Pension Puutaro

4/10

Poor

11 Jun 2026

Kim

Staff was amazing. Unfortunately, the walls are paperthin, the room was absolutely freezing, they were very dated… It is more of a large field than a hotel. I unfortunately didn’t get much sleep due to how send the walls were and how cold the rooms were. The price was very cheap, but you are better off paying $10-$20 more to get a good nights rest.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2026

Chloee

great central location

Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Apr 2026

Laurence

Is there a POOL? Wasn't aware of it.
Wouldn't have had time to enjoy it, anyway, as I've nevere been on so many tours, from one place, in my life.
Para modular mas mi critica, esperadamente como constructiva, de ayer: GRACIAS por arreglar tantos torneos, otras vueltas, del ambiente por mi y los otros huespedes. No se como puedan evitar ni cualquier confusion entre los deseos tan muchos, de muchos. Y ... en mi caso particular, el profesionalismo, paciencia de contestar tantas preguntas.
G,
Larry Venditto
Seattle

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

Ashley

It's a hostel but better than many hotels. We had a big family room and bathroom and the garden was awesome. Having access to the kitchen was great and the breakfast was fantastic. The location couldn't be beat and the staff was so nice.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Mar 2026

Deborah

The gran room was perfect for our family of 4 and the staff were very nice and friendly. Beds and pillows were OK. Location great for walking but noisy with all the motorcycles gunning it up the hill out front all day and night

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2026

Cheryl-Lynn

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!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Jan 2026

Maria

Clean and courteous staff

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Jan 2026

siobhan

Friendly staff, great location, clean spacious private room.
Could do with more seating/ relaxing areas. But that was only a problem during busy meal times

Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

Paul

Location. Dated hostel with a great vibe. Lots of international guests. Great staff who offered stellar advice and help with transportation.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Dec 2025

Rohit

Nice place to stay, more then expected

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2025

Gilberto

Excellent hotel with friendly and helpful staff; conveniently located.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2025

Pilar

In general the place was good. Not enough tables for breakfast, you had to make your own coffee and breakfast portions were small. Bed a little on a firm side, not enough water pressure for the shower

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2025

Jeffrey

No frills, but perfectly adequate accomodations. Wonderful, hot shower with good pressure.

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

03 Mar 2025

Michelle

La piscina estaba sucia y nunca pudimos hacer uso de la misma. El personal es amable como en todo CR.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2025

Pramod

Very helpful. Place had everyting wr needed.

4/10

Poor

10 Feb 2025

Ronald

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.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

29 Jan 2025

Kyle

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

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2025

Lorene

The photos make the rooms look bigger. They also don’t show they count a double bed as a loft that has a low ceiling.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2025

Anjelica

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.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2024

K

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 👌

Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2024

Olivia

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.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

18 Mar 2024

Verified traveler

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.

Self

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2024

Cecilia

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.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2024

Sylvie

Très belle expérience. Réception très efficace. Très propre. Cuisine communautaire bien organisée. Espace commun correct. Emplacement central près de tout à pied.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2024

Eszter

Basic but well kept property in a very convenient location. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Mar 2024

Fraser

Friendly, convenient and good value place in the centre of Santa Elena

6/10

Pleasant

29 Feb 2024

Maria

Excellent location, well equipped and clean common area, free breakfast. Paper thin walls, squeaky bed.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

18 Feb 2024

Erika

The concept is interesting. Makes for a lovely youth hostel. Was surprised it was so much in the city. Breakfast was very good.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2024

Christopher

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.

Self

4/10

Poor

08 Jan 2024

Bryson

Definitely a hostel in terms of quality of facilities. Very small rooms. Loud since it is located on a busy road.

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2024

LAURA

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.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2024

Louise

Great stay in Santa Elena

Great hostel close to restaurants. Easily walkable. Great breakfast. The staff is amazing.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

26 Dec 2023

Hilla

Check if it is what you are looking for

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

18 Dec 2023

Alice

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.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2023

Verified traveler

Staff were very helpful and friendly. Good central location

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2023

Aaron

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.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

12 May 2023

MacKenzie

The staff were very nice and helpful. I enjoyed the courtyard.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2023

Marie

This place was great for our family. Helpful knowledgeable staff, great breakfast and perfect location in the center of Santa Elena.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2023

Meredith

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).

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Mar 2023

Mukhtar

Great location! Near a lot off restaurants!

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

12 Mar 2023

Abby

friendly staff, easy access to town, slept awful

The hotel has a lot of personality and staff was super friendly and helpful. The included breakfast was great.
Hotel is easily walkable to a bunch of good restaurants and super market in the area.
Beds were not comfortable and there is no sound proofing in the rooms-- we could hear everything on the main road all night long. We slept really poorly but otherwise were happy with the hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2023

Hinna

The place I stayed at during my stay in Costa Rica. The staff are beyond helpful and they make everything easy. They helped me book tickets and transport and it was more reasonable than anything I found online. It's not a fancy place, it's pretty basic but great for what it is. The rooms don't have TVs and the beds are too soft for me personally but I didn't mind any of that. There's a common kitchen for everyone's use and free tea/coffee available all day. There's a little courtyard on the property that was really nice to have. The included breakfast has three options and they're all pretty good. There's plenty of restaurants in walking distance and a short drive to Santa Elena cloud forest or Selvatura adventure park. Most tours to the park should include transportation from hotels/hostels nearby. Definitely recommend.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Feb 2023

Mary

Wonderful hostel, lots of people, glad we had a private room. Staff really helpful, especially MJ. Loved the free breakfast with donations for the community. Santa Elena & Monteverde have many activities to offer, in town & surrounding area.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

31 Jan 2023

David

We arrive at 10PM due to terrible traffic only to find no one to receive us. We had called earlier that evening to warn them we would be late and was told there would a security person to provide us a room. Nope. Took us an hour to find another hotel. Warning! The whole town of Monteverde shuts down early!!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2023

Marisa

Loves this whole place! It was in a perfect location, the room was nice and the staff was awesome. Felt super homey

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2023

Grace

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!

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

29 Dec 2022

ian

Basic but perfect

Very basic. but super friendly and convenient, the staff are great, the breakfast is really good local food.. you have to try the local ice cream at the front of the hostel it was amazing. great base for town and trips.
also the hotel helped us with our arrangements when our plan were changed due to flight issues.. thank you Pesion Santa Elena.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Aug 2022

THOMAS

The staff was very helpful they arranged my ground transportation when I left

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

08 May 2022

Vanessa

Great location. Friendly staff. But not very easy to book activities or to know what is available or discounts in the area due to the booking. The rooms are okay, but underwhelming. Very basic accommodations.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2022

Martin

There just seemed to be a really good vibe to the place. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. I extended my stay an additional day. Rooms were comfortable.

Self

8/10

Excellent

03 Apr 2022

Meredith

The amenities are very basic but the staff and breakfast are fantastic!!!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2021

Verified traveler

Great value for the price

Very cool Hostel/Hotel! Staff is really friendly & helpful, property is clean and the breakfast is very good, traditional.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Dec 2021

Shadi

What a pension

A real nice and cozy pension in the heart of Santa Elena where everything is within walking distance. Breakfast was good and the guys on reception always helpful and can book you whatever tours or transport you need which make life easier. Highly recommended hotel

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

The staff and service are amazing, and the breakfast and coffee in the morning is really good. I liked my room a lot, but definitely bring bug spray for the mosquitoes. All in all such a nice place and very central to Monteverde. I can't wait to stay again someday!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

First time at a hostel and I liked it. Not fancy, but very homie, close to restaurants and bars (literally all around), very nice people, quiet.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

Staff are really nice , friendly and very helpful.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2021

Verified traveler

Small place with a big heart

Bare bones pension with a big spirit. Everyone so friendly and helpful. Big free breakfast \"just as a gift\". Very cool stone shower. Cozy clean rooms

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2020

nicholas

Great staff and clean comfortable room

The room was great clean and comfortable. The staff on the desk were awesome so so helpful , so friendly and were happy to help with anything from booking trips , advice on places to eat , calling people for us. So good .

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2020

Julie

Parfait

Cuisine propre et fonctionnelle, chambre propre et assez grande, thé et café gratuit en tout temps! Personnel serviable et enjoué. Déjeuner parfait!Bien situé, tout se fait pieds

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2020

LoriL

I LOVED everything about this property. My room was decorated with bright colors and a fun flower chandelier light. The bed was extremely comfortable. My room had a private bathroom with a stone shower. Breakfast was included and cooked to order every morning. There was complimentary coffee and tea available at all times. A wonderful fully equipped kitchen was at your disposal to cook your lunches and dinners. Michael, one of the front desk staff, was extremely thoughtful and carried my suitcase up to my room. The reception staff was always there to answer questions, help with problems and/or assist with tour or transfer reservations. A calm and serene place to chill and enjoy the beautiful sounds of nature. I’ll definitely be back!!
*If you work remotely, the WiFi here is not strong enough and has an intermittent signal.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

Staff very friendly. Good breakfast. Great location. Only negative is the bed. Needs to be replaced.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Feb 2020

Lee

Conveniently located in the centre of Santa Elena (the town). 2-minute walk to the shops (supermarkets, pharmacia, cafes and sodas, tour offices, souvenirs, restaurants). 6min walk to the parada / bus station. 5km to Monteverde forest preserve. ($12 taxi or 700 C on the public bus).

The courtyard garden in the back is lovely: quiet, sunny, with plenty of outdoor seating. Staff are friendly and proactively helpful. There were a half-dozen of us arriving at the same time, so Diego gave us an orientation session, including tours and activities to consider.

The kitchen is well-used -- remember to label your food, if you want to see it again!

Breakfast is fantastic. Choose from tacos, toast & eggs, or yoghurt with fruit & granola. I enjoyed the breakfast tacos (scrambled eggs, beans, potatoes, grated cheese) every morning.

Night-time is quiet... until the rooster and early morning traffic (trucks, motorcycles) start.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2020

Kris

The front desk staff were very helpful in giving information and recommendations about different activities in the area. Also, tour buses stop right at the hotel to pick you up. The room was basic, but overall comfortable. The entire complex was comfortable. The front sitting area feels like a cozy coffee shop. There was hot water in the shower. It is in the center of town, so walkable to many things. It was nonetheless relatively quiet- the one instance of loud people was not very long, but it was clear the walls are paper thin in that regard.

A couple improvements would be to include a shelving unit in the main bedroom of 16. Also, the curtains are transparent- I could see my family through them at night when the lights inside the room were on. Lastly, the only lock was the twist lock on the handle. Would love to have a chain lock or something that only operates from the inside.
Overall, we would stay here again if we were to ever come back to Santa Elena.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2020

Veronica

We came as a family of four with two kids (8 and 10). What was great: enough beds for everyone to have their own bed. We also had our own private bath. Location was perfect - central to everything. Staff was super helpful. Breakfast was tasty. Very charming place!

The windows were a little breezy and the walls a little thin - the German family next door was very loud.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2019

HN

We had a very nice stay. The staff was so kind and really helpful, they booked some great tours for us, we loved our tour guide Adrian in the cloud forest that they arranged for us. The location was great, walking distance to many places in town. Highly recommend.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Dec 2019

Brooke

Glad we chose to stay here.

Diego was very welcoming and helpful. The place has a nice vibe. There is a cute store attached. Simple breakfasts. Free tea and coffee during the day. Great location. Rooms are nice, good showers but beds weren't so comfortable.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

I believe o got what I paid for. In general the place is clean, not spotless, the facilities are in good working order, the staff are excellent and the breakfast was great too. I would stay here again unless you are with someone whom the bugs love, the windows don’t have screens and there were some mosquitoes it other biting bugs.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2019

Nicholas

Very comfortable place to stay and a very reasonable price.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Very pleasant knowledgable staff. Comfortable rooms. Decent breakfast included. Practical kitchen available. Lighting I. The rooms is not great, and can be a little noisy from neighbours.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2019

Aurelia

Great experience

Great stay and a very well run hostel. I chose a single room, and it was very clean throughout. The water was very hot, and it was the best shower I got while in Costa Rica. Daily breakfast was convenient, and the receptionist was great at assisting with planning activities. I would definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Location. In the heart of monte verde. Such a beautiful town.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2019

GusChiggins

Staff are excellent! Great location and awesome rooms. Will definitely stay here again.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Absolutely loved Pension Santa Elena, well organized and well located. But what makes this place an amazing stay is the wonderful attitude and willingness to help of the entire staff, highly recommend this place :)

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

The staff are amazing here! So friendly and super helpful. It was pretty quiet at night considering it is a hostel. Breakfast was very good and the location is great as there is a bus stop right out front. Rooms were nice and clean. I would definitely stay there again!!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2019

AlaskaTraveler

Centrally located, with very friendly and helpful staff. The room had a private bathroom, with hot water and good water flow. Breakfast was excellent and had very prompt service, as well as good choices. Parking is on site, but can get full, and they have an overflow area just up the hill at a bank. Many nice restaurants within a short walk (some tourist traps much closer up the road, but not recommended).

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

The staff were incredibly kind and helpful. Monteverde is beautiful and friendly. The community really makes you feel welcome and helps you however they can. Pension Santa Elena had a great vibe-clean, great location, and awesome breakfast.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Great place to stay in Monte Verde, centrally located with affordable & clean rooms.
2 out of the 3 staff were lovely and helping in arranging tours & logistics. It's a shame the last one (long hair guy) thinks he is too cool to answer tourists' stupid questions :(
I had a great experience there nonetheless

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Perfect location in the absolute heart of tiny Santa Elena. Easy walking to restaurants, tour operators, and whatever 'night life' there is in the city. Clean and comfortable rooms with extremely friendly staff and reliable wifi. What more could you ask for?

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2018

Samuel

Best Service in Santa Elena

This was actually my second stay at Pensión Santa Elena but the first at their new building. (same location the original Pensión Santa Elena now called Hostel Santa Elena, same owners etc)
Same great service I remember from before, they helped set-up or tours, always had coffee available and in general were great for what ever you needed.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Aug 2018

Andrea

The overall vibe of this place was so warm. The staff was incredibly friendly and the breakfast tacos were out of this world delicious!

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2018

Lamarae

Private room had a private shower with constant HOT water. Amazing staff.

8/10

Excellent

15 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Nice location

Nice hotel in great location. Room was basic but excellent for the price. Wonderful and friendly staff.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2018

Cladio

what we need and want.

This place has what we need is not a hotel is a hostal big different but very nice in the middle of downtown.
Staff is very nice and helpful
The breakfast is very good.
Yes like others reviews you can hear conversations from next door but if you want to sleep do it and ignore what is happening. Like I said is hostal not a hotel. So be open mind about things that you will get in a hotel but not here I will definitely stay here again
Price is very convenient

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2018

Jen

Great value; lovely staff

My family and I loved our stay at Pension Santa Elena for three nights. It was exactly what we were hoping for: centrally-located, lots of room, and friendly people. We loved having the option of making our own meals and the breakfast had three delicious choices. The staff was great and made our reservations for us. Overall, Monteverde was excellent and Pension Santa Elena was exactly what we were looking for.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2018

Linds

great experience

Pensión Santa Elena was a wonderful experience. Although I was a solo female traveler, I booked one of the 2 bed rooms, requesting it in the newer building due to my (admittedly irrational) fear of spiders. Of course - still was terrorized by several large ones that were unreachable - but the 2 beds allowed me to choose the furthest to sleep from them. The room overall was nice, included a desk, loved the stone shower, very spacious. Jahn at the front desk was AMAZING - we had a wonderful hours long conversation, he convinced me to do the night hike despite my fears and I was SO grateful he did, and he gave me so many great food recommendations within walking distance. The hostel breakfast next door was quick and convenient to start the day and a wonderful addition, not to mention the unlimited coffee. It's in a prime location near any sort of shops or food you could desire. I would definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2018

Elisa

Very nice place

Great area to explore and have adventures. All around great hostel!!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2018

Chi

Top value for the price and quite and comfortable.

It's a bargain if you get to stay in the hotel. Good location close to everything you want to do. You even get a decent breakfast for what you pay. Friendly and knowledgeable staff give you all the help you need.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2018

Ian

The best place to stay in Santa Elena

The staff are very friendly and helpful. Nicolette, who runs the place, has great style and always welcomes you with a greeting and a warm smile. The location is ideal as a base for exploring Monteverde and Santa Elena.

8/10

Excellent

26 Feb 2018

Lucinda

Room was clean, beds were reasonably comfortable. Nice communal kitchen - just a bit dark in the evenings. The staff were helpful with tour bookings and recommendations.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Feb 2018

D

Great place to stay. Great location.

We loved this place. The staff are very informative and friendly - special mention to Diego, who was always so cheerful and helpful.

Seriously people, you won't regret staying here.

Family

8/10

Excellent

19 Feb 2018

Verified traveler

Good location

Nice central location, very welcoming, clean . Nice kitchen area. Good tacos for breakfast good wifi

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2018

mary

Nice centric hostal

I loved the place! It is very centric, cozy and cheap!

8/10

Excellent

12 Feb 2018

Steve

Nothing fancy. A basic accommodation, economical.

Very helpful staff. We got in early for checkin. Interesting site with lots of informal groups. We had a room with a bed and bath. Very austere but then what do you need for just an overnight. Nice grounds, central location.

8/10

Excellent

12 Feb 2018

KIT YING

Value for money

Though the room is small, the overall atmosphere is relaxing.

Partner

4/10

Poor

10 Feb 2018

John

Paper a Thin Walls and Incompetent Staff

Private Rooms have paper thin walls, guests in next room had a big party and kept us awake until 4am. Private Rooms do not have deadbolts or black out curtains. Property is not secured and locals can visit and party.

We booked 2 tours and paid in cash on arrival: the first was a shuttle-boat-shuttle to La Fortuna and at arrival at the boat the operator wanted payement. We refused and I started to call Pension Santa Elena using my cell phone to confirm payment was made but the boat guy then walked away. Watch for scams especially when you have paid for a trip in cash and have left the hotel or hostel. Ensure prepaid receipts clearly read PAID and or you have a phone you can use to verify reservations and prepaid payments made if doing lots of travel. We also booked and prepaid the shuttle-raft-shuttle from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo with Pension Santa Elena but they got the dates wrong 3 times and we worried payment was no actually made to the raft operator - so we called the rafting operator directly after we left the hostel to have Exploradores Outdoors, the rafting outfitter intervene and check the dates. Dates were wrong but payment was made so they called the hostel to amend the booking dates. Had we not been vigilant and simply trusted Pension Santa Elena to have corrected the dates we would have been lost the $200USD rafting payment, lost a day of travel to our next place and lost a night of payment on the next hotel.

8/10

Excellent

26 Jan 2018

Daniel

The staff was VERY friendly and helpful ! Especially Diago! He suggested a restaurant to us every day three in all ! We were not disappointed with any of them ! My one daughter and I did the excursion repelling the waterfalls !! We had a Great time ! Would Highly recommend this to everyone !! Taco taco and The Green restaurant’s were very good !! Highly recommended them !!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Convenient location. The best part about the stay is the staff. Everyone was friendly and very helpful. Highly recommended.

8/10

Excellent

29 Dec 2017

Ananth

Great Little Place

This was a nice little backpackers hotel. The room was small and the shower was a little janky, but everything worked and things were clean. The staff was very helpful with arranging all sorts of tours and things. The breakfast is a bit of a joke though.

8/10

Excellent

22 Dec 2017

Verified traveler

Great location right in the middle of Santa Elena

Great staff! Very helpful and welcoming. The Pension has a great feel about it. Really good value for money.

8/10

Excellent

03 Dec 2017

Douglas

Very attentive staff

The staff here went above and beyond with helping me enjoy my stay in Monteverde. I was emailing them daily about activities and they were always quick to respond. Upon arrival they were very hospitable and made me feel very welcomed and relaxed. There was some miscommunication that caused a bit of an issue, but they were able to resolve fairly quickly. Would recommend for the staff alone.