San José to Monteverde
143 km (89 miles)
San José
Costa Rica's capital and cultural hub — markets, museums, and the country's best food scene.
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Monteverde
A misty cloud forest hill town for canopy walks, zip-lines, and exceptional birdwatching.
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Rental Car
From San José, take Caldera Highway (Route 27) for 88 km, then Pan-American Highway (Route 1) for the final 18 km into Monteverde.
Highways used
- Rt 27 Caldera Highway 88 km · 1 hour 34 min
- Rt 1 Pan-American Highway 18 km · 27 min
Note: Costa Rica traffic, weather and road conditions can greatly increase your drive time. It's always best to check with Waze before heading out. Read more on how to drive in Costa Rica.
Shuttle
Daily shuttles available. Some offer the scenic 'Jeep-Boat-Jeep' route via Lake Arenal.
Note: Shuttles come in shared and private flavors with different costs and trade-offs. Read more on taking a shuttle in Costa Rica.
Book a Shuttle