Current Issue | Previous Issues | Destinations | Admin Pages

Costa Rica’s Conscious Town

Las Catalinas

Car free seaside town in Costa Rica offers nature inspired wellness platform.

Read about Las Catalinas in the April 2023 issue of Jaunting.

The conscious town of Las Catalinas is Costa Rica’s newest desirable beach town inspired by New Urbanist philosophy. The car-free, highly walkable town includes several inns and intimate hotels, shops, restaurants, retail, day spas, pedestrian streets, parks, plazas, and recreational facilities, all located between two of Costa Rica’s loveliest Pacific beaches and 1,000 acres of protected tropical dry forest, which are interlaced with extensive iking and biking trails.

Within the town, the walkable public spaces are interwoven with nature, and the architecture emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and scenic views. Cars are refreshingly absent.

The town reflects the core values and belief of environmental stewardship, connection to one another and to the rhythms of nature, promotion of wellness, and an emphatic preference for quality of life over quantity of material possessions, understanding that the “good life” is not about material possessions but about human connections, good health, and ecological sustainability.

While wellness travel may mean yoga retreats and fitness boot camps for some, more and more travelers are seeking deeper transformational wellness trips to rejuvenate, renew and restore both the mind and body.

The car-free town of Las Catalinas in Costa Rica aspires to create a better way of life connecting people to nature in a place where 1,000 acres of a 1200-acre property remains undeveloped as a tropical dry forest reserve allowing ample opportunities for people to connect with nature. Inspired by New Urbanism, the town offers a sustainable lifestyle that is influenced by the natural surroundings. Throughout its development, the town’s commitment to nature remains as one of its main core values.

Since its inception, Las Catalinas has become an ideal destination for restoring one’s physical and mental wellbeing, training, rejuvenation, healing and recovery and outdoor adventure. With 42 kilometers of world-class, single-track trails that feature stunning views of the coastline and valley vistas, Las Catalinas is the most prominent mountain biking destination in the American tropics.

All hiking and running trails feature spectacular viewpoints and opportunities to get a glimpse of some of the area’s amazing local wildlife, including monkeys, peccaries, and coatis, not to mention a wide variety of exotic birds. Trails vary in difficulty and length, from high-intensity hills to low-impact flatter tracks.

The town is also flanked by two of the best beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Sheltered just enough from the southern swell, Las Catalinas is a haven for water sports enthusiasts, and consistent moderate waves make it ideal for body surfing and boogie boarding as well as standup paddle-boarding and sea kayaking.

Following Las Catalinas’ well-living pillars: movement, nourishment, meaningful connections, simplicity and beautiful surroundings, the town announces its signature Re-Balance Retreat takes place in April.

The five-day Re-Balance Retreat is a retreat created with the sole intention of helping participants relax, recharge, and rebalance in an environment immersed in nature. Guests check-in to the beautiful Santarena Hotel in the heart of Las Catalinas, meet fellow retreat attendees, and come together for an intention ceremony to officially start this multi-day wellness experiencd.

The first day finishes with an outdoor dinner on a dreamy outdoor terrace.

Day two starts with a yoga session overlooking the ocean followed by a healthy breakfast. Later, guests join the Re-Balance Workshop followed by some leisure time to explore the town of Las Catalinas. Guests will embark on a magical sound journey just before bedtime.

Day three features visiting Center of Joy wellness center in Las Catalinas for a hypnobreathwork session. Then they spend time swimming in the ocean, walking the trails or simply relaxing and enjoying the many outdoor offerings.

The retreat continues for two more days with a schedule filled with nurturing activities planned for guests to rebalance including yoga, meditation, healing sessions, trail hikes, fitness, sound journeys, hypnobreathwork and much more.

Of course guests who can’t make the April rereat, can opt to craft their own wellness trips to focus on improving their health, wellbeing and fitness regimens or set new goals.

They can stay in town at Santarena Hotel or book a villa through Beach Town Travel with an array of villa options including daily housekeeping and laundry service, a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, use of the Las Catalinas Collection resort facilities and more. While not on the trails or in the water, they can enjoy the convenience of the cardio classes and private training at CORE by Chakfitness outdoor gym, massage and facials at WAKE Day Spa, wellbeing treatments, palates and organic cooking classes at Center of Joy, mountain bike, kayak and standup paddle board rentals at Pura Vida Ride, healthy food to go, private chef dinners or wine tastings at Copper & Stone gourmet market, fresh smoothies and made from scratch organic dishes for all dietary restrictions at Pots & Bowls and more.

In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever to take a step back and rebalance. Las Catalinas offers the perfect destination for those seeking to refresh their mind, body, and spirit. With its commitment to nature and sustainable living, the car-free town offers a unique experience that encourages meaningful connections, movement, and nourishment. Whether you join the signature Re-Balance Retreat or craft your own wellness trip, Las Catalinas offers endless opportunities for rejuvenation, relaxation, and outdoor adventure. So why not escape to this idyllic beach town and discover a better way of life?

For more information
• www.lascatalinascr.com