Recommendations -Monteverde

Clothing
An unspoken cloud forest rule is that the weather is always unpredictable. While it may be sunny and warm in Santa Elena, Monteverde won’t promise the same. To combat changing weather, fluctuating temperatures and altitudinal differences, warm, layered clothing, rain gear and good hiking boots are essential. Leave the bug spray behind, though; mosquitoes are infrequent at these altitudes, and bug repellent may actually attract the many bee and wasp species that make their home in Monteverde.

Gasoline
The Monteverde area has been without a gas station since mid-2008. The closest place to fuel up is Sardinal, a 21-mile, two-hour round trip journey along potholed roads, so fill up your tank before heading to Monteverde. If you need emergency gasoline, several area residents sell it out of their homes… for twice the price.

Public Bus Tickets
The twice-daily public bus to San Jose fills up fast, and tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance. Make sure to sit in your assigned seat and keep your ticket stub – if you can’t prove your seat assignment, you’ll have to stand in the aisle all the way to San Jose.