529 reviews
From
$300Santa Elena Monteverde, Monteverde, 5655, Costa Rica
529 reviews
1/39
Free Private Parking
Free wifi
Tour desk
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Non-smoking rooms
Garden
Pension Santa Elena is a 2-star hotel in Santa Elena, Costa Rica, about 17.7mi from the city center. Address: Contigua al Banco Nacional Santa Elena. Breakfast is offered to guests.
Amenities include pet-friendly options (extra charges), free private parking and free on-site parking, complimentary Wifi, a tour desk, private entrance, non-smoking rooms, and a garden.
The property has 529 reviews.
Beyond the basics, the stay is built for easy cruising and relaxed mornings. Free private parking and free on-site parking keep the car handy, while complimentary Wifi helps plan the day’s adventures. A tour desk can help map out excursions, a private entrance keeps arrivals smooth, non-smoking rooms keep the air fresh, and a garden offers a sunny spot to unwind. Pets are welcome on request (charges may apply), and breakfast is offered to guests for a hassle-free start.
Room variety caters to different group sizes and budgets. Options include Deluxe Double (accommodates 2 adults, 1 child), Budget Double (2 adults, 1 child), Economy Quadruple (2 adults), and a Family Suite (6 adults, 2 children), among others, with some rooms featuring shared bathrooms. This mix makes it easier to find a configuration that fits everything from quick getaways to longer family stays.
Payment is straightforward: Mastercard and Visa are accepted, and cash is not accepted. With 529 reviews backing the choice, this spot stands as a well-trusted, affordable option for travelers exploring Santa Elena and the Costa Rica coast.
Closest airports
La Fortuna Arenal Airport
19.7miTambor Airport
42.1miJuan Santamaría International Airport
47.5miDaniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
52.6miNosara Airport
61.2miFree Private Parking
Free wifi
Tour desk
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Non-smoking rooms
Garden
Show 8 photos
Family Suite
2 Double Beds
2 Bunk Beds
195 sqft
Private Bathroom
Private entrance
Shower
x6
+
More details
Show 9 photos
Deluxe, Double
1 Double Bed
130 sqft
Private Bathroom
Private entrance
Shower
+
More details
Show 5 photos
Budget, Double
1 Double Bed
130 sqft
Private Bathroom
Private entrance
Shower
+
More details
Show 4 photos
Room - 2 Twin, Shared Bathroom
2 Twin Beds
110 sqft
Private entrance
More details
Show 4 photos
Room - 2 Double, Shared Bathroom
2 Double Beds
110 sqft
Private entrance
x4
+
More details
Show 4 photos
Room - 2 Double
2 Double Beds
195 sqft
Private Bathroom
Private entrance
Shower
x4
+
More details
Show 5 photos
Standard Room
2 Double Beds
x4
+
x3
More details
Standard
Show 12 photos
Grand Cabin
+
More details
Show 11 photos
Petite Suite
More details
Room, Bunk
1 Bunk Bed
x6
+
x3
More details
Bunk Bed
Room, Shared Bathroom
x4
+
x3
More details
Shared Bathroom
Triple Room, Shared Bathroom
More details
8
529 reviewsCategories of assessments
Cleanliness
Comfort
Location
Facilities
Staff
Value for money
WiFi quality
Breakfast
Featured reviews:
Bret
9.1
June 2025
Right in the center of town, cannot beat the walkable location. The included breakfast options were great and their is free coffee all day and into the night. The bed is OK, not the most comfortable, but it will do. The shower didn't drain well and because of the raw stone the cleanliness was questionable in the shower. There was no air conditioning but you didn't really need it because of the cool mountain climate at night. The WiFi was good enough to do video calls for work. Also we saw a lot of cool tropical animals in the courtyard right outside our door - including an agouti.
shower's should drain and a fan should be provided if there is not going to be air conditioning installed.
Sérgio
9.1
July 2025
Got to be honest, the best was the price: 33€/night for 2 adults and two children (8 and 5) with private bathroom and included breakfast, on a comfortable, clean, cozy, good vibe and central hostel was the best deal of our three weeks trip. Make no mistake, this is the place to stay at Santa Elena on a budget. I've paid more than double than this for much worse conditions during this trip.
Probably my only complain would be that the pillows are too high... The absence of a proper darkening system is the standard in Costa Rica so there's nothing to complain there
Jim
9.1
March 2024
Had a private room: they were able to check me in hours early! , super clean , safe, comfortable, great towels , nice rock-lined shower area , breakfast OK (but included w/ coffee) , right in “downtown” , bus stop right in front of pension , knowledgeable tour info , patrons were quiet, really fast WiFi . Didn’t use kitchen but it was very nice and ample , paid around $125 for 3 nights with taxes - SUPER value. A few little things : bring earplugs and use white noise app (wind is almost as loud as motor bikes that rip around the area unchecked) , and a couple of staff could have better attitudes (I am a single, middle-aged white American guy sin man-bun / tats / nose ring … ) , but for the price who cares. One tip for food : restaurants in town are pricey and average … Cafe Jimenez is a block down has awesome empanadas , papoosas and baked goods (cheap, fast w/ nice ambience & really nice people) … upstairs the best burger I’ve had in Central / S. America in 25 years of travel. Thank you Booking.com for your consistant recommendations … you guys are great !
Nosie , some staff attitudes.
Mark
8.2
May 2025
A range of tours on offer for which the Pension is only an agent, so you pay the tour company or location. Nice garden with seating. A largish kitchen for those who prefer to do their own cooking.
The breakfast was a disappointment: gallo pinto toast and coffee, satisfying but bland. Curtains are not all they could be, barely giving privacy never mind darkness. This is the norm in Costa Rica as most of us are up with the sun.
Brian
8.2
April 2024
Staff were very helpful and went out of their way to find the information you needed. They spoke a minimum of three languages. Location was perfect. They have a kitchen to prep your own meals. The common area was a great social center. The courtyard was a great place to chill. We even had an Easter egg hunt for our family. Highly recommended.
I chose a double bed room because i booked it really late. There was just enough room to put our luggage on the floor. It was small but not expensive. The window didn't open, so there was no fresh air. The fourth night, I got a bigger one bed room with a private bathroom. No complaints. It was perfect.
Joel
8.2
August 2024
The Staff was very kind and willing to help. For the price Ive paid was fair with the room Ive stayed. Breakfast was great! And the women was very kind when I told her I was vegan, she adapted.
Maybe an extra blanket. And regarding the breakfast, have a vegan option by default. I would recomend a thicker courtains, since Ive noticed I could see through at nights if the lights are on
Grace
10
June 2025
It is beautifully decorated and perfectly located. The staff are so helpful and friendly. The kitchen is immaculate - the cleanest hostel kitchen I’ve ever seen! Our room was clean and comfortable. There is also hot water here. The breakfast is basic but considering there is no extra charge it’s great.
Lilly-mai
8.2
May 2025
The property and the grounds were nice, the kitchen with free tea and coffee was very useful. The morning breakfast included was so so good! Really enjoyed this. The room was similar to the pictures, and the bathroom was nice with free toiletries. Location was central.
The room was quite hot, and also there were quite a lot of bugs + ants in our room.
James
8.2
December 2024
Really good value for money. We stayed in hostel selina private rooms the first 2 nights then moved here and it was much better here in my opinion. They have a kitchen with all utilities you may need plus free tea coffee and water etc which is a really nice touch.
Locks on doors felt a bit flimsy. Bed was abit lumpy but minor in the scheme of things. Overall very good. Employee on front desk was nice.
Laura
9.1
July 2025
Room was bright and updated, awesome location in the center of town, hot fresh breakfast ready to go in time to make it to morning excursions, enjoyed the tea and shared kitchen and sitting areas, great value
room cleaning could have been better with a couple of areas of debris still on the floor and the toilet smelled a little
Attractions
Curi-Cancha Reserve
1.4miMonteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
2.2miSanta Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)
2.6miChildren's Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niños)
8.5miButterfly Conservatory
8.8miArenal Volcano National Park
11.6miLake Arenal
11.8miMistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
12.7miMistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
12.7miTabacon Hot Springs
13.6miLa Fortuna Waterfall
13.7miVenado Caves (Cavernas de Venado)
16.7miProyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center
19.6miCeleste River (Río Celeste)
25.6miTenorio Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio)
29miAttractions
Curi-Cancha Reserve
1.4miMonteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
2.2miSanta Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)
2.6miChildren's Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niños)
8.5miButterfly Conservatory
8.8miArenal Volcano National Park
11.6miLake Arenal
11.8miMistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
12.7miMistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
12.7miTabacon Hot Springs
13.6miLa Fortuna Waterfall
13.7miVenado Caves (Cavernas de Venado)
16.7miProyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center
19.6miCeleste River (Río Celeste)
25.6miTenorio Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio)
29miAirports
La Fortuna Arenal Airport
19.7miTambor Airport
42.1miJuan Santamaría International Airport
47.5miDaniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
52.6miNosara Airport
61.2miFree Private Parking
Free wifi
Tour desk
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Non-smoking rooms
Garden
Accessibility
Entire unit located on ground floor
Entire unit wheelchair accessible
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Activities
Bar crawls
Bicycle rental
Temporary art galleries
Bathroom
Private Bathroom
Shared bathroom
Shower
Toilet
Toilet paper
Towels
Bedroom
Linens
Cleaning Services
Laundry
Common Areas
Shared lounge/TV area
Front Desk Services
Baggage storage
Concierge
Tour desk
General
Designated smoking area
Facilities for disabled guests
Family rooms
Non-smoking rooms
Pet Friendly
Private entrance
Internet
Free wifi
Kitchen
Shared kitchen
Outdoors
Garden
Parking
Free Private Parking
Parking On Site
Room Amenities
Clothes rack
Safety & security
Fire extinguishers
Safe
From 12:00
Until 21:00
Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
From 05:30
Until 10:00
Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
There's no age requirement for check-in
Come and go whenever you want
Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome.
Children 11 and above will be charged as adults at this property.
To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.
Crib and extra bed policies
No capacity for extra beds or cribs.
Mastercard,
Visa
This property does not accept cash.
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