Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [158]
The Sol y Música festival is sponsored by Bromelias Books, with weekly shows happening from February through April at its amphitheater. In July and August it also hosts the Gotas y Notas festival to keep spirits afloat during the wet season; ask around town about shows during your visit.
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Courses
Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI; 2265-6306; www.cpi-edu.com; classes with/without homestay US$480/330; 8am-5pm) Specializes in Spanish-language education, with some courses geared to teenagers, medical professionals or social workers. Also has locations in Heredia and Playa Flamingo, with the opportunity to transfer from campus to campus.
Monteverde Institute (2645-5053; www.mvinstitute.org) A nonprofit educational institute, founded in 1986, that offers interdisciplinary courses in tropical biology, conservation, sustainable development and Spanish, among other topics. Courses are occasionally open to the public, as are volunteer opportunities in education and reforestation – check the website. Spanish classes start at $290 per week, with homestays with local families available for $18 per night. Long courses (US$4000, 10 weeks) are university-accredited programs for undergraduates and they emphasize tropical community ecology. Internships and volunteer opportunities are also available.
Monteverde Studios of the Arts (2645-5053) Administered by Monteverde Institute, this offers a variety of classes and workshops, sometimes open to visitors, covering everything from woodworking to papermaking, with a special emphasis on pottery.
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Sleeping
During Christmas and Easter, many hotels are booked up weeks in advance. During the January-to-April busy season and also in July, reservations are a good idea, though you can almost always find somewhere to stay. Note that Monteverde can get very cool at night, so don’t be surprised if your room doesn’t have a fan (but do be if it doesn’t have a warm blanket!).
The rates given are high-season rates, but low-season rates could be as much as 30% to 40% lower.
HOSTELS
Pensión Santa Elena (2645-5051, 2645-6240; www.pensionsantaelena.com; camping per person US$4, dm US$7, d US$25-30, d without bathroom US$16-20, cabinas US$35-50; ) This full-service hostel is a perennial favorite, located right in central Santa Elena. Ran and Shannon, the brother-sister duo from Austin, Texas, are committed to offering budget travelers top-notch, four-star service and pura vida hospitality. They’re also environmentalists at heart, and work with the local community on projects such as the reduction of gray water by installing a water treatment plant. Each room is different, with something to suit every budget and group, including some wheelchair-accessible rooms. The best rooms are in the new annex building, which features great little touches like superior beds, stone showers and iPod docks in every room. Hostel amenities include hot showers, internet cafe, shared well-stocked kitchen and huge lounge, a taco stand and free wi-fi, coffee and tea all day. The charming Costa Rican staff is fully bilingual (Spanish and English), offering the most unbiased tourist information in town.
Cabinas El Pueblo (2645-6192; www.cabinaselpueblo.com; s/d US$20/30, without bathroom US$15/20, all incl breakfast; ) This pleasant hostel run by an attentive Tico couple is one of the best-value deals in town. The price includes free breakfast, wi-fi and free coffee or tea all day. The well-furnished rooms are big and comfy, with firm mattresses and private hot-water shower. Some rooms also have TV and fridge. You’ll also find a fully equipped kitchen, balcony, garden and hammocks.
BUDGET
Competition has kept costs low and budget spots usually offer warm showers, an absolute must in these cold mountain temperatures.
Cabinas Monteverde Paraíso (2645-5933; monteverdeparaiso@costarricense.cr; r with/without bathroom