We have our new sign, Thank you Ward Kane. It is fantastic! Come on over after your Monteverde adventures to recharge and enjoy the very best in local and international live music in Monteverde. We look forward to seeing everyone. Happy trails. [caption id="attachment_52" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Great night / Great Music in Monteverde "][/caption]
It has been a hell of time getting the new addition up and running and we are still in the process of finishing landscaping and other amenities but it is officially open. We are proud to offer newer more spacious rooms to fit any budget. The new addition includes private double rooms, new private rooms without bath and large cabins that accommodate families and groups up to 10 persons. Please contact us for more information and we look forward to seeing everyone. Happy Trails
Warm and inviting, a place for good people, where locals and travelers can blend, share, learn grow. Just recently opened, Mata e Cana is offering great drinks and fantastic music, ranging from Salsa to Trance. Different almost every night, we invite you to join us for a spell. Good drinks and Good vibes are awaiting
I am chilling here at the mata e cana, one of the coolest spots here in the Santa Elena, Monteverde area. I am supping on some tropical juices while I work on this here blog. What do you think? We are about to launch a new site, maybe as early as tonight. We hope that we will be better able to share information with our guests and friends. Come back soon to see as the changes come up!
Traveling from San Jose to Monteverde byPublic bus:
A direct bus departs the San Carlos terminal in San Jose at 6h30am and 2h30pm and arrives in Monteverde at 11h30am and 7h30pm. Your belongings are safe under the bus but use caution with your valuables inside the cabin. Do not store them above you in the overhead bins and take them with you when you depart the bus for breaks. Also, use a taxi to get to this terminal from your hotel because the neighborhood is not safe. There are also shared shuttles and private transportation departing daily from San Jose and the airport area in the morning and afternoon. They do require reservations and costs vary depending on departure time and operator. Contact the Pension Santa Elena for any questions.
Happy Trails
The PSE
El Castillo or La Fortuna
Having just spent a wonderful night in El Castillo in front of Volcan Arenal I have decided that if the adventurer is looking for the road less traveled and a more authentic Costa Rican experience then El Castillo is a nice change of pace from the more touristy La Fortuna/Arenal area. We stayed at a great little place called Essence Arenal. Nice people and the staff are very informative. The owners and staff are genuine and enthusiastically share their Costa Rica with anyone. Their energy is refreshing and is sometimes hard to find in Costa Rica.
El Castillo is a small village located on the lava side of the volcano approximately 40 minutes from the town of La Fortuna . So, you get incredible views of the lava without having to pay for a tour. The drawback is that unless you have a car it is difficult to get around and walking around town can be a strenuous workout. The owners of Essence Arenal offer affordable transport to La Fortuna but if you have to take a taxi expect to pay about $20 one way. This also means that when it comes to sitting in a hot spring it can be difficult without a car. Again, many of the hotels in the area offer cheaper transport to the main attractions in the area and we were pleased to see the staff at Essence give options for free springs and hikes.
It has been some time since I have visited the area and I was pleased to see that El Castillo has remained small and quaint. You can see the beginning of development in the area but it is nothing compared to the over development and bustle of the La Fortuna/Arenal areas. Possibly in the future the hotels in the El Castillo area will get together and offer some affordable transport options but maybe this will change the funky feeling of the town. Transportation and paved roads certainly changed our little bit of heaven in Monteverde. Keep up the good vibes and keep it weird.
Ran
Warm and inviting, a place for good people, where locals and travelers can blend, share, learn grow. Just recently opened, Mata e Cana is offering great drinks and fantastic music, ranging from Salsa to Trance. Different almost every night, we invite you to join us for a spell.
Good drinks and Good vibes are awaiting
I am chilling here at the mata e cana, one of the coolest spots here in the Santa Elena, Monteverde area. I am supping on some tropical juices while I work on this here blog. What do you think?
We are about to launch a new site, maybe as early as tonight. We hope that we will be better able to share information with our guests and friends. Come back soon to see as the changes come up!
