Journey out of the city and up into the clouds — the cloud forest of Costa Rica, that is! Join us on a full-day trip from San Jose to Monteverde and Santa Elena, where the scenery gets greener, the air gets cooler, and the adventure gets a little more fun.
Take in breathtaking mountain views as we climb into the highlands of Santa Elena, make a couple of fun stops along the way, and enjoy a taste of local Costa Rica before reaching the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest. Then it's time to stroll through the treetops on the Monteverde cloud forest hanging bridges, followed by a traditional Costa Rican lunch in Santa Elena.
Our Monteverde One Day Tour from San Jose is a long day, but it is packed with some of the things that make Costa Rica so special — beautiful scenery, local food, wildlife, and a walk through one of the country's most incredible ecosystems.
Scenic Drive with Unique Roadside Attractions
The drive from San Jose into the mountains of Monteverde is an adventure in itself. As the city disappears behind you, the scenery changes from the Central Valley to lush mountain landscapes and, eventually, the misty cloud forest.
We will make a couple of stops along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy some local treasures — because nobody said a road trip had to be all about sitting in the van!
Our first stop is a famous local fruit stand, where you can pick up a cup of Costa Rican coffee, freshly picked tropical fruit, delicious local cheeses, or a sweet treat. It is a great opportunity to see some of the colorful and tasty produce that Costa Rica is famous for.
Next up is The Monkey House, a local property where White-faced Capuchin Monkeys often stop by to play in the backyard. These curious little characters can sometimes arrive in surprisingly large groups, so keep your cameras ready!
Traditional Lunch at Santa Elena Mountain Village
Once we arrive in the Monteverde area, we will head into Santa Elena, the charming mountain village that serves as the gateway to the cloud forest.
Here you will recharge with a traditional Costa Rican-style "casado" lunch, made with fresh local ingredients. A typical casado includes rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of protein — simple, hearty Costa Rican comfort food that hits the spot after a morning on the road.
Monteverde is also famous for its coffee and locally produced cheeses, so you will definitely be getting a taste of the region! Eat up, because the cloud forest canopy is waiting.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Hanging Bridges at Selvatura Adventure Park
After lunch, we will make our way to Selvatura Adventure Park for one of the highlights of the day — exploring the famous Monteverde cloud forest hanging bridges.
Here you will tiptoe through the treetops with your feet firmly planted. Well... kind of.
The Monteverde cloud forest hanging bridges circuit includes approximately 3 km of trails and 8 suspension bridges of varying lengths and heights. The bridges range from approximately 50 to 170 meters (160 to 560 feet) long and are suspended anywhere from 12 to 60 meters (36 to 180 feet) above the forest floor.
Don't worry — you don't have to be an extreme adventurer to enjoy them. The trails and bridges offer a wonderful way for visitors of different ages and activity levels to experience the cloud forest without needing to zip, rappel, or otherwise throw themselves off anything!
As you explore, your naturalist guide will help point out the fascinating flora and fauna that make the cloud forest so unique. Keep your eyes open for birds, monkeys, insects, and other wildlife hiding among the leaves. The Monteverde region is home to more than 100 species of mammals, approximately 400 species of birds, and thousands of insect species, many of them found nowhere else.
And yes, there are bugs. It's a cloud forest. They live here. Fortunately, most of them are much more interested in doing their own thing than bothering you.
If the clouds decide to take a little break and the sun makes an appearance, you may also be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
Relax & Enjoy the Ride Back to San Jose
After a full day exploring Monteverde, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic ride back down the mountains toward San Jose.
Review your incredible photos, chat about your favorite part of the day, or simply catch a little shut-eye. We won't judge — it is a long day!
Book Your Monteverde Day Trip from San Jose Today!
You already know that we hand-pick the best things to do in Costa Rica. And because we are The Real Deal, we work hard to bring you the best deals we can find, too!
So what are you waiting for? Escape the city for a day and experience the cool mountain air, incredible biodiversity, hanging bridges, and local flavor of Monteverde for yourself.
Book your Monteverde One Day Tour from San Jose with The Real Deal Tours today!
San Jose to Monteverde Cloud Forest Hanging Bridges & Santa Elena Tour Details
One Day Tour to Monteverde from San Jose Includes:
- * Hotel pick-up from most San Jose, Heredia, and Alajuela area hotels
- * Bilingual naturalist guides
- * Air-conditioned transportation to Monteverde from San Jose
- * Entrance fee and guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Hanging Bridges
- * Entrance fee to the monkey observation site
- * Typical Costa Rican-style "casado" lunch in Santa Elena (rice, beans, salad, plantains, and choice of protein)
- * Please advise us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate them
- * All taxes
Departures: Tuesdays & Fridays at approximately 6:30 am from most San Jose area hotels. Pickup times vary depending on your location. Exact meeting times and instructions will be provided on your confirmation voucher sent by email.
Length: Approximately 13 hours.
One Day Tour to Monteverde from San Jose Recommendations:
- * Comfortable hiking/walking shoes
- * Quick-dry clothing and layers. The cloud forest tends to be cool, but it can be warm when the sun comes out
- * Rain poncho
- * Light day pack
- * Reusable water bottle
- * Eco-friendly, biodegradable sunscreen
- * Eco-friendly insect repellent
- * Camera or phone with a fully charged battery
- * Binoculars
- * Cash for the tour balance, tips for your guides, extra food and beverages, and souvenirs
Children: This is a long day for little ones. Minimum age is 5 years old. Children ages 5 to 11 pay a discounted rate.
Restrictions: This tour is great for all ages and activity levels. However, Monteverde is a remote mountain destination, so medical services are not easy to access. If you have any mobility limitations, please advise us prior to booking and we will assess whether we can accommodate you comfortably.
Insider Tip: You cannot come all the way to Costa Rica without visiting one of the country's famous cloud forests! Even if you are staying in the San Jose Valley, this day trip to Monteverde is the perfect opportunity to experience the cool, misty world of the cloud forest without changing hotels.
Wondering why the cloud forest is so important to Ticos? Check out our blog on the health benefits of the Costa Rica cloud forest and rainforest for a little more inspiration.
Bonus Smart Connection Option Available! Planning to travel from San Jose to Monteverde and stay a couple of nights? We may be able to pick you up in San Jose, take you to Monteverde for the full-day tour, and then drop you off at your hotel in Monteverde instead of returning to San Jose. Limited luggage space is available, so contact us to check availability before booking.
** PLEASE NOTE: Due to the strictly enforced sales tax law that has been introduced in Costa Rica, sales tax may be added to the final payment made to the operator. Sales tax is already included in the deposit amount.
About Your Online Reservation: Booking online does not guarantee that spaces are available and your reservation is confirmed. Our reservation offices are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm CST daily and we do our best to confirm your reservation and send your confirmed voucher with meeting instructions within 24 hours. If you are booking a tour in less than 24 hours in advance, we recommend you contact us to check availability for you.
Important Notice: Due to significant fluctuations in USD exchange rates, some prices may vary or be adjusted at the time of booking or payment. In certain cases, payment may be requested in local currency using the prevailing daily exchange rate.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these temporary currency changes.
Reserve Your Monteverde One Day Tour from San Jose Now
Pricing
Adult:
Retail: $229.00
The Real Deal: $224.00
Child (5-11):
Retail: $222.00
The Real Deal: $212.00
Monteverde One Day Tour from San Jose deposit is $15.00 per Adult and $10.00 per Child.
(The balance of $209.00 per Adult and $202.00 per Child in cash must be paid the day of the tour)
This tour departs Tuesdays & Fridays at approximately 6:30 am.
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