As Monteverde is one of the most popular destinations in the country, we get these questions all the time.
Is the road to Monteverde paved, what is the best route for Monteverde, how far is San Jose Airport to Monteverde and do I really need a 4×4 for Monteverde?
For those who are renting a car in Costa Rica and plan on visiting Monteverde, this post will go over the Monteverde road conditions and how to get to Monteverde.
Check out our Costa Rica car rental discount and also get our extra benefits!
Do You Need a 4×4 for Monteverde?
So to answer your question Do I really need a 4×4 to get to Monteverde? Well, it depends. Here are our thoughts about the kind of car you should rent for Monteverde.
This is coming from a Costa Rican man who is very used to driving rural roads and a woman from the US who is not (but is getting a lot more comfortable at it). And as always, safety is our number one priority for our readers.
There are two main routes to Monteverde: Route 145 and Route 606. For both of these routes, you don’t necessarily need a 4wd or 4×4, even a 4×2 SUV with high clearance will work. From San Jose Airport, Route 606 is the closest. From Guanacaste Airport, Route 145 is the closest.
One of the routes to Monteverde, Route 606, is now fully asphalted all the way to downtown Santa Elena (the main town of Monteverde). Therefore, if you are taking Route 606 and your hotel is in downtown and right off the main road, you can drive a sedan to Monteverde, particularly in dry season.
However, if you plan to explore, drive yourself to the parks and reserves or are staying at a hotel or vacation rental outside of Santa Elena downtown, then it is highly recommended to have a high clearance car with a stronger engine or a 4×4 in rainy season. These are to places like Cerro Pinocho, El Tigre Waterfalls and Vista Verde Lodge.
Keep in mind though that we always recommend to ask your host to see what kind of car is required to reach the property.
If You Drive to Monteverde in a Normal Car
If your hotel in in the town center and you rented a normal car like a sedan, then you can park your car at your hotel and take the public buses, taxis or transportation to the adventure parks and reserves. Then you can walk to town to restaurants, stores, etc.
Many parks such as Selvatura Park offer transportation and there are taxis and the local shuttle to the reserves throughout Monteverde.
Using GPS and the Best Route for Monteverde
The two best routes for Monteverde is Route 145 and Route 606 (I will talk in depth about both routes below).
If you use a GPS device (rented through your car rental or using one of the GPS apps), enter the name of your hotel as your final destination. Then check to see which route your GPS will take you to Monteverde.
If you use Google Maps or Waze, they will take you to the “fastest” or closest route. Of all the routes to Monteverde, we do not recommend to take Route 605 (it’s not a nice road). Route 145 and Route 606 are the best routes to take to Monteverde.
Driving from San Jose to Monteverde (Route 606)
If you are driving from San Jose Airport to Monteverde, the best route to Monteverde is Route 27, 23, Interamericana highway 1 and then Route 606. This route takes around 3.5 hours depending on traffic. The distance from San Jose Airport to Monteverde is 133 kilometers, or 83 miles via Route 606. This entire route from San Jose Airport to Monteverde is now paved.
Here is the route on Google Maps. Remember that Santa Elena is the name of the main town and tourism hub of Monteverde. You will see lots of signs for Santa Elena.
Route 606 Road Conditions (Sardinal)
Route 606 from San Jose is a fairly straightforward route. Head onto Route 27 Highway and continue for about 107 kilometers (66 miles). You’ll merge onto InterAmericana highway 1 a little past Puntarenas. This is a paved road and takes around 1.5 hours (depending on traffic).
Then you will turn right onto Route 606 Costa Rica, the route to Monteverde via Sardinal. You will see a gas station on your right and a huge billboard for Sky Trek/Adventures.
Drive onto this road for about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) and turn left. There are plenty of signs for Sardinal and Monteverde so you know you’re going the right way.
After about 17 kilometers (10.5miles), turn right at this sign to continue onto Route 606 to Santa Elena.
Turn left when you see this sign and continue up the mountain to Monteverde!
The gravel road is now asphalt
At this part, it used to be a gravel road but it has been asphalted over since 2019 so it’s in much better condition. There are some pot holes here and there so keep your eyes out for those.
Something else important to know about Route 606 is that it’s a curvy mountain road with no street lights, painted lines or rumble strips. It also doesn’t really have big or tall guard rails and you’re going up a curvy mountainside road.
Route 145 doesn’t have any either. We do not recommend driving to Monteverde in the dark after sunset for these reasons. Remember it gets dark by 6 PM every day in Costa Rica!
Here are some photos.
You’re still going up a mountain on a narrow road with no physical barrier so drive slow, take your time and don’t stress out. If you get caught behind one of the big trucks, just take it slow.
As it’s asphalted over, a sedan or SUV can make it up this hill as long as the engine is strong enough (and the car isn’t crazy packed heavy). The Route 606 is asphalted all the way until downtown Santa Teresa and then ends there.
Now I’ll talk about Route 145!
Driving from Guanacaste to Monteverde – Route 145 (Las Juntas)
If you are driving from Guanacaste (Liberia, Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Samara, Gulf of Papagayo, Conchal) to Monteverde, then the best route to Monteverde is Route 145, Las Juntas.
It takes around 3.5 hours with a mix of gravel and concrete roads. Route 145 is very narrow and windy. Below are the road conditions for Route 145.
Las Juntas Road Conditions Route 145
This route is narrow, curvy and windy with concrete and gravel roads. It goes from gravel to concrete many times throughout the entire route. Trailer trucks, public buses and shuttles use this route.
Coming from Guanacaste, Las Juntas is the turn off a couple kilometers (~1 mile) after the Restaurant Tres Hermanas (where the big bull is) at the Limonal Plaza. Turn left.
You will continue on this road for 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and drive through the town of Las Juntas and continue up towards Monteverde, passing small towns like Eco Museo, Canderlaria and Campos de Oro.
As it’s a rural area, you may run into some unusual traffic. But at least for the most part, the road is either asphalted over or concrete.
Our Experience with Route 145
Route 145 has beautiful scenery. However, the drive can be harrowing if you have never driven on unpaved roads or narrow mountain roads before. As always, the key is going slow.
A high clearance car is definitely recommended for Route 145, especially in rainy season. In rainy season, it will be best with a 4wd since it can be slippery on the concrete sections.
There are also a lot of trailer trucks and construction trucks on this route so you may need to pass them very closely.
This route also has a ton of big potholes and there are no guard rails either.
You can see the route in our video below.
From Santa Elena, go to soccer field/school and continue on the bumpy road towards Xtremo and Don Juan Tours. You will then continue until a slight left to Route 145 (signs for Las Juntas) and continue on that road.
Driving from La Fortuna to Monteverde
If you are driving from La Fortuna to Monteverde, the best route to Monteverde is Route 142 around Lake Arenal towards Tilaran, Route 145 Las Juntas and then Route 606 Sardinal. This route has a mix of concrete and gravel roads, taking around 3 to 3.5 hours. Here is the map below.
A high clearance car is also recommended, especially in rainy season. Enjoy the drive and as always, go slow.
Santa Elena and Monteverde Road Conditions
Santa Elena town itself has paved roads and ends around where the El Establo Hotel is. That road continues on to the Monteverde cloud forest reserves, San Luis town and Curi Cancha Reserve and is unpaved once you get around Curi Cancha Reserve.
The road to Treetopia, Selvatura Park, Cerro Pinocho, Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena and Vista Verde Lodge are unpaved and go up hills so it’s steep.
We stayed at 2 Airbnbs in Monteverde that had awful roads. Awful. Like hitting your head on top of the car awful. These roads are the way to Finca Modelo.
Best Route to Monteverde Bottom Line
If you are wondering which is the best route to Monteverde, Route 145 and Route 606 are both doable. Both are curvy and narrow roads so for that reason, you will see that 99% of the rental cars are SUVs.
For tourists, having a SUV or 4×4 provides more comfort and security, especially for those who are not used to driving mountain roads.
Driving slow, driving during daylight and not stressing out are the keys to a pleasant drive to Monteverde.
When it comes down to it, a 4wd or high clearance car is the safest option to get to Monteverde if you want to explore and drive yourself around. If you are staying at a hotel right in downtown or right off the main road and not planing to drive yourself to the reserves or explore, you can get there in a sedan.
We do not recommend driving the sedan outside of the paved roads as it will have a hard time going up the steep mountain roads if you go outside of the Santa Elena town center. It will be easier to damage the car for all the potholes.
Additional Tips for Driving to Monteverde
- We do not recommend driving to Monteverde late at night, especially in rainy season. All routes are very curvy with no guard rails or street lights. Remember it gets dark by 6 PM everyday in Costa Rica! If your flight arrives in the evening, it is better to stay a night in San Jose/Liberia.
- Drive slow, take your time. Don’t pass if you’re not comfortable. You will run into some buses or trucks that are super slow.
- If you get car sick, take anti-nausea medicine! I get car sick easily and got fairly dizzy on Route 145.
- For more driving tips, you can read our in-depth Costa Rica driving guide.
Check out our Costa Rica car rental discount and also get our extra benefits!
Wes Perrey says
Do pot holes require a SUV 4×4 in the dry season?
If all but 6 miles is unpaved gravel would a SUV 2 wheel drive work as well on that condition?
Sammi says
You can get something like a Hyudndai Creta or RAV4 4×2 for dry season, keep in mind that these roads are also quite steep so it’s not just pot holes.
Benny Marcel says
Dan you recommend the best rout from. Monteverdi to Play Conchal Westin on the coast? We will have a 4×4
Thanks so much in advance
Sammi says
Hi Benny! Las Juntas 145 is closest from Guanacaste and you can perfectly go to Monteverde via that route.
Benny Marcel says
thanks! should i take 1 and go north thru Liberia or follow 18/21 west?
Thanks. this is an awesome site by the way!
Sammi says
You can see in this post the map via Las Juntas (Route 145) and use Google Maps to find your route from Westin Conchal, it’s a very common route.
Tony Cimino says
Hi, is route 606 out of Santa Elena still unpaved for 11 miles or so? We’re headed towards Puntarenas in the morning and want to take the smoothest route, even if it’s longer than the gravel section. We have a 4×4 but I hate driving these roads!
Sammi says
Hi Tony, 606 is not done yet so still the same condition, I’d go with Route 145, it has more concrete sections than 606.
MIke says
We are thinking about doing a coffee tour near Monteverde and will be driving from an Airbnb near Tilaran. We have a Midsize SUV rented from Adobe (Hyundai Creta 4 x 2). We are arriving next week. What is the best way to get to Monteverde from Tilaran?
Thanks.
Sammi says
Hi Mike, you can follow the route here: https://goo.gl/maps/B6DfTPcxRf82 through Route 145
Cinda says
Thanks for this blog. I’m trying to think through the transportation options for four for early next July. If we fly into/out of Liberia, would it make sense to rent a car for 3 nights to drive to the Arenal area and then take the taxi boat for an overnight from the Arenal area to Monteverde? Then take the taxi boat back to our rental car to drive to our beach hotel for five nights afterwards? Since that will be the rainy season, based upon the road conditions around Monteverde, just wondering if that would be a better option than driving there from Arenal? Would it be safe to leave our rental car overnight? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Cinda, you can technically do that but there aren’t any public parking places at the lake and the taxi-boat includes transportation from your hotel. You will need to talk to your hotel to see if you can leave the car for a nigh or however long you’re staying in Monteverde, most hotels do for a small fee.
Helen Canty says
Hi, we are going to be driving from La Fortuna to La Pavona to get the boat to Tortuguero in mid December. Can you please advise on the best route to take and how long the drive will take.
Many thanks
Helen
Sammi says
Hi Helen, you can check this post for more information: How to get to Tortuguero
Alex says
Hi Sammi – great site and thank you for all the info! We followed suit and rented a car for our trip next week. We will be coming to Monteverde from La Fortuna and I seem to have that route down but wanted to see the best route from Monteverde to Jaco with 606 still under construction. Can we take 606 to 605 in Guacimal and then jump on Hwy 1 to Jaco? Or is the 606 construction going to prevent us from doing that? Thank you!!
Sammi says
Hi Alex, the best route is to go via Las Juntas 145. Route 606 is closed all the way through (it’s only open for half an hour like 3 times a day) so to avoid any obstacles or delays, you should leave Monteverde via Las Juntas.
Glenda N Belnap says
I am planning an early December 2018 trip to Costa Rica. We will be traveling in a rented 4 x 4 from Monteverde to Tamarindo. Is route 606 open yet? What is the status. We will also be driving from La Fortuna to Monteverde. Is 142 to Tileran and then 145 to Santa Elena still the best route that time of year.
Sammi says
Hi Glenda, Route 606 isn’t supposed to be done until 2019 or even 2020… the construction is going fairly slow and they don’t project it to be done anytime soon. The best route will be Route 145 Las Juntas.
Glenda N Belnap says
I am still confused…Sorry. So when leaving Monteverde take 145 to Las Juntas and then 18 to 21 and then on to Tamarindo. Or is it better to go to Liberia from Las Juntas on Hwy 1.
Sammi says
From Monteverde, go on 145 Las Juntas towards the 1, then onto 18 towards the Taiwan Friendship Bridge, then towards Nicoya after the bridge.
Sammi says
Hi Sandy, there is not too much on this route but you can stop by the Taiwan Friendship Bridge which is nice quick stop. There isn’t too much on this route and once you start going up the mountain towards Monteverde, there are some very nice view points along the way. If you hired a private driver, usually they will stop at nice view points. For lunch, a lot of people stop at Tres Hermanas, it is a restaurant about halfway from Tamarindo to Monteverde. There is also a nice little cafe across the street that has Scarlet Macaws.
When you’re in La Fortuna, you don’t need a 4×4. The roads in La Fortuna are all well paved and a sedan will be perfectly fine.
Sandy H says
Hi, we will be traveling from Tamarindo to Monteverde with a driver. Is there a good place to stop for lunch along the way, or something we should see? We also will be renting a car through your link for a few days when we are in La Fortuna. Do you recommend a 4×4?
Angela says
Hi–just saw your update to Route 606 to Monteverde: Route 606 to Monteverde is currently under construction as of March 2018 and only open certain hours a day. It is open from 10 AM to 1030AM, 1230 PM to 1PM, 3 PM to 3:15 PM and 5 PM to 7 AM. It is recommended to take Las Juntas, Route 145 which is open. Read about Las Juntas in the post below.
Is this impacting tours traveling to that area? We plan to rent a car but don’t want to be stuck in traffic trying to get to Monteverde….should we forgo it this trip?
Sammi says
Hi Angela, there may be a little bit more traffic in Las Juntas since that will be the route early everyone is going to take now but since it’s a long route and not that many people drive to Monteverde, you won’t be in bumper to bumper traffic. You may run into a slow truck and other cars but it’s not like you will be sitting in traffic for hours since that route is completely open whereas the Route 606 will be closed most of the day (and they are changing closing times according to their progress).
Rebecca D'Elena says
We are planning on going in July to Monteverde, but are wondering if we should reconsider, as we are heading to Santa Teresa after, the 145 route seems to add a lot of time to travel to Monteverde. Any status updates on 606?
Sammi says
Hi Rebecca, I am not exactly sure when the 606 will be done but I recommend checking the Monteverde Facebook page for updates. The 145 does add a bit of time from Puntarenas but it’s not a huge difference so if 606 isn’t open yet, you can still take 145. 145 actually has mostly concrete roads but it is fairly curvy and narrow so you do have to go slow. But it’s not like a 5 hour difference between the two from Puntarenas, it may be like an extra hour or so so that is still an option if the 606 isn’t open all the way yet.
Judith says
Were planning to rent through Adobe as you suggest for about 12 days and wonder if we need an SUV from San Jose, to Liberia, Hermosa, Playa Coyote and return to San Jose? Im used to driving in the mountains in BC, Canada, so not a city dweller. Any help would be great before i book, travel dates: Nov 1-13,
Sammi says
Hi Judith, you won’t need a 4×4. Playa COyote might have a couple unpaved roads but the main road down to Samara is paved as well as San Jose to Liberia. I wrote a post about road conditions with pics/videos you can check out for more info: Costa Rica road conditions.
Ilya says
Hi!
Thank you for a lot of great info, spent so much time going through the website getting ready for the first to Costa Rica.
For the trip from Liberia to Monteverde, do you think Hyundai Creta 4×2 will have enough clearance, there will be 2 adults and young teenager, but very lightly packed? Expected travel very early August
Thanks in advance
Sammi says
Hi Ilya! The Hyundai Creta should be OK – just go slow. That car isn’t a 4×4 but should be high enough lightly packed, you’ll just need to go slow and drive careful up the hills and around the pot holes which do get bigger in rainy season.