March 22, 2019
Childhood vacations are among some of the most vivid memories we carry with us throughout our lives. Well into adulthood people can clearly recall every detail of these experiences, like the smell in the air when they visited an active volcano or the sounds of the rainforest.
If you’re looking for a special place to take your kids on vacation, look no further than Las Catalinas in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province. We’ve talked with the people who know the town best, and we’ve got the scoop on seven experiences guaranteed to provide a incredible family memories.
Family Hikes
Walking among nature is a restorative and enriching experience, especially with family. And what makes Las Catalinas special for a hike is the sheer diversity of terrain, views, flora and fauna across more than 22 kilometers of trails like:
- Punta Guachipelines, a ridgetop trail leading to the Guachipelines Peninsula, a place with ocean-facing cliffs on three different sides and great views of the Pitahaya islands, used as a nesting site by multiple species of local birds.
Round trip time from Las Catalinas Beach Town: 1 to 2 hours
- Punta Penca, a trail that is gentle and excellently suited for a light afternoon stroll with the family, offering flatter ground. The scenery progression here is remarkable: the trail starts down by the beach, heading up into the forests before finishing in a park-like setting towards the end at the very tip of the peninsula.
Round trip time from Las Catalinas Beach Town: 30 to 60 minutes.
Bike Rides on the Trails
The Las Catalinas biking trails aren’t quite like anywhere else in the entire world. The tracks just outside of town offer a world-class blend of stunning scenery and exciting trails that make it one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the American tropics.
These rides offer a fantastic range of ocean and coastal views through the natural habitats of wildlife like monkeys, pizotes (coatis), deer, peccaries (wild hogs) and an extensive variety of exotic birds.
The majority of the trails are moderate grade, making for easy “flow” riding with enjoyable gentle curves and thrilling but safe downhill rides, all without sustained grunting climbs.
Be sure to contact Pura Vida Ride, town’s official outfitter down by Danta Beach, which provides bikes, guidance, and tours.
Kayak Excursions
Kayaking is a great way for families to experience the astounding beauty and biodiversity of Guanacaste Province’s coastal ecosystems. The best part? All that’s required is an easy paddle right next to the beach.
Not only is Pura Vida Ride located just short 50 meters from the shore in Danta Beach, the area is also within “kayakable” distance of nearby islands where you and your younger ones can really do some exploring.
If this sounds like something your family will enjoy, head over to PVR and check out their single and double kayaks.
Snorkeling on the bay
At a place like Las Catalinas, once you get a taste of life above sea level, there’s an inevitable desire to experience what it’s like under the water.
With warm water, small waves, and great visibility, Las Catalinas offers a great option for a snorkeling excursion, with some prime spots around town like the reef on the far side of Playa Dantita and the near-shore of the Pitahayas Islets.
Stand Up Paddling
Stand-up Paddling is another great way to hit the waves. With a little bit of challenge, a lot of fun, easy on and off, and the flexibility to explore across the water, SUP is an immediately fun way to enjoy a setting of unrivalled natural beauty.
Pura Vida Ride also offers different SUP lesson formats in Playa Danta and Playa Dantita.
Learning SUP and safety basics – like balance, paddling, turning, and wave knowledge – takes just a short 15 to 20 minutes, and then it’s off to the water for an easy paddle along the coastline to see rays, turtles, fish, birds, and many other species.
Boogie Boarding
Boogie boarding is a great way to get started with wave-riding. This gentler cousin to surfing helps you learn to understand the movement of waves, improve your timing and balance, and gain comfort in the water. Instead of standing up like on a surfboard, you lie with your torso on the boogie board and grab onto it with your hands, while your lower body hangs freely in the water.
Boogie boarding is a dynamic and fast paced activity for people of all ages, and depending on the waves ranges from perfectly suited to younger kids still learning the waves up to some bigger breakers great for teenagers and older riders.
And the best part? It can all be found just offshore of Playa Danta, which boasts a flat shore, moderate swells, and perfectly spaced waves that are consistently shaped and easy to ride.
Forage of Edible Fruits and Plants – for Dinner!
The tropical dry forests and trails surrounding Las Catalinas also offer a culinary way to experience nature. This area is highly diverse in terms of edible vegetation, offering the opportunity for families to set out into the wild to hand pick different foods to eat.
Guided by head Chef Gilberto Briceño -- who has experience foraging cuisine in the Amazon, Scandinavia, and the Andes for numerous Michelin-starred restaurants -- all collected ingredients are brought back and prepared for a truly unique and memorable meal.
So if you’re in the mood to try something different for tea or for dinner, just set out for the trails. You never know what you’ll find!
And Those Are Just the Start!
Family vacations are one of the best ways to bond with loved ones and create lasting memories. Toss in the best parts of Las Catalinas, like a friendly people, an all-encompassing beauty, and a genuine appreciation of nature, and you’re in a place ready for whatever your adventures your family is ready to take.
We’ve come up with a few of our recommendations, but the most exciting adventures are always waiting out there. So reach out and contact us. We’re here to help every step along the way, and we’re ready to start planning your next family adventure.
Download the ultimate guide to family vacations.
