Costa Rica's Monteverde (the Green Mountain),
is often nestled amongst the clouds. One first
views it after about a three and a half hour
journey from the capital. To those with a
romantic bent, it truly appears as a Shangri-la;
a rich, verdant mountain top standing in stark
contrast to the deforested slopes below. First
and foremost to the visitor, it will stand
out as a region of incredible ecological richness.
It can boast of over 350 orchids native to
the area, and has registered one of the highest
bird counts in the world.In a neighboring valley farmers still unearth the occasional metate, or ceramic sherd that is testimony to precolombian inhabitants. More recently the colonization of the zone began much as it did elsewhere in Latin America, with an expanding agricultural frontier climbing from the lowlands into the highlands. A few Costa Rican families had reached the environs of Monteverde in the 1930's, living by subsistence farming. The Quakers arrived in the early 1950's, shortly after the military establishment had been abolished in Costa Rica in 1948.
A unique community has grown here. It has blended Costa Rican and North American in a fashion all its own. Many schools, meetings, and Quaker gatherings are bilingual and there has been much intermarriage. The community lends itself to longer visits in order to enable a deeper experience. There is a strong tradition of volunteerism in schools, and environmental and community projects. The Monteverde Institute is an organization that facilitates visitor participation and offers courses in a wide variety of disciplines.
Monteverde is truly a Mecca of biological study and conservation. A variety of biologists reside full time in the zone. Hundreds of students participate in university and high school level courses that run from one week to a semester. At any given time up to five research projects are underway. This academic foundation has been instrumental in supporting ever greater initiatives in conservation.
The Monteverde area is home to three formal conservation entities, but also to many small private holdings. During your stay you would be able to spend at least a couple of days exploring the main trail system of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. This is the oldest and best established Preserve, measuring 27,000 acres in area. There are paths for day hikes, and one can also camp in shelters deeper within. The Monteverde Conservation League is the steward of The Children's Rain Forest, which is accessible at two locations- at The Bajo del Tigre Trail, and in San Gerardo. The former is a small patch of Premontane Moist Forest, which is home to entirely different species than the Cloud Forest and serves as an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast two different ecosystems, and the latter has a network of trails and a magnificent view of Arenal Volcano. The Santa Elena Reserve is a second cloud forest experience, that is a particularly nice alternative in the high season, when there are fewer people on the trails here. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and The Children's Rain Forest are administered as private non-profit conservation organizations, while the the Santa Elena Reserve is administered by the local Board of Education, which channels part of the profits into local government schools. Another alternative is the Ecological Farm, which is just 10 minutes from Santa Elena town, The Ecological Farm is a transitional dry - moist forest, and species of birds and mammals from both eco - systems can be seen here.
Apart from these major areas, many hotels have trails on their property, and the main roads of the community often afford amazing nature sightings as well. For more detailed educational experiences there is a Butterfly Nature Center, an Orchid Garden, a Serpentarium, and a small History Museum. All in all the zone is conducive to long nature hikes, reflection, and exploration. It has been described by many as a region that inspires meditation and creativity; and few have left this retreat untouched.
Accommodations are available for all budgets and include camping and Pensiones to comfortable and cozy lodges. There are a variety of restaurants, including one that specializes in vegetarian fare, the Café Neotropica, and there are quite a few galleries that specialize in woodwork, paintings, and weavings.
Helpful Facts about Monteverde
ATM's - There is no ATM's in Monteverde. The only
way to get cash advances is in the local bank
(Banco Nacional) which is open from 8:45 a.m.
till 3:45 p.m from Monday through Friday.
Most of hotels and restaurants will take credit
cards but will charge 6% or 7% service fee.
Western Union - There is no Western Union in Monteverde. The only way you wire transfer money to this place is through the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica in town.
How to get to Monteverde
By Car - Monteverde is a 4 hours drive from San Jose.
Just follow the Panamerican Highway past the
international airport, and after the crossing
to Puntarenas continue north to towards Liberia.
Approximately 45 minutes later you can make
a right turn towards the town of SARDINAL,
(this is the best option at ths time since
12 kms are being paved, there will still be
26 kms of gravel road after the pavement ends.)
If you decide to continue along the Panamerican
Highway drive for approximately 20 minutes
beyond the turnoff towards Sardinal. Just
before the bridge over the Lagartos River
make a right turn, there are signs pointing
to Monteverde. From this point up to Monteverde
the road is entirely gravel. If you are coming
from the North Guanacaste Province your best
option is the turn off the Panamerican Highway
towards LAS JUNTAS; this road also has 14
kms of paved road, the remaining 24 kms are
gravel road. And finally, if you are coming
from Arenal Volcano you drive through the
Town of Tilaran and follow the paved road
towards QUEBRADA GRANDE. Right before this
town there is a turn out on your left to Monteverde,
a 40 kms gravel road.
Regardless of what route you take a 4 WD or car with high clearance is recomended. The rainy season months (June - October) are when the road is at it's worst. You can ask or call your hotel for current road conditions.
By Bus - If you not driving there is bus service between San Jose and Monteverde daily. Buses depart from both San Jose and Monteverde at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and costs proximately $5.00 each way.
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