With its picturesque cobblestone streets and picture-perfect beaches, this Costa Rican beach town is a real find.

Liberia, Costa Rica is less than four hours' flight away from Atlanta, Georgia, and Las Catalinas, a new beach town, is only about an hour away. 

Entrepreneur Charles Brewer, who owns one of the biggest properties in the car-free town Las Catalinas, realized his idea of a new urbanism, planned community, or alternative to the mega-resorts that have taken over a portion of the world's coastline. 

Las Catalinas has been planned to be a spot where parents can enjoy cocktails while their children run around and play since it was first proposed in 2005 (construction started in 2009). The design was inspired by Mediterranean seaside towns with a nod to the colorful houses and shops of Antigua, Guatemala, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. 

Aside from the charming cobblestone pathways and plaza fountains that encourage youngsters to play, this town boasts breathtaking architecture, convenient access to water sports such as snorkeling and boogie boarding, and a small selection of eateries that offer three squares of food per day. According to Renae Johnson, director of sales and marketing at Las Catalinas, the enclave would be characterized by architects as a "short urban transect, [one that] indeed enriches life." 

Las Catalinas is more than just a beach vacation; it's encircled by a tropical dry forest that spans about a thousand acres. The fact that it isn't really keen on becoming a bustling tourist destination and would rather remain a paradise for people to revisit again and again makes it seem like it fits right in with many tourists' new priorities. Another reasonable choice is to purchase a villa and remain there indefinitely. 

There is a lot to do in the neighboring locations, but Las Catalinas is the type of destination that can keep guests happy for the whole trip. According to Johnson, getting into the groove is simple here; in fact, they coined the term "downshifting" to describe it. 

Although Las Catalinas takes a very different tack than the average mega-resort, it has several characteristics with the classic seaside getaway: Ponciana serves generally interpreted (and relatively plain) Mediterranean cuisine, while Pascual serves tapas-style dishes. All of the eateries are independently owned and run. An excellent spa offers the standard fare of beach accessories and exercise gear, and a gourmet food store gives you the option to whip up a quick lunch on occasion or grab some pre-made sandwiches to enjoy at the beach. 

The beach experience at Las Catalinas is unique compared other mega-resorts; guests will not find umbrellas, loungers, or drink service on the beach, which is appreciated by some but greatly missed by others. 

There is the Beach Club for individuals who are really particular about the usual beach vacation facilities. It has a pool for all ages and an adults-only pool with a bar right next to it, and it looks out over the water below. The availability of the club depends on the type of villa you are staying in, however you can enjoy La Taqueria's tacos and margaritas on your chaise lounge or at a table. 

The category might not be that important to you because many villas come with their own private pools (though small) and the beach is accessible to everyone. The Santarena Hotel also debuted right before the pandemic hit; it features a rooftop pool and a cafe with espresso drinks, cans of kombucha, and buttery banana bread, among other things. 

The town may not be able to shake its manmade foundations completely, but beyond the manmade cobblestones and bubbling fountains lies a verdant setting rich with animals. Along the 42 kilometers of bike lanes and hiking paths you can see howler monkey families eating from the trees above, huge iguanas running over the grounds and seemingly disappearing into thin air, and, if you're fortunate, anteaters skulking in the faraway underbrush. Another possibility is to see a puma tearing over the landscape at top speed. However, the beauty of these pathways is apparent even in the absence of these charming animal encounters: the view improves with elevation. 

Las Catalinas, like other beach communities, has an easygoing attitude and is very health-conscious. You can rent bikes at Pura Vida Ride and join a variety of courses at the nearby Core by Chak Fitness center, including power yoga and kickboxing. 

Even though you can reach anything in town in a matter of minutes, a great spot to get cold-pressed juices (I highly recommend the Green Machine) is Pots & Bowls, which is conveniently located near everything. 

More retail and plaza space, a late-night bar, and more restaurants are all in the pipeline (Las Catalinas is now devoid of any type of nightlife). This unspoiled Costa Rican coastline will no longer be a secret treasure in the years to come, but the town is determined to keep it that way. 

Johnson argues that communities can regain their pre-car sociability, beauty, and safety by removing vehicles from the equation and reconstructing them in a manner similar to how they were before their introduction. In many cases, this means that adults also have more freedom for their children.