Monteverde lies within the arbitrary boundaries that we have drawn up for this section, however real estate opportunities there are limited. Much of it is protected, and because it’s been a top tourist spot for some time, most of the remaining bits are spoken for.

The area’s strong expatriate presence dates back to the 1950s when a group of Quakers from the U.S., unable to reconcile their beliefs with their government’s foreign policy, moved to Monteverde to live out their pacifist beliefs. Some descendants of the original families apparently still live here, and Quakers still run the cheese factory. The remainder of the expatriate community is an eclectic group of scientists and environmentalists, students on summer programs, and musicians and artists.

The town thrives on tourists visiting to see the cloud forest, but the remoteness of the area (you can get there via boat and car from La Fortuna, or via a four-hour drive – two of those hours along an unpaved road – from San José or Liberia) make it a difficult place to live full time, depending on your needs. A bus line provides daily service to San Jose, and nearby Santa Elena features both a supermarket and tourist restaurants. Those with few needs and the desire to live in a remote area with interesting neighbors might find this location ideal.