I visted Santa Elena on two different occasions, staying in a triple with private bath once for $7 per person a night, and the second time was given one of the excellent modern double rooms with tiled floors, nicer sheets and beds, and a very clean private bath for $10 per person.

The Pension also has a kitchen available for use, a nice candlelit dining area, coffee, internet (admittedly slow; try the internet cafe), a porch with hammock, and is charming decorated with Christmas lights. The staff is also very helpful and accommodating, and seem to not only remember, but reward return visitors (note the nicer room on second visit). They can also organize tours, and if no rooms are available, they will help you find other accommodation (no reservations accepted). Guests may also leave their bags in a secure locker before/after checkout while touring or waiting for buses.

The French owner (who also runs what seems to be a reputable horseback touring company) is forgetful and somewhat crazy, but don't be put off. In reality, Pension Santa Elena is a charming hostel, and a great place to meet other backpackers from around the world.

The dorm was OK. Bring your own towels for the shared bath. I bought one for 1200 colones at the supermarket down the street. There was a community kitchen, a large common area, English-speaking staff and coffee for 200 colones per cup, 100 colones for refills. They offer laundry service but the bookstore across the street is cheaper. They also offer internet but it's VERY expensive and they admit it's slow, so go elsewhere.

The staff was no more honest than you'd expect in a touristy town. . . they promote the companies that pay them. Therefore, Pension Santa Elena promoted SkyTrek as the best canopy tour and Camino Verde promoted Aventura as the best. I really enjoyed doing SkyTrek, but I would have liked a little more information about the other options. The staff is pretty large so some people are better than others. They all knew my name and one of them was actually from my neighborhood. I talked to a few people who were also disappointed with the place, but others loved it, so you never know.

When I wanted to go to the Santa Elena preserve and missed their van, they told me my only option was taking a cab. I simply walked down to Camino Verde and they drove me there a couple hours later.