Calathea Hotel Monteverde
Soundproofed Santa Elena hotel, also listed as Calathea Lodge, 150 m from the OIJ office and 6 km from the reserve
About this stay
Calathea Hotel Monteverde provides a tranquil retreat in the heart of the cloud forest, perfect for families and those seeking a peaceful stay. The rooms are designed for comfort, featuring soundproofing and amenities like a tea and coffee maker and a refrigerator. Mornings begin with a delicious breakfast served directly to your room, setting a relaxed tone for the day. The hotel's garden and sun terrace offer inviting spaces to unwind after exploring the rainforest, while the outdoor fireplace creates a cozy ambiance in the evenings. Its location makes it an ideal base for adventure activities in the surrounding area.
- About 150 m northwest of the OIJ office, Santa Elena
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve 6 km away; Curi Cancha about 15 minutes by car
- Soundproofed rooms with kettle and fridge
- Rooftop terrace with café; breakfast served in your room
- Free on-site parking; paid shuttle on request
- 9.0 guest score from 640 reviews
Our take
Calathea opened in 2019 about 150 m northwest of the OIJ in Santa Elena, also sold as Calathea Lodge Monteverde. The OIJ, the judicial police office, is the landmark locals give directions from. From there, the sodas (small local restaurants), supermarkets and tour desks are on foot, while the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is 6 km away up a winding dead-end road. Rooms are soundproofed, with a kettle and fridge, and breakfast is brought to your room, handy before a dawn tour. I would choose it for a first Monteverde stay without a car; if waking up inside the forest is the point, look nearer the reserve.
- ✓Book a guided walk for your first morning: a naturalist with a scope finds quetzals and sloths you would walk past, and most guides collect from Santa Elena hotels.
- ✓Choose between the reserves before you go: Monteverde is 6 km from town, Curi Cancha about 15 minutes by car and Santa Elena reserve about 20; each is a separate visit.
- ✓Book your after-dark walk with hotel pickup included: most operators collect from Santa Elena hotels, from about 5:30 pm for a 6 pm start. The hotel's paid shuttle runs on request only.
- ✓Reach Santa Elena in daylight: the climb from the Pan-American Highway is slow in fog, and the drive from San José airport takes three to four hours depending on traffic and weather.
- ✓Bring a fleece and a rain shell even in the dry season: Santa Elena sits high and evenings on the rooftop terrace turn cool and damp.
Why we love it
- Comfortable, soundproofed family rooms
- Delicious breakfast served in-room
- Lush garden and sun terrace for relaxation
- Convenient access to cloud forest adventures
Why guests love itCalathea works well for families who plan two or three full Monteverde days of hanging bridges, daytime guided walks and an after-dark walk, and want a quiet room to return to. Children of all ages are welcome and cots can be added, although extra beds cannot, so families of four should check the room layout before booking. Soundproofing helps children sleep when other guests leave for dawn tours, and the fridge and kettle cover snacks and early milk. Being in Santa Elena means dinner is a short walk rather than a drive on mountain roads after dark. The trade-off is setting: this is a town hotel with a garden and a rooftop, not a lodge surrounded by cloud forest.