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Arenal Volcano To Monteverde

Straddling the Continental Divide at 5,000 feet above sea level, the world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Its unique environment blends mountains, rainforests and cloud forests, creating a habitat that is hospitable for huge numbers of plants and animals. Aside from Arenal and some of the country’s beaches, Monteverde is one place that travelers will not want to miss during a visit to Costa Rica.
Arenal Volcano To Monteverde
Arenal Volcano To Monteverde
Arenal Volcano To Monteverde
Arenal Volcano To Monteverde
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Transportation from Volcano to Cloud Forest

The distance between Arenal and Monteverde is deceptive. By road, it’s 65 miles (106 km). That doesn’t seem too bad, but in reality, it is – the road between the two destinations is pitted with potholes, gravel and bumps. This being the case, driving between Arenal and Monteverde can take upwards of 5 hours, depending on the type of car you’re driving. Below you’ll find a few options for navigating between these two places.

Monteverde Fortuna

By Car

Due to the drastic change in elevation between La Fortuna and Monteverde (La Fortuna is at 1,150 ft and Monteverde is at 5,000 ft) there is no direct road route. The road between these two places runs along Lake Arenal and through the town of Tilarán. The road between La Fortuna and Tilarán is in good condition, but the road between Tilarán and Monteverde is quite bad. Because of this, a car with four-wheel drive is strongly recommended, especially during the rainy season. During the peak of the rainy season (October and November), it’s often impossible to drive this route without a 4x4 vehicle. On average, it takes about 4 hours to get between Arenal and Monteverde in a 4x4 car. In a sedan, it’ll take closer to 5 hours. See this rental car search and driving map.

By Public Bus

From La Fortuna, travelers can take the 8:00 AM bus to Tilarán. From here, catch the 12:30 PM bus to Monteverde. The bus will arrive in Santa Elena (the main town of Monteverde) around 3:00 PM. All told, this option takes around 8-9 hours.

By Taxi / Boat / Taxi

This is one of the most popular options. First, travelers will take a short taxi from their hotel to the Lake Arenal Dam. Here they will board a boat and enjoy a 30-minute ride across Lake Arenal. On the other side, travelers will board a mini bus or 4x4 car and finish the final 1.5-hour drive to Monteverde. This option takes around 3 hours and can also be arranged in the opposite direction. More taxi / boat / taxi info and photos

By Horseback, Boat, and 4x4 Car

This is one of the most exciting options. Travelers are picked up from their Arenal area hotel and driven to the Lake Arenal Dam. From here, they’ll enjoy a 15-minute boat ride across the lake to the town of El Castillo. Once off the boat, guests will mount a horse and ride around a section of the lake, ending in Rió Chiquito. From here, they’ll be driven along the final leg to Monteverde, a distance of approximately 12 miles (20 km). This option takes around 3.5 hours. Group sizes are small (2-6 people), and along the way there are fantastic photo opportunities. This tour also runs in the opposite direction, from Monteverde to Arenal. Tours depart Arenal at 8:30 AM and Monteverde at 8:00 AM. More horseback riding info and photos

Next up in our complete list of things to do in Arenal, Costa Rica:
Guanacaste to Arenal Single Day Tour. Yes It's a Very Long Day!
#1.
1 Huge Day. Choose Your Favorite 4 Arenal Activities Arenal 4-in-1 Combo Tour
#2.
Safari Wildlife Float & Tortilla Making Experience Safari Float & Tortilla Making
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Walk Volcanic Trails & Soak in Hot Springs Volcano Hike & Hot Springs
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Navigate Down Waterfalls and Rainforest Canyons Pure Trek Canyoning in Costa Rica
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Combine 3 Activities in these Full Day Tours Arenal 3-in-1 Combo Tours
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Waterfall Canyoning & White Water Rafting Combo Rappelling & Rafting
#7.
Sky Tram toward Arenal Volcano & Zip Line over the Rainforest Sky Tram & Sky Trek Costa Rica Tour
#8.
Beautiful & Relaxing Eco Termales Hot Springs Eco Termales Hot Springs
#9.
Find the Best Half Day Combo Tours in Arenal Arenal 2-in-1 Tours
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Fly through the rainforest canopy on speedy zip lines with beautiful views. Arenal Canopy
#11.
Cruise on an ATV Through Backcountry Trails Arenal Tours - Arenal ATV Tour, Costa Rica
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Explore the Base of Arenal Volcano with an Expert Guide Arenal Volcano Guided Tour
#13.
Transportation from Volcano to Cloud Forest Arenal Volcano To Monteverde
#14.
Guanacaste to Arenal Single Day Tour. Yes It's a Very Long Day! Arenal Volcano One-Day-Tour
#15.
Take a Dip in 25 Hot Spring Pools at Baldi Baldi Hot Springs
#16.
Cruise Across Lake Arenal up to Monteverde Taxi-Boat-Taxi Arenal to Monteverde
#17.
Navigate Rainforest around Arenal Volcano via ATV ATV Adventures
#18.
Grab Your Cafe and Go Find Birds with a Naturalist Guide Bird Watching in the Rainforest
#19.
Club Rio Multi Adventure
#20.
Easy Hike through the Arenal Volcano National Park Arenal Volcano Hike
#21.
Rainforest Zip Line & Balsa River Rafting in One Day! Canopy & Rafting
#22.
Go Raft with a Guide on the Scenic Balsa River Balsa River Rafting
#23.
Interactive Cooking & Tasting Class Cooking Class
#24.
Wildlife Viewing Tour along Rio Frio & Cano Negro Refuge Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica
#25.
Traditional Farmhouse Costa Rica Cooking Cultour Authentic Costa Rica Experience
#26.
Coffee & Chocolate Cultivation & Tasting Tour Don Juan Coffee & Chocolate Tour
#27.
Horseback Riding at the Base of Arenal Volcano Don Tobias Horseback Ride To The Volcano
#28.
Action Packed Half Day of Rafting! Balsa River Half Day Whitewater Rafting
#29.
Zip & Glide Through the Rainforest Canopy Ecoglide Canopy Tour
#30.
Find Wildlife of the Rainforest after Dark Ecocentro Danaus Night Tour
#31.
Enjoy hiking trails and end your day with a warm soak El Silencio Mirador Trails & Hot Springs - Arenal
#32.
Educational Chocolate Cultivation & Tasting Tour Don Olivo Chocolate Tour
#33.
Arenal Volcano Eruption History & Trails History Walk Arenal Volcano
#34.
Take a self-guided tour and see plants and animals too numerous to name Ecocentro Danaus
#35.
Mistico Park & Arenal Volcano Horseback Tour Horseback riding through Mistico Park
#36.
Spend the Day Kayaking & Biking at the Base of Arenal Volcano Kayaking & Biking Lake Arenal
#37.
Farm to Table Cultivation & Tasting Experience Farm to Table Experience
#38.
Birdwatching along the Hanging Bridge Trails Hanging Bridges & Birdwatching tour
#39.
Horseback through Maleka Reserve to La Fortuna Waterfall La Fortuna Waterfall Maleku Horseback Ride
#40.
A local Favorite Hot Spring Los Laureles Hot Springs
#41.
Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park
#42.
Trek Through Rainforests, Rivers & Hot Springs of Surrounding Arenal The Lost Hill Trek
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Mistico Hanging Bridges
#44.
Los Perdidos Hot Springs at The Springs Resort Los Perdidos Springs
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Organic Chocolate Cultivation & Tasting Tour Organic Chocolate Tour
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Mountain Bike around the Arenal Volcano Mountain Bike Tour Of Arenal
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Naturalist Guided Tour of Rainforest Hanging Bridges Natural History Walk Hanging Bridges
#48.
Tranquil Paradise Hot Springs Paradise Hot Springs
#49.
Proyecto Asis Education & Wildlife Rescue Center Proyecto Asis
#50.
Pure Trek Canyoning & Chocolate Tasting Tour Pure Trek & Chocolate Tour
#51.
Wildlife Safari Float on the Penas Blancas River Peñas Blancas Safari Float
#52.
Pure Trek Waterfall & Rainforest Canyoning Pure Trek Canyoning
#53.
Guided Hike along Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Area The Rio Celeste And Tenorio Volcano Hike
#54.
Naturalist Guided Tour of La Fortuna Waterfall La Fortuna Waterfall
#55.
Visit Crocodiles of the Tarcoles River and Get to Your Destination! Transport Central Pacific Beaches & Crocodile Tour
#56.
Raft the Beautiful Sarapiqui River Sarapiqui River Rafting
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Tram Ride through Rainforest Sky Tram
#58.
Sky Limit Adventure Experience Sky Limit
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Zip over the Rainforest Canopy on Sky Trek Sky Trek
#60.
Paraiso Zip Line Canopy Tour Paraiso Canopy Tour
#61.
Zip over the Rainforest & Canyon down Waterfalls. Sky Trek & Pure Trek
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Wildlife Safari Float on the Penas Blancas River Peñas Blancas Safari Float
#63.
Tortilla Preparation & Costa Rica Cooking Class Tortilla Making Cooking Class
#64.
Relaxing Titoku Hot Springs Titoku Hot Springs
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Float the River at Twilight in Search of Wildlife Twilight Safari Float
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Guided Sloth Habitat Tour Sloth Tour
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Relax in the Tabacon River Hot Springs Tabacón Hot Springs
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Zip Line & Rafting Adventure Combo Zip line & Rafting Adventure
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Take a rare glimpse into a mystical underground world Venado Caves Tour
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Lake Arenal Kayaking & Wildlife Observation Kayaking Lake Arenal
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Explore Rainforest Trails and Suspension Bridges Sky Walk
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Waterfall Canyoning & Rafting on the Balsa River Waterfall Rappelling And Rafting Combo
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Action Packed Spider Monkey Canyon Spider Monkey Canyon
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Find Rainforest Nightlife with a Naturalist Guide Arenal Night Hike
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Search for Nocturnal Frogs & So Much More! Arenal Oasis Frog Watching Night Tour
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Chocolate Harvesting & Tasting Tour Rainforest Chocolate Tour
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Looking for an Culture Tour? Visit a Family Farm in Costa Rica. Campesino Farm Tour

Get Help Planning Your Visit

“We couldn’t find a tour to Monteverde that suited our needs and you guys went above and beyond to make it happen! Thank you Yahaira!” – L. Rod Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service Trustpilot 5-star rated

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