Like everyone else said, the super market is close by and the town is safe. I'd recommend the restaurant up inside the tree (forget the name) or Mar y Tierra (if you want to treat yourself), both on the main drag. The bus station is a bit farther, about a 10-15 minute walk.

Confirming what the others said. Cabinas Eddy is very close to center of town. A bit hilly, but nice walk. Good supermarket and some restaurants. You can also walk to the frog and reptile museum - a tour I did on a whim and with which I was very pleasantly surprised. There are busses to get to Monteverde and other sites nearby. I rode nothing but busses all over Costa Rica last November.

Completely agree with Phillippe. There is a decently sized supermarket, which sells all necessities for a reasonable price down the street from Cabinas Eddy. Attached to the super market is a souvenir store. You are technically in the middle of the city. There is no farmer's market, but the super market does sell a few fruits. There is a restaurant/bar close by, a chicken place and many other optional places to eat. Eddy will direct you to the best places in town within your budget. He did not let us down.

It is safe to walk to the center of the town. The center is just a couple of minutes to walk. The supermarket is very close. Enjoy Cabinas Eddy.

Santa Elena is a pretty small place,eddys cabinas is pretty much downtown, there is a super market about 5 min of walk from there.there is also several restaurant and a bank about 10 min of walks from eddys cabinas.When we went 6 months ago we had our car but we never use it during the time we stay in santa elena, never had any safety problem however not sure i would recommend to walk alone at night, street lighting in Costa Rica is not as good as it is in north america. I dont Know about the farmer market i dont remember seeing one. During your stay make sure to do canopy if you think you heart can handle it ! its the Best place in Costa Rica to do it ! ask the staff about the activity they will help you book them up with extra discount and most of them will provide shuttle service to go and for the return aswell. Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did !