SANTARENA PLAZA

Costa Rica: Nutrition direct from Nature

07 October, 2019
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...
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Las Catalinas: A Town In Harmony with Nature

03 October, 2019
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...
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Locally-Sourced Ingredients: The Approachability of Costa Rican Cuisine

27 September, 2019
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...
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The Beauty of Summers in Las Catalinas Beach Town

11 June, 2019
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.
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A Place for People -- The Santarena Vision

18 April, 2019
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...
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A Day Diving in Costa Rica at the Catalinas Islands

06 March, 2019
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...
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The Santarena Design Perspective

06 March, 2019
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...
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In Pursuit of Pura Vida: Peaceful Escapes in Costa Rica

26 February, 2019
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...
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Top 9 Unique Experiences for Costa Rica First-timers

26 February, 2019
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.
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How to Find Costa Rica’s Hidden Gems

25 February, 2019
For seasoned travelers, a trip to Costa Rica offers a versatile vacation destination. Travelers can pursue their personal wellbeing, take time for personal pampering, or embrace the way of life in a different destination. Yet another form of travel that Costa Rica offers is one of adventure and...
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Top 5 Experiential Travel Activities in Costa Rica

25 February, 2019
Experiential travel activities are meant to immerse travelers in the local culture, giving them a personal understanding of what makes a destination unique. A progressive approach to tourism, the key principles of experiential travel include authenticity, sustainability, and activity — all with a...
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The Costa Rican Architectural Tradition

12 February, 2019
Looking around an average Costa Rican neighborhood, you’ll notice the country looks different from its fellow Central American nations. In fact, within each region and even within a few city blocks it’s possible to see a range of styles that traverse time and architectural traditions.
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Exploring Costa Rica’s Unique Cuisine

11 February, 2019
Costa Rica is a place of stunning natural beauty, with a wide variety of microclimates and ecosystems that make it among the world’s centers for smart ecotourism. However, this natural wealth also lends a sense of color and character to another aspect of life in Costa Rica, the dining.
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