Last Updated: May 19, 2025
If you search a booking website for hotels in Monteverde, you will get back several hundred results. This guide will help you find the best hotels in Monteverde, with tips on how to narrow your search, know the best locations in town, what features are worth paying for, and common mistakes to avoid.
Or if you want to skip to the chase, my top 3 hand-picked recommendations for the best hotels for families are #1 Valle Escondido Nature Reserve and Farm, #2 Hotel Belmar and #3 Hotel Flor de Bromelia. Keep reading to know why I picked these hotels and get even more recommendations.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out my ranked list of Best Things to Do in Monteverde. Or go to my Step-by-Step Travel Guide to Costa Rica for help with every part of your trip planning process. If you’re traveling with kids, download my free Kids Wildlife Spotting Guide for Costa Rica.
Tips to begin your Search
Tip 1 – Search in “Santa Elena” – Santa Elena is the main town in the area and best suited to reach all the attractions spread around the area. Results just outside Santa Elena will show up as “Monteverde” in their address. Either is fine, but the closer to town you are, the easier it will be to get to places.
Tip 2 – Don’t expect air conditioning – Monteverde is up in the mountains and has cooler weather than most of Costa Rica. Temperatures stay steady year-round at around 65F – 75F or 18C – 25C. Most hotels here, even the luxurious ones like Hotel Belmar, will not have heating or cooling. Bathrooms are often naturally ventilated, so your towels may never feel completely dry for your entire stay. If you think this will be an issue, Sibu Boutique Hotel and a few others do offer AC.
Tip 3 – Pick a hotel with views – Many hotels in Santa Elena and the surrounding areas are blessed with splendid views of the valley and sometimes all the way to the Gulf of Nicoya. This is a feature worth paying extra for
Tip 4 – Cabin, Mountain Lodges and Glamping – These are the most common types of lodging you will find here. Many hotel rooms will have wood paneling with a rustic mountain feel.
Tip 5 – Kids often stay for free – If you are traveling with kids and plan to share a room, do not enter the kids into the search just yet. Just enter “2 adults” + “1 room”. Why? Because many hotels in Costa Rica don’t do a great job of setting up child policies correctly on the platform. Once you enter children, I’ve seen booking sites exclude many potential hotels, room types, or incorrectly show a much higher price. Add the kids to the booking after you’ve selected your hotel, or contact the hotel directly to let them know.
Tip 4 – Book Early, Like Now! – Don’t wait to figure out every detail of your itinerary to book. In La Fortuna, I’ve seen prices double or more without warning. And the best hotels often sell out during high season from December to April. You can use my 7 day itinerary or this Build your own Itinerary guide to help you quickly figure out how long you need at each destination. Read Best Things to Do in Monteverde to figure out how many days you need to do all your favorite activities.
Tip 6 – Avoid listings with fewer than 20 reviews – There have been scams reported in Costa Rica of fake listings that either don’t exist or look nothing like the pictures. Check the reviews and make sure they sound authentic. You can also go with one of my hand-picked recommendations at end of this article.
Tip 7 – Save money with Included Breakfast – Food is expensive in Costa Rica, with an average meal for a family of 4 costing between $30 to $100. You will most likely save money with a hotel breakfast, especially if your kids can eat for free. Most hotels here do a really good job with breakfast, and they usually include lots of fresh fruit and Gallo Pinto – the national dish.
Related Post – Best Things to Do in Monteverde with Kids
Location, Location, Location!
Monteverde has three main accommodation zones.
- Town of Santa Elena – This small, compact, mountain town is walkable and packed with restaurants and boutique hotels. The town is very hilly, and you will need a 4WD to comfortably reach some hotels within town. The town has bakeries, grocery stores, pharmacies, a big playground and some smaller attractions. This is the best location to stay to be equidistant to most attractions outside of town
- Route 620 toward Monteverde Reserve – Several hotels and attractions including the luxurious Hotel Belmar are along this route. Most tours will pick up from here even if it’s outside the main town. You might have to drive a little longer to reach Selvatura Park and other attractions.
- Surrounding Areas – Beyond the main road, there are some smaller resorts, farm stays and many vacation rentals spread around the area. The roads to reach them are often questionable, especially when it rains.
If you don’t have a car – If you want to keep driving to a minimum, stay within the town of Santa Elena. You can walk to restaurants, so you don’t have to rely on taxis and Ubers.
Tour Pick Ups – Most tours will pick you up if you are within the town of Santa Elena or within any major hotel on route 602 toward Monteverde Reserve.
Taxis – If you stay in the town center, you can get taxis but not always. Uber is also a good option and easier to use than taxis. Get a Holafly unlimited data e-sim so your phone will keep working in Costa Rica.
You are not legally required to use car seats in taxis, but I recommend bringing your own for safety. Taxi drivers will not object to waiting a few minutes so you can install them.
If you drive a car, then you can stay further away, and drive to a meeting point near the town center for tours. Try to check with the tour provider if they have parking. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the hassle of finding or paying for parking. Parking on the street also increases your risk of car break-ins, so take all your valuables with you.
Nighttime driving – Be aware that if you are staying outside Santa Elena, then driving back to them after nightfall (around 6 pm) can be very stressful. Roads can be steep and windy, and even worse in the rainy season. It can get very foggy without warning, and many roads are poorly lit.
Is it safe to stay in an Airbnb or Vacation Rental in Monteverde?
In Monteverde, it can be hard to tell apart a vacation rental from a family-owned boutique hotel. To mitigate risk, try to stick to options that have at least several different units on the same property. Using the “include breakfast” filter is a good way to find accommodation where the host or property manager is more actively involved. If you choose to go with a vacation rental, keep in mind the following risks:
- Last minute cancellations or issues gaining entry to the property – Because many rentals are run as side hustles, sometimes they are not run very professionally. I’ve seen even the best of hosts mix up arrival dates, or have cleaners cancel on them. Sometimes, they lose power or have weather damage, and cannot provide you alternative accommodation in the last minute. If you are traveling to Costa Rica for the first time, especially if you’re traveling with kids, this is just a risk you don’t want to take. If things go wrong, hotels and lodges are better equipped to handle it.
- Hard to reach – Many rentals are on smaller roads or residential areas. The roads to access these properties might not be well maintained. Addresses can also be difficult to find if you are not a local.
- Tour pick ups – Most tours won’t pick you up at private rentals.
- Safety – Vacation rentals are an easier target for petty crime like room break-ins
Best Hotels in Monteverde Hotels for Families and Kids
Here are my top hand-picked recommendations for an amazing family vacation. No place is perfect, so I breakdown the pros and cons for every option on this list.
#1 Valle Escondido – Best Overall
Vallue Escondido Nature Reserve and Farm is my favorite choice (and my kids’ favorite choice) for families in Monteverde. This private reserve is family-run and includes a small hotel, farm-to-table restaurant, hiking trails, and a huge play area for kids overlooking the valley. With all these features, it remains very affordable. You can check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- It has stunning views of the valley all the way to the Gulf of Nicoya. Many local families come to eat lunch here to enjoy the view, while they watch their children play in the garden. This spot is also great for birdwatching.
- Huge kids play area right in front of the restaurant. There is no playground but the yard is littered with bikes, toys, hula hoops, balls, scooters and other fun activities for kids.
- Farm-to-table restaurant with a creative menu and Pizza from a Wood Fired Brick Oven
- On-site hiking trails that lead to a small waterfall
- On-site Night Tour is available at an extra cost. It has a much smaller group size and feels more intimate than the bigger tour companies in the area.
- Farm and Education Center – Great for kids to learn about thier sustainable farming and conservation projects
- Next door to the Butterfly garden, which is a great little attraction for families.
- Located next to town but still feels secluded. You shouldn’t have trouble organizing tour pick ups from here.
The not so good:
- The entrance into the reserve and hotel is a long bumpy road. If you want to leave the property on foot, you will have to walk this road before you can enter the main town area. A car would be helpful if you stay here.
- The restaurant can get really busy for dinner because it’s so popular with local families, so you should make a reservation
See Photos, Compare prices, and Read Reviews here
#2 Hotel Belmar – Best for an Upscale stay
Hotel Belmar is an award-winning hotel and among the best in Monteverde. It has stunning views, high-end decor, and a strong focus on sustainability and forest immersion. It is basically perfect in every way but comes with a high price tag. You can check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- Views and wildlife sightings are common. Rooms have balconies and large windows that create a strong connection to nature.
- If you prefer a bit of luxury while you travel, this might be more to your taste.
- The hotel offers a free yoga class, free coffee tasting and a free mocktail-making class that kids will enjoy.
- They offer a farm tour, have an on-site brewery, a ficus-tree climbing experience and several unique experiences at an extra cost
- The location feels remote and secluded but you are not far from town and several major attractions
The not so good:
- More expensive than other options. But still affordable compared to La Fortuna and Costa Rica’s Beachfront resorts
See Photos, Compare prices, and read reviews here
#3 Hotel Flor de Bromelia – Best for affordable Views
Hotel Flor de Bromelia is a small family-owned boutique hotel in Santa Elena with stunning views of the valley. Check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- Views that rival much more expensive hotels at affordable prices. They stretch all the way to Gulf of Nicoya and be enjoyed from the gardens and the rooms.
- The caretakers go out of their way to make kids feel welcome.
- Breakfast is included and you can walk to several restaurants nearby including the famous San Lucas TreeTop Dining Experience
- Monkeys, agoutis, coatis are other wildlife are commonly spotted here from your room balcony or the breakfast area.
- Location is great – within town but still gives you a secluded feeling
The not so good:
- The rooms have a charming, cabin feel typical to Monteverde, but the decor and bathrooms can feel a little basic
See Photos, Compare prices, and Read Reviews here
#4 Chira Glamping Family Tent – Best for Wow factor
Chira Glamping offers a dome glamping experience with spectacular views. The family tent is exceptionally unique and a favorite with kids. You can check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- Private kids slide and climbing wall are part of your tent!
- Private hot tub with views
- Did I mention the views?
The Bad:
- There is only one family tent, so getting availability for your dates can be challenging. Still worth checking
See Photos, Compare prices, and Read Reviews here
#5 Poco a poco Hotel and Spa – Best for Swimming pools
Poco a Poco Hotel and Spa is an affordable family hotel with nice gardens and great location. It is one of few hotels with a large heated swimming pool. You can check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- The swimming pool is great if you plan to have some downtime and need a way to keep the kids busy. The pool is covered and heated, so great for extra rainy days.
- Great location close to town
The not so good:
- The views, especially from the rooms are not as good as other properties on this list
See Photos, Compare prices, and Read Reviews here
#5 Sibu Boutique Hotel – Best for AC
Sibu Boutique Hotel is an affordable boutique hotel and one of the few properties that has air conditioning. You can check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- Air-conditioning if you think you might need it. This is a rare feature in Monteverde and there are days when it can get pretty hot and muggy.
- Balconies in most rooms, though not all have a view
- Gardens and a terrace from where you can watch the sunset
- Walkable to town and also has an on-site restaurant
The not so good:
- The views, especially from the rooms are not as good as other properties on this list
See Photos, Compare prices, and Read Reviews here
#7 Monteverde Country Lodge – Best for Playgrounds
Monteverde country Lodge is an affordable family-friendly hotel with a large playground on-site – great for little kids. You can check prices for your dates here.
What you will love about it:
- On-site playground for younger kids
- Gardens and landscaping around the lodge
- Great location with included breakfast
The not so good:
- The views, especially from the rooms are not as good as other properties on this list
- Rooms and decor can feel a little basic
See Photos, Compare prices, and Read Reviews here
Ready for the Next Step?
- Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Costa Rica for Families – Know everything you need about flights, food, currency, rental cars, accommodation and activities
- 7 Day Itinerary from San Jose Airport or 7 Day Itinerary from Liberia Airport
- Best Things to Do in Monteverde
- Best Places to Stay in La Fortuna
- Download a Free Wildlife Spotting Guide and other Costa Rica Fun Facts for Kids by subscribing to my Newsletter.
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