Recent Newletter on Fun at Las Catalinas

I'm just remembering that I never posted our last newsletter here on the blog.   Here it is.   Also you can see its fully illustrated glory here.

At home in Atlanta, I work out.   At home in Las Catalinas, I never think about working out.
I'm too busy having fun!

I began yesterday with a mountain bike ride.   I rode the back roads in Las Catalinas to the Zapotal Valley -- this is a great place for wildlife spotting; I saw monkeys and a flock of big white egrets.   The riding around here features a world class mountain bike trail system (click here for video), plenty of challenging climbing options, and stunning views of the ocean and landscape.   I'm making a catalogue of some of the local rides here.

After breakfast I went boogie boarding and body surfing with my seven year old son and some of his new friends here.   Our Playa Danta is one of the best beaches you will ever find for this guaranteed-to-make-you-smile activity, with perfect conditions for long, smooth rides.   (And, by the way, it seems to be remarkably good for your abs.   I'm actually sort of getting a six-pack.   I've never had a six-pack!)

After lunch  my daughter and I paddled a kayak out and around the nearby Pajaro islands.   There was a big swell out there, with the waves surging up and down on the rocks and exploding through the blowhole -- an amazing sight.

Towards sunset I went for a hike with my son and his friend, who said as we were heading out, "Oh, I hope it rains!   Then we'll get to see more tree frogs!"   He got his wish, we had a great hike, and we spent the rest of the evening listening to a tree-frog symphony.

That's just one day, and just me.     In the last couple of weeks my family has enjoyed:

• snorkeling (some of the best is right off our beaches)
• stand up paddleboarding (which is gaining global popularity as the core workout of choice)
• sailing (along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world)
• yoga (there is a huge yoga culture here)
• horseback riding (a fantastic equestrian center is under construction at Las Catalinas)
• surfing lessons (nearby Tamarindo is the perfect place to learn)
• ziplining (one of the best is just 15 minutes away)
• trail running (a surprise hit with my wife - a great mountain bike trail is also a great running trail)
• outdoor bootcamp classes (with a great instructor right here at Las Catalinas)

There is also great scuba, fishing, golf, bird watching, and thrilling expeditions to nearby volcanoes and national parks.

Pura Vida Ride, our outfitter store in Las Catalinas, is there to provide the gear, instruction, and expeditions to enjoy many of these outdoor adventures.   They offer annual memberships (for unlimited use stand up paddleboards, bikes, kayaks, boogie boards, etc.) and as a welcome to new Las Catalinas residents we are offering a complimentary two-year family membership to anyone who signs a contract on a home or lot before November 15, 2011. Click here to email us for details.

Sincerely,
Charles

PS:   I've also been active with my camera on this visit.   I've posted many photos on our website gallery; some of my favorites are from Punta Penca - a dramatic peninsula on the edge of town.   The views from these hillside lots just above the beach look something like the photo of the coastline in this newsletter (second from bottom).