Where to Eat, Sleep and Play in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Adventure enthusiasts and locals alike ascend to the canopies of Costa Rica's cloud forest for a reprieve from the otherwise hot climate — and I understood why when I felt the immediate temperature drop for myself.

The mountainous town of Monteverde is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure destination, set within a rare biome that makes up just 1% of the world’s forests. Adding to its allure is the fact that Monteverde sits near one of the world’s five Blue Zones (a region known for the longevity of its inhabitants), making it not just an adventure hub, but also an inspired wellness-oriented destination. From high-adrenaline excursions to rejuvenating retreats, Monteverde offers something for every type of client.

Here’s how to craft an incredible rainforest getaway.

Where to Stay: Hotel Belmar

Nestled within the cloud forest, the 26-room Hotel Belmar is Monteverde’s first carbon-neutral hotel. I stayed in one of the eco-lodge's newly renovated suites — a spacious, modern villa with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, a private balcony and an outdoor whirlpool overlooking the jungle. With plans to add 10 new suites, Hotel Belmar is quickly emerging as a rising gem in the region.

More than just a boutique stay, this family-owned and -operated chic jungle chalet serves as a hub for gastronomy, sustainability and community. Monthly barbecues welcome Monteverde residents to attend alongside guests, while immersive experiences such as forest immersion tours and a garden-to-glass cocktail workshop offer a deeper connection to the land. 

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A guest relations manager ensures every visitor receives a white-glove experience — a commitment that became clear when I was on a first-name basis with the staff by day one. The hotel also runs an artist-in-residence program that prioritizes local talent and further intertwines its mission with the surrounding community.

Where to Eat: Treetop Dining, Restaurante Celajes and More

For a romantic evening, make reservations at San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience. Worthy of its accolades, this restaurant will impress clients as they indulge in a six- or nine-course dinner in a private glass dining cube that frames a sunset view with floor-to-ceiling windows. Despite its upscale allure, this restaurant also proudly maintains a family-friendly atmosphere.

On another evening (and after a sunset horseback ride that overlooked the ocean), I sauntered up to Hotel Belmar’s Restaurante Celajes, awestruck by my mossy surroundings. I traded one lush view for another as I indulged in the eatery's Garden Green Curry, a dish that — true to its name — highlighted ingredients sourced from the surrounding garden. Vibrant purple blossoms, freshly picked that day, were artfully scattered across my plate. Many of the restaurant’s offerings are also sourced from its private 30-acre farm — the one I had just ridden through — ensuring an unparalleled level of freshness while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and regenerative practices.

Hotel Belmar’s Cerveceria is also not to be missed. During happy hour here, I sipped a butterfly pea cocktail — infused with garden-grown cardamom, lemon and lavender — and took in the evening view of rippling water and the rhythmic hum of insects. Every element of the property is designed around the philosophy that nature is art, seamlessly weaving the environment into each experience.

With fragrant herbs in my glass and the jungle backdrop surrounding me, I couldn’t help but feel realigned to nature’s rhythms and connected to the environment on a level I wasn’t expecting.

Where to Play: Aventura Adventure Park and More

Monteverde boasts the longest zipline in Costa Rica — almost 1 mile long — allowing thrill-seekers to soar through the cloud forest for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This action-packed ride at Aventura Adventure Park offers a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding flora and fauna and is an exciting way to immerse kids ages 6 and up in the magic of the rainforest.

Clients seeking a more full-spectrum forest immersion (and possibly something more mellow) can opt for the Savia tour with Hotel Belmar, specifically designed to “realign you with the rhythms of the forest,” as the tour designer explained to me. Thanks to a range of activities tailored to different interests, every guest is sure to find a point of connection.

As a foodie myself, that moment came in the form of jungle-foraged snacks — especially the fragrant cluster of freshly picked mint in my lavender and hibiscus for herbal tea. The grand finale? An exciting 135-foot rappel down an ancient Tempisque tree — an unforgettable way to embrace Monteverde’s wild beauty.