SANTARENA PLAZA

A Naturally Active Town: Sports and the Outdoors in Las Catalinas

05 December, 2019
The town of Las Catalinas is located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, surrounded on one side by a tropical dry forest reserve and on the other by Playa Danta and Playa Dantita, two sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean. It’s a blend of environments that offers a rich selection of activities to those staying...
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Breath work and Meditation for sports and recreation in Las Catalinas

29 November, 2019
Meditation can take many forms. Some of the most informal practices include breath work or finding a meditative state during physical activity like running or working out. It’s also possible to find meditation in the arts or music, athletes like surfers, skiers, and mountain bikers often find...
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The Hiking Trails at Las Catalinas

28 November, 2019
In addition the 42km of single track mountain biking trails in Las Catalinas, which cover much of the tropical dry forest reserve and function as multi-use trails for both hiking and biking, there are also five trails in town that are dedicated exclusively to hiking.
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Pura Vida Ride, A Local Costa Rican Bike Shop

28 November, 2019
Mountain bikes come in many shapes in sizes with many different components, and keeping each in top condition helps make riding a joy. A carefully tuned suspension, well-adjusted shock absorbers, responsive and powerful brakes, well-oiled gear shifters, and perfectly-inflated tires can make climbs...
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Paddle Board Yoga in Las Catalinas

28 November, 2019
Paddle board yoga is an activity that combines two sports that happen often into one.
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Diving with Bull Sharks at Islas Murciélago

15 November, 2019
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...
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Oh, hello - Bienvenidos to Santarena Hotel

14 November, 2019
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...
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Becoming a PADI Certified Diver in Costa Rica

04 November, 2019
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...
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Wellbeing Retreats in Las Catalinas

24 October, 2019
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.
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An Adventure Worth The Ride: Night Mountain Biking in Costa Rica

22 October, 2019
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...
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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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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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