Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, travelers were drawn by the natural beauty of Costa Rica, which became the founding place for ecotourism. As this burgeoning tourism industry began to mature, the travel options available in the country diversified, including a new wave of luxury brand hotels and resorts that offered an alternative to more traditional ecolodges.
Recent years lead to the emergence of a third travel trend, of which Las Catalinas is at the cutting edge. In a world that continues to grow faster and more hyperconnected, the need to take a break and downshift to a more sustainable way of life for a day, a week, a month, or a full sabbatical year is more needed than ever before. This need has led to a new form of travel, the modern sabbatical.
This new form of travel offers the chance to step away from the busyness of life to engage and connect with nature and others. In Las Catalinas, this experience is made possible by combining the comforts and luxury of vacation, a thoughtfully designed town built around people and their wellbeing, and the authentic warmth of the country.
The vacation rentals of the Las Catalinas Collection have lodging experiences for travelers seeking quality options for all three of these forms of travel. The homes of 229 offer well-appointed home bases, with services and amenities ideal for a beach stop on an ecotourism tour of Costa Rica. Bon Vivant vacation rentals offers luxury through thoughtfully crafted travel experiences, attentive and insightful service from a designated concierge team, house mom service in beautifully designed and elegantly appointed residences. Baranda homes provide a chance to immerse in town and nature, become a true resident for a stay, and connect with the way of life in Las Catalinas on a modern sabbatical.
ECOTOURISM IN COSTA RICA
Costa Rica’s 28 national parks and protected areas are the home of more than 6% of the planet’s biodiversity, offering a biologically intense landscape with enough variance to explore for a lifetime. Combined with the vibrant local communities and welcoming culture, the country became very attractive to travelers in the late 1980s.
Wildlife tracked in the reserve at Las Catalinas
Recognizing these strengths, the Instituto Costaricense de Turismo (ICT) positioned Costa Rica at the forefront of the responsible travel movement. This led to the birth of ecotourism in Costa Rica, where travelers would tour multiple biologically notable destinations for a few days each during a circuit around the country. The tourism industry in places like the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo, Osa Peninsula and Santa Teresa blossomed as a result, including the rise of the town of Monteverde as one of the country’s premier destinations. This same care for the natural world has deeply influenced Las Catalinas as well, which has grown to provide a new perspective on ecotravel in the country.
229 FOR THE ECOTRAVELER
Ecotourism travelers traditionally book a few nights each on a multi town tour through Costa Rica and is still the most common form of travel to the country. Over the years, these journeys have evolved. Ecotourism travelers often thrive on the independence to explore, and care more about the experiences they pursue in the country than specific amenities provided as a part of their lodging experiences.
229 offers this balance, providing the smart ecotraveler options for conscious, healthy, active, and sustainable, recreational and adventure sports tourism. Comfortable and reliable lodging offers independence, and support services offer peace of mind and consistency without limiting freedom. Ultimately, 229 is a streamlined, independent travel experience, with any needed resources easily accessible.
THE NEW LUXURY IN COSTA RICA
Ecotourism’s smart eco lodging accommodations propelled Costa Rica as a vacation destination to a global audience. From there, the influx of travelers to national parks, friendly towns, and pacific coast beaches opened the door to a new branch of tourism, luxury vacations.
I’m a real estate sales agent that believes in serving others. A long career as a healthcare director has provided me with vast experience in building trust and translating complicated problems into simple solutions. After marrying my wife Xinia, a Tica, over a decade ago I’ve traveled many times back and forth to Costa Rica and have fallen in love with the country and especially its people. My Linkedin profile says I’m an amateur philosopher and Costa Rica connector and I feel like that describes me very well. I strive to be a “reflective” searcher but also a real estate person who connects buyers and sellers of Costa Rican real estate in the most transparent manner in the country. This combination is what makes our team distinct from any other agency in Costa Rica.