I had read quite a bit about Pension Santa Elena about their honesty and friendliness. I didn't find this to be particularly true. I didn't mind paying $7 for an ensuite dorm room, until I heard Camino Verde was only $5 and La Colibri next door had private rooms (shared bath) for only $6.

The dorm was OK. Sort of weird that it wasn't in the building with reception, but a barn next door. Maybe it wasn't really a barn (and of course it wasn't that big) but it had that barn-shed-like look and a sign advertising horses just outside. It was cold and on the ground floor, but the path next to the window went up so I was actually eye-level with feet much of the time.

Bring your own towels for the shared bath. Caught off guard, I had to buy one for 1200 colones at the supermarket down the street. I had to borrow an extra sheet from reception (no extra blankets available) when the provided covers were not enough protection against the damp chill. There was a community kitchen, a large common area, English-speaking staff and good local 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 employees are better than others. They all knew my name and one of them was actually from my neighborhood. Friendly guy, but not a big part of the pension yet (didn't even speak Spanish) and apart from discussing our common Brooklyn nabe we had nothing to talk about. I talked to a few people who were also disappointed with the place, but others loved it, so you never know.

One of the most frustrating times, multiple members of the staff (including the Brooklyn boy) outright lied to me. I intended to go to the Santa Elena preserve early in the morning but woke late and missed the pension's van. They told me my only option was taking a cab, or wait until the next day. Desperate at the idea I would be stuck in this tiny town doing nothing in the rain—yes, it was raining everywhere but I'd rather be in the preserves than in town—I simply walked down to Camino Verde. They were happy to take my business, and they drove me there a couple hours later with another non-guest for just a few dollars. Ridiculous that Pension Santa Elena couldn't be bothered!

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