Is Santa Elena worth visiting?
Yes, Santa Elena is definitely worth visiting for numerous reasons. Its a town that everyone should see, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. During our first trip to Santa Elena in 2007, we fell in love with its relaxed atmosphere and unique natural beauty. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this town has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the great hiking and amazing shopping.
Santa Elena is a small town that many visitors use as a gateway to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. In the area you'll find tons of outdoor adventure activities like canopy walks, ziplining, and horseback riding. Visitors enjoy the area's unique ecosystems and wildlife, while also soaking up laid back small town life.
Tree Frog, Costa Rica
3 Reasons to Visit Santa Elena
1. Hiking
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.
2. Shopping
There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.
3. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Santa Elena might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Santa Elena here or see if Santa Elena is expensive here.
Is Santa Elena worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the low season for travel in Santa Elena. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to take a hike and admire the wonderful scenery.
Summer Weather in Santa Elena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| August | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Is Santa Elena worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Santa Elena. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery and the hiking.
Autumn Weather in Santa Elena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Is Santa Elena worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (81°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The peak season for travel is winter in Santa Elena, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery and discover the nearby hiking trails.
Winter Weather in Santa Elena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| February | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Is Santa Elena worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the high season for travel in Santa Elena, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 29°C (85°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, take in the beautiful scenery, and get out into nature.
Spring Weather in Santa Elena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Santa Elena
Museums and Attractions
Santa Elena isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.
Food: Santa Elena doesn't top the list for most foodies. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.
Nightlife: Most people don't associate Santa Elena with a lively nightlife scene. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
Related
What is Santa Elena most famous for?
Santa Elena is most famous for its birdwatching and environmental conservation. People visit this impressive town for its great hiking. Also, it's known for shopping. It is often described as scenic, tranquil, and outdoorsy.
What is the most famous sight in Santa Elena?
The most popular sight in Santa Elena is Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Santa Elena on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and other attractions here.
How touristy is Santa Elena? Is it a popular town to visit?
Santa Elena is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Nature Tour in the Monteverde Cloud Forest: $37
- Night Walk Tour in Monteverde: $24
- Cloud Forest Small Group Tour: $30
- Private Birdwatching Tour and Photography: $155
- Costa Rica Night Walk Tour: $38
- Walking Guided Tour in Monteverde Reserve: $30
- 2x1 Guided Tour Combo Hanging Bridges and Night Walk: $40
- Coffee Tour Monteverde: $60
How long should I spend in Santa Elena?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Santa Elena is two to four days. Since Santa Elena has activities such as hiking, many visit for up to four days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Elena? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santa Elena?.
More Things to Do in Santa Elena
- Is Arenal Volcano National Park Worth Visiting?
- Is La Fortuna Waterfall Worth Visiting?
- Is Los Lagos Hot Springs Worth Visiting?
- Is Lake Arenal Worth Visiting?
- Is Baldi Hot Springs Worth Visiting?
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Costa Rica and The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica.
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Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Santa Elena.
How can you save money during your time in Santa Elena?
Eat at the quick restaurants that have lower prices, the food is still good. Also, we realized that budget hotels are mixed in with a lot of the more expensive ones, so we were able to find something cheap but still good.