Santa Elena

Travel Guide

Rolling hills, dense greenery, and a prominent red rock formation.
A suspension bridge surrounded by dense forest.
A hummingbird hovering near a red flower.
A sunset over a mountainous landscape with clouds in the sky.
A small, brown rodent-like animal in a natural setting with green foliage and leaf litter.
Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast

Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast

3 out of 5
300 Mtrs Southwest From SuperCompro Monteverde Puntarenas
$48 nightly
The price is $54 total per night from Oct 7 to Oct 8
$54 total
Oct 7 - Oct 8
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this B&B in Monteverde. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast
Monteverde Lodge by Böëna

Monteverde Lodge by Böëna

4 out of 5
Monteverde Monteverde Puntarenas
$280 nightly
The price is $316 total per night from Oct 15 to Oct 16
$316 total
Oct 15 - Oct 16
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Monteverde. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (504 reviews)
"A beautiful property and setting."

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2026

Monteverde Lodge by Böëna
Cala Lodge

Cala Lodge

3 out of 5
Monteverde Monteverde Puntarenas
$81 nightly
The price is $91 total per night from Oct 8 to Oct 9
$91 total
Oct 8 - Oct 9
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Monteverde. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
Cala Lodge
See all 1,513 properties in Santa Elena
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Suwa Villa Arenal

Suwa Villa Arenal

3.5 out of 5
Avenue 335 street 468 La Fortuna Provincia de Alajuela
Stay at this villa in La Fortuna. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
Suwa Villa Arenal
Cabañas Rio Escondido

Cabañas Rio Escondido

3 out of 5
El Jauuri, 702 Peñas Blancas Alajuela
Stay at this apartment in Peñas Blancas. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (105 reviews)
"Les employés sont sympathiques, le site est à environ 3 minutes en auto du centre de La fortuna. Le site est tranquille et en bordure d'une riviere, en nature."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2026

Cabañas Rio Escondido
Kaluma Villas

Kaluma Villas

3.5 out of 5
Calle la bruja, la fortuna Peñas Blancas Alajuela Province
Book a stay at this family-friendly villa in Peñas Blancas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions La Fortuna Waterfall ...
10/10 Exceptional! (43 reviews)
"Fabulous accommodations, excellent host & amazing service! Gorgeous view & beautiful backyard!! We loved every minute of our stay!"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2026

Kaluma Villas
See all properties in Santa Elena
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Santa Elena attractions

Monteverde Orchid Garden

9.2/10 (91 reviews)
Explore the great outdoors at Monteverde Orchid Garden, a lovely green space in Santa Elena. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the local tours.
See properties

Things to do

Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour

Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour

$29
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular)

$64
per adult
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular)
Night Adventures in Monteverde

Night Adventures in Monteverde

$35
per adult
Night Adventures in Monteverde
Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour

Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour

$44
per adult
Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour
Monteverde Birdwatching Experience

Monteverde Birdwatching Experience

$90
per adult
Monteverde Birdwatching Experience
El Tigre Waterfalls Hiking Tour with Lunch and Nature Guide

El Tigre Waterfalls Hiking Tour with Lunch and Nature Guide

$140
per adult
El Tigre Waterfalls Hiking Tour with Lunch and Nature Guide
See all activities in Santa Elena

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Elena worth visiting?
Santa Elena is worth visiting for its appealing food scene, where travelers can enjoy a variety of Latin American and Italian cuisine. Getting around is also convenient, with practical bus access making it easy to explore the destination.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena?
The best time to visit Santa Elena is from October through December, when the climate is typically mild and pleasant. For fewer crowds and better value, the quieter months of March through June are a good option, offering a warmer experience for travelers.
What is Santa Elena known for?
Santa Elena is known for its Monteverde Orchid Garden and Mundo de los Insectos. This city in Costa Rica also features Centro Comercial Monteverde for shopping and offers travelers a rich Latin American food culture to explore.
What is a good itinerary length for Santa Elena?
A good itinerary length for Santa Elena is two to three days to experience highlights like the Monteverde Orchid Garden, Mundo de los Insectos, and a Monteverde Cloud Forest Ziplines and Extreme Bungee Jump. For an extended stay of four to five days, travelers can also enjoy a Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Tour or the Sky Tram, Sky Trek, Sky Walk and Arboreal Challenge. See Santa Elena Activities.
How do you get around Santa Elena?
In Santa Elena, travelers can primarily get around using the bus system, with the main hub being the Transmonteverde Bus Terminal. For other needs, local taxis or rideshare services are generally available for convenient travel throughout the area.
What are the top things to do in and around Santa Elena?
In Santa Elena, travelers find thrilling adventures, unique nature experiences, and cultural tours:

  • Experience Monteverde Cloud Forest Ziplines and Extreme Bungee Jumping.
  • Tour a Monteverde Cloud Forest coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane farm.
  • Walk the Monteverde Cloud Forest Hanging Bridges.
  • Hike El Tigre Waterfalls.
  • Visit the Monteverde Orchid Garden.

How do I plan a trip to Santa Elena?
To plan your trip to Santa Elena, search for hotels and book flights in advance. Explore attractions like Monteverde Orchid Garden and enjoy activities such as ziplining or a coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane tour. Plan outdoor adventures for early morning or late afternoon. Local bus services are available for getting around.
What cuisines can you find in Santa Elena?
In Santa Elena, travelers can find Mexican cuisine, with popular dishes like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. The area also offers a variety of other international flavors, including Italian, Asian, seafood, and European dishes. Travelers can also enjoy local coffee shops.
Can I book a refundable hotel in Santa Elena?
Yes, Expedia offers many flexible booking options, and you can look for refundable hotels in Santa Elena by entering your dates and using the refundable or fully refundable filter. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy before you book, since terms can vary by hotel, and visit Expedia help center for further details.
Why book a trip to Santa Elena with Expedia?
Expedia makes it easier to plan your Santa Elena trip with travel tools, flexible search options, and bookable trip components all in one place. You can organize your plans in one account and use Expedia to help build a trip that fits your budget and travel style. Find out more about how by visiting Expedia's Trip Planner page.
Should I stay in a hotel or vacation rental in Santa Elena?
The best choice depends on your travel style. Hotels in Santa Elena can be a good fit for convenience, on-site amenities, and shorter stays, while vacation rentals may offer more space, privacy, and home-style amenities for longer trips, families, or groups. With Expedia, you can compare both options side by side, read traveler reviews, and filter by amenities to find the right fit for your trip.
How can I manage my Santa Elena trip on Expedia?
Once you've booked your Santa Elena trip, you can manage it through your Expedia account or the Expedia app. You can view your itinerary, access booking details, make eligible changes, and check for updates in My Trips. The Expedia app can also help you stay organized while you travel.
What if I need help during my Santa Elena trip?
Expedia offers customer support before, during, and after your Santa Elena trip. If your plans change or something unexpected happens, you can review your booking in My Trips and use Expedia help center channels for help with eligible changes, cancellations, or travel issues.
How can Expedia help me plan my first trip to Santa Elena?
If it's your first trip to Santa Elena, Expedia can help you plan by bringing together stays, flights, activities, traveler reviews, and trip-planning tools in one place. With Expedia's Trip Planner you can compare options, read reviews from other travelers, and build an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.
How can I save on my Santa Elena hotel booking with Expedia?
Join One Key™ for free to unlock instant discounts with Member Prices on select hotels. You can also earn and use OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings on Expedia. Booking in advance is usually another great way to save on your Santa Elena hotel.

*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Cities near Santa Elena

A suspension bridge in a dense forest.

Monteverde

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