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Services and Facilities in Monteverde

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Last Updated on Friday, 22 May 2009 18:01

Services:

Cell Phones
Cell phone service is spotty in Monteverde, Cerro Plano and Santa Elena. Downtown Santa Elena is the best bet for strong cell signals, but traveling just 1/4 mile from the downtown triangle can result in poor signal strength. Neither the Santa Elena nor the Monteverde reserve provides any cell phone coverage.

Public Phones
There are several public phones in the Monteverde area, most located along the main roads. Note that they are operated by phone card, not coins; purchase a phone card in any pharmacy or grocery store in Costa Rica.

Internet
There are several Internet cafes in the Monteverde area, most located in downtown Santa Elena. Costs range from $1 to $2 an hour. Several hotels offer Internet access in their lobbies, though wireless access is hard to find. The Tree House Restaurant offers free WiFi or Internet cafe time with any meal purchase.

Post Office
The Santa Elena post office is located on the road between Santa Elena and Cerro Plano. It offers both national and international mail services.

Facilities:

Monteverde-Fig Strangler Banks
Three banks – Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular and Banco Nacional – serve the Santa Elena and Monteverde areas. All three are located in the downtown Santa Elena triangle, and the Banco de Costa Rica offers a second ATM on the road between Cerro Plano and Monteverde. To withdraw funds from a foreign bank account, look for ATMs marked ATH.

Gas Stations
Believe it or not, the Monteverde area has been without a gas station since mid-2008, when the Hidrocarburate Division of the Ministry of Environment of Energy shut down the area’s only fueling station. The closest place to fill up is now in Sardinal, a town 21 miles away down very bumpy roads. Fill up before traveling to Monteverde!

Police Station
Located in the downtown Santa Elena triangle. (Emergencies: 911; Non-emergencies: 2645-5127)

Medical Facilities
The Monteverde area is home to the Red Cross (Santa Elena; 2645-6128), a small medical office (Cerro Plano; 2645-7778) and numerous pharmacies, which can treat and prescribe medicines for minor maladies. In an emergency, always call 911.