Top Things to do in Monteverde
9 Free Things to do in Monteverde That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica including Sarah's Gallery, Souvenir Rosewood-Info Center, Chorotega Arts & Crafts, Ferlander Arguedas Studio & Art Gallery, Art House, Women Artisans Cooperative Santa Elena and Monteverde, Arte Jaguar Gallery, Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, Cerro Amigos.
Restaurants in Monteverde
1. Sarah's Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
A 15 minute walk up from the Monteverde Cheese Factory, through a beautiful woodlands, takes you to the gallery of watercolor artist Sarah Dowell. Visiting her unique home, you'll see paintings which often depict local wildlife and jungle scenes. Colorful signs with arrows show the way. It is also possible to drive most of the access road.
Reviewed By mikelB151VW - San Diego, United States
My friends and I hiked the path in the back of the monteverde institute about 100 feet from the cheese factory/ice cream store. (Btw, factory no longer does tours). Hike was free. After, we saw sign for “gallery” and came across house in the woods. The owner and artist, Sarah, has been living in Costa Rica since 1978. She welcomed us into her home and gallery. We looked at her collection of shells and her beautiful watercolors that capture the feel of the country. I purchased a pack of ten assorted greeting cards of her paintings. She spoke with us about the Quaker way of life which is a lot more “real” than most others. I’m glad to have happened upon her place.
2. Souvenir Rosewood-Info Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
We are a small family business where you can find beautiful and unique wood bolws, which are made by the owner, the work area is in the same place so we extend the invitation to all our customers to visit the workshop and observe the process and for sure our garden. We also have jewelry that is made also by the owner and her daughter, some made from recycled paper, seeds, and more. We hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By middle_aged_mom_12
Don’t miss this place if you can help it! This is the place where the guy will show you how he turns bowls from wood. He also will show off his fantastic garden which has sugar cane, a macadamia tree, and coffee plants amongst numerous others. He cut some cane for our family to try. He also has a bird feeder where we saw a Toucanette, and a Euphonia bird. He also let us try a lime right off the tree, and showed us his pineapple plant, plantain and banana trees. The gift shop features his woodwork, and the prices are the most reasonable there. You can find his work (probably his work) in gift shops, but this place has the best variety and prices. Best was when he let my husband try helping him turn a bowl on the lathe. The owner is a really kind man. We gave him money for generously sharing his time with us.
3. Chorotega Arts & Crafts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
The Chorotega Arts & Crafts museum is located near the Monte Verde District. The history of the Chorotega Tribe is shared with visitors from around the world on a daily basis. The Chorotega Tribe has used ancient environmentally friendly techniques to create outstanding master pieces for over 4,000 years. These unique and beautiful creations are made on location right at this museum for everyone to see and learn about the Chorotegas. Visitors may join a hands on activity in the heart of the San Rafael community, Guanacaste. Learn, watch and create your own master piece using Chorotega style techniques with Marcelo Oliveira, the expert behind this small museum. Time travel is possible when you visit the Chorotega Arts & Craft exhibit and experience art inspired by nature in a very "old" fashion way.
Reviewed By ElisabethH2058
This place is amazing. Beautiful pottery and with nice prices. He also showed us the process for making pottery. Each piece takes many days to complete. Absolutely must stop here. Don't need 1-2 hours. We were there for 20 minutes.
4. Ferlander Arguedas Studio & Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By PaulStreckenbach - San Jose, Costa Rica
As a practicing artist, I can personally share the hard work and love that goes into creativity, I can confidently see when someone puts their heart and soul into all that they do. Walking into the gallery, I was immediately stimulated by vibrant colors and great ambiance. Ferlander and Lin have not only created an amazing gallery but also a place of inspiration and creativity. If you are in Monteverde.. don’t miss this gallery. Whether you like art or not, whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling, you will be pleasantly satisfied you stepped into this warm and lovely gallery of some of the best art in Costa Rica!
5. Art House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Local art a beautiful gardens that are really close to town---Arte local y jadines hermosos cerca del pueblo.
Reviewed By WineTraveller - Wilmington, United States
Stopped in here on a whim as we were heading out of Santa Elena on our way to La Fortuna. VERY glad we did. The owner had a wide array of pieces from Costa Rican artists in all sorts of media. She was just the sort of shop owner we like ... unobtrusive as we wander around but was there if we had ANY questions and offering alternatives if we wanted "this" but felt what we were looking at was too expensive. BTW - for those who are mono-lingual she speaks very good English and she ships internationally if you need to.
6. Women Artisans Cooperative Santa Elena and Monteverde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By katrinajuliafit - Atlanta, United States
Loved this place!!! Awesome selection of souvenirs & supporting local entrepreneurs. The lunch at Cuchara de Abuela yummy typical Costa Rican casado & fresh juice at great prices! Yes please! I stopped here several hours after spending my morning at Stellas across the street, came here to shop and have lunch, and then headed to Children's Eternal Rain Forest for a hike - less than 10 min away.
7. Arte Jaguar Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
arte jaguar gallery and studio offers the possibility to meet costarican artist Roberto Wesson and his original fine art paintings in the lush cloud forest of monteverde. Wesson is a not only an artist but a naturalist dedicated to a 300 miniature orchid species rescue greenhouse open to visitors. No middle man prices,buy original art directly from the artist.
Reviewed By GarrettM1401 - Rolling Hills Estates, United States
Come check this artist (and his son) out! Great memories of your trip in Costa Rica. Original canvas paintings or reprints. Very cool stuff!! They can pack in a tube to take on the plane! Bought an original canvas as well as two reprints... best way to support local while bringing home memories of a great Costa Rican adventure vacation!
8. Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
A Wildlife Photograph Gallery & Souvenir Shop located near the top of the Monteverde Cloud Forest and surrounded by many different species of hummingbirds and wildlife. The photographs were taken by the famous British Photographers, Michael and Patricia Fogden and used by National Geographics. The Hummingbird Gallery is a property owned by Michael and Patricia Fogden and it is located right next to the entrance of the privately owned Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. The shop supports many indigenous tribes from Costa Rica and other countries in Central America. Their original master pieces are sold and exhibit at the gallery.
Reviewed By Hatewinter14 - Cambridge, Canada
Well the name says it all. Incredible experience with the hummingbirds flying all around you. There are multiple types of hummingbirds here. This place is free to attend, but please support the locals in the cafe or gift shop
9. Cerro Amigos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By ariga11i
It‘s a steep and exhausting 2 hours hike to go up. Anyways, you get rewarded with a view over the rainforest and really cool 1 hour loop through the jungle. Absolutely recommended!
TAGS
