/
8

529 reviews

Pension Santa Elena

Pension Santa Elena

Santa Elena Monteverde, Monteverde, 5655, Costa Rica

Choose dates to view prices

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Tour desk

Private entrance

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Garden

Pension Santa Elena

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

19.7mi

Tambor Airport

42.1mi

Juan Santamaría International Airport

47.5mi

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

52.6mi

Nosara Airport

61.2mi

Most popular amenities

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Tour desk

Private entrance

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Garden

Rooms

Family Suite in Pension Santa Elena

Show 8 photos

Family Suite

2 Double Beds

2 Bunk Beds

195 sqft

Private Bathroom

Private entrance

Shower

x6

+

More details

Deluxe Double Room in Pension Santa Elena

Show 9 photos

Deluxe, Double

1 Double Bed

130 sqft

Private Bathroom

Private entrance

Shower

+

More details

Budget Double Room in Pension Santa Elena

Show 5 photos

Budget, Double

1 Double Bed

130 sqft

Private Bathroom

Private entrance

Shower

+

More details

Double Room with Shared Bathroom in Pension Santa Elena

Show 4 photos

Room - 2 Twin, Shared Bathroom

2 Twin Beds

110 sqft

Private entrance

More details

Quadruple Room with Shared Bathroom in Pension Santa Elena

Show 4 photos

Room - 2 Double, Shared Bathroom

2 Double Beds

110 sqft

Private entrance

x4

+

More details

Standard Quadruple Room in Pension Santa Elena

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

Guest reviews

8

529 reviews

Categories 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

Points of Interest Around Pension Santa Elena

Attractions

Curi-Cancha Reserve

1.4mi

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve

2.2mi

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)

2.6mi

Children's Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niños)

8.5mi

Butterfly Conservatory

8.8mi

Arenal Volcano National Park

11.6mi

Lake Arenal

11.8mi

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

12.7mi

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

12.7mi

Tabacon Hot Springs

13.6mi

La Fortuna Waterfall

13.7mi

Venado Caves (Cavernas de Venado)

16.7mi

Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center

19.6mi

Celeste River (Río Celeste)

25.6mi

Tenorio Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio)

29mi

Amenities of Pension Santa Elena

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Tour desk

Private entrance

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Garden

Stay rules - Pension Santa Elena

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property

Other properties you may like

Based on properties previously viewed