Things to do in Santa Elena

Activities, attractions and tours

Monteverde, Santa Elena and Arenal area in Costa Rica highlands. Panoramic view in sunny day of a vast hills and mountains in this pristine region of Central America
Canopy Trail, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Nature Reserve, Costa Rica, Central America, America
Santa Elena
Santa Elena
Santa Elena

Things to do

Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle

Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle

RM155
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle
Monteverde Night Tour Unique Experience

Monteverde Night Tour Unique Experience

RM142
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monteverde Night Tour Unique Experience
Monteverde: Night Walk with Guide and Flashlights

Monteverde: Night Walk with Guide and Flashlights

RM81
per adult
Monteverde: Night Walk with Guide and Flashlights
Selvatura Park Canopy Tour

Selvatura Park Canopy Tour

RM366
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Selvatura Park Canopy Tour
The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde, Zipline

The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde, Zipline

RM326
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde, Zipline
Night Adventures in Monteverde

Night Adventures in Monteverde

RM142
per adult
Night Adventures in Monteverde
Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour

Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour

RM179
per adult
Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour
Monteverde Birdwatching Experience

Monteverde Birdwatching Experience

RM311
per adult
Monteverde Birdwatching Experience
Private Natural History Walk by Pasión Costa Rica

Private Natural History Walk by Pasión Costa Rica

RM690
per adult
Private Natural History Walk by Pasión Costa Rica
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Most popular experiences in Santa Elena

Tours & day trips

See all 171 activities
Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle

Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 120 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 156 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 16 activities
Monteverde Birdwatching Tour at Curicancha Reserve

Monteverde Birdwatching Tour at Curicancha Reserve

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.8 out of 10 with 11 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 247 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 15 activities
Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour

Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate Tour

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 28 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 181 per adult
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Water activities

See all 6 activities
Arenal Jet Ski Guided Experience

Arenal Jet Ski Guided Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 531 per traveller
Arenal Jet Ski Guided ExperienceOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 4 activities
Selvatura Sloth Habitat

Selvatura Sloth Habitat

Activity duration is 1 day
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 186 per adult
Selvatura Sloth HabitatOpens in new tab

What to do in Santa Elena

Popular places to visit

Rain forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica, Central America

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a popular place to visit in Monteverde and nearby activities include hiking. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the local tours.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde

Explore the lovely green spaces of Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde and enjoy the hiking trails in Monteverde. Wander the lush forest or discover the area's volcano viewpoints.

Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde
Orchid species in Monteverde at 1400 meters.

Monteverde Orchid Garden

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.

Monteverde Orchid Garden
Butterfly in Monteverde

Monteverde Butterfly Gardens

Explore the lovely green spaces of Monteverde Butterfly Gardens and also enjoy the hiking trails in Monteverde. While you're in the area, wander around the lush forest.

Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
Female purple-throated mountain hummingbird resting on a perch in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Wildlife Refuge Monteverde

Explore the great outdoors at Wildlife Refuge Monteverde, a lovely green space in Monteverde. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the hiking trails.

Wildlife Refuge Monteverde

Curi-Cancha Reserve

Enjoy the volcano viewpoints and explore Curi-Cancha Reserve, a lovely green space in Monteverde. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the hiking trails.

Curi-Cancha Reserve

The Bat Jungle

Visit the native and exotic animals who live at The Bat Jungle during your travels in Monteverde. Discover the area's volcano viewpoints or seek out its hiking trails.

The Bat Jungle

Vista al Golfo

Explore the great outdoors at Vista al Golfo, a lovely green space in Monteverde. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the hiking trails.

Vista al Golfo

Children's Eternal Rain Forest Bajo del Tigre

Explore the great outdoors at Children's Eternal Rain Forest Bajo del Tigre, a lovely green space in Monteverde. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the hiking trails.

Children's Eternal Rain Forest Bajo del Tigre

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Elena worth visiting?
Renowned for its nature and hiking, finding awesome things to do in Santa Elena is a cinch. Don't forget to add The Bat Jungle to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Santa Elena?
Once you've checked off top attractions like The Bat Jungle and Ranario, spend the rest of your day discovering the retail and food options in Santa Elena.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Elena?
The top tourist attraction in Santa Elena is The Bat Jungle, so make sure to include it on your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Elena?
Three days in Santa Elena is enough to enjoy the city's major attractions. Many guests spend two days on average. The Bat Jungle, Ranario and Mundo de los Insectos are top-rated sights. Want to see more? Stick around a bit longer to check off nearby hotspots such as La Fortuna.
Is Santa Elena a walkable city?
That comes down to what you'd like to do and see in Santa Elena. Several key attractions, like The Bat Jungle and Ranario, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Santa Elena's best neighbourhoods, La Lindora is 5 kilometres away from downtown, while Valle Bonito is 2 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Santa Elena with kids?
Deciding what to do in Santa Elena with kids is easier than ever. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Santa Elena for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Santa Elena, with activities for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Vista al Golfo.
Are there free things to do in Santa Elena?
One of the easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Santa Elena is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can enjoy without getting your cash out. Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde is one sight that doesn't have an admission fee.