It is located within the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area (ACA-T) is part of the Arenal Monteverde Protective Zone and is located within the biological corridor Pájaro Campana.

The Reserve was created thanks to the determination of the community to share the benefits of Tourism and use them as a tool, for the common benefit. The entrance income is used for the protection, management of the Reserve, to provide a better quality of Education in the School and the Schools of the zone, as well as to collaborate in projects of the community. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the first Country Reserves to be administered by an Administrative Board, providing a direct benefit to the Community.