Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and light, with wood accents and large windows; and the suites are among the nicest
rooms in town, featuring wood ceilings, bathtub, balcony and sitting room. Located about
2km from the Monteverde reserve.
Cloud Forest Lodge
LODGE
2645-5058;
www.cloudforestlodge.com
;
s/d/tr/q US$102/113/124/135;
)
Sleep in the clouds: this hilltop lodge is up there, surrounded by 28 hectares of primary
and secondary forest. There are trails to walk, species to check off your bird list and gulf
views to marvel at. The rooms are rather basic for the price, but they are clean and com-
fortable and - frankly - you won't be spending much time there.
The Original Canopy Tour is right here at the lodge, which is about 1km from Santa
Elena. It's a pleasant walk into town, but you'll get your exercise on the way back.
Vista Verde Lodge
LODGE
( 2200-5259;
www.info-monteverde.com
;
d standard/superior US$108/116; )
Wanna get away? Drive your 4WD 7km north of town to this remote, weather-beaten
lodge, where you'll fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest. Wood-paneled rooms with
picture windows take in views of Volcán Arenal and beyond. If it feels a little damp (as it
does), head to the cozy common area to warm your feet beside the fire.
Some 4km of trails run through 64 hectares of primary and secondary forest. Hike to the
waterfall, which provides the hydroelectric energy that this place runs on.
Trapp Family Lodge
HOTEL
You can't get much closer to the Monteverde reserve than here (less than 1km from the en-
trance). The trade-off, of course, is that it's far away from everything else. The 20 spacious
rooms have high wooden ceilings, big bathrooms and fabulous views from picture win-
dows (which overlook gardens or cloud forest). The restaurant is elegant but overpriced.
