--- title: "A New Perspective on Sustainable Travel: The Car-Free Movement" description: Traveling sustainably is more feasible than ever before now, and you can take sustainable travel one step further in the car free town of Las Catalinas. image: https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/hubfs/Paseo_del_Mar_Walkability_sociability_car_free.jpg --- [![Las Catalinas](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/hubfs/logo-white.svg) ](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/) [SUBSCRIBE](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/spring-break-car-free-in-las-catalinas-0#modalSusc) # A New Perspective on Sustainable Travel: The Car-Free Movement [mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/spring-break-car-free-in-las-catalinas-0](mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/spring-break-car-free-in-las-catalinas-0) [Book](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/section/booking) ### January 9, 2020 Costa Rica is one of the hubs for sustainable travel in the world, the birthplace of ecotourism and of some of the first ecolodges in Tropical America, [a world leader in conservation](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019/), and a country on the leading edge of [sustainable energy](https://ticotimes.net/2019/09/24/costa-rica-will-run-on-more-than-98-renewable-energy-for-fifth-consecutive-year-government-says), [decarbonization](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/costa-rica-plan-decarbonize-2050-climate-change-fight), and combating climate change. The country’s ecolodges are among some of the most visited in the entire world, and from this travel trend arose new perspectives on sustainability in travel within the country. A burgeoning example is the walkable [car-free beach town of Las Catalinas](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/) on the coast of Guanacaste. Taking architectural influences from the favorite cities of the New World Tropics and Europe, this car-free vacation destination shows how thoughtful urban planning can create a place that is sustainable for the environment, and provide a healthy, active, and connected lifestyle in the process.   ![A walking path by Casa Brewer, one of the original homes in Las Catalinas](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spending%20Spring%20Break%20Car%20Free%20in%20Las%20Catalinas-5.jpeg?width=600&name=Spending%20Spring%20Break%20Car%20Free%20in%20Las%20Catalinas-5.jpeg)   ### [![Stay in Las Catalinas](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4917861/4ee0ec4c-f76e-44f7-af6d-52af0d0e721b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4917861/4ee0ec4c-f76e-44f7-af6d-52af0d0e721b) ### Traveling Sustainably At Las Catalinas, visiting without a car is possible; all travel can be done on two feet or two wheels in and around town. Most of the [streets within town are pedestrian- and cyclist-only](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/cars-kids-and-quality-of-life), a conscious decision of urban planning [designed into Las Catalinas](https://blog.santarenahotel.com/las-catalinas-a-town-in-harmony-with-nature) from the very beginning.  By building to the scale of biking and walking, homes and buildings make clever use of space and topography. Anywhere in town is at a short walking distance, prompting some of the best car-free day trips and open air activities, which offers a drastically reduced town footprint that is better for people, more sociable, and better for the surrounding nature.   ![A street view of Las Catalinas ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spending%20Spring%20Break%20Car%20Free%20in%20Las%20Catalinas-6.jpeg?width=600&name=Spending%20Spring%20Break%20Car%20Free%20in%20Las%20Catalinas-6.jpeg)    When town was first founded, much of the surrounding land, now nearly 950 acres of nature within Guanacaste’s tropical dry forest zone, was unused pastureland. [Careful wildlife restoration efforts](https://thejournal.santarenahotel.com/las-catalinas-a-town-in-harmony-with-nature) over the course of the last decade have led to a strong recovery. The [town now serves as a habitat for many native Costa Rican animals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvqKbuiZeRI).    ### How A Car-Free Town Changes Things Las Catalinas was designed with both people and nature in mind. Physically removing the need to plan for cars, parking, and garages gave the ability for town’s own timeless traditional architecture to develop. Homes maximize living spaces, including thoughtful touches that [add beauty at the human scale](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/doors-in-las-catalinas), adapt to the topography, preserve views, and more carefully consider the surrounding environment to save energy. Many of the most interesting architectural features of town, like [pools of many shapes and sizes](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/the-pools-in-las-catalinas) or [the walkable lobby in Hotel Santarena that serves as the “living room of town”](https://thejournal.santarenahotel.com/oh-hello-bienvenidos-to-santarena-hotel) are made possible by car-free living.  The way of life in a place off limits to vehicles is also fundamentally different from a destination built to accommodate cars. The urban density brings family and friends physically closer together. Walking along the street makes for a [more social atmosphere](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-october-13th-2019/), where it’s natural to say hello and meet new people.      A car-free town is also better for children. Without cars on the streets, it’s safe for them to explore and experience freedom that they might not have in a city with heavy car use. The atmosphere is one of a welcoming neighborhood, where [kids can walk to a friend’s house and then set out to explore](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-october-4th-2019/) the pedestrian streets, plazas, beachfront, and forested trails all within a short walk of home. It’s a change from the constant need to be driven around by mom or dad, and for the youngest visitors of Las Catalinas the difference is profound.   ![Having too much fun is the only concern children worry about in this pedestrian town in Costa Rica](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spending%20Spring%20Break%20Car%20Free%20in%20Las%20Catalinas-4.jpeg?width=600&name=Spending%20Spring%20Break%20Car%20Free%20in%20Las%20Catalinas-4.jpeg)   ### Travel Car-Free Anywhere, Anytime In Las Catalinas, it’s possible to travel sustainably, car-free, and take advantage of all the many activities available in and around town. Between experiences on land, in the water, and throughout its cobbled streets, the many pursuits of Costa Rica are at your doorstep, wrapped in a way of life that offers freedom and a strong connection to nature and each other. There’s no need to plan for traffic, which also means no extraneous emissions. Thanks to the work being done in town,  the surrounding natural areas, and in Costa Rica, visitors here embrace a memorable and fulfilling vacation car free that’s also conscious of your ecological impact.   [![Stay in Las Catalinas](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4917861/4ee0ec4c-f76e-44f7-af6d-52af0d0e721b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4917861/4ee0ec4c-f76e-44f7-af6d-52af0d0e721b) ## See related posts ## [An Identification Guide to Wildlife Around Las Catalinas](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/las-catalinas-animal-id-guide1) [ Las Catalinas and Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring partnered to place and monitor motion-activated cameras throughout Las Catalinas’ tropical dry forest landscape. The primary purpose of this project is to document Costa Rican wildlife in the area and, in doing so, better understand the effects of ... ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/las-catalinas-animal-id-guide1) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/las-catalinas-animal-id-guide1) ## [Preserving Paradise: Las Catalinas' Journey in Conservation](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/preserving-paradise-las-catalinas-journey-in-conservation) [ At the heart of Las Catalinas lies a deep-seated commitment to living in harmony with nature. From its inception, all facets of Las Catalinas' planning and construction have been designed with respect for the natural world. ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/preserving-paradise-las-catalinas-journey-in-conservation) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/preserving-paradise-las-catalinas-journey-in-conservation) ## [BeachTown Treasure Hunt ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/beachtown-treasure-hunt) [ Family Fun in Front of Playa Danta Let the family discover the magic of Las Catalinas Beach Town this summer break with a Treasure Hunt right in front of one of Guanacaste’s most exclusive beaches, Playa Danta. Bring us your most adventurous explorers and we’ll send them off to seek out ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/beachtown-treasure-hunt) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/beachtown-treasure-hunt) ## [The Evolution of Tourism in Costa Rica](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/the-evolution-of-tourism-in-costa-rica) [ Beach Town Travel presents three-fold options for travelers to the destination of Las Catalinas: the cultural and ecological tourism the country’s tourist industry was founded on, a perspective on the New Luxury of pampering through connection, and as a growing trend of sabbatical-style stays. ... ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/the-evolution-of-tourism-in-costa-rica) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/the-evolution-of-tourism-in-costa-rica) ## LOCATION Las Catalinas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica ## Directions [ Waze](waze://?ll=10.4837815,-85.7900691&navigate=yes) [ Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Guanacaste+Province,+Las+Catalinas/@10.4837815,-85.7900691,15z) [Waze](https://www.waze.com/es/livemap?zoom=25&lat=10.4837815&lon=-85.7900691) [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Guanacaste+Province,+Las+Catalinas/@10.4837815,-85.7900691,15z) ## Contact [ Call **+506 2654 4600**](tel:+50626544600) [**1-866-357-3872**](tel:+18663573872) Phone: [+506 2654 4600](tel:+50626544600) US Phone: [1-866-357-3872](tel:+18663573872) [Contact us](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/contact) ## SEE MORE - [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/LasCatalinasCR/) - [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOCnZQ7JEgqO9UUmVa0ngA) - [ Visit Our Blog](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/) - [ Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/las_catalinas_) #### Connect easily with our services and amenities before and during your stay Download Las Catalinas App [Apple](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/las-catalinas/id1374972195) [Google](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aliceapp.android.whitelabel.lascatalinas.production) #### Subscribe to The Blog, The Daily, The Newsletter, and more Additionally you will receive our occasional newsletter. Absolute confidentiality. Never SPAM. You can unsubscribe at any time. ```json { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "A New Perspective on Sustainable Travel: The Car-Free Movement", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4917861/Paseo_del_Mar_Walkability_sociability_car_free.jpg", "width": 1040, "height": 640 }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/spring-break-car-free-in-las-catalinas-0" }, "description": "

Costa Rica is one of the hubs for sustainable travel in the world, the birthplace of ecotourism and of some of the first ecolodges in Tropical America, a world leader in conservation, and a country on the leading edge of sustainable energy, decarbonization, and combating climate change.

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