Las Catalinas Trails (above the car-free town)
Trail · Guanacaste



Las Catalinas is a walkable, car-free town with about 35 km of hiking and mountain-bike trails through dry forest; ridge trails look down on bays and rocky islets.
- Time there
- 3 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 2 / 10
- Effort
- 5 / 10
- Location
- 10.48147, -85.7856 — Google Maps
Tip
Start early before the heat and carry plenty of water; the ridge views are the reward.
Be careful
Dry-forest trails have little shade and some steep, loose sections: carry water and wear shoes with grip.
Places nearby
- Pura Vida Ride (Las Catalinas)Surf, Boats & DivingOutdoor shop in car-free Las Catalinas that rents mountain bikes, kayaks and paddleboards and guides rides on the town's trail network, with a coffee stand on Playa Danta.
- Casa Chameleon at Las CatalinasStaysAdults-only boutique resort on a hillside above the bay at Las Catalinas.
- Soda MarcellSodas & Local FoodNo-frills Potrero soda for local-style casados and fish plates, with milkshakes; it closes early afternoon.
- The Shack Restaurant & BarFood & CoffeeLong-running open-air locals' hangout on the main road in Surfside, Potrero: lots of TVs, local craft beer and live music.
- Potrero Brewing CompanyFood & CoffeeCraft brewery in the middle of Potrero with an outdoor food court next door (sandwiches and donuts, pizza, burritos) - order from the stalls and drink local beer.
- Surf BoxFood & CoffeeA café-restaurant near Playa Flamingo that's known for its breakfasts and fresh-tasting food, with a bar and outdoor seating – a good start before a beach day at Penca, Potrero or Flamingo.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/5770924383 · Wikidata Q22906281 · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Catalinas,_Costa_Rica