Santa Elena is the small commercial town at the centre of the Monteverde area. Most travellers actually stay here rather than in Monteverde proper, since the village has the restaurants, supermarkets, ATMs, hostels, and tour offices. The triangle-shaped main square is the focus, lined with cafes and souvenir shops.
The town climbs steep hillsides on either side of a short main road, so walking around takes more breath than the map suggests. Buses to and from the cloud forest reserves stop on the square. The pace is unhurried, the climate is fresh, and the streets quiet by 10pm — early nights help when you are getting up for a 6am birdwatching tour.