Digital Nomad’s Guide to Monteverde

Monteverde (with its sister towns, like Santa Elena) is a magical place in the mountains. It doesn’t have any exclusively plant-based restaurants, but it’s still vegan friendly and every place has wifi. There’s also a lot of great natural scenery and activities. 

(Want to know what Costa Rica sounds like? Unfortunately I couldn’t find much local music I liked, but here’s a playlist of great bands and artists from elsewhere in Central and South America.)

Coffee Shops

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Orchid Coffee & Restaurant

Puntarenas Province, Monteverde, Costa Rica

Very stylish, nomad-friendly cafe and restaurant (with vegan options), but a little pricey.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Restaurants

The Open Kitchen

Puntarenas Province, Santa Elena, Costa Rica

My favourite restaurant in Monteverde/Santa Elena. Great vegan options, friendly staff, reasonably-priced, and good wifi. 

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Noga Sushi

Contiguo municipalidad, 20 metros oeste, Puntarenas Province, Monte Verde, 60109, Costa Rica

Admittedly, this place doesn’t have many vegan options, but the few it does have are very good. High quality ingredients and the aesthetic is exceptional.

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Taco Taco

Puntarenas Province, Santa Elena, 60109, Costa Rica

This taco place has at least a few solid vegan options and overall excellent food. 

(Photo: Taco Taco)

Parks and Recreation

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Ecological Sanctuary

Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Montevede, Costa Rica

A beautiful (private) nature sanctuary within walking distance of Santa Elena. Although I didn’t see any animals when I was there…

(Photo: Marc Z. Goldgrub)

Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol: Legal drinking age in Costa Rica is 18.

Cannabis: Recreational cannabis is prohibited, although personal possession is reportedly not subject to criminal penalty (subject to certain details). Regulated medical cannabis use was approved in 2022. 

Psychedelics: Costa Rica is famously an ayahuasca retreat hotspot, as the substance is unscheduled. Most other psychedelic substances, however, are explicitly prohibited.