Monteverde Butterfly Gardens - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde - 5 min drive - 2.5 km
Curi-Cancha Reserve - 6 min drive - 3.2 km
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - 9 min drive - 5.5 km
Getting around
La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 146 min drive
Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 153 min drive
San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.) - 52.8 miles/85 km
Airport shuttle (surcharge)
Restaurants
Café Monteverde - 2 min walk
Las Riendas Restaurant - 16 min walk
Tree House Restaurante & Cafe - 1 min walk
Restaurante Sabor Tico - 3 min walk
Bon Appetit! - 9 min walk
About this property
Pensión Santa Elena
Pensión Santa Elena puts you within a 10-minute drive of Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Free WiFi is an added perk, and guests looking to stay active can check out the nearby hiking/biking trails. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff.
Languages
English, Spanish
At a glance
Hotel size
35 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 10:00 AM
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions.
Special check-in instructions
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
Up to 2 children (7 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cribs (infant beds)
Pets
Pets allowed (dogs only, 1 total)*
Service animals welcome
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply*
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Onsite parking limited
Transfers
Airport shuttle from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM*
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
Restaurant
Traveling with children
Children stay free (see details)
What to do
Ecotours nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Ziplining nearby
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Laundry facilities
Free newspapers in lobby
Luggage storage
Facilities
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Picnic area
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Room amenities
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Shower only
Soap
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
Special features
Dining
Onsite venue - This restaurant specializes in Mexican cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 45 per person (one way)
Children & extra beds
Airport shuttle service for children costs USD 45 (one-way)
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of USD 25 per pet, per stay
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Also known as
Pensión Santa Elena Hostel Monteverde
Pensión Santa Elena Monteverde
Pensión Santa Elena
Pensión Santa Elena Hostal Monteverde
Pensión Santa Elena Hostal
Pensión ta ena Montever
Pensión Santa Elena Hostal
Pensión Santa Elena Monteverde
Pensión Santa Elena Hostal Monteverde
Frequently asked questions
Does Pensión Santa Elena offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Pensión Santa Elena does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Pensión Santa Elena?
Yes, dogs are welcome, with a limit of 1 total. There's a charge of USD 25 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Is parking offered on site at Pensión Santa Elena?
Yes. Parking spots may be limited.
Is airport shuttle service offered by Pensión Santa Elena?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM on request. The charge is USD 45 per person one way.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Pensión Santa Elena?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
What is there to do at Pensión Santa Elena and nearby?
Have fun with nearby activities like hiking and ziplining. Additional recreation nearby includes ecotours. Enjoy amenities like a picnic area and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Pensión Santa Elena?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant that offers Mexican cuisine.
What's the area around Pensión Santa Elena like?
Pensión Santa Elena is a short 1-minute walk from Monteverde Orchid Garden and 6 minutes' walk from Mundo de los Insectos.
Pensión Santa Elena Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.4/10
Cleanliness
9.2/10
Staff & service
8.2/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.8/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
8/10 Very Good
Mar 30, 2024
Great for the solo female traveller
As a female traveller, I felt completely safe here and would definitely stay again if I'm ever back in Monteverde.
Great place for a solo traveller with a communal kitchen to help keep down expenses of eating out. WiFi in all the rooms. Staff were extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful 😊
My only complaint would be the floors in my room hadn't been cleaned (but in fairness it's a 2 star hostel, not a 5 star hotel). Make sure you have some flip flops or slippers for the room and then its not a problem 👌
K
K, 6-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Mar 30, 2024
Comfortable, convenient.
Super convenient location, very clean and comfy bed, warm shower, staff helpful and breakfast included with ease. Downside: noisy road, lots of dust and exhaust fumes. However, if you’re staying here it’s likely because you want the central location and it’s right in the centre so it’s perfect. Wouldn’t stay if I had a car. The kitchen facilities could also do with updating: better pans and more fridge space.
Olivia
Olivia, 2-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 25, 2024
Donal
Donal, 3-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
6/10 Good
Mar 18, 2024
Good location, but…
Santa Elena Pension is in a central spot of Monteverde. However, there is poor noise isolation so you can really hear the traffic outside. In addition, some of the staff were a bit rude and unhelpful. The room itself is fine, but the floor is concrete and uneven.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Mar 11, 2024
Pension was good the breakfast was perfect, the kitchen worked well too and room was great. They had free yoga and they helped us book tours and things to do.
Cecilia
Cecilia, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 8, 2024
Très belle expérience. Réception très efficace. Très propre. Cuisine communautaire bien organisée. Espace commun correct. Emplacement central près de tout à pied.
Sylvie
Sylvie, 3-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Mar 7, 2024
Basic but well kept property in a very convenient location. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Eszter
Eszter, 3-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Mar 1, 2024
Friendly, convenient and good value place in the centre of Santa Elena
Fraser
Fraser, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Feb 29, 2024
Excellent location, well equipped and clean common area, free breakfast. Paper thin walls, squeaky bed.
Maria
Maria, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Feb 19, 2024
The concept is interesting. Makes for a lovely youth hostel. Was surprised it was so much in the city. Breakfast was very good.
Erika
Erika, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Feb 11, 2024
xuejun
xuejun, 2-night family trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 6, 2024
Best hostel experience!
This is an amazing place to stay. Feels like a cozy bed and breakfast up in the mountains. The staff is so friendly and accommodating! Common areas are comfortable and the free breakfast is a great way to start your day.
Christopher
Christopher, 3-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 27, 2024
Katherine
Katherine, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 27, 2024
Lee
Lee, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
Jan 8, 2024
Definitely a hostel in terms of quality of facilities. Very small rooms. Loud since it is located on a busy road.
Bryson
Bryson, 5-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Jan 6, 2024
We really enjoyed our stay at the pension. We had the chance to meet with beautiful people and share parts of our trip with them. The place is very well located, but the area is quite busy and get somehow quite noisy with traffic noise in the background.
LAURA
LAURA, 4-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 2, 2024
Great stay in Santa Elena
Great hostel close to restaurants. Easily walkable. Great breakfast. The staff is amazing.
Louise
Louise, 1-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
6/10 Good
Dec 26, 2023
Check if it is what you are looking for
Hilla
Hilla, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Dec 19, 2023
I am a senior traveler and was trying to bring the self-indulgence of a solo trip in on a budget. Staying at Pension Santa Elena helped. I had a Garden Standard Room with private bath. Location in the town in very good for a traveler without a car. As noted by others staff are pleasant, informative and helpful with making travel arrangements. Room was basic but comfortable, shower was good. Found the pension quiet at night, though an early start to motorcycle traffic in the am might be a problem for some. Satisfied with the breakfast. If you are out and about before it is offered at 7 am, Panaderia Jimenez just up the street opens at 0500 and has good coffee.
Alice
Alice, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 3, 2023
Staff were very helpful and friendly. Good central location
Verified traveler
1-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 31, 2023
Perfect for our 3 Monteverde nights
Excellent family experience. Easy walking to city. Comfortable amenities. Loft bed for one kiddo - very exciting. Wonderful daily breakfast. Would definitely stay again.
Aaron
Aaron, 3-night family trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
May 13, 2023
The staff were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed the courtyard.
MacKenzie
MacKenzie, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 15, 2023
Isabella
Isabella, 2-night trip
Verified Hoteles.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 6, 2023
This place was great for our family. Helpful knowledgeable staff, great breakfast and perfect location in the center of Santa Elena.
Marie
Marie, 3-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 6, 2023
This is our 4th time staying at the Pension Santa Maria. Staff and guests are super friendly. Location is very centralized. Beds are comfortable (but bring your own pillows).