Monte Azul
Monteverde, Costa Rica
At a Glance
Eco-retreat with four stylish casitas, hidden in 100 acres of cloud forest, in the remote southern highlands
Located 4km from Chirripo National Park, visit rain and cloud forest, go zip lining and white-water rafting as well as take part in unique art-based activities
Excellent for birders. With over 250 different species catalogued to date on the reserve
Relaxing and peaceful hideaway with excellent personalized service - great for honeymooners and couples
Fresh and contemporary decor in keeping with the natural surroundings
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Year round destination, although November to April are the best months for sunshine. The ‘Green’ season, from May to October, is a good time to visit: it’s sunny in the mornings with rain in the afternoons. The quietest period is April to early June. The rain can be particularly strong in September and October.
Insider's View
Chirripo is the highest peak in Costa Rica and it is a once in a life time experience to climb it from Monte Azul. It is a very strenuous trek so not for the faint hearted! The uphill hike takes 8-10 hours with an overnight at a simple shelter on the top. Book well in advance as permits are limited.
Call us on to start planning your holiday to Monte Azul or take a look at our itineraries to Costa Rica
Description
Monte Azul is a luxury boutique lodge and 125-acre private nature preserve set in the stunning foothills of Chirripo, Costa Rica’s highest mountain and National Park in southern Costa Rica. A wonderful retreat for relaxing and also exploring the region.
Monte Azul’s nature preserve is home to over 1,200 metres of riverfront along the Chirripo River, numerous creeks, waterfalls, primary rainforest and an extraordinary number of animals and exotic plants. It is also a superb base for bird watching with the famous Skutch Ranch nearby.
Monte Azul features elegant casitas are nestled within landscaped gardens and Casa Palo Alto, a stunning hilltop villa commanding sweeping views of the Chirripo Valley. All guest rooms are beautifully decorated in a contemporary style.
Whilst at Monte Azul there is a whole host of things to see and do. The preserve has seven well-maintained trails leading to waterfalls, swimming holes, coffee plantations and panoramic views. The trails are signed, so you can explore on your own at leisure or with a guide. Several tours can be arranged such as white-water rafting, horseback riding, a visit to the local thermal springs, or to the Boruca indigenous community, a day trip to the beaches of Uvita, among many others. You can also exercise your own creative talents with workshops on screen printing, etching, and cooking, including a popular cheese making class with a local family. Upon your return, you could indulge in an in-room spa treatment. Within walking distance from the casitas is Cafe Blue, Monte Azul’s open-air fine dining restaurant.
Please note that children under the age of 15 are not permitted.
Accommodation
Accommodations consist of just four comfortable garden casitas, with views of the rainforest and the sounds of the Chirripo River. Inspired by mid-20th Century architecture, the design takes full advantage of the bright tropical light while offering cool shade and vistas of the surrounding mountains. Each Casita features a private terrace and garden. The furnishings are all designed and built on site from certified woods, complementing the clean lines of the architecture. The result is a comfortable, airy space perfect for a private getaway. Your Casita boasts a generous 515 sq ft living area and queen sized bed, along with private outdoor terrace, luxury bathroom, designer kitchen, custom designed furniture and original fine art.
Facilities
Cafe Bleu restaurant, spa, private reserve, fine art collection and nature trails, artist studio and fine art collection showcasing local contemporary art and hilltop swimming pool.
Activities
Nature walks, hiking, bird watching, horse riding, massage treatments, visit to a local family-run organic coffee farm, enjoy one of the many swimming holes in the two rivers that run adjacent, or take a dip in the pool and relax, cooking class, visit to thermal pools in the Talamanca Mountains, visit this private nature preserve of Cloudbridge that borders Chirripo National Park, a day trip to the beach and zip lining.
Experiences
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Monteverde Reserve Night Tour
Experience the vast biological diversity of Monteverde Cloud Forest from a different perspective. Arriving just before sunset, you will have the opportunity to see many rare and nocturnal wildlife species emerge out of the darkness.
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Santa Elena Reserve Tour
Explore the magnificent birding opportunities in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Lose yourself in the forest, surrounded by views of the Arenal Volcano and the Guanacaste lowlands.
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Sky Tram, Trek & Walk
Sky Tram, Trek and Walk is a guided experience of a cablecar above the canopy, walking along the hanging bridges of Monteverde and zip lining through the cloud forest canopy.
Location & directions
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Monte Azul is located on a private mountain reserve near the country's highest point, Chirripó National Park. In Costa Rica's Southern Zone in the Talamanca River Valley and approximately a half an hour from the famous Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary.
How to get there
12-hour international flight to San Jose Juan Santamaria International, followed by a 3-hour road transfer to Monte Azul.
- 100% financial protection
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator
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