Las Catalinas
Costa Rica's Car-Free Beach Town Where Walking Replaces Driving
Las Catalinas represents a bold experiment in coastal living—Costa Rica's only car-free beach town featuring European-inspired architecture, 30+ kilometers of mountain biking trails, and a walkable town center where restaurants, shops, and beaches are accessible entirely on foot. This master-planned community attracts buyers seeking active lifestyles, tight-knit community, and an alternative to typical car-dependent resort living.
The Car-Free Difference
Every residence sits within 5-10 minute walk of town center, beaches, restaurants, and amenities. Golf carts and bicycles replace cars, creating pedestrian-friendly streets where children play safely and neighbors interact naturally. European-inspired architecture with multi-story buildings, balconies, and street-level retail creates urban density rare in Costa Rica, fostering spontaneous community interaction. Thirty-plus kilometers of professionally maintained mountain biking and hiking trails connect the town to surrounding hillsides, beaches, and viewpoints.
Amenities & Services
Beach Club with oceanfront pools, beachside dining, and wellness services provides direct access to Playa Danta's calm swimming waters. Restaurants include Limonada (beachfront fine dining), Ponciana (Italian), Santarena Hotel, plus cafes creating diverse options within walking distance. Provisions Market offers full-service grocery with deli, bakery, and wine cellar. Air-conditioned gym, outdoor beachfront fitness area, onsite nursery school (Nido de Catalinas), and daily school bus service to international schools.
Real Estate Options
Oceanfront Residences - Premium properties with direct beach views and town center access.
Townhomes - Multi-level residences with rooftop terraces, 2-4 bedrooms, contemporary design.
Condominiums - Studios to multi-bedroom units, many with ocean views and turnkey furnishings.
Casa Chameleon Properties - Hotel-serviced residences and condominiums with professional management and rental programs.
Properties command premium pricing due to unique car-free lifestyle, limited inventory, and strong rental demand from active travelers.
Location & Community
8 minutes to Flamingo Marina | 20 minutes to Tamarindo | 50 minutes to Liberia Airport. Las Catalinas attracts active families, fitness-focused retirees, remote workers, sustainability-minded buyers, and vacation rental investors. The car-free design creates unusual social dynamics—residents encounter neighbors during daily walks, with town squares and trails becoming natural gathering points fostering genuine community connection.
Explore current Las Catalinas properties and discover Costa Rica's most innovative coastal community.
🏖️ Frequently Asked Questions — Las Catalinas Real Estate & Lifestyle
- What is the community of Las Catalinas in Costa Rica?
Las Catalinas is a master-planned, walkable beach town on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It features pedestrian-only streets, direct access to Playa Danta and Playa Dantita, and was designed with sustainability, luxury living, and nature integration as core elements. (Blue Water Properties) - What amenities does the Las Catalinas Beach Club offer?
The Las Catalinas Beach Club is located above Playa Danta overlooking the Pacific Ocean and includes a 25-meter lap pool, lounging pool, kid’s play pool, hot plunge pool, restaurant/cocktail bar, fitness centre, and event pavilion. (Blue Water Properties) It serves as the social and lifestyle hub for the community, enhancing both full-time and vacation real-estate appeal. - What kind of properties are available in Las Catalinas Costa Rica real estate markets (homes, villas, lots)?
Real-estate opportunities in Las Catalinas span a range of types: luxury villas with ocean or hillside views, well-designed homes within the pedestrian village (“Beach Town”), and home-sites/lots for custom construction. Buyers can look for “las catalinas villas,” “las catalinas homes for sale,” or general “las catalinas real estate” listings. (Blue Water Properties) - What is the appeal of Las Catalinas for buyers looking at Costa Rica homes for sale?
Buyers are drawn to Las Catalinas for its unique lifestyle: the car-free environment, direct beach and forest access, strong design and architecture, high-end amenities (including the beach club), and viable resale/investment potential given its premium market positioning. (news.lascatalinascr.com) - Is Las Catalinas suitable for full-time living, vacation homes, or investment properties?
Yes to all three. Las Catalinas offers lifestyle living for full-time residents through its walkable design, nature trails and community infrastructure. It also supports vacation-home and villa ownership thanks to resort-style amenities and strong attraction for travelers. From an investment perspective, the high demand for luxury real-estate in this resort-town environment adds upside potential. (Insider Families) - How far is Las Catalinas from major regional infrastructure (e.g., airport) in Guanacaste?
Las Catalinas is located in Guanacaste province near the coastal beaches of Playa Danta/Dantita. While the nearest major airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, the exact travel time depends on route and traffic. Its coastal location provides convenient access for both domestic and international travel. (Visit Costa Rica) - What lifestyle and recreational activities are available in Las Catalinas?
In Las Catalinas, residents and owners enjoy:
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- Beach access to Playa Danta and Playa Dantita for swimming, stand-up paddleboard, kayaking. (Blue Water Properties)
- 26+ miles of hiking, running and mountain-biking trails through tropical dry forest. (Blue Water Properties)
- Walkable village life with boutique shops, restaurants, plazas. (Insider Families)
These features enhance the lifestyle value of homes and villas in the “las catalinas real estate” marketplace.
- What are key considerations when purchasing Las Catalinas Costa Rica real estate?
When buying in Las Catalinas, consider:
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- Property type and what rights/association come with it (for example villas vs lots)
- Resale history and comparison pricing of “las catalinas homes for sale”
- Proximity to village services or views (ocean vs hillside)
- HOA/maintenance fees associated with resort-style amenities and infrastructure
- Due diligence on titled ownership, building regulations, and rental potential if you plan income generation.
- Are there luxury “las catalinas villas” available and what typical price ranges might they have?
Yes — luxury villas are available in Las Catalinas. Prices vary widely based on size, view, location and finishes. As a premium resort-town community, villas with ocean views or direct beach access command higher prices. BlueWaterProperties lists example homes, lots and villas within Las Catalinas. (Blue Water Properties)
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How can Flamingo Beach Realty help with Las Catalinas homes for sale or villa purchases?
At Flamingo Beach Realty we specialise in luxury real‐estate in Guanacaste including Las Catalinas. We provide: access to off-market listings, market insight into “las catalinas real estate”, guidance through the purchasing process, comparison of homes/villas, and support with due diligence and closing. Contact our team for tailored listings and listings tours.
