Nestled alongside the Pacific coast of Costa Rica within the Guanacaste province, Las Catalinas is an thrilling new seaside city on the Guanacaste coast of Costa Rica.
This distinctive group emerged because the visionary venture of entrepreneur Charles Brewer-Carías. With a background in actual property, tourism, and environmental conservation, Brewer-Carías aimed to create greater than only a coastal improvement.
Las Catalinas – A Distinctive Neighborhood
He envisioned a master-planned group that seamlessly built-in luxurious residing with sustainability and environmental duty. The imaginative and prescient for Las Catalinas consists of making a close-knit group the place residents can dwell, work, and play in a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing setting. Because the concept was born in 2006, Las Catalinas seaside city has sprung to life on the shores of Playa Danta.
Right this moment, Las Catalinas displays a dedication to preserving the area’s pure magnificence, emphasizing accountable land use and structure that harmonizes with its environment.
Pushed by robust values of sustainability, steadiness, and group from the New Urbanism motion, Las Catalinas has shortly turn into probably the most distinctive seaside cities in Costa Rica.
The seaside group boasts car-free streets, making Las Catalinas protected for strolling and exploring on foot with out loud site visitors round each nook. Backed by over 1,000 acres of dry forest, rocky coastal outcrops, and seashores round each nook, the group seeks to embrace the pure setting and welcome folks from everywhere in the world to expertise a brand new lifestyle.
Welcoming everlasting residents and guests alike, Las Catalinas is rising right into a nice vacation spot so as to add to your Costa Rica itinerary. Having visited Las Catalinas just a few instances throughout our latest journeys, we needed to share a bit extra about this particular group.
So, let’s dive in!
Las Catalinas. Photograph through www.lascatalinascr.com
Finest Time to Go to Las Catalinas
Our favorite time to discover Guanacaste is within the shoulder season, notably the months of November- December and April- Could.
That is the time when the climate in Costa Rica transitions between the dry season and the wet season. It’s after we discover the world to be at its finest. It’s inexperienced, lush, and never scorching sizzling.
Temperatures are inclined to peak within the dry season from January-March, when you may anticipate common temperatures to be round 35℃ (95℉). That is additionally peak tourism season, characterised by increased costs and crowded seashores.
The wet season begins in late Could and runs till November. Nevertheless, in Guanacaste province, the rainiest months are typically September and October, when you may anticipate virtually 100 inches of rain every month. Exterior of those months, the rain brings a pleasant reprieve and normally solely lasts just a few hours within the afternoon.
Sunny day in Las Catalinas. Photograph through: www.lascatalinascr.com
Tips on how to Get to Las Catalinas
The closest worldwide airport to Las Catalinas is Liberia Worldwide Airport (LIR), which presents direct worldwide flights from quite a lot of locations within the US and Canada.
It takes simply over an hour to drive from Liberia airport to Las Catalinas.
In any other case, San José Worldwide Airport (SJO), nearer to Costa Rica’s capital, is a few 4-hour drive from Las Catalinas.
There are no direct public transport hyperlinks to Las Catalinas, however you might take a bus from Liberia to Potrero after which leap right into a taxi for the quick drive to Las Catalinas up the coast.
Las Catalinas additionally presents a city concierge service and may organize shuttle transfers to and from the airport. This is likely one of the few locations in Costa Rica that you may go to with out renting a automobile, because it has every thing you want for a brief vacation keep.
To discover additional and have the pliability to go on day journeys, you’d must lease a automobile.
Automobiles for lease in Liberia Airport in Guanacaste
Issues to Do in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
It’s simple to move the time in Las Catalinas seaside city, even when not doing a lot in any respect. Benefit from the city, stroll the streets, sit at cafes, discover the seashores, or take a brief hike.
There are many stress-free issues to do in Las Catalinas.
Benefit from the Seashore or go for a Paddle at Danta Seashore
Stretched out in entrance of Las Catalinas is Playa Danta. This stunning seaside has white sand backed by the tropical dry forest with rocky outcrops on both finish, sheltering the seaside from large waves. Spend a day having fun with the seaside, catching waves, sunrays and easygoing vibes. It’s an amazing spot for swimming and is especially common with households visiting Las Catalinas.
In order for you one thing a bit extra energetic, there are actions on supply. Playa Danta is an ideal spot for paddle boarding, snorkelling, and boogie boarding.
For extra seclusion, you may as well hike over the headland to the north and attain Playa Dantita, which is a smaller, quiet bay with a ravishing seaside value exploring.
Stand-up paddleboarding is a well-liked exercise in Final Catalinas. Photograph through: www.lascatalinascr.com
Discover Mountaineering and Biking Trails
As a part of the wellness affect of the group, Las Catalinas now presents over 42 kilometres (26 miles) of maintained trails. There are multi-purpose trails for strolling, bike using, and operating, in addition to designated mountaineering trails.
Eager riders can make the most of over 22 kilometres (13.6 miles) of single-track mountain biking trails with views over the Guanacaste coast. For those who didn’t convey a motorcycle alongside in your journey, you may lease a mountain bike and even do classes for inexperienced persons with the staff at Pura Vida Experience.
For those who desire to be on foot, there are additionally 5 world-class mountaineering trails traversing the waterfront and heading as much as viewpoints overlooking the coast with the possibility to look at seabirds. A path map is out there on-line.
Biking is a sustainable option to journey round. Photograph through: www.lascatalinascr.com
Be part of a Health Class
Wish to keep energetic whereas on vacation? No downside. Core by Chak Health presents a variety of courses, from energy yoga to kickboxing, in a ravishing outside fitness center on the beachfront in Las Catalinas.
Relying on how lengthy you’re hanging round city, there are every day, weekly or month-to-month passes accessible, with extra applications and challenges all year long.
The schedule and outside fitness center hours have a tendency to alter relying on the season, so remember to verify their web site earlier than you arrive.
Yoga on the seaside. Photograph through: www.lascatalinascr.com
Chill out on the Seashore Membership
If the seaside is a bit of monotonous and busy to your liking, Las Catalinas Seashore Membership combines luxurious with outside residing. Overlooking the ocean, it options leisure amenities for rest, indulgence and motion.
There’s a family-friendly lap pool, adults-only infinity pool and sizzling plunge pool, with loads of poolside seating on solar lounges. Spend the day having fun with the spectacular ocean views, with eating accessible on the onsite restaurant and a cocktail bar for joyful hour.
Go for a Sundown Sail
Wish to get out on the water? Hop aboard a catamaran at sundown each Wednesday to absorb the views of the encircling space and participate in a variety of water sports activities, together with snorkelling, kayaking or paddleboarding.
Because the solar units, sit again on the deck and savour complimentary snacks, together with fish ceviche, rooster wraps, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
Horseback Using
One other nice option to expertise Las Catalinas location is on horseback. Saddle up one of many joyful and wholesome horses at La Estancia and, along with a neighborhood information, set off to discover the character path of untouched tropical forest all the way in which to a Pacific Ocean viewpoint. The route finishes at Sugar Seashore, identified by the locals as Playa Pan de Azúcar.
On the finish of the 90-minute experience, you may take pleasure in a regionally sourced natural refreshment.
Fishing Constitution
Whether or not you’re new to fishing or think about your self a fishing fanatic, you may be a part of a fishing constitution run by ConnectOcean, an award-winning sustainable fishing operator. Their charters set out from Playa Flamingo (lower than 10km out of city) and supply a possibility to study sustainable fishing and conventional handline strategies.
No matter you catch shall be delivered to the beachside restaurant Estero Azul, the place you may assist the chef put together the fish in a hands-on expertise, following pre-Hispanic culinary kinds. It’s assured to be probably the most scrumptious and rewarding seafood meals of your journey.
Eating places in Las Catalinas
Talking of meals, there’s a surprisingly nice number of eating places and bars in Las Catalinas, and the checklist grows month-to-month. Every one presents its personal spin on gastropub fare, Mediterranean delicacies, and seafood delicacies. Listed below are just a few to control throughout your go to.
Papagayo Brew Home: Positioned on Plaza Mercado, this brewhouse presents chilly Papagayo craft beers on faucet, together with world-class cocktails and informal bites. It’s one of many extra informal choices for dinner on the town.
Celeste: Overlooking Playa Danta, this beachfront restaurant serves scrumptious cocktails and upscale gastropub fare, splendid for a sundown meal and drink.
Ponciana: Positioned subsequent to Pura Vida Experience, this fashionable Mediterranean-inspired restaurant presents recent meals, with pizza being the actual spotlight. Sit outdoors within the heat solar and luxuriate in cocktails from the bar or a glass of wine.
La Taqueria: Positioned on the Seashore Membership, this good spot presents Mexican bites poolside with views over the ocean. The menu is concentrated on recent and wholesome appetizers, sandwiches, tacos, ceviches, and salads.
Cuatro Calle la Ronda: An all-day bakery inside Santarena Resort that provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Select from candy and savoury baked items, like pastries and muffins, together with juices and low.
Pots and Bowls: A fairly outside cafe with a deal with wholesome and scrumptious meals to begin your day proper. They make wonderful cold-pressed juices and cooked breakfast choices all day.
Sentido Norte: Positioned inside Casa Chameleon, this open-air restaurant and bar is ideal for sundown time with breathtaking views of the coast. The menu is impressed by native meals, with recent seafood and native substances.
La Pampa Grill: One other providing by Casa Chameleon Resort, this grill restaurant focuses on slow-cooked farm-to-table feasts with a Costa Rican twist. One to your meat-loving mates.
Coquelicot: The most suitable choice for a candy pick-me-up within the afternoon, this store serves mouthwatering Belgium waffles and artisan ice cream.
Dish served at Final Catalinas. Photograph through: www.lascatalinascr.com
The place to Keep
The group at Las Catalinas is made up of a mixture of vacation properties and everlasting residences. It’s value noting that this city is nothing like another city in Costa Rica however extra like a gated group (with out the gates), welcoming to locals and guests alike.
Lodging on the town is cut up between trip leases and lodges. The holiday leases are plentiful, and most are on the excessive finish, providing beautiful views of Catalinas Islands and the Pacific Coast.
There are additionally a few pretty, unimaginable, sustainable luxurious lodges from the Las Catalinas Assortment.
Villa at Final Catalinas. Photograph through: www.lascatalinascr.com
Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
One of many excellent resorts in Costa Rica, Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas is an award-winning luxurious lodge with an unrivalled view of the seaside and shoreline beneath.
Designed with a really open-air really feel, this lodge is in regards to the beautiful views with solar lounges and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Every of the 21 villas options its very personal saltwater plunge pool, non-public terrace, king-sized mattress, and natural, regionally produced toiletries.
Santarena Resort
One other star of the bunch in Las Catalinas is Santarena Resort, positioned proper in the midst of Seashore city. This mid-range lodge was designed to pay homage to previous mansions of Latin coastal cities like Havana and Cartagena.
The multistorey white constructing options non-public terraces, Cuban-style tiles and decorations, and darkish picket furnishings. The lodge presents a variety of suites and rooms with king beds, spacious bogs and regionally sourced facilities. Plus, the unimaginable sea views from the pool make it an inviting place to spend the day stress-free.