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...

When towns are built to be walkable and to the scale of people, they change fundamentally. Brought within sight and touch to passersby, pedestrian street-facing facades in walkable towns allow for thoughtful detail and design so that simple elements like doors add character to the street. Shops,...

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...

Town has recently welcomed an exciting new member -- Copper & Stone, a Gourmet Market standing on the main road leading into town, right across from Plaza Central.

The origin of Santarena Hotel is a vision of something special, even within the walkable beach town of Las Catalinas. In many ways, the hotel feels like the “living room of town,” where guests feel welcomed like they want to be there. Santarena has a noble spirit, that of an old soul in the heart...

If you're looking for a place to find some bliss, Costa Rica is a great place to start. After all, it is one of the happiest places on earth in numerous rankings and takes the first spot on the Happy Planet Index, a metric that considers wellness, life expectancy, and responsible ecotourism, among...

The world is full of beautiful countries and tropical nations with options to kick back and unwind. What makes Costa Rica stand out among these destinations is its local ecology and lively and friendly culture. Here is a small taste of what there is to discover in this Central American country.