Santarena Hotel at Las Catalinas
Colonial-Mediterranean boutique with a cosmopolitan beach-town energy. The design nods to Havana and Cartagena mansions — high ceilings, hardwood floors, teal flourishes — but the crowd is social and active, not hushed and precious.
Get to the rooftop pool early — only four sun loungers for the whole 45-room hotel, and they go fast
Why It Matters
The only hotel inside the pedestrian core of Las Catalinas, a purpose-built new-urbanist beach town with zero car traffic. You step out the door onto cobblestone plazas, 40+ km of trails start at the property's edge, and Playa Danta is literally right there. It's a genuinely unusual setup for Costa Rica — less isolated eco-lodge, more urban boutique dropped into the tropics. Member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection.
Santarena sits smack in the car-free center of Las Catalinas, a planned beach town on Guanacaste's North Pacific coast, directly on Playa Danta. It's 45 rooms over four floors, designed by Andrina Fonseca to channel the spirit of a 1960s European gentleman surfer — think whitewashed walls, hardwood floors, peacock-blue accents, handmade Cuban-style tiles on the balconies, and archways that look like they belong in Cartagena or Havana. The rooftop infinity pool is the social hub of the whole property, and the vibe leans more lively beach-town boutique than secluded jungle retreat.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Almendro Suite
Corner suites with arched French windows that open onto two balconies overlooking Plaza Danta. At 602 sq ft there's real breathing room — seating area, wood and Cuban tile floors, and a double rainfall shower built for two. The oversized bathroom has double sinks and is stocked with locally sourced toiletries. Extra natural light pours in from the corner position. This is the top group-rate upgrade tier.
King · 56 sqmDanta Standard Room
The entry-level room, and honestly not bad at all. High ceilings keep things from feeling cramped despite the 344 sq ft footprint. Wood floors, peacock-blue details, minibar. Either a small balcony or a private garden — no ocean views, but access to Calle la Ronda and the pool. Two accessible rooms in this category are available for guests with mobility needs.
King · 32 sqmOcean View Premium Room
Top floor, so the ceilings feel even higher and the oversized terrace gets full natural light. Wood and Cuban-style tile floors, direct access to the adjacent rooftop terrace and pool, sweeping views of both ocean and mountains. Multiple reviewers say these are worth the upgrade. The ocean-facing bathroom is a particularly nice touch.
King · 32 sqmOcean View Suite
A top-floor corner suite with two oversized terraces — both ocean-facing. High ceilings amplify the space. The bathroom overlooks the town and mountains, comes with double sinks and a walk-in shower, and is fully stocked with Molton Brown toiletries. Seating area, wood and Cuban tile floors throughout.
King · 56 sqmPlaza Balcony Room
Located on the second floor, these rooms step it up with generous Cuban-style tiled balconies looking out over Plaza Danta. Spacious bathrooms, wood floors, the same peacock-blue design language throughout. Good people-watching perch over the plaza without being noisy.
King · 32 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Available on Playa Danta directly adjacent to the hotel.
Center of Joy features a teaching kitchen for cooking classes and wellness nutrition workshops.
Over 40 kilometers of sustainably built trails start at the hotel's doorstep, winding through nearly 1,000 acres of tropical dry forest. Trails range from short coastal walks (Punta Penca Trail, 30–60 min round trip) to more demanding climbs like the McHenry Peak Loop. Wildlife sightings — howler monkeys, pizotes, deer, exotic birds — are common.
Available through Finca La Estancia, the town farm adjacent to Las Catalinas. Guests can meet farm animals, go on guided rides, and learn about the farm's composting program.
22+ km of single-track trails with ocean views and quiet valleys. Flow-style riding with swoops and rollers rather than sustained climbing. Rentals available through Pura Vida Ride, steps from the hotel. Multiple skill levels.
Rentals and guided options available through Pura Vida Ride, located steps from the hotel on Playa Danta. The calm bay conditions make this accessible for most ability levels.
Snorkeling gear available through Pura Vida Ride. ConnectOcean Dive Center & Aquatic Academy, based in Las Catalinas, runs PADI diving programs, sea experiences, and swimming lessons from the bay.
Surf equipment and lessons available via Pura Vida Ride adjacent to the hotel. Playa Danta is suitable for beginners and intermediates.
On Saturday evenings, a gin cart rolls along the rooftop terrace at sundowner hour. Handwoven rocking chairs, palm-shaded sun loungers, and panoramic Pacific views. One of the hotel's most talked-about rituals.
Three outdoor tennis courts and two pickleball courts within the Las Catalinas town, accessible to hotel guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Elevator available for guests, plus two accessible Danta Standard Rooms for guests with mobility needs.
Playa Danta is directly steps from the hotel entrance. A calm, golden-sand beach framed by tropical forest. Playa Dantita, a quieter cove, is a short hike away.
Available throughout the hotel in all rooms and public areas.
On-site gym with fitness classes and yoga classes available.
Available during limited hours.
On-site all-day bakery with pastries, coffee, sandwiches, smoothies and juices. Open 7am–5pm.
Santarena's main indoor event space with 1,937 sq ft total meeting capacity. Features ocean vistas, local wood floors, pleated draperies, and tall glass doors opening to Plaza Danta's beachfront. Adjacent is The Study, a smaller breakout room with garden access.
Complimentary valet parking for up to two cars per room outside the car-free pedestrian zone.
The hotel's most-talked-about feature. A 377 sq ft (35 sqm) rooftop infinity pool with panoramic ocean and mountain views, open 6:00am–6:00pm. Only four sun loungers available plus handwoven rocking chairs under a wood-beam pergola — arrive early in peak season.
On-site grocery and convenience deli (Copper and Stone) for daily essentials, local wines, and gourmet snacks.
On-site barber shop and hair salon.
24-hour front desk with multilingual staff. Concierge team available to book spa treatments, activities, and transfers.
Airport transfer services available on request. Staff can arrange from LIR (Liberia) or other airports.
BUILD YOUR SANTARENA HOTEL AT LAS CATALINAS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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