In addition to the 42 km of single-track mountain biking trails in Las Catalinas, which cover much of the tropical dry forest and natural landscape and function as multi-use trails for both hiking and biking, there are also five trails in town dedicated exclusively to hiking.

LaPula Shop and Studio was founded by Ivan and Mhairi, two longtime friends of Las Catalinas, out of a passion for design and art, as a non static and welcoming space that is part shop, part living room and part office.

Isla Murciélago is located just off the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste’s Santa Rosa National Park. This protected marine area is home to much of Guanacaste’s marine life, including many species of ray, an intersection of reef and open ocean fish, and the tortuga golfina (Olive...

The world is coming around to walkability, with many urban areas looking to walkable solutions as a new direction from high-traffic, car-heavy design. Organizations like Toronto-based Sidewalk Labs are researching clean mass transport and mobility that’s pedestrian and bike friendly. Cities like...

The Santarena Hotel is a tropically elegant oasis inspired by a palette of people and places, located between two of Costa Rica's loveliest Pacific beaches at the heart of Las Catalinas. This tropical car-free town on the Guanacaste Coast aims to inspire visitors and locals to connect with nature...

ConnectOcean Expeditions is a PADI certified diving school and Marine Ecology Center that offers an Open Water Certification Course with access to some of the best diving experiences in Costa Rica and education about the conservation of the country's vibrant aquatic ecosystem. For travelers looking...

Since the opening of the hotel, Santarena has hosted events like XPT’s Waterman Experience in June, the Culinary Institute of America’s Costa Rican visit, as well as a mix of dinners, celebrations, weddings, retreats, meetings, yoga sessions, wine tastings, and more.

Passionate biker Jason Abernathy from Pura Vida Ride lives on two wheels. A competitive road racer back in his twenties, he now rides a Trek Pro Caliber 9.8 SL cross-country race bike and prefers long gravel rides and the sport of MTB in Costa Rica. Jason is enthusiastic to share his love of the...

One of the easiest places to visit as a vegan is Costa Rica. The entire country is an ecological paradise for people who enjoy food, no matter their nutritional preferences. It is known for the varied fresh ingredients used in its cuisine while staying true to its sustainable roots, and an...

A core belief that has helped shaped the town of Las Catalinas in Costa Rica is that towns are best visited, enjoyed, and lived in when they coexist in harmony with nature. Las Catalinas’ style of urban development is inherently better for both nature and the human condition and intrinsically...

Things grow, and they grow well in Costa Rica. This Central American country represents 5% of the world’s biodiversity within a total land area that only accounts for 0.03% of the total land mass of the world. This means access to nature and its edible offerings, comprising a lush foundation for...

To many, going south for summer vacation seems counterintuitive. A general rule for the Northern Hemisphere is that temperatures rise quite rapidly as you head towards the equator, and to most the summer is warm enough already.

The arrival of Santarena Hotel in Las Catalinas, in the Guanacaste region, marked a new vision of life in the walkable beach town. This elegant urban hotel in Costa Rica located just a few steps from the sands of Playa Danta. Bringing a unique presence to downtown, the Santarena has become a...

A day out with ConnectOcean Aquatic Academy and Dive Center presents the opportunity to dive with manta rays, tropical reef fish, and white-tip reef sharks, all as part of a conservation effort to protect their natural habitat in a Community Managed Marine Protected Area. All dives with...