Several conservation areas that have sprung up near Monteverde make attractive day trips, particularly if the Monteverde Reserve is too busy. The Santa Elena Reserve just west of Monteverde is a project of the Santa Elena high school and has a series of trails (45 minutes-4 hours) that can be walked alone or with a guide. The Camino Verde Information Center (Main street in town) operates a shuttle service to the reserve with fixed departures and returns. Reservations are required, and the cost is $2 each way.
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