Mountain town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Getting around Monteverde
How to get around Monteverde
Santa Elena is walkable; taxis and local buses cover the reserve and lodges. Arrival is by bus, shuttle or the 'jeep-boat-jeep' transfer from La Fortuna.
Ways to get around Monteverde
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Local bus to Monteverde Reserve | About 700–1,000 CRC | Several daily departures; check the morning and afternoon schedule |
| Taxi | 3,000–8,000 CRC | No meter; agree a fare first |
| Bus from San José | About 5,000–6,000 CRC | About 4 hours, Terminal 7-10 departures |
| Jeep-boat-jeep from La Fortuna | $30–55 | About 3 hours; scenic but slower than the road route |
Ride-hailing apps in Monteverde
A 5 km ride costs about ₡3,000–6,000 ($6.6–13.1).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Limited and not always available; local taxis are the dependable option |
- Taxis wait in Santa Elena; agree a price before riding. Apps are patchy, so book reserve transfers in advance.
Arriving in Monteverde
Juan Santamaría International (SJO)
Shuttle $50–65, 3.5–4 hours; public bus from San José Terminal 7-10, 4 hours.
Liberia Daniel Oduber (LIR)
Shuttle $55–75, about 3 hours; no direct public bus.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not recommended: steep gravel roads and mist. Taxis or buses are safer.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for the length of your tourist stay; carry your original passport when driving.
- Onward travel in Costa Rica: Cheap public buses reach almost everywhere from San José but are slow. Shared shuttles, Sansa domestic flights and rental cars (4x4 in rainy season) are faster.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Monteverde?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber.
What's the best way to get around Monteverde?
Santa Elena is walkable; taxis and local buses cover the reserve and lodges. Arrival is by bus, shuttle or the 'jeep-boat-jeep' transfer from La Fortuna.
How do I get from the airport to Monteverde?
Shuttle $50–65, 3.5–4 hours; public bus from San José Terminal 7-10, 4 hours.
Is Monteverde walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Monteverde
Going to Monteverde solo?
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Sources
- Interbus (shared shuttles)
- Sansa (domestic flights)
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.