Are you working remotely and planning a visit to Monteverde in Costa Rica? You absolutely should! I visited Monteverde at the beginning of 2026 and was surprised how easy it was to combine work and nature adventure there.
Monteverde is best known for its cloud forest, wildlife, and cooler climate. This area of Costa Rica is breath-taking. In your free time, you can visit Santa Elena Cloud Forest, join a night wildlife tour, or go bird watching. It’s paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. Monteverde can also be a great destination for digital nomads and remote workers, if you know where to go.
As a full-time remote worker, my main priorities are: reliable internet, a comfortable place to work, and a walkable infrastructure. Selina hostel is one of the many mentioned when visiting Monteverde, however with changes in management and the location being too far out of town, I wouldn’t recommend it. In this guide, I’ll share the best work-friendly cafés in Monteverde, a great accommodation for remote work and practical tips to help you plan your stay. Benefit from a central location and comfortable daily life in Monteverde. This is perfect for those who don’t want to rent a car and are dependent on public transportation.
Check out my free coliving guide!
What’s the Best Time to Visit Monteverde?
Monteverde has two main seasons: dry season and rainy season. The dry season (December to April) is the most popular time to visit. You’ll get clearer skies, less rain, and better hiking conditions. However, it’s also the busiest time, with more tourists and slightly higher prices. The rainy season (May to November) is greener, quieter, and often more atmospheric. Rain usually comes in the afternoon or evening, so mornings are still great for work or exploring.
I visited in Monteverde in January. One thing to be aware of at that time of the year is the windy season, especially between December and February. Winds can get crazy! However, still was a beautiful time to explore. Temperatures during the day were around 17 to 22 degrees Celsius.
How to get to Monteverde
Getting to Monteverde from San José is fairly straightforward, even without a car. The most common and budget-friendly option is the public bus. Departure point is the TransMonteverde Terminal in San José. Buses from San José to Monteverde depart twice a day, one at 6.30 AM and one at 2.30 PM. Travel time takes around 4-5 hours. The public bus is pretty comfortable, affordable, and reliable. You can buy tickets either at the terminal or online.
Have you heard of colivings? Check out my previous experiences!
Alternatively, you can take a private shuttle. However, there’s not really any need for that. It’s a lot more expensive and only slightly faster. If you’re traveling light and don’t mind public transport, the bus from San José to Monteverde is absolutely fine.
Work-Friendly Cafés in Monteverde
I tested a few cafés during my stay and found three solid options for working remotely. That said, a quick note before we start: While many cafés in Monteverde are work-friendly and offer WiFi, we as digital nomads carry some responsibility of not misusing this infrastructure. If you stay for a few hours, make sure your purchase kind of justifies the duration of your stay. That’s the only way the digital nomad-friendly culture can continue.
1. Santa Elena Coffee Shop (Café Monteverde)
This is hands down the best café to work from in Monteverde. The upstairs area is perfect for working a few hours. They offer good coffee, simple snacks, and sweets. Bring a power adapter if needed (US plugs are available).
- Large upstairs seating area
- High tables with power sockets and good Wi-Fi
- Bright, wooden interior
- Calm but social atmosphere
2. Zucchero Coffee & Bakery
Zucchero is a lovely café with great coffee and a cozy atmosphere. It’s slightly smaller than Santa Elena Coffee shop and not ideal for a long stay, but perfect for a few focused hours, especially during quieter times.
- Long communal table
- Nice view over the town
- Good WiFi
- Best for shorter work sessions
3. The Open Kitchen
The Open Kitchen is a great option if you want to combine work with good food. It’s not cheap but the food quality is great.
- Indoor & outdoor seating
- Great vegan and vegetarian options
- Best for lunch, coffee and dinner
- Beautiful forest views
Work-Friendly accommodation in Monteverde
We stayed at Cabinas Selva Verde in Monteverde, and it was perfect for remote work. When booking, have a look for the apartment with mountain view (2 single beds, 1 double bed). It’s a large, wooden room with lots of natural light and a private balcony. The view over the forest is amazing. The room comes with an ensuite with a hot shower. There’s also a little kitchen with a fridge, kettle and microwave.
Click here to check availability at Selva Verde!
The stay includes a wholesome breakfast – either pancakes or eggs on toast accompanied by some fresh juice and fruit. The owners of Cabinas Selva Verde were incredibly kind and helpful. They even provided extra heating when we felt a bit cold at night. The location is right in Santa Elena, close to supermarkets and restaurants. What made this place extra work-friendly is the large table and great WiFi speed. We really enjoyed working from there.
Final Tip: Get an eSIM Before You Arrive
If you’re planning to work remotely in Monteverde, I highly recommend getting an eSIM before arriving. It’s not as straightforward to get a physical sim card in countries like Costa Rica or Nicaragua, as you have to proof residency. Having an e-sim makes you a lot more independent.
With the Saily E-Sim you can prepare your data before even arriving to Costa Rica. Once you land, just activate the Sim card and you can use your data. This way you can also book an Uber when arriving at the airport, as there is no internet outside the terminal. Plans start at around $8 for 7 days, which is perfect as a backup for remote work.
👉 Check Saily eSIM plans here.
