Private dinners on deserted and preserved beaches.
The toponymy in Costa Rica, Although she is not very ingenious, she is accurate like few others. However, beyond the overwhelming natural wealth, what puts this country on the map is making its growth engine its green treasures. This premise materializes in the Catalinas, a bay in the Costa Rican Pacific where tourism development is tied with sustainability. A task that, seasoned with shameless luxury, has resulted in one of the most hopeful destinations in Central America.
THE UTOPICAL COASTAL CITY
On a secluded beach in northwestern Costa Rica, excessive luxury, overwhelming biodiversity and responsible tourism have managed to coexist in balance. Without a doubt, they are concepts that do not usually go hand in hand. However, sustainability does not require much more than a solid commitment. Living proof can be enjoyed at Las Catalinas.
A unique and careful natural enclave.
15 years ago, in this bay of the province of Guanacaste, tourism was nothing more than a broken promise. The famous beaches in the center and south of the country and the national parks of international renown monopolized most of the attention and the capital that usually accompanies them.
However, the eye charles brewer noticed in this corner of the Potrero Bay. After years traveling the world, the American tycoon found here the ideal setting to carry out his most desired project: a model coastal city. As soon as he had this 400-hectare property, he began planning what would be a walkable coastal town, inclusive and committed to its surroundings.
By 2011, Las Catalinas already had an urban area and the first residents began to arrive. These were, for the most part, retirees who invested their money in the sun and heat absent in Saxon North America. Today, these wealthy inhabitants coexist with temporary visitors, multi-owners and local workers.
Las Catalinas is constantly growing, consolidating a community based on the heterogeneity of its inhabitants and their commitment to the utopian paradise. It is a sui generis tourism development with the most interesting anthropological overtones. With the appearance of a resort, but with the spirit of a town, Las Catalinas is not just any tourist destination.
The beachfront is just nature.
A PATIO OF THE MOST PARTICULAR
As part of Costa Rica's sustainability policies, Charles Brewer he made a commitment with the Tico government to protect 80% of the land. Which represents 320 hectares of tropical dry forest for the enjoyment of fauna, locals and tourists. This type of dry forest a is transformed each rainy season into an explosion of chlorophyll forgetting the brownish tones that star the other half of the year.
It is a demure ecosystem of biodiversity. Howler monkeys, tapirs and roe deer share the slopes of the property with hundreds of species of birds and reptiles . A live, full-color nature documentary in the backyard of the hotel.
To be able to enjoy it, from Las Catalinas 23 kilometers start from some of the best mountain bike routes in Central America. In addition to the two wheels, they also support both legs, although the terrain also has three kilometers exclusively for walks. The best thing is that the paths are open for anyone who wants to walk through this particular courtyard.
Casa Maya, one of the residences that can be rented.
If today you can enjoy this orchard, it is thanks to the fact that a large part of the tourism project is dedicated to the conservation of the environment. What a few years ago were grasslands, today it is living jungle, a product of the repopulation and fire control programs developed by Las Catalinas.
But not all environmental efforts go inland. The sea is the main attraction of the place and here they have it like gold on cloth. Beyond the –sometimes not so obvious– internal waste and water management and treatment plans, Las Catalinas also takes care of ocean visitors.
The first line of vegetation on the beach has been respected. Which, added to the strict night lighting plan, means that the sea turtles that hatch here do not be tempted to divert your way to the luxury apartments and arrive safely at the sea. The idea is to be able to enjoy without being seen.
A LIVING COMMUNITY
What makes Las Catalinas more than just a resort is its ability to build community. Not only is it a newly built coastal town as a result of private initiative, this project sought to be, above all, a place to enjoy the Costa Rican goodness causing the least impact.
A garden with the best mountain bike routes.
When the real estate plan took off, so did the town. Little by little, the premises were occupied with independent businesses. Clothing stores, adventure sports or spas began to give life to the place. Between the hospitality businesses of Las Catalinas and the independent ones, a multitude of jobs have been generated for the surrounding communities.
** Connect Ocean ** is a perfect example of the commitment of the projects that are based here. Ernst van der Poll is in charge of, from this little corner of the globe, collaborating in a global initiative for research and conservation of the seas. Through diving tours in the rich waters of the bay, marine life is documented while educating and allowing visitors to enjoy themselves.
Besides being an excellent place to see fish, it is also an excellent place to eat them. How could it be otherwise, here the kitchen only knows about fresh and local products. To the chef Saul Umaña, one of the greatest promises of Tico cuisine, it does not need more than the richness of this land to satisfy all stomachs. His restaurant, in the newly opened Santarena Hotel, promises to be reason enough not to keep quiet when wondering that if you want luxury, Catalina.
Casa de los Sueños, another residence available.