This was the strangest place we've stayed in our travels around Costa Rica. It's very cheap but the rooms appear unfinished. However the owners are very nice and organised trips for us. It's called a B&B but they don't provide breakfast and they don't clean the rooms. We even struggled to get a pillow for one of the beds as there wasn't one provided. That said, it's really well located for the Monteverde Institute, the Cloud Forest, the amazing Stella's Cafe and the sunset benches. If you just need somewhere to lay your head while you explore then this is just fine.

This was the strangest place we've stayed in our travels around Costa Rica. It's very cheap but the rooms appear unfinished. However the owners are very nice and organised trips for us. It's called a B&B but they don't provide breakfast and they don't clean the rooms. We even struggled to get a pillow for one of the beds as there wasn't one provided. That said, it's really well located for the Monteverde Institute, the Cloud Forest, the amazing Stella's Cafe and the sunset benches. If you just need somewhere to lay your head while you explore then this is just fine.

quaint guesthouse tucked away in the mountainside

Very interesting and unique place, very spacious and minimalist, yet comfortable.The owners are lovely, helpful and friendly. I would return. Location is closer to the cloud forest and a few restaurants, not close to town, which worked well for me. I walked to the cloud forest but I enjoy walking. It was @2-3 miles uphill.

Very interesting and unique place, very spacious and minimalist, yet comfortable. The owners are lovely, helpful and friendly. I would return. Location is closer to the cloud forest and a few restaurants, not close to town, which worked well for me. I walked to the cloud forest but I enjoy walking. It was @2-3 miles uphill.

Beautiful rooms in a separate house. Very friendly owner Maria was pleasant and helpful. She was always working in the garden and even gave me a hat to wear horseback riding. There’s also a beautiful piano to play in the house. Great location to access the Monteverde parks.

Beautiful rooms in a separate house. Very friendly owner Maria was pleasant and helpful. She was always working in the garden and even gave me a hat to wear horseback riding. There’s also a beautiful piano to play in the house. Great location to access the Monteverde parks.

Tarsicio was a wonderful host. He greeted me when I arrived and immediately helped me book some exceptional tours. I am very grateful for his recommendations, because they made my trip to Monte Verde very special. The building is very unique and full of art. There’s a garden outside, and I saw a motmot bird through the window! The location is outside all the noise of Santa Elena and close to a small organic grocery store, as well as cafés and restaurants. It’s also much closer to the Monte Verde cloud Forest than hotels in Santa Elena. The driveway to the parking lot was a little challenging, like the roads in Monteverde; I was glad to have a high clearance vehicle. I would stay here again!

A lovely family run Guesthouse surround by beautiful plants and trees. A short walk to coffee, bakery, restaurants, a small organic market and of course hiking trails. A 20min pleasant walk to town. Very helpful in explaining different experiences you may be interested in and organising shuttles/taxi etc.

A lovely family run Guesthouse surround by beautiful plants and trees.A short walk to coffee, bakery, restaurants, a small organic market and of course hiking trails. A 20min pleasant walk to town.Very helpful in explaining different experiences you may be interested in and organising shuttles/taxi etc.

I had a wonderful stay at the Casa. Delicious and plentiful breakfast. My own room. The hosts are the sweetest people ever. The best part is the proximity to the Monteverdi reserve. This home is well outside the little town of Santa Elena and is located up in the cloud forest. I was able to catch the local bus up to Montverde Reserva for 700 colones. Just flag it down. No need for tour. There are a couple of restaurants, a bakery and an art centre very close by. Walk to the Quaker run dairy for cheese and ice cream or walk to the ‘other Reserva’ of Curicancha which is also an excellent cloud forest park. Anyhow, Casa Alquimia is a good place to stay and I have no hesitation in recommending it to other budget travelers. There seems to be several long term renters there which is lovely.

The family is amazing and so gracious. Unless you order a room with a bathroom attached you do have to share, which can get a little crowded and you may have to wait a bit. Breakfasts were timely with varied fruit, coffee or tea, eggs (cooked how you prefer), toast, and fresh mango preserves. If you are looking for a budget friendly, unique experience I recommend staying at Casa Alquimia.

Cheap B&B, friendly staff, more a hut than a roome

We thought the couple who had the place were lovely. However, to be honest, the place was a bit of a dump. Not the cleanest, lots of unfashioned projects, and some distance to the main town. Still, for 1 or 2 nights, it was OK

This is a very special place. The owners are both artists and make an incredible breakfast. They will help plan any day trips you need as well. I felt very cared for as a single woman Traveler.

The hosts were so nice and the coffee and breakfast were delicious!

The hosts were so nice and the coffee and breakfast were delicious!