Although Monteverde is famous for its soaring ziplines and breathtaking cloud forests, it’s also a great destination in Costa Rica to explore and travel on a budget. If you are on a tight budget and can’t book many tours, or you have an extra day in Monteverde and want to see some cool local spots in the area, this post is perfect for you.
Below, we highlight cheap or free things to do in Monteverde. Also in case you’re looking for tours, check out our things to do in Monteverde post. Then if you want to book any tours, check our Monteverde tours booking page!
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How to Get Around Monteverde
We drove to all these spots although there are a couple you can get by foot without a car. Remember, a 4wd or at least a high clearance car is necessary for Monteverde.
Read our driving in Costa Rica, renting a car in Costa Rica and our Costa Rica car rental discount posts here to learn more.
San Luis Viewpoint (Mirador San Luis)
This is one of our favorite free things to do in in Monteverde. Mirador means viewpoint and it’s a great spot to see the sunset. It’s a short drive from the main village of Santa Elena but and not as popular as the other viewpoint which we’ll talk about later in this post. Since the road to this viewpoint is quite steep and not close to the town center, most people skip it or drive right by it.
On Google Maps, it is called Mirador San Luis. There are two on Google Maps. The first one is the old one with just one bench and the second a little bit down south, is the new platform with a bigger side area to park and more chairs. We recommend to park at the second one as it has more space and then you can walk to the first one if you want to.
To your left, you’ll see the cloud forests and even a waterfall in the distance. Right ahead is the Gulf of Nicoya and you can watch the sunset from this point.
You can get to the viewpoint on foot if you don’t have a car. It’s a bit of a steep walk and you need to be careful of cars as there are no sidewalks, but you’ll get a good workout in.
Cerro Plano Viewpoint (Mirador Valle Escondido Preserve)
This is one of the most popular viewpoints in Monteverde because it’s super accessible. It’s right off the main road in front of the CPI Spanish School and is within walking distance from many hotels. This viewpoint is definitely one of the best free things to do in Monteverde.
There are several benches and it’s a great place to see the sunset.
How to Get to Valle Escondido Preserve Viewpoint in Cerro Plano
It’s super easy as it’s marked on Google Maps as “Mirador Valle Escondido Preserve.” However, there isn’t really anywhere to park as it’s off the main road. Best way is to get their by walking if you can.
Ficus Tree Bridge
The ficus root bridge is one of the best cheap thing to do in Monteverde. It’s a ficus tree that has fallen across a river, creating a “bridge” and the roots sprawl vertically down into the river. The family who owns the private property has built a very nice path with steps, sitting areas and platform down to the tree.
The cost is 1000 CRC or $2 USD per person to enter. They have a large parking lot and bathrooms.
Near the platform, you can walk a bit across the bridge if you’re adventurous!
This is not one of the free things to do in Monteverde but at only around $2 USD per person, it is definitely a cheap thing to do in Monteverde!
How to Get to the Ficus Root Bridge
It is on Google Maps as “Ficus La Raiz.” There is a small sign on a gate that says “Raiz Parqueo.” Go in, park your car if you drove and then go pay the entrance fee at the little stand at the entrance. If you walked, pay the entrance fee first and then walk in about 30 seconds to get to the trail.
Cerro Pinocho
Cerro Pinocho is well known among Monteverde locals and is arguably the best place to see the sunset in the area. For us, it was even one of the best sunset places in Costa Rica! It is a private finca, owned by a local who made a very nice path to the top of the hill, with well placed benches throughout.
You get spectacular views of Monteverde, Santa Elena and the Gulf of Nicoya. You’ll see the sunset going down over the Gulf and wow, the views are absolutely incredible! We also saw a full rainbow on the other side while the sun was going down and you feel like you’re on top of the world.
The entrance fee is 1000 CRC ($2 USD) per person and there is free parking. Sometimes the owner may have some coffee available. He is a really nice man who put a lot of time and love into this property for people to come and enjoy the magnificent view.
How to Get to Cerro Pinocho
Enter in Waze, Cerro Pinocho. 4×4 required! You can walk about 1.5 hours from Santa Elena village there but then to get back, you can ask the owner if he can call you a taxi.
Cafe Colibri
This small cafeteria near the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a fun place to see hummingbirds. They have yummy pastries and coffee in the cafeteria and clients can go to the hummingbird garden to see dozens of hummingbirds zipping about.
Interestingly enough, as Costa Rica does not normally allow feeding wildlife, this cafe has permits to put the feeders. In addition to the feeders, there are a lot of flowers and trees around so the hummingbirds literally stay around there, flying around.
The garden isn’t one of the free things to do in Monteverde because it is only for clients. However, you can get a cup of nice hot coffee or buy a yummy pastry for a few dollars to enjoy the garden. It’s a nice stop after you finish the walk at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Read About Other Things to Do in Monteverde Below!
Selvatura Park: Nature adventure park with ziplining, hanging bridges, butterfly garden, sloth sanctuary and reptile/amphibian exhibit
Treetopia (Formerly Sky Adventures Monteverde): Nature and adventure park with aerial tram, tree climbing, hanging bridges and ziplining
Curi Cancha Reserve: Private reserve with trails, best for birdwatching
Monteverde Farm Tour: 1 hr and 45 minute tour of a local farm to learn about sugar cane, cacao and coffee
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve: The most popular cloud forest with hiking trails
Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena: A private cloud forest reserve with hiking trails
100% Aventura: Adventure park with hanging bridges and ziplining
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
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- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
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Mia says
Do these little fincas take cards or should we bring cash? does it need to be in costa rican money or USD?
Sammi says
Only cash and local currency
Bethany says
The car I have reserved for our Costa Rica trip is just a small little car, which should serve us well in the other cities we are going to in the country. I know we won’t be able to use it everywhere in Monteverde (we were planning to use a bus to get to our adventures), but would it be okay just driving around town and to our lodgings?
Sammi says
Yes a small car around town is fine, just check with your hotel what kind of road is required. Then you can take the shuttles or the park transportation around Monteverde
Jessica Beckermann says
Hi, This site is wonderful.
I am taking my family of 6 here in 3 months. I have 4 kids and was looking for some more activities/adventures that are on the cheaper side. I have looked up coffee and chocolate tours but they are so expensive. Any advice?
Jessica
Sammi says
If you have a car, you can drive directly to the plantation and buy tickets from them
Juliet says
Great post! We visited the ficus tree bridge and indeed it’s not free anymore, but its cheap at 500 colones pp.
Derrick C says
We went to see the ficus bridge, there was no one there. The path seemed ok since it was dry and there are rope hand rails. There was a tarantula hawk wasp in the driveway just off the asphalt and it was still there a 1/2 hour later when we left. We also went to San Luis lookout to watch the sun set. We had it to ourselves. They are building another lookout 250’ down the hill. Both have parking for 2-3 small cuv. The new one has more seating and steel railings if you have little children this is the one you want. The one at the top of the curve you have to climb some dirt steps and there is no railing. When you stand at the edge of the dirt area you can see the drop off goes straight down the mountain side.
Amey says
Thank you so much for sharing insight. We did visited the ficus tree bridge and sunset point .Hallow ficus tree is closed and indeed private property.
Silvia says
Wow! Thank you very much for your post!
We visit the viewpoint and the ficus tree bridge and it was both amazing!
Ob both places we were by our own, which made the moment perfect!
Lynda H says
You took me back to Cost Rica through your pictures. We were fortunate enough to come twice. Wish our ability to travel was in the near future. Stay safe. Thanks so much.
Ontario, Canada