What 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

Santa Elena Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Santa Elena has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Santa Elena, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Santa Elena with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Santa Elena

Santa Elena is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Santa Elena, and make it a breeze to explore Santa Elena and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Santa Elena to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Santa Elena, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Santa Elena.

Santa Elena attractions

Santa Elena has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Santa Elena to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Santa Elena.

Looking for things to do in Santa Elena can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Santa Elena or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Santa Elena attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Santa Elena

Tours & day trips

See all 158 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 £28 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 14 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 23 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £32 per adult
Monteverde: Coffee, Sugar Cane, and Chocolate TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 14 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 £44 per adult
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Water activities

See all 6 activities
Costa Rica Kayak Rent Arenal Lake

Costa Rica Kayak Rent Arenal Lake

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is £21 per adult
Costa Rica Kayak Rent Arenal LakeOpens 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 £33 per adult
Selvatura Sloth HabitatOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Santa Elena

Number of things to do
174
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Monteverde: Night Walk with Guide and Torches: £15
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Santa Elena

Popular places to visit

Rain forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica, Central America

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

4.5/5(14 reviews)

Enjoy a trip to Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and popular activities such as hiking in Monteverde. 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
Female purple-throated mountain hummingbird resting on a perch in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Wildlife Refuge Monteverde

4/5(1 review)

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
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
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

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

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

Ranario

Visit the animals who call Ranario home during your travels in Santa Elena. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the local tours.

Ranario

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Santa Elena

Forêt nuageuse de Monteverde

Monteverde

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 kms (3 miles) away from downtown, while Valle Bonito is 2 kms (1 mile) 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.