Major city · Costa Rica
Las Catalinas
Half-day to 2 nights: walkable beach town with good snorkeling and dining, but limited activities. Best as a short stop on a Guanacaste road trip.
Las Catalinas is a small, master-planned resort town on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, built on New Urbanism principles with a walkable centre and traditional architecture. It offers a calm beach, good snorkeling, and a handful of restaurants and shops. Most visitors spend half a day to two nights here as part of a Guanacaste itinerary.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, some businesses close)
- Airport
- LIR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Las Catalinas911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Las Catalinas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyVery safe; petty crime is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia) (About 40 km (25 mi) east, 45 min drive).LIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia) (About 25 mi (40 km) east, 45 min drive).
- Getting aroundLas Catalinas is walkable; no car needed within town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₡1,500–2,500
- Sit-down mealDinner (seafood restaurant)₡10,000–20,000
- BeerBeer (bottle in restaurant)₡1,500–2,500
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 15,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomCRC 80,000
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomCRC 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 30,000 · Mid CRC 60,000 · High CRC 120,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia) (About 40 km (25 mi) east, 45 min drive)LIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia) (About 25 mi (40 km) east, 45 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (19 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Las Catalinas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Las Catalinas is walkable; no car needed within town. For nearby beaches and towns, rent a car or take a taxi from Liberia.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
Drive 20 min south
Larger beach town with more dining and nightlife.
Door to door: 35 min
Drive 25 min south
Surf beach and leatherback turtle nesting site (seasonal).
Door to door: 50 min
Drive 40 min east
City for supplies, airport, and the Museo de Guanacaste.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
All accommodation is within walking distance of the beach and restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡50,000–100,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡100,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × CRC 80,000 | CRC 80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CRC 60,000 | CRC 120,000 |
| Car rental per day (4x4 recommended)1 × CRC 40,000 · check | CRC 40,000 |
| Snorkeling gear rental per day2 × CRC 5,000 · check | CRC 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 25,000 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 137,500 per person per day, bed included | CRC 275,000 |
2026 estimate in colones; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Lunch (casado) | ₡5,000–8,000 |
| Dinner (seafood restaurant) | ₡10,000–20,000 |
| Beer (bottle in restaurant) | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Taxi from Liberia airportcheck | ₡30,000–40,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Some restaurants and shops close during the rainy season (May–Nov).
- The beach has strong currents at times; swim with caution.
- No ATM in town; bring cash from Liberia.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Las CatalinasLas Catalinas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
The US Embassy is in San José; nearest consular agent in Liberia (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Liberia airport → Las Catalinas: about ₡30,000–40,000 taxi, 45 min (check)
- Taxi to Playas del Coco: about ₡10,000–15,000, 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Las Catalinas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, some businesses close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Las Catalinas
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