Dinner is a short walk. Getting back is too.
Las Catalinas was built for walking. There are no cars on its streets, so every restaurant in town is a short stroll from Santarena along shaded lanes and plazas. You can have a second glass of wine without planning a ride home, take the beach path to lunch in your sandals, and decide where to eat when you get hungry.
That makes staying at Santarena a little different from staying at a resort. You aren't limited to one hotel restaurant or a long drive into the next town. In just a few steps you can go from Japanese-Peruvian to Spanish tapas to an Argentine-style grill, eat somewhere new every night of your stay, and still come back to a quiet room at the end of the evening.
A day of eating in Las Catalinas
- Morning. Start the day at Nature's Table at Center of Joy, with poached eggs or a traditional Tico breakfast, a flat white and a fresh smoothie. Prefer a quick coffee? Pura Vida Grind Cafe and Pots & Bowls are right in town before you head to the beach.
- Midday. Walk down to Celeste for ceviche and beachfront views after a morning at Playa Danta, or put together a picnic at The Deli at Copper & Stone. For a lighter lunch, Nature's Table serves salads, soups and paninis on house-baked bread, with plenty of vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free options.
- Afternoon treat. Coquelicot makes artisan gelato from fresh, natural ingredients, with seasonal flavors like caramelized banana or sour guava and lemongrass sorbet. Pair a scoop with a crisp Belgian waffle and a specialty coffee.
- Sunset and dinner. Sentido Norte pairs ocean views with fresh seafood and cocktails. At Tamaki, Japanese technique meets Peruvian flavor in Nikkei cuisine: signature rolls and tiraditos, ramen and pork baos, lomo saltado, and a menu of sake and craft cocktails. Pascual brings Spain to the beachfront with tapas made for sharing, from croquetas and garlic gambas to tortilla de patata, along with paella and Spanish wines. For a grill dinner, there's La Pampa Grill.
- After dinner. Stop at Papagayo Brew House for a local craft beer, or end the night with wine and chocolate at Coraline. Then walk home under the stars.
Why stay in town
- Every restaurant is within walking distance of the hotel
- No taxis, no parking, no designated driver
- Flavors from Costa Rica, Japan, Peru, Spain and beyond in one walkable town
- Options for every diet, from plant-based to gluten-free
- Beach, dinner and your room all connected on foot
Popular restaurants fill up in high season, so we recommend booking ahead. Our team is happy to help with recommendations and reservations.
Here are the town's recommended spots within walking distance of Santarena: