Hotels

When choosing a place to stay in Monteverde, be sure to check whether the rates include a meal plan. In the past almost all the lodges included three meals a day in their prices, but this practice is waning. Check before you assume anything.

Moderate -- Hotel Heliconia (tel. 2240-7311 reservations office in San José, or 2645-5109 at the hotel; www.hotelheliconia.com) is another good option in this price range, as is El Sol (tel. 2645-6672; www.elsolnuestro.com), which is about 10 minutes south of Santa Elena, on the road to the Interamerican Highway. Also check out Hotel Belmar (tel. 2645-5201; www.hotelbelmar.net), a Swiss chalet-style hotel with moderate rates.

Inexpensive There are quite a few pensiones and backpacker specials in Santa Elena and spread out along the road to the reserve. The best of these are Pensión Santa Elena (tel. 2645-5051; www.pensionsantaelena.com) and Pensión Flor de Monteverde (tel. 2645-5758; www.pensionflordemonteverde.com). A slightly more expensive and modern alternative is the Hotel El Viandante (tel. 2645-6475; www.hotelelviandante.com), which is near El Sapo Dorado.

Finally, it's possible to stay in a room right at the Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve (tel. 2645-5122; www.cct.or.cr). A bunk bed, shared bathroom, and three meals per day here run $40 (£20) per person. For an extra $10 (£5) you can get a room with a private bathroom. Admission to the reserve is included in the price.