Most travelers in Costa Rica land in San Jose and wish to visit Monteverde at some point during their trip. To make the trip as smooth as possible, we’ve listed the easiest ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde.
On any Costa Rica 10 day itinerary, Monteverde is a must-visit destination. Nestled high in the Tilarán mountain range, this magical mountaintop village transports visitors to a misty world atop the treetops, where tropical flora and fauna thrive in the cool, humid climate.
However, navigating between these two unique Costa Rican destinations can get a little tricky when you have never been in the country.
➡️ In this guide, we will break down the different transport options available to you, from the cheapest to the fastest.
🏨🌳 If there’s one place to try the experience of sleeping in a cabin in the woods, it’s in the Monteverde cloud forest! Here are the dreamiest treehouse hotels in Costa Rica.
How to get from San Jose to Monteverde?
You can drive from San Jose to Monteverde Cloud Forest, as well as taking shared or private shuttles, public buses or taxis. Here are the pros and cons of each way of transportation, to help you choose depending on your way of traveling and budget.
Driving from San Jose to Monteverde
If you like driving, the easiest way of getting from San Jose to Monteverde is by car. The distance from San Jose to Monteverde is 85 miles (136 kilometers) and the journey takes around 3 hours.
From San Jose airport, you will head west to reach the national roads 27 and 23. After driving on those roads for one hour, you will reach road 1 for 20 minutes.
Once you reach the restaurant Soda El Mozote, you will turn right on the road 606. This road will lead you to your final destination, the Monteverde Cloud Forest!
How is the road from San Jose San Jose Airport to Monteverde?
The main roads from San Jose to Monteverde are completely paved. However, Costa Rica’s numerous mountains get in the way, making the journey quite curvy, and sometimes narrow and steep.
To safely drive from SJO to Monteverde, you should follow the following tips!
Tips for driving in Costa Rica
Rent a good car
What kind of car do you need to go from San Jose to Monteverde? Most travelers rent 4×4 SUVs when traveling to Costa Rica.
Due to the country’s geography and dirt roads, distances from one place to another can be quite long. 4×4 cars are recommended for a peaceful journey across the country.
Fun fact: Monteverde and La Fortuna are only 16 miles (26 kilometers) away from a bird’s point of view, but there is a lake in the middle of them. It makes the drive 3-hour long!
🤔 How to rent a car in Costa Rica? You can either rent a car online or at the airport. We recommend booking one in advance with Discover Cars. Even if you have never been to the country, you won’t need to compare all international and local car rental companies… Discover Cars did the job for you!
Drive on the right
First thing you should know before even renting a car in Costa Rica is that locals drive on the right side of the road. If you are uncomfortable with it, you should have a look at other transportation options.
Avoid San Jose traffic
As in most major cities, traffic is heaviest when people are commuting to work in the morning or leaving the office in the afternoon. In San Jose, we recommend avoiding driving from 5 to 8 AM and from 3 to 6 PM from Monday to Friday.
Lookout for animals
If you chose Costa Rica as your travel destination, you should know this. This country is home to an incredible amount of fauna and flora. Always be on the lookout for animals when driving!
Do not drive at night
The road from San Jose to Monteverde is 3-hour long, it may seem a lot for Europeans and very fast for Americans… However, this is definitely not a highway!
As these are winding mountain roads, you need to stay focused to drive this beautiful but moderately challenging route.
✔️ That’s why pretty much no one drives to Monteverde at night. If you arrive in the afternoon at San Jose airport, we recommend staying overnight in a nearby hotel and driving to Monteverde on the next day. We recommend the Casa Garitas GuestHouse, which offers free airport shuttle.
Use waze
Waze is a good GPS application for driving in Costa Rica. The roads are well mapped out and the app will recommend the best route depending on the time of day.
It’s up to date and will let you know instantly if they have a better itinerary for you depending on traffic, even if you already started the journey.
Bus from San Jose to Monteverde
When you start looking at the bus routes in Costa Rica, you will notice there are hundreds of private companies. That is one of the reasons understanding it can get quite difficult, there is not one official company!
For instance, TransMonteverde has two daily direct buses from San Jose to Monteverde. The bus is called the 675, and leaves at 6:30 AM or 2:30 PM. The journey usually lasts about 5 hours and a half and costs $7 USD.
This is not the only bus option since there are lots of bus companies. If this one doesn’t fit you, you can find other journeys on the Moovit app and go to a bus stop office.
Shuttles from San Jose to Monteverde
One quite common way to go from one place to another in Costa Rica is by shuttle. These are minivans taking a group of people from a town to the next. When you don’t drive or are having trouble understanding the public bus system, this is a great option.
Most companies, like Tropical Tour Shuttles or Caribe Fun Tour, offer a door-to-door service, picking you up directly at your hotel or rental.
There are usually one or two departures each day, one in the early morning and another mid-afternoon. Tropical Tour Shuttles have departures at 8:15 AM and 3 PM, and the journey lasts about 4 hours.
You can either share a shuttle with strangers, or book a private one for you or your group.
Shared Shuttle from San Jose to Monteverde
Shared shuttles usually take 10 to 15 people in their van. This is nice as you can hear the stories from other travelers and share your own experience!
They are cheaper than private shuttles and are quite used by backpackers. Tropical Tour Shuttles shared shuttles to Monteverde from San Jose cost $54 USD. Most companies have the same price ranges.
😐 The only downside of shared shuttles is that they can get canceled at the last minute if there are not enough bookings; the trip is not cost-effective. It happened to me on my first day of a solo trip in Costa Rica! So always have a plan B in mind in case it happens.
Private San Jose to Monteverde shuttle
If you are traveling with more than 4 people, booking a private shuttle is the best way to go from Monteverde to San Jose airport or city, or vice versa. It costs around $220 USD per trip.
Even if you are traveling solo or are only two or three, it can be worth investing in a private shuttle to avoid the stress of having your shared shuttle canceled at the last minute.
Taxi from San Jose Airport to Monteverde Cloud Forest
If none of the options above fit your travel plans, you can get a taxi from San Jose Airport to Monteverde! It should cost from $100 USD to $150 USD.
However, it’s only possible you arrive in the morning as it’s a 3-hour journey and the taxi driver will need to drive back to San Jose after dropping you off in Santa Elena, Monteverde.
It’s not recommended to drive at night from San Jose to Monteverde since these are mountain roads. Therefore, we doubt taxi drivers will be down to drive to Monteverde if they have to drive back home by night.
💡 If you arrive at San Jose Airport at the end of the day, we highly recommend spending a night in San Jose before heading to Monteverde the following morning.
Monteverde tours from San Jose
If you wish to visit Monteverde when keeping a home base in San Jose, this is also possible! Many tour operators offer day trips including cool activities to do in Monteverde and/or Arenal.
All of them include an entrance to the Hanging Bridges over the cloud forest. This is a must-do activity when visiting Monteverde, since it offers a bird’s eye view on the forest and its animals. It truly is a unique experience.
Then, some tours also take you to the best hot springs in Costa Rica or incredible waterfalls.
If you want to visit the famous Rio Celeste waterfall, you might need to go on a 2-day tour since it is located in the north of the country.
San Jose to Monteverde FAQs
What is the best way to go from San Jose to Monteverde ?
The best way to travel from San Jose to Monteverde depends on what is more important for you: go fast, have a simple journey, spend the least amount of money or be as ecological as possible.
- Cheapest way to go from San Jose to Monteverde: public bus
- Fastest way to go from San Jose to Monteverde: rent a car
- Most convenient ways to go from San Jose to Monteverde: book a shuttle
- Most ecological way to go from San Jose to Monteverde: public bus
Can I fly to Monteverde?
It’s impossible to fly to Monteverde for a simple reason: there is no airport in Monteverde. The only way of getting to Monteverde is by the road.
Where to stay in Monteverde?
Amalú Monteverde – imagine renting a tiny house in the forest with a bird’s eye view? This accommodation is one of the most magical treehouse hotels in Costa Rica. Their decor, views and service are unmatched.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
✔️ 9/10 based on these reviews
Cabinas Eddy B&B – this hotel is an absolute gem located in the center of Santa Elena, a 5-minute walk from the main street. The rooms are absolutely stunning and offer an astounding view of the forest. They have big windows on all sides of the room and you basically stay there staring at the view for hours!
➡️ Check availability and prices here
✔️ 8,5/10 based on these reviews
Where to stay in San Jose?
BEE Suites Escalante – dreaming of a fully equipped apartment with a view as a base to explore the surroundings? BEE Suite Escalante is the kind of place you would stay at for a week just for the incredible views you get from the floor-to-ceiling windows!
➡️ Check availability and prices here
✔️ 9,4/10 based on these reviews
Studio Hotel Boutique – this hotel located in the center of San Jose offers spacious and comfortable rooms in a clean hotel. Its highlight is the swimming pool on the rooftop: perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of exploration!
➡️ Check availability and prices here
✔️ 9/10 based on these reviews
Is it safe to drive from San Jose to Monteverde?
Yes, it is safe to drive from San Jose to Monteverde by yourself. The main road is paved and the areas you will go through are very safe.
However, the last road is quite curvy, narrow and steep. You need to stay concentrated on the road and if a road is coming in the other way but it’s a beautiful drive!
Do not attempt it if you are too tired after your flight. Instead, we recommend spending a night in San Jose and driving there on the next day, rested. You should also plan more time for your journey if it’s a rainy day.
Where to stop on the road from San Jose to Monteverde?
Alejuela
Alejuela is the second largest city of Costa Rica, after the capital San Jose. It is not as touristic as it could be, and offers a very authentic experience to visitors. Founded in 1782, Alejuela is one of the oldest cities in Costa Rica.
Its colonial architecture and charming streets will take you back in time to when it was a major coffee production center. You can learn about the city’s history at the Juan Santamaria Museum.To eat fresh products or buy handmade souvenirs, we recommend the Mercado Central.
El Toledo Coffee Tour
For anyone looking to learn more about the world of coffee production, El Toledo Coffee Tour is a great stop on the road from San Jose to Monteverde. The tour takes you through a journey from bean to cup, showcasing the entire process and traditional methods of coffee production.
NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary
Animals lovers, here is the perfect place to stop before reaching Monteverde! This wildlife sanctuary welcomes macaws that have been traumatized by human actions. They rescue, rehabilitate and release them back into their natural habitat.
What is the best time to travel from San Jose to Monteverde?
The best time to drive from San Jose to Monteverde is on a sunny day, either in the early hours of the morning or mid-day. If you are staying in downtown San Jose, we recommend leaving mid-day so you don’t get stuck in morning traffic.
However, if you start your journey from the airport, you can leave in the morning.
What are the best things to do in San Jose?
With its vibrant culture, bustling city life, and beautiful surroundings, San Jose is a good base to explore Costa Rica. From exploring downtown, visiting museums or tasting local cuisine, here are some of the best things to do in San Jose.
Go on a food tour in San Jose
Costa Rica’s food is exceptional, to say the least. They have many specialties, from the Gallo Pinto, a dish of rice and beans, to Picadillos, made of vegetables, the Chifrijo, which is fried pork. or a sweet dessert called the Tres leche. San Jose has it all so it’s a great place to go on a food tour!
National Museum of Costa Rica
San Jose has a rich history and you can see just by walking in the center and looking at the old buildings. One place you should visit to understand more about Costa Rica’s culture, archaeology, anthropology, and natural history is the National Museum!
Go on a day trip to Poas Volcano
The Poas Volcano is an active volcano, whose crater turned into a blue or green lake depending on the period. It is located one hour and a half away from San Jose. It is one of the only five active volcanos in the country. The views you get from the top of the crater are absolutely stunning!
What are the best things to do in Monteverde?
Monteverde is a beautiful and unique area that offers a wide range of activities for travelers. From exploring the lush cloud forests to trying out adrenaline-pumping adventures, here are some top activities in Monteverde.
Hike the Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest is the heart of Monteverde, and the reason why it’s so popular. The atmosphere in this forest, often misty, is absolutely magical. The humidity of the area makes the forest so green like you will feel like you’ve been transported to another world.
The views are stunning, and you will get many wildlife spotting opportunities! 🐒
Monteverde night walk
One of the best ways to see Monterverde wildlife is to go on a night tour. That’s when the fauna is the most alive, as most species hide during daylight. There are amazing night tours in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you’ll be able to see snakes, frogs, toucans, sloths and many other kinds of animals!
Monteverde hanging bridges
Another wonderful activity to do in Monteverde is to visit one of its hanging bridges overlooking the cloud forest. You get stunning bird’s eye views in the forest. Imagine what you can see when you are above the forest, higher than monkeys!
Ziplining in Monteverde
Another great way to see the cloud forest from the treetops is to do zip lining! Thrill adventurers love Monterverde because you can find zip lining tours every few streets.
El Tigre Waterfall
El Tigre Waterfall is an impressive 30-meter (100 feet) long waterfall located in the north of Monteverde. The falls themselves are beautiful, but the hike to get there is just as stunning. On the way, you will walk on a dozen hanging bridges and see 4 waterfalls!
San Jose to Monteverde: final thoughts
In the end, there are many ways to travel from Monteverde to San Jose. The best way depends on your travel style and budget. Renting a car gives you more freedom, booking a shuttle means more peace of mind, while hoping on a public bus is the perfect adventure for backpackers.
After visiting Monteverde, the chances of exploring La Fortuna are high. With Lake Arenal in between, there are many transport options from La Fortuna to Monteverde and vice versa.
Want to go out of the beaten path? You can explore the ancient ruins of Costa Rica on land, but also underwater! There are stunning places to go scuba diving in Costa Rica.
