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Pensión Santa Elena

2.0 star property

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Interior - Pensión Santa Elena (Monteverde)
Free WiFi, bed sheets - Pensión Santa Elena (Monteverde)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; Mexican cuisine - Pensión Santa Elena (Monteverde)
Petite Suite - Private Bathroom | Free WiFi, bed sheets - Pensión Santa Elena (Monteverde)
Grand Standard | Free WiFi, bed sheets - Pensión Santa Elena (Monteverde)
Consider a stay at Pensión Santa Elena and take advantage of a garden, laundry facilities, and a restaurant. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Grand Standard

Grand Standard | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Grand Standard

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Room

Standard Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Grand Cabin

Grand Cabin | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Grand Cabin

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 24 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Petite Suite - Private Bathroom

Petite Suite - Private Bathroom | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Petite Suite - Private Bathroom

  • 24 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

About the neighborhood

Located in Monteverde, Pensión Santa Elena is in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Arenal Volcano National Park. Monteverde Orchid Garden and Monteverde Butterfly Gardens are also worth visiting. Explore all the area has to offer with ziplining, ecotours, and hiking/biking trails. Visit our Monteverde travel guide
Map
Santa Elena, Monteverde, Monteverde, 5655

What's nearby

  • Orchid species in Monteverde at 1400 meters.
    Monteverde Orchid Garden
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Female purple-throated mountain hummingbird resting on a perch in Monteverde, Costa Rica
    Wildlife Refuge Monteverde
    7 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Jardín de Orquídeas
    1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Ranario
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Mundo de los Insectos
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles

Getting around

  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO)
    153 min drive

Restaurants

  • Tree House Restaurante & Cafe
    1 min walk
  • Café Monteverde
    2 min walk
  • Restaurante Sabor Tico
    3 min walk
  • The Open Kitchen
    1 min walk
  • The Green
    4 min walk

About this property

Pensión Santa Elena

Hostal near Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
At Pensión Santa Elena, you can look forward to a garden, laundry facilities, and a restaurant. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Other perks include:
  • A front-desk safe, luggage storage, and concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance and free newspapers
  • Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at Pensión Santa Elena have amenities such as free WiFi.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Showers and soap

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Limited onsite parking

Food and drink

  • A restaurant

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In the mountains
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 25 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total pets
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 7 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 25 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is 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

Is Pensión Santa Elena pet-friendly?

Yes, this hostal allows dogs (limit 1 total). There's a fee of USD 25 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at Pensión Santa Elena?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Pensión Santa Elena?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Pensión Santa Elena located?

Situated in the mountains, this hostal is steps from Jardín de Orquídeas and Monteverde Orchid Garden. Mundo de los Insectos and Ficus La Raiz are also within 10 minutes.

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Reviews

Pensión Santa Elena Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.6

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

9.2

Staff & service

8.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 176 out of 367 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 139 out of 367 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 33 out of 367 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 367 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 367 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and courteous staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Location. Dated hostel with a great vibe. Lots of international guests. Great staff who offered stellar advice and help with transportation.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gilberto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent hotel with friendly and helpful staff; conveniently located.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No frills, but perfectly adequate accomodations. Wonderful, hot shower with good pressure.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay in Santa Elena

Great hostel close to restaurants. Easily walkable. Great breakfast. The staff is amazing.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff were very helpful and friendly. Good central location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Anjelica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Wonderfully walkable to restaurants, shops, etc with about a 10 min drive to all the reserves. Loved the communal kitchen and games in the shared gathering area with free tea and coffee all day. This is an older property, but the location is great, the staff are helpful, and it is clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Eszter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Basic but well kept property in a very convenient location. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Cecilia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Kyle

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort

Aging hostel

It is an aging hostel right on the main street, expect uncomfortable beds, unclean floors, and lots of road noise all night. The breakfast was good
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location, well equipped and clean common area, free breakfast. Paper thin walls, squeaky bed.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

LAURA

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Erika

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The concept is interesting. Makes for a lovely youth hostel. Was surprised it was so much in the city. Breakfast was very good.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Olivia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

K

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

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 👌
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Ronald

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I understand that this is a budget hotel, but I have to admit we were disappointed. First off, the photos online were misleading regarding the standard rooms with bath. It turns out that our room was small, dingy and run down. We ended up going elsewhere after a couple nights. The bed was hard and uncomfortable. Housekeeping service is apparently only on Saturday. It was fairly noisy, but that was expected since we were centrally located. On the positive side, the location was good, staff was as friendly and as helpful as possible. The breakfast was generous and good. The communal kitchen seems to function quite well, and there was room in the lobby to hang out or eat. We prepaid and were not offered any refund options when we asked (our fault for prepaying). In short, this hotel might work well for the price providing you know what you’re in for. Again, better photos would help.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl-Lynn

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My son and I travelled there together. He commented how friendly everyone was the room was spotless. The breakfast was so delicious - I miss it already. I loved how the other guests there were from all age groups too - young families, elderly and young students… such a great feeling there. I can’t wait to go back with my daughter!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Rohit

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay, more then expected
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place was great for our family. Helpful knowledgeable staff, great breakfast and perfect location in the center of Santa Elena.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Fraser

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly, convenient and good value place in the centre of Santa Elena
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Mukhtar

Great location! Near a lot off restaurants!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loves this whole place! It was in a perfect location, the room was nice and the staff was awesome. Felt super homey
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

MacKenzie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed the courtyard.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grace

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a lovely experience staying here! Has a great location -walking distance to restaurants and shops. Staff were welcoming and helpful with booking us a shuttle and recommending places! Very cozy and comfortable sleep, clean and cute place, tasty free breakfast included. Pretty garden lounge area outside too!