Best Things to Do in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica

Las Catalinas is a beach town in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, that offers fabulous dining, shopping, hotels, and plenty of fun activities to enjoy the stunning natural scenery.

If you plan to spend some time in Las Catalinas during your trip to Costa Rica, discover all the best things to do in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica, to make your vacation memorable and fun.

#1

Playa Danta

Playa Danta (Danta Beach) is the main beach at Las Catalinas. Playa Danta is a popular destination for surfing, snorkeling, diving, paddle boarding, kayaking, and boogie boarding.

And if you don’t have any gear for water sports — don’t worry. You can rent all the equipment you need and schedule lessons from Pura Vida Guide right on the beach.

#2

Playa Dantita

Playa Dantita (Dantita Beach) is a smaller beach than Playa Danta, and it can only be reached by embarking on a short hike through the rainforest. However, this beach is gorgeous and offers stunning views along the way. When you arrive, you may have the entire beach to yourself!

#3

Mountain Biking

If you love mountain biking, you are in for a treat. Las Catalinas offers over 22 miles of world-class, single-track mountain biking trails that are sustainably built with a moderate grade.

While riding, you can admire the stunning foliage and the native wildlife in Las Catalinas, including monkeys, deer, and exotic birds. You can rent a mountain bike from Pura Vida Ride in the center of Las Catalinas before embarking on your adventure or hire a guide for a tour of the trails in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica.

#4

Hiking

If hiking or trail running is more your speed, you will be pleased to learn there are six gorgeous hiking trails in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica.

The easiest trail in Las Catalinas, Punta Penca, is a 1.3-kilometer trail that snakes along Playa Danta and the Las Catalinas Beach Club. The three moderate trails, Playa Dantita Loop, Punta Guachipelines Loop, and La Cresta Loop, are located on the western side of Las Catalinas and range in length from 2.3–4.3 kilometers.

Mc Henry Peak Loop, located at the center of Las Catalinas, is a steep, short, and challenging climb to the top of Mc Henry Peak. El Cielo Loop, located on the east side of Las Catalinas, is the most difficult trail at 12.5 kilometers long with a 200-meter elevation gain.

#4

Las Catalinas Beach Club

Las Catalinas Beach Club is a fun destination for families to enjoy in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica. At the Beach Club, you will find a lap pool, lounging pool, plunge pool, and kids’ pool, as well as a cocktail bar, restaurant, and exercise room with cardio and weightlifting equipment.

#5

Shopping

While wandering around town, there are a couple of great places to shop for clothes, furniture, and accessories in Las Catalinas.

If you want beachwear, clothing, and accessories, check out the attractive options at Las Catalinas Collection. Chunches Consignment, located right next to Santarena Hotel, is a consignment store that sells luxury clothes and household items. D-Aquí Design Studio sells handmade furniture, kitchenware, linens, and other furnishings.

#6

Dining

Las Catalinas offers several spectacular restaurants, cocktail bars, breakfast joints, and bakeries you can dine at during your time in town.

Grab a craft beer at Papagayo Brew House, enjoy some upscale Mediterranean cuisine at Ponciana, or enjoy a romantic dinner with spectacular sunset views at Sentido Norte. You can even enjoy artisan ice cream and Belgian waffles for dessert at Coquelicot!

#7

Day Trips

Though there are plenty of things to do in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica, to keep you busy for days, you should take advantage of the chance to explore some of the nearby destinations in Costa Rica and along the Guanacaste Coast.

Las Catalinas is next to popular beach destinations Playa Flamingo and Playas del Coco, where you can enjoy a boating excursion from the Flamingo Marina. Head to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, where you can go on ziplining, wildlife, or ATV tours, or embark on a day trip to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, where you can see the park’s stunning waterfalls, hot springs, hiking trails, and swimming holes.

Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica, with Special Places of Costa Rica

As you can see, there are plenty of spectacular things to do in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica — whether you love spending your days trekking through the jungle, splashing in the ocean, or eating your way through town.If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Las Catalinas that will put you near all the fun activities this town has to offer, we hope you will consider staying with us at Special Places of Costa Rica. We have a selection of stunning rentals in Las Catalinas that are just moments away from the best things to do in this charming beach town!