The Elements of Las Catalinas | Costa Rica | Three Towns where we Live

In 1981, Seaside, Florida rose along Scenic Highway 30A and started the New Urbanist movement. In 1996, Rosemary Beach followed. And on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, a third town was built on the lessons of the two that came before it. Welcome to Las Catalinas. Gayle and I have lived this story in all three towns. We were original owners in Rosemary Beach, we own and live in Seaside today, and in May 2021 I came to Las Catalinas for a friend’s design award and left five days later with a house. So when we talk about what makes these towns work, we’re talking as neighbors, not tour guides. In this episode of The Elements series, we walk Las Catalinas through its core elements: Layout: A walkable town that climbs from the Pacific toward the sunrise, street by street, with ramps and stairs so every level stays accessible to everyone. Homes: A car free town. You park once outside of town and walk everywhere else. Homes sit close together by design, and set footprints and roof heights mean nearly everyone gets a sunset view. Nature: Miles of trails, sweeping vistas, world famous howler monkeys, and a bike ride or hike that ends at the beach. Amenities: A beach club, a rooftop pool, tennis, pickleball and horseback riding at the Estancia. Commerce: Morning coffee, bike rentals, a boutique hotel in the center of town, and restaurants from casual breakfast to fine dining. You’ll also hear from our agent Kara Kanter, who first came here after high school, eventually brought her parents down, and now lives in Las Catalinas with her whole family. Thinking about owning in Las Catalinas, Seaside or Rosemary Beach? Get in touch with the Jabbour Luxury Group. We know all three because we’ve lived in all three.