Santarena Hotel
Beachfront hotel with a sunset rooftop pool in walkable Las Catalinas
Santarena Hotel, on Playa Danta in Las Catalinas
Santarena stands right on Playa Danta in Las Catalinas, a walkable beach town on Guanacaste's North Pacific where the cars stay at the edge of town. You hand over the keys when you arrive and walk everywhere after that, to the beach, the plaza and the trails. Inside, the rooms have high ceilings, handmade Cuban-style tiles and sustainable wood floors.
It works for couples, for families, and for anyone who likes to start the day on a trail and end it in the ocean.
Why we choose it
- Sand steps from the door. The hotel is directly on Playa Danta, so kayaking, snorkeling and open-ocean swimming start a few steps from the lobby.
- A rooftop that faces the sunset. The rooftop terrace has a 377 sq ft pool facing west over the Pacific, the place to be when the sun goes down.
- Trails from the front door. More than 40 km of trails start right in town, so the hike begins where breakfast ends.
Rooms and views
The Ocean View Suite is on the top floor, 602 sq ft with two balconies, the ocean on one side and the Guanacaste hills on the other, and a big bathroom with a rain shower. The Almendro Suite takes a corner, with a double balcony over Plaza Danta and the town, double sinks and double showers.
Ocean View Premium rooms, also on the top floor, have an oversized terrace looking out to the Pacific and the hills. Plaza Rooms have a Juliet balcony over the plaza. Bathrooms use Biosfera, a Costa Rican brand made with rainwater and natural ingredients.
On the property
Ponciana is the main restaurant, taking its cue from Mediterranean summers and cooking with Costa Rican produce from the sea, the mountains and local farms, at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Ponciana Lobby Bar does cocktails and bocas, and 4 Calle La Ronda is an all-day bakery with fresh bread, French pastries and salads from La Estancia.
The Center of Joy has treatments, yoga, a sound healing room, a cold plunge and a gym. There are tennis and pickleball courts, room service and an elevator.
Location and getting there
Liberia airport is about 60 to 90 minutes away, and the most direct road includes a river crossing that needs the right vehicle, one more reason to let our driver bring you in. If you drive yourself, valet parking is at the Las Catalinas lot 150 m away. Check-in is from 3 pm and check-out by 11:00. For livelier evenings, Playa Potrero is 5 km down the coast.
Hotels we book in Playa Danta
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| Santarena Hotel | Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas | Hotel Sugar Beach | Margaritaville Beach Resort | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Boutique | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Spa | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Team favourite | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel | See hotel |
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
If this hotel is full, we would look at
Your Costa Rica, starting in Playa Danta
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Specialist who lives here checks this hotel and builds the rest around it.