Tucked between the sea and the tropical dry forest, Las Catalinas has quietly emerged as one of Costa Rica’s most restorative destinations, and Las Catalinas’ Doorway is your key to planning your next wellness retreat. For wellness retreat leaders, digital nomads, and travelers seeking intentional disconnection and renewal, this upscale destination offers something truly unique: a walkable, car-free environment where nature and daily life flow together with ease.
With every footstep—on cobble paths, through shaded forest trails, or along the edge of the Pacific Ocean—there’s an unmistakable sense of reconnection. Town’s layout encourages presence. There’s no need to plan a commute or coordinate transportation logistics. Everything you need to host a healing, uplifting retreat is here, reachable at your own pace.
Las Catalinas is more than a backdrop for wellbeing—it’s an active partner in the experience. The gentle rhythms of forest and ocean encourage clarity and reflection, while town’s pedestrian design naturally invites pauses throughout the day. From a sunrise hike to Playa Danta to a mid-morning smoothie or rooftop yoga session, wellness is woven into the fabric of daily life.
This seamless blend of environment and intention makes Las Catalinas especially appealing for group retreat leaders seeking a flexible and inspiring setting, remote workers looking to integrate wellness into their routines, travelers in search of emotional, physical, or spiritual renewal, and families or friends hoping to reconnect, reset, and attune together.
At the heart of Las Catalinas’ wellness journey lies the Center of Joy, a sanctuary for returning to oneself and reconnecting with others. Within its serene spaces, thoughtfully curated therapies, enriching classes, and restorative treatments invite guests to rediscover their core and experience a peace that is often overlooked in daily life.
From invigorating Cold Plunge sessions that regulate the nervous system and support recovery, to breathwork, yoga, sound journeys, and guided movement, every offering is designed to awaken stillness and balance. The open-air pavilion embraces nature’s rhythm, creating a setting where body, mind, and spirit naturally realign.
The Center of Joy also opens its doors for experiences that bring families and friends together. Guests can join in cooking classes that celebrate nourishment and creativity, immerse in sound journey experiences, move with joy through Bounce and Power Sculpt, or explore expression in art therapy and journaling sessions. These gatherings turn shared moments into meaningful memories—reminders that wellness is as much about connection with others as it is about reconnecting within.
Each session is an invitation to slow down, to notice what is within, and to allow transformation to unfold in subtle yet profound ways. Whether you seek a single moment of renewal or a full retreat, the Center of Joy offers enduring nourishment that resonates long after your visit ends—a gentle return to the peace within, and to the joy of being together.
Just steps away, Santarena Hotel expands the possibilities for restorative experiences. The rooftop terrace hosts sunrise yoga classes with ocean views, while massage treatments and gathering spaces make it ideal for both group retreats and solo wellness escapes. With support from Las Catalinas Doorway, retreat leaders can plan multi-day programs that combine Santarena’s spaces with private home accommodations, treatments at Center of Joy, and guided nature experiences.
Enjoy a fresh breakfast at Ponciana as a soft drizzle cools the morning air. Spend a quiet afternoon browsing curated goods at Las Catalinas Collection, where fashion and thoughtful gifts invite exploration. In the evenings, town’s walkways glow under string lights, and the ocean breeze carries the scent of rain-washed stone and blooming trees. A trip to Center of Joy, town’s onsite wellness center, is another perfect rainy day option to unwind and live well.
Whether you’re hosting a six-person intimate journey or a 20+ person gathering across multiple homes, everything flows smoothly thanks to the Doorway team, your allies in seamless planning and logistics execution. You can count on your Doorway partners to help you with venue selection and group logistics, home coordination and guest concierge, and of course with scheduling of wellness experiences and therapies.
True wellness starts with what we eat and the meaningful rituals we create around it. Inspired by Costa Rica’s rich agrarian heritage and the healthy longevity of blue zone lifestyles, Las Catalinas fosters a food culture that prioritizes balance, simplicity, and flavorful diversity.
Guests can savor nutrient-rich, plant-forward dishes that delight the senses without compromising flavor or creativity. Begin your day with refreshing smoothies and wholesome options at Center of Joy’s Nature’s Table, enjoy fresh seafood and vibrant vegetarian fare at Green House, or discover inventive, nourishing meals at Ponciana—each restaurant beautifully showcasing the region’s seasonal bounty.
Be sure to enhance your culinary journey with Costa Rica’s iconic breakfast, Gallo Pinto, a flavorful combination of rice and beans complemented perfectly by fresh avocado, eggs, and tropical fruits. This balanced meal energizes your body and mind, setting an ideal tone for a day of wellness and energetic exploration!
Las Catalinas doesn’t just host wellness—it cultivates it with intention. Here, the forest becomes your daily companion, offering quiet reflection with every shaded path. The ocean, ever-present, becomes your mirror—reminding you to move with rhythm, clarity, and purpose.
Within this natural harmony, and Las Catalinas’ Doorway’s knowhow, you’ll find each wellness package thoughtfully designed to support your journey. Whether you’re crafting a retreat for a group or seeking personal renewal, everything you need is here—beautifully integrated, deeply nourishing, and grounded in a place that feels both elevated and effortlessly real.
Let nature set the pace, and let wellness gently unfold!
Book your retreat or restorative escape through Las Catalinas Doorway, and experience how powerful, personal, and transformative a healing journey in Costa Rica can be.