I certainly did not plan to go back to Costa Rica again within a year of our first trip, however a family destination wedding was hard to say no to. It also did not hurt that we seriously looked at staying at Casa Chameleon in Las Catalinas for our honeymoon a year earlier- where the wedding would be held. 

Las Catalinas is a small town on the western coast of Mexico. It is located about 10 miles away from the Papagayo peninsula, which is a popular development home to lots of hotels. Las Catalinas offers a sanctuary a little away from the golf and hustle and bustle of Papagayo, but still close enough to reap the benefits. 

Upon arriving at Casa Chameleon, you walk through the lobby and the views are absolutely striking. The restaurant has and most rooms have a 360 degree view of the stunning Costa Rican coastline where the dramatic mountains meet the pacific. 

This hotel might not have the name or accreditations that some of the properties we vet do, but it is truly a hidden gem. With only 30 rooms and one restaurant, it is definitely a boutique property and not for everyone. That said, the service was top notch, the views are to die for and the rooms are lovely. They each have a plunge pool, private sundeck and huge bathroom.

Costa Rica is known for so many things, all of which are accessible from Casa Chameleon. You can easily drive to the Arenal National Forest to see the volcanoes and the rainforest. You can zipline, raft, hike and see the many animals that Costa Rica is known for. You also have immediate access to the coastal waters of Costa Rica, where you can find world-class fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and more. 

We took advantage of the convenient location while we were there, hiking inland and fishing, paddle boarding and kayaking out on the water. 

Las Catalinas is technically a development. But a development meant to mimic a european town with tons of lovely villas to rent and a small boutique hotel of its own. As of now, there are only a few restaurants around, the most popular being Sentido Norte at Casa Chameleon, but they are working to open more. The town of Las Catalinas is a 5 minute golf cart ride or a quick walk down the hill. On the other side, the authentic town of Portero is a quick 10 minutes away. 

Costa Rica is such a special destination, with a side for the adventurous and those looking to relax, and most certainly, those looking to try some of the best ceviche in the world. On our transfer out of town, we were already planning our next trip back to Costa Rica- I guess two in a year wasn’t quite enough.