days.
2. Visa not required for nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Suriname, Taiwan, Turkey, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to 30 days.
Senda Monteverde can be easily reached by car from the capital city San Jose, from Liberia, and from the beaches of Guanacaste. You can find detailed information on travelling to the hotel on our dedicated Getting Here page.
Our Address:
Senda Monteverde
250m norte del BCR en Cerro Plano
Santa Elena
Puntarenas Province
60109 Costa Rica
We Want You to Feel Confident About Your Future Travels. That’s why we’ve implemented new health and safety protocols and flexible booking policies for you.
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus, we made the conscious decision to keep our core teams working. During this time, we re-trained, re-tooled, and re-wrote how we do hospitality.
That’s why when you return to any one of the Cayuga Collection Hotels, you’ll find proven Health & Safety Protocols, safety seals, and International Accreditation actively in place for you.
We understand the new normal when it comes to sanitation, physical distancing and staying safe.
What does this mean for you? This means you can feel absolutely confident that our teams are ready to host you again in the safest way possible. To learn about the protocols we’ve put in place to keep you healthy and safe, visit our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures page: HERE
HOTEL RELATED
Absolutely! Senda Monteverde is a great base for a family cloud forest adventure of a lifetime. Many of our rooms and suites are big enough to accommodate the whole family too. Here you’ll find a myriad of opportunities to explore the ecosystem, spot plenty of wildlife up close, and learn all about this famous Costa Rican mountain destination. What’s more, we’re the canopy zip-line capital of the world – adventure awaits!
For families of four with two bigger kids under 12, our Senda Suites are the best option. They sleep up to four guests, and two additional twin beds can also be made up (6 pax total). Our Junior Suites are also functional for families of four, if one child sleeps on the sofa bed and the other on a roll-away bed.
Yes! For couples looking for an unforgettable Costa Rican honeymoon or a romantic escape of a lifetime, Senda Monteverde is the ultimate, contemporary cloud forest destination. Our Superior Rooms make the perfect base to experience everything Monteverde, whether you’re after wildlife-watching adventures or a more relaxed mountain escape. Add to that a fine selection of hotel activities including local cheese and wine tastings, sunset bonfires, craft beer tastings and more, and you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to create lifelong memories together at Senda. Easily reached from Guanacaste, we’re also a perfect mountain retreat to compliment some of the country’s more beautiful beaches.
Monteverde is a town of endless adventures. We recommend staying at least 3 nights at Senda – that way you’ll have just enough time to unhurriedly experience all that this unique and mystical cloud forest destination offers.
In Monteverde, there’s enough to keep you occupied from sunrise to nightfall if you so wish. Early morning birdwatching tours in our neighboring wildlife reserve, post-breakfast horseback rides, afternoon cloud forest adventures featuring hanging bridges and zip lines, and nature hikes after dark will keep you busy. At the hotel, we offer a number of activities too from sunset bonfires and live music to craft beer tastings and cooking classes. For some sweet relaxation time, we also have a coffee lounge and other spaces for you to enjoy.
Senda Monteverde is a 15 minute walk to Monteverde town. There you’ll find plenty of restaurants, charming coffee shops, and locally-owned stores selling everything from adventure gear to handicrafts and playful souvenirs. Ask us for our local recommendations and we’ll be glad to share.
Yes. Everything in Monteverde is very close by. We are within walking distance of the town, and cloud forest activities are all within a short drive. A taxi ride to town typically costs under US$3, while the cost to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve from Senda is approximately US$12.
Monteverde’s cool climate means that air conditioning isn’t required. Instead, our rooms and suites are fitted with ceiling fans to keep you cool during the warmer months. For chillier days, we also have heaters available upon request.
Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is available across the property.
Yes. For an additional fee we offer a next day wash, dry and fold laundry service for all your adventure gear.
Premium Suites and Senda Suites include our laundry service.
Yes. If you would like to organize your cloud forest adventures ahead of your stay, we are happy to help – just ask! Equally, tours and activities can be booked upon arrival to Senda Monteverde.
Yes. We are committed to making tasty, wholesome food for all of our guests and strive to accommodate all dietary requirements. Our menus feature a number of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and lots of our traditional Costa Rican dishes – being corn rather than wheat based – are naturally gluten free. If you would like to discuss your specific dietary requirements, please get in touch with us. Great food awaits!
Yes. Water throughout Costa Rica is generally safe to drink directly from the tap. Remember to bring your refillable water bottle to stay hydrated while exploring the cloud forests that surround Senda. We also have them available for purchase at the hotel.
Enjoying a cool mountain climate, Senda Monteverde is blissfully bug-free. While you may see some exotic insects around, you won’t be bothered by mosquitos. However, we do recommend bringing some repellent for your cloud forest adventures.
We are lucky to be located right beside the Aguti Wildlife Reserve. That means it’s not at all uncommon to see playful animals such as coatimundis, agutis and armadillos scampering around the Senda Monteverde grounds. Keep your eyes peeled especially in the mornings for exotic birdlife in the treetops including toucans.
Weather in Monteverde is highly changeable – we recommend packing for all scenarios! The following is a list of suggested items to bring on your cloud forest adventure.
- Bring a warm fleece sweater! Warm layers are also recommended since the weather is changeable in Monteverde
- Clothing appropriate for hiking such as light pants, shirts, and dry-fit sportswear. Our dress code is completely informal, so don’t worry about bringing smart clothes for dinner
- Comfortable hiking or walking shoes that are waterproof and have good traction
- Knee-high sports socks (for comfort should you choose to wear our rubber boots for cloud forest hikes)
- Insect repellent
- Durable raincoat
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Refillable water bottle
- Binoculars
Note: We offer a laundry service at the hotel and our room amenities include hairdryers, flashlights and umbrellas
Check in is from 3pm. Should you arrive earlier at Senda Monteverde, we will do everything possible to have your room ready. However, if you do have to wait, you are welcome to explore our grounds and enjoy some lunch meanwhile.
Check out is at 11am. If you would like to leave later in the day, please let us know at reception and if possible, we’ll be happy to accommodate you.
While staying at Senda Monteverde, all your expenses can be charged to your room. When you check out, we accept US Dollars, Costa Rican Colones and all major credit cards.
When out and about, we recommend carrying some small US Dollar bills as well as some local currency. Most businesses, tour operators and restaurants accept US Dollars as well as all major credit cards. Euros and other currencies are not commonly accepted in Costa Rica.
Tipping is exclusively at your discretion. As all of our staff contributes to your stay at Senda Monteverde, general tips are divided among the whole team. This excludes our service staff as by law they automatically receive 10% of all food and beverage purchases. If a particular member of our staff provides exceptional service, you may request a special envelope from reception and leave an individual tip for them at check out.
Smoking is not permitted in our Rooms and Suites, and strict non-smoking laws have been passed in Costa Rica which prohibit smoking in public places. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
The electrical current in Costa Rica is 110 volts. The sockets are American-style: standard US two prong plugs (or three pronged if grounded).
Senda Monteverde is locally and independently owned, and the hotel is operated by The Cayuga Collection. This award-winning Costa Rica based hospitality company is dedicated to managing and developing sustainable and luxury hotels and lodges in Latin America, many of which combine perfectly with Senda. Explore our sister rainforest, beach and private island properties below.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Costa Rica is the ultimate tropical getaway. Home to cloud forests, rainforests, active volcanoes, and both Caribbean and Pacific beaches, the opportunities for exploring – or relaxing – are endless. Despite its small size, Costa Rica holds approximately 5% of the world’s biodiversity, making it a dream destination for wildlife lovers. Sloths, quetzals, monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans and more are easily spotted in the wild.
Getting around is also hassle-free. Domestic, carbon neutral airlines like Sansa connect most regions of Costa Rica. The longest internal flight route is under 1 hour. If you chose to rent a car, driving between destinations is unlikely to ever take more than 4 hours.
Importantly, Costa Rica is also considered a safe travel destination. We don’t even have a national army!
Monteverde is located in northwest Costa Rica up in the Tilaran Mountains. The cloud forest destination is a 2.5-hour drive from San Jose, and a 2.5-hour drive from Liberia.
Monteverde is a must-visit destination on any Costa Rican itinerary. Home to mystical cloud forests and an abundance of wildlife found nowhere else in the world, it’s among the most captivating regions in Costa Rica. For nature lovers, the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve houses 50% of the country’s flora and fauna species including the iconic resplendent quetzal and the three-wattled bellbird. For thrill-seekers, we’re the canopy zip-line capital of the world. And for those looking for a relaxing escape to the mountains, the cool fresh air is a treat. In Monteverde, everyone finds their perfect adventure.
With many accommodation options in the Monteverde area, we understand it can be complicated to choose. We recommend staying in the town of Santa Elena to enjoy easy access to restaurants, shops and other conveniences, and to keep drive time to nearby cloud forest activities to a minimum.
Senda Monteverde is located within walking distance of the town center and just a short drive from all the adventures you might be considering – the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Selvatura hanging bridges and more. We also enjoy a privileged position beside the Aguti Wildlife Reserve where guests of ours can enjoy complimentary hiking access year round.
Yes. Monteverde is a small, quiet town in the mountains with very low crime rates. It is safe to explore the town by foot, to take cabs and to visit ATMs. Exercising the same common sense as anywhere in the world will ensure that you only take away great memories from your stay in the Monteverde cloud forest.
No immunizations, shots, inoculations or vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica. However, it would be wise to check with your personal physician for individual recommendations.
In addition to Monteverde, there are many other popular destinations that are worth a visit. We recommend combining Monteverde with a visit to nearby Guanacaste and the beach towns of the Nicoya Peninsula – surf-chic Nosara and Santa Teresa are two of our favorites. We also recommend visiting some of the country’s famous national parks. Manuel Antonio – Costa Rica’s most popular national park – is a must-visit, as well as Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean Coast, located close to our sister hotel Aguas Claras.
If you would like some advice on where to combine with Monteverde, our travel advisors will gladly give you some ideas.
You can also check out our sister properties in the Cayuga Collection, and design your perfect combination of Central American adventures.
If you’d like to explore the center of San Jose, we recommend staying at Hotel Grano de Oro. This tropical Victorian mansion is within walking distance of the capital’s main attractions.
We advise taking out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and any dependents/travel companions for the duration of your stay in Costa Rica. As a minimum, this insurance should include:
- Emergency evacuation expenses
- Medical expenses
- Repatriation expenses
- Cancellation or curtailment of trip
- Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods
In the case of medical emergencies, most Costa Rican doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash, regardless of whether you have travel health insurance or not. If your health insurance does not cover you for medical expenses while you are abroad, you should consider supplemental insurance. It may also be worth finding out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or if they reimburse you later for any overseas health expenditures.
If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry. At Senda Monteverde we speak excellent English, and are happy to teach you some Spanish phrases too. Apart from in the most rural areas of Costa Rica, you should have little problem with language barriers. Most Costa Ricans have at least a basic knowledge of English.
Carbon offsets are voluntary donations that can be made to compensate, or offset, greenhouse gas emissions from transport, electricity use, and other sources. In an effort to promote sustainable development and tourism, the Costa Rican Ministry of Environmental Affairs has created a program in which tourists can compensate the carbon emissions from their international flights by investing in programs that preserve and reforest natural areas within Costa Rica. You can find more information on the program’s website (http://www.fonafifo.go.cr/) or ask us.
