Monteverde is the kind of place that captures your senses and wraps around your soul from the moment you arrive – cool mist curling through emerald treetops, bird calls echoing through the forest, and that first deep breath of mountain air that signals a reset.
Under a 3-hour drive from Costa Rica’s two international airports – Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) outside San José and the Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) in Liberia – Monteverde is where adventure, culture, and nature converge.
Right in the middle of it all, you’ll find Ocotea Boutique Hotel – your cloud forest retreat. Thoughtfully designed and perfectly located, we make it effortless to explore Monteverde while giving you a quiet, comfortable space to return to each evening. With just 21 rooms, warm Costa Rican hospitality, and a commitment to sustainability, this is a stay that feels both personal and connected to place.
When you only have three days to spend in Monteverde, every moment counts. Luckily, Ocotea Boutique Hotel offers the perfect base to explore Costa Rica’s cloud forest while still enjoying a peaceful, comfortable retreat at day’s end. Thanks to Ocotea Tours & Transfers, the first winding climb up Monteverde’s mountain road to the last sip of local coffee before you depart, your stay connects you to nature, culture, and community in ways both memorable and meaningful.
Here’s how we recommend spending three memorable days in the cloud forest:
Whether you land in San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), your journey to Monteverde is part of the adventure. The single main road into town climbs high into the mountains, winding past coffee farms, ocean vistas, and dramatic views as the elevation rises. We encourage you to take your time – stop at road-safe lookouts, breathe in the fresh air, and let the anticipation build.
In a few hours, you’ll arrive at Ocotea Boutique Hotel, where our team will welcome you like family. Step into your room and onto your private balcony, where the scenery sets the tone for your stay: shifting clouds, the sound of distant wildlife calls, and the enveloping calm of the forest. Inside, natural materials and warm tones echo the beauty outside, while details like plush bedding and rainfall showers ensure your comfort.
As the day fades, join us on the Monteverde Rooftop for a locally inspired cocktail or mocktail, courtesy of our talented mixologist. On clear evenings, the horizon stretches endlessly toward the Pacific and the sunsets are brilliant; on misty nights, the clouds envelop the rooftop and the atmosphere feels intimate, almost ethereal.
Sip a handcrafted drink, settle into the rhythms of Monteverde, and then make your way to Nectandra Restaurant, where Costa Rican flavors are reimagined with a creative touch. Dinner here is not just a meal – it’s your introduction to the cultural heart of the Monteverde region.
Wake to the sounds of the forest – perhaps the whistle of a motmot or the rustle of an agouti moving through the trees. After a hearty breakfast at Nectandra Restaurant, you’re ready for a day of adventure. With our sister company, Ocotea Tours & Transfers, everything is arranged for you, from transportation to trusted local guides who share their passion for the region.
Choose your pace and your path:
Hanging Bridges: A gentle yet thrilling walk through the cloud forest canopy, where suspension bridges take you into an elevated ecosystem and open panoramic views, while your guide reveals the hidden lives of plants and animals all around.
El Tigre Waterfalls: A three-hour hike through primary forest, crossing rivers and trails to reach four spectacular waterfalls. Along the way, keep your eyes open for monkeys, colorful insects, and flashes of tropical birds.
Ziplining: For the adventurous spirit, nothing compares to soaring through the canopy, feeling the rush of wind as you fly above the forest floor.
In the afternoon, return to Ocotea Boutique Hotel for a well-deserved pause. Refresh with a hot shower, then linger on your balcony with a cup of Monteverde’s famed coffee. Many of our guests tell us this downtime – wrapped in a light blanket, listening to the rain, watching the forest breathe – is as memorable as any excursion.
In the evening, the choice is yours: join us on the rooftop, venture into the forest with a local naturalist for a night tour, or simply stay in, savoring a leisurely dinner at Nectandra Restaurant with the cloud forest as your soundtrack. And when you return to your room, you’ll find the quiet of the mountain night waiting: crisp, fresh, and peaceful.
Your final full day in Monteverde can be as active or as tranquil as you like.
For early risers, the morning is perfect for guided birdwatching. With a bit of luck and during the right season, you may spot a hummingbird darting among orchids, hear the distant call of a bellbird, or glimpse a flash of brilliance as another one of Monteverde’s bird species crosses your path. If you prefer a slower start, linger over breakfast and watch the mist shift across the hills from our dining room.
As the day unfolds, wander into Santa Elena to browse local shops and meet the artisans who keep Monteverde’s traditions alive. Or, if you’d rather stay closer to nature, saddle up for a horseback ride through the mountains, where rolling pastures meet the forest edge.
In the evening, return once more to our Monteverde Rooftop for a final toast to your cloud forest escape. Our bartenders will craft something special to pair with your dinner at Nectandra Restaurant – the perfect way to close your stay. Afterwards, take one last quiet moment on your balcony, where the night is either filled with stars (if the skies are clear) or the drifting mist wraps you in a soothing hush.
As the sun rises on your departure morning, let us brew you one last cup of Monteverde coffee. Whether your journey takes you back to San José, Liberia, or onward to another destination within Costa Rica, you’ll leave carrying more than memories.
Let Monteverde linger with you – in our stories, our flavors, and the quiet moments that became part of your own Monteverde story. At Ocotea Boutique Hotel, we’re honored to be part of your cloud forest memories. Three days may pass quickly, but they’re enough to create a connection with Monteverde – and with Ocotea Boutique Hotel – that stays with you long after you’ve gone.