Views from the balcony
Mountains, afternoon clouds and, in the studios facing the gulf, the sunset. "The views are a wonder," writes one guest.
Santa Elena · Monteverde · Costa Rica
Monteluna Studios Monteverde
★★★★
Four roomy studios on a small farm in the hills of Santa Elena, each with a balcony, a full kitchenette and views of the mountains and the gulf. Run by a family who lives next door, with free parking and wifi.
- 9.4on Booking.com · 264 reviews
- 4.9on Google · 89 reviews
- 1.3 kmfrom downtown Santa Elena
Book on Booking.com · Rates change by date
A mountain house with a view, minutes from town
Monteluna Studios sits on Route 619, on the outskirts of Santa Elena, about 700 meters northwest of the Bon Appetit restaurant. It's away from the bustle of the center but close to everything: the Monteverde shopping center, the Orchid Garden and the Frog Pond are about 6 minutes by car, and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and the canopy parks are a few kilometers away.
There are four studios of about 30 m², each with its own kitchenette, and the host family lives on the same property. Guests mention the views, the cleanliness, the service (9.9 on Booking.com) and the help arranging excursions again and again, including a night walk through the forest.
See availability →What makes it special
Six concrete things, taken from the listings and from guest reviews.
Service: 9.9
It's the highest score on Booking.com. The hosts recommend restaurants, book tours and welcome each guest.
Welcome basket
Many reviews mention fresh fruit and coffee on arrival.
Your own kitchen
Every studio has a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker and dishes.
Night walk
Several guests took a night walk through the cloud forest with the host; ask whether it's available on your dates.
Free parking
On the property, at no charge.
Hotel photos
The studios
Four studios of about 30 m² for two guests, each with its own decor, a quality bed, a private bathroom with a rain shower, a kitchenette and free wifi.
Panoramic studio with balcony, King bed
With a balcony and a partial view of the gulf; the property's main photo shows its building against the sunset.
See price →Panoramic studio, Queen bed
A bedroom with a sofa and a dining table, and a partial view of the gulf.
See price →Mountain-view studio, Queen bed
A table with chairs, a microwave and windows facing the forest. Booking.com also lists a sofa bed in the mountain-view studios.
See price →Second mountain-view studio
The same type as the one above: with two of them, a group such as two couples can stay together.
See price →Property amenities
A small guesthouse: its strengths are the views, the private kitchen and the family's attention.
- Free wifiIn the studios (50+ Mbps) and in some common areas.
- Free parkingOutdoors, on the property; space is limited.
- Kitchenette in every studioFridge, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker and kettle, dishes and utensils.
- Welcome coffee and fruitA basket on arrival, according to many reviews.
- Garden and terraceLawn, plants and a balcony; birds and hummingbirds visit.
- LaundryLaundry service available.
- Tour helpThe hosts help you book excursions and tickets.
- Luggage storageUseful if you arrive early or leave late.
- Quality beddingSelect Comfort mattress, duvet and a pillow menu.
- Multilingual staffThey speak Spanish and English fluently.
- WorkspaceA table and chair for your laptop in the studio.
- Smoke-freeSmoking is not allowed.
Where to have breakfast and eat
There is no restaurant on the property: you cook for yourself or head into town. The places below are a few minutes away by car or on foot, according to Expedia.
Your studio kitchen
You can make simple breakfasts and meals; several guests did. The Monteverde shopping center is about 6 minutes away by car.
Soda La Amistad · 3 min by car
A soda: a typical Costa Rican eatery.
Choco Café · 4 min by car
Coffee and chocolate for the afternoon.
Monteverde Brewing Company · 15 min walk
A craft brewery.
The Open Kitchen · 16 min walk
A restaurant a short walk away.
Tree House Restaurante & Café · 17 min walk
A restaurant and café a short walk away.
High in the cloud forest, among mist, hanging bridges and quetzals
Santa Elena is the main town of Monteverde, high in the Tilarán mountain range. The country's best-known cloud forest reserves are just a few kilometers away. Distances are in a straight line from the hotel.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve · 4.5 km
An ever-damp forest with moss-covered trees, orchids and bromeliads, and trails that cross the Continental Divide. Closer to town, the Curi-Cancha Reserve (2.8 km) is another good choice for walking and birdwatching.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve · 3.8 km
A community-run reserve, a little higher and less crowded, north of town. It has marked trails through the cloud forest and, on clear days, viewpoints toward Arenal Volcano.
Hanging bridges · 2.9 km
At parks such as Selvatura and Sky Adventures, trails cross the forest on hanging bridges at treetop level. Many combine the walk with a canopy (zipline) tour.
Quetzals and birds
Monteverde is one of the best places in Central America to see the resplendent quetzal, especially in its nesting season, roughly February to June. There are also bellbirds, toucans and more than 400 bird species; with a guide they're much easier to spot.
Hummingbirds
Dozens of hummingbird species live in the cloud forest. Near the reserve entrances and at some cafés there are feeders where you can see them up close.
Santa Elena · 1.3 km
The town center, with sodas (local eateries), cafés, shops and tour agencies. The surroundings are coffee farms and the dairy founded by the Quakers who arrived in the 1950s.
When to go to Monteverde
Average high temperature and rainfall in Monteverde and Santa Elena, month by month (approximate values).
21°Jan
22°Feb
23°Mar
24°Apr
24°May
23°Jun
22°Jul
22°Aug
22°Sep
22°Oct
21°Nov
21°Dec
Dry (Jan–Apr) Transition and wind (May, Nov–Dec) Rainy (Jun–Oct) · mm
- ☀️ January to April is the dry season and the busiest, with roads in better shape. Book early for Christmas, New Year's and Easter.
- 🌬️ From December to February strong winds blow and a fine misty drizzle is common, even when the rest of the country is dry.
- 🌧️ May to November is rainier, often in the afternoon; September and October are the wettest months. There are fewer visitors and the forest is at its greenest.
- 🧥 Because of the altitude it's cool all year (21–24 °C by day and cooler at night): bring a light jacket, a rain jacket and closed shoes for the mud.
- 🐦 The best time to see quetzals is February to June; early-morning walks usually have the best luck.
- 💧 Tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica; bottled water is easy to find if you prefer. With the mist and humidity, keep your camera and phone protected.
How to get here
From San José Airport (SJO)
Juan Santamaría Airport (76 km in a straight line) has the most flights. From there it's about 3 to 4 hours by car: along the Pan-American Highway and then up the mountain. Shared and private shuttles are available.
From Liberia Airport (LIR)
Daniel Oduber Airport in Guanacaste (84 km in a straight line) is about 3 hours away by car, south on the Pan-American Highway and then up to Monteverde.
Bus
Public buses run from San José to Santa Elena (about 5 hours), with connections from Puntarenas (39 km). They're cheap but slow, with few departures a day: check the timetable in advance.
Jeep-boat-jeep from La Fortuna
From La Fortuna (25 km in a straight line), the fastest option is the 'jeep-boat-jeep': a minibus to Lake Arenal, a boat across it and another minibus up to Monteverde, about 3 to 4 hours in all.
Roads and getting around
The roads up to Monteverde are winding, steep mountain roads, and some approaches (such as those from Tilarán or Juntas) have gravel stretches: a 4x4 or high-clearance car is best, and drive in daylight. In the area there are taxis and minibuses to the reserves. The currency is the Costa Rican colón; there are ATMs, and US dollars and cards are accepted almost everywhere.
What's nearby
On Route 619, on the outskirts of Santa Elena. Travel times from Expedia and straight-line distances.
- Downtown Santa Elena1.3 km
- Monteverde shopping center6 min by car
- Orchid Garden6 min by car
- Frog Pond6 min by car
- Ficus La Raíz natural bridge7 min by car
- Wildlife Refuge19 min walk
- Curi-Cancha Reserve2.8 km
- Selvatura Park2.9 km
- Santa Elena Reserve3.8 km
- Monteverde Reserve4.5 km
- La Fortuna25 km
- San José Airport76 km
What guests say
9.4 out of 10 on Booking.com from 264 reviews, 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 89 reviews, and 9.8 out of 10 on Expedia from 19 reviews.
9.9Staff
9.6Location
9.6Comfort
9.6Value for money
9.4Cleanliness
9.1Facilities
«One of the best places of my whole trip through Costa Rica. The room is very spacious and clean and the views are wonderful.»
«Clean and modern, and has an amazing view. The basket of fruit and coffee on arrival was very much appreciated.»
«Quiet, clean, and very cozy. Ideally located up in the mountains. Surrounded by clouds every afternoon. Far enough from the city to enjoy some quiet but still close to activities, restaurants and supermarkets.»
«I chose a place away from the center to be surrounded by nature.»
«Well-equipped, comfortable room with beautiful view.»
«The gem of my week. A great unit in a great location - clean, well equipped, friendly people.»
What to know before you book
Check-in from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
If you'll arrive later, let the property know beforehand. Check-out before 11:00 AM. The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM to midnight.
Minimum age: 18
Photo ID is required. Children are welcome; there are open balconies and terraces that may not suit the youngest ones.
Cash payment
Booking.com states that the property accepts cash only: bring colones or US dollars.
No elevator
The studios are in two-story buildings and there are stairs.
No pets allowed
No smoking on the property and no parties.
Thin walls
A guest in 2023 could hear the neighbors in the next studio; keep it in mind if you're a light sleeper.
No air conditioning in the listings
Neither Expedia nor Booking.com mentions it; at this altitude the nights are cool and several guests slept very comfortably.
There's a dog and a cat
Guests describe them as very friendly and well cared for; keep this in mind if you have allergies.
Things to do from Monteverde
Highly rated tours on Viator: a guided cloud forest walk, hanging bridges and canopy at Selvatura, birdwatching, a night walk, coffee, chocolate and sugarcane, and El Tigre waterfalls. Check each tour's meeting point or whether it includes hotel pickup; cancellation terms vary by tour.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Tour
See the tour →
Selvatura Park Gold Package (Canopy & Hanging Bridges)
See the tour →
Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde
See the tour →
2 Hour Night Hike by Finca Lantana Monteverde
See the tour →
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular)
See the tour →
El Tigre Waterfalls Hiking Tour with Lunch and Nature Guide
See the tour →Tour texts and photos: Viator.
Where it is
Route 619, 60109 Santa Elena, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica (about 700 m northwest of the Bon Appetit restaurant)
Book your stay at Monteluna Studios
See today's rates and availability on Booking.com. Many rates can be cancelled for free; check the conditions of each one before you book.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Monteluna Studios?
On Route 619, on the outskirts of Santa Elena de Monteverde, about 700 meters northwest of the Bon Appetit restaurant and 1.3 km from the town center.
Is breakfast included?
There's no restaurant on the property. Each studio has a kitchenette and, according to many reviews, the hosts leave a welcome basket with fruit and coffee.
Is there parking?
Yes, free and on the property, although space is limited.
Is there a pool?
None appears in the Expedia or Booking.com listings; the appeal is the views, the garden and the private kitchen.
What time is check-in?
From 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; if you'll arrive later, let the property know beforehand. Check-out is before 11:00 AM.
Can I pay by card?
Booking.com states that the property accepts cash only, so it's best to bring colones or US dollars.
What do the studios have?
A kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, toaster oven and coffee maker, a quality bed, a private bathroom with a rain shower, free wifi, a balcony and views of the mountains or the gulf.
How do I get here from the airport?
From San José Airport it's about 3 to 4 hours by car along the Pan-American Highway and up the mountain to Monteverde; private and shared shuttles are also available. The last stretch is mountain road, so it's best to drive in daylight.