Top Things to do in Las Catalinas
What to do and see in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica including Pura Vida Ride, Playa Danta, Playa Dantita, Mountain Biking at Las Catalinas, ConnectOcean, Life is Better at Sea.
Restaurants in Las Catalinas
1. Pura Vida Ride
Overall Ratings
5 based on 261 reviews
Pura Vida Ride is located 50 meters from the waters edge in one of the most spectacular setting in Costa Rica. We provide Stand-Up-Paddle, Mountain Bike, Kayak and snorkel rental and sales and offer a range of guided tours, lessons, adventure packages, and transportation services. Our outfitter store also offers a full service General Store offering the best coffee, pastries, ice creams, drinks and snacks on the Gold Coast of Guanacaste.Welcome to our Playground: Nature built it; we supply the toys.
Reviewed By Betty L - Sacramento, California
Spend a day or more...this little surf shop has all kinds of sports equipment or buy a pass for $5.00 and enjoy a multitude of hiking trails that surround the area. The restaurant has great food and service. I was holding a $10.00 bill that got caught by the wind. After I had given up on finding it one of the staff members found it and brought it back to me. Not into water sports? Sip on something you enjoy and sit on the beach...bring a good book and enjoy watching the sea. We got to swim with Pelicans diving for food just a few feet away. The day we rented paddle boards the weather turned and we were stuck out at sea. Two of the lifeguards had to come rescue us. They did not charge for the extra time we had the boards or to come out to sea to rescue us. This little haven has something to offer everyone. Great staff and a beautiful place.
2. Playa Danta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Paul Z - Great Barrington, MA
Las Catalinas at Playa Danta, Costa Rica, is a resort facility that caters to those who need stand alone accommodations with the benefit of hotel/concierge and house keeping services. We stayed from Dec. 26-Jan. 2 and were very pleased with the service, food, pool facilities (kids pool. Lap pool, adult pool), yoga, catamaran sailing, and beach access. Not to be missed. Our concierge ((Yerado) was especially helpful.
3. Playa Dantita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By luvplayacar - Austin, Texas
We snorkeled here and greatly enjoyed it. Some rock outcroppings so you can spot lots of fish among the rocky area. Not too big of waves so good for swimming. We were staying at Las Catalinas and walked over via the path near Pura Vida Ride shop that we rented our snorkel gear from. They also rent other items and sell fantastic coffees and gelato!
4. Mountain Biking at Las Catalinas
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Las Catalinas has 13 kilometers of world-class ocean view Single Track mountain biking trails. The trails feature fantastic ocean views from a variety of angles to different parts of the coast. There are sections deep in the shade of quite Valleys.
Reviewed By MNBIV - Maple Plain, Minnesota
Phenomenal single track carved into the hills surrounding Las Catalinas. Extremely well maintained flow-type trails with challenging climbs and fun descents. I was very surprised to find this level of riding in such a private area. A top notch bike shop is in town right at the trailhead to rent very high end mountain bikes in whatever flavor you prefer.
5. ConnectOcean
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
ConnectOcean Aquatic Academy and PADI Dive Centre is part of the ConnectOcean Group www.connectocean.com which is a Social and environmental Enterprise trying to raise commitment for ocean conservation and stewardship.Our Swimming Academy and Dive Centre is the onsite facility at Las Catalinas ,a unique place where families, divers or visitors can visit and leave feeling that they have been impacted by what they learnt or experienced.We combine our snorkel and diving excursions with Citizen Science and Marine Ecology Education which is meant to be a call to action for ordinary citizens who believe that everyone of us can contribute to the conservation of our beautiful planet’s resources. Through the ConnectOcean Citizen Science & Outreach Expeditions, we aim to inspire and create a life transforming experience to help participants discover, connect and protect our planet. We offer a full range of swimming instruction programs as well as Adaptive Adventure Activities for the disabled.
Reviewed By Sarah W - Seattle
Our 3 days of dive charter with Ernst was the absolute highlight of our Costa Rican vacation! Ernst customized the excursions to include 3 days of diving and additional certifications for my husband, a day of snorkeling for me along with a remote beach picnic. We were staying at the Four Seasons resort, which was a bit of a drive to ConnectOcean in Las Catalinas, so Ernst and team picked us up and dropped us off by boat at the resort beach each morning.
I was beyond impressed with Ernst's passion, knowledge and respect for all things ocean, his focus on customer experience (loved the South African tea!) and his attention to safety. He even brought along extra dive equipment and encouraged me to give Discover Scuba a try. I hadn’t thought diving was something I would be able to do due to issues with my knees, yet Ernst was able to make some accommodations that made it easy. I loved the experience and saw rays, a shark, schools of fish and a little octopus.
We are already planning on a return trip this spring for me to get Open Water certified via ConnectOcean, and are planning our first diving vacation in the fall. Ernst went out of his way to connect me with his partner in Asia for insights on potential dive locations for our future travels. Thank you for the amazing experience, the encouragement and the inspiration, Ernst!
6. Life is Better at Sea
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Our main goal is to give you the most personalized attention possible while you enjoy any of our ocean tours. We'll take your family or friends away from the crowds and we'll create a piece of paradise for you to enjoy the day, where you'll be able to snorkel, use stand up paddle boards, a towable tube and more exciting activities!
Reviewed By Andrew F
My girlfriend and I enjoyed an outstanding afternoon snorkeling around the Costa Rican pacific coast. Jim and his captain provided us with safe enjoyable cruise where we saw 15 different species of fish and stingrays.
Life is better at sea is one of the most affordable priced excursions in the area and far exceeded my expectations. I would recommended this to anyone looking to spend a day on the water.
