Las Catalinas, a car-free seaside community on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, is a prime example of New Urbanism in action. The 1,200-acre multi-phase residential and commercial enclave was conceived in 2006 by Atlanta-based entrepreneur Charles Brewer, with an emphasis on pedestrian-friendly living and connectivity.
The town’s main hub, Beach Town, features a private beach club, approximately 150 single-family homes and condos, two hotels, eleven restaurants, and numerous scenic hiking and mountain biking trails. The dreamy coastal sanctuary is appointed with Mediterranean-inspired buildings, cobblestone passageways, and enchanting plazas with stone tiered fountains.
New Urbanism in Practice
According to Daniel Marin, Design and Construction Department Head at Las Catalinas, “New urbanism is the core philosophy in which Las Catalinas was developed.” He adds that it prioritizes design that enhances people’s well-being, placing the quality of the built environment and the human experience above purely market-driven considerations. Walkability is a core concept, as it promotes social interaction, health, a sense of community, and a lasting quality of life.
Now in its second phase of development, plans are underway for El Prado, situated on a hillside just above Beach Town. The development will consist of two residential offerings: Montana Flats with one-, two-, and three-bedroom single-level apartments, and Lantana Residences with one- to four-bedroom dwellings featuring fully tailored interiors.
The surrounding hills, beaches, forests, and ocean significantly enhance the quality of life that the urban model seeks to provide. They encourage outdoor living, walking, recreation, and a close relationship with nature, reinforcing the human-centered lifestyle that New Urbanism promotes.
Amenities and Activities
Las Catalinas offers a range of amenities and activities, including the Center of Joy, a refuge for mind-body-spirit connection, and Finca La Estancia, a nearby farm that offers horseback riding, pickleball, and other outdoor activities. The town also features a private beach club, multiple restaurants, and a slew of specialty boutiques and art galleries.
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One of the town’s unique features is its emphasis on wellness and self-care. The Center of Joy offers weekly classes ranging from spinning and restorative flow yoga to sound healing and biohacking, as well as restorative full-body massages. The on-site café, Nature’s Table, features wholesome choices.
Las Catalinas is also home to a number of unique shops and galleries, including Las Catalinas Collection, which stocks a well-edited selection of mini embroidered caftans, raffia totes, and handmade prints by local artists. Pura Vida Ride is an all-in-one outfitter that includes a full-service bike shop, a cozy café, and can assist with booking guided hikes, catamaran trips, and fishing adventures.
At the newly opened Pinta Café, visitors can choose from a wide array of ceramic vessels and figurines to paint, personalize, and take home. The café is just a short walk from Estudio Rambar, a gallery founded by artist and architect Ale Rambar, which features acrylic-on-canvas works, textiles, cast bronze sculptures, pottery, and mixed media by over 100 artists.
The Santarena Hotel, situated steps from Playa Danta, channels chic European vibes with a white stucco façade and deep turquoise-trimmed windows and doors. Spacious guestrooms are lined with wood floors, crisp white linens, and bathrooms appointed with white subway tile, steel-and-glass doors, and Biosfera amenities.
Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas, poised on a hilltop at the entrance of the town, encompasses 21 villas appointed with wood-beamed ceilings, canopied beds, and private terraces with infinity-edge saltwater plunge pools. The Relais & Chateaux property boasts a wine grotto for wine tastings and two distinctive restaurants, La Pampa Grill and Sentido Norte, both helmed by Chef Jose Lopez. The hotel’s villas offer stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding area.
Accommodations and Services
Las Catalinas Doorway handles property management and offers a portfolio of over 60 private homes, from studio flats to multi-bedroom residences with ocean views and private plunge pools. They can also coordinate private group dinners, morning tennis clinics, and other activities.
