Monteverde Services & Facilities
Santa Elena is the central hub of Monteverde. The downtown area (a triangle of three different streets) is where you'll find the majority of Monteverde's supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, stores and Internet cafes.
Cell Phones
Cell phone service is spotty in Monteverde, Cerro Plano and Santa Elena. Downtown Santa Elena is the best bet for a strong cell signal, but traveling just 1/4 mile from the downtown triangle can result in poor signal strength. Neither the Santa Elena nor the Monteverde reserve has cell phone service coverage.
Public Phones
There are a few public phones around Santa Elena and Cerro Plano mostly located along the main roads. Note that they are operated by phone card, not coins. Purchase a phone card in any pharmacy or grocery store in Costa Rica.
Internet
Internet cafes can be found in downtown Santa Elena. Cost range from $1 to $2 an hour. Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi in their lobbies. The Tree House Restaurant offers free WiFi or Internet cafe time with any meal purchase.
Post Office
The Santa Elena post office is located on the road between Santa Elena and Cerro Plano. It is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Banks
Three banks – Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular and Banco Nacional – serve the Santa Elena and Monteverde areas. All three are located in the Santa Elena triangle that forms downtown Santa Elena. Banco de Costa Rica offers a second ATM on the road between Cerro Plano and Monteverde.
Medical Facilities
For minor health concerns, visitors can call the local Red Cross (Santa Elena; 2645-6128), or be treated at one of several small medical clinics (Consultorio Medico Emergencias Monteverde in Cerro Plano; 2645-7778). The main pharmacy is located in downtown Santa Elena and can treat and prescribe medicines for minor maladies. In an emergency, always call 911.