Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas: Coastal Luxury with a Sense of Place

Costa Rica is one of those countries we always find ourselves returning to for its natural beauty, relaxed approach to life, easy access, and the opportunity to discover something new.

This time we decided to explore Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas, an adults-only boutique luxury hotel in Guanacaste, known for its unique natural setting high above the Pacific Ocean and its proximity to Las Catalinas, a charming, pedestrian-friendly coastal town within walking distance.

We chose to travel in November, just before the high season begins, which typically runs from December through March.

Getting There

From Miami, the best option is to fly into Liberia's Guanacaste Airport (LIR), which is strategically located approximately a 1 hour drive from Casa Chameleon and many other beaches in the region. American Airlines offers nonstop service, along with other airlines operating flights to the region.

We recommend renting a car, as it gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Just remember to bring your driver's license.

Before jumping into our experience, here are a few things to keep in mind. Upon arrival, immigration officers may ask for the address of your accommodation(s) and proof of a return or onward ticket, which you can show on your phone. And, as always, make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. U.S. passport holders do not need six months of additional validity to enter Costa Rica.

It's also worth mentioning Costa Rica's strict yellow fever vaccination requirements for travelers arriving from certain countries in Africa, the Caribbean and South America. It's best to check the latest regulations before traveling on the official Costa Rica Ministry of Health website.

GETTING TO CASA CHAMELEON

Getting to Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas takes us along narrow winding roads surrounded by tropical vegetation. There are a few potholes along the way, and as we near we catch more and more glimpses of the Pacific and small offshore islands. It’s a preview of what’s to come.

When we arrived at Casa Chameleon, a Relais & Châteaux property, we walked into an open-air lobby with Indonesian touches, wood, stone, and tropical plants. Check-in felt relaxed. We were handed fresh coconuts and the staff talked with us in a way that felt genuine, not scripted. It felt more like arriving at someone’s home rather than checking into a hotel.

As we walked through the property, the view opened up. From this height, we could see one cove after another, beaches tucked between green hillsides, and islands scattered across the ocean water. The coastline curved in both directions, and the ocean shifted between blue and turquoise against the green vegetation. It’s a view we kept coming back to.

Accommodation: VILLAS AND PRIVATE RESIDENCES

Casa Chameleon is a boutique luxury hotel with approximately twenty-one villas, each designed around privacy and ocean views. The interiors have a Balinese influence, with carved wooden furniture, four-poster beds, white drapery, and natural stone floors. There are also smaller details, including decorative wooden pieces and traditional furnishings, that give the rooms a more personal feel. Each villa has a private saltwater plunge pool overlooking the Pacific. We liked how the outdoor terraces are integrated into the accommodations, making it easy to spend time outside without leaving the villa.

The property also offers a collection of four larger residences, which are quite different in style from the villas. These multilevel homes have contemporary architecture, open kitchens, spacious living areas, rooftop gardens, and private pools. One detail we found interesting was the layout. You enter from the upper level – a rooftop garden terrace – and make your way downstairs, where the living spaces open toward the ocean. The residences are particularly well suited to families or groups traveling together. They offer more room and the convenience of a private home, with access to the hotel’s services.

Gastronomy

Sentido Norte is Casa Chameleon’s signature dining experience and main restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Renowned for its sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere, the restaurant showcases a refined interpretation of Costa Rican coastal cuisine, highlighting fresh local ingredients, distinctive flavors, and creative preparations. Its spectacular oceanfront setting further elevates the experience, making it one of the property’s standout features. Every meal we enjoyed at Sentido Norte was a feast for the palate.

As you ascend the restaurant’s main staircase, you’ll also find a bar and lounge on the right, where we spent quite a bit of time taking in the spectacular views. From this elevated vantage point, the coastline unfolds in both directions, revealing a succession of beautiful bays, secluded beaches, and offshore islands. In the late afternoon, the lounge becomes a natural gathering spot for guests to enjoy cocktails, light bites, and the spectacular Pacific sunset.

Another experience we greatly enjoyed was a private tasting at Grotto12 with Chef José López, Casa Chameleon’s Executive Chef. A Costa Rican native with international culinary experience in Europe and the Middle East, Chef José trained at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. His cooking combines international influences with a celebration of Costa Rica’s local ingredients and culinary traditions. The dining room itself is equally memorable, featuring stone walls, a long communal table, wine bottles displayed along the walls, and a large woven chandelier. It’s an intimate space that feels wonderfully removed from the rest of the hotel.

We truly enjoyed meeting José. He’s personable, enthusiastic, and clearly enjoys talking about his work. The smaller setting gave us an opportunity to interact with him thoroughly throughout the experience, which made the evening feel more personal.

We also got to experience an exceptional chocolate tasting experience at Grotto12 after dinner. Imagine six handcrafted artisanal chocolate pieces, masterfully paired with six different wines, all presented by Costa Rican chocolatier extraordinaire Monica Phillips. Each chocolate was individually hand-painted using natural pigments, with fillings inspired by Costa Rican fruits. The selection ranged from white to dark chocolate, and the presentation was fascinating, both in taste and in content, particularly the background stories behind each chocolate piece we were about to taste. What particularly caught our attention was Monica’s approach to cacao, including her genuine interest in the people and families involved in its production and her commitment to sustainably sourcing the cacao she uses in her creations. It was a reminder that there’s so much more to chocolate than the finished product.

The property has another dining venue called La Pampa Grill, which was closed during our November visit. Centered around open-fire cooking, the restaurant celebrates Costa Rican culinary traditions through grilled meats, fresh seafood, and locally inspired flavors. We were told it operates during the high season, so guests should check availability in advance.

Experiences, wellness, and celebrations

One of the daily traditions at Casa Chameleon is its Sunset Ceremony and Gong Ritual. In the late afternoon, guests begin gathering around the restaurant lounge and infinity pool. Some have cocktails, while others simply find a place to sit and watch the sunset. The ceremony involves three strikes of a gong, accompanied by flames that are lit along the edge of the pool. The flames remain for several minutes before being extinguished. It’s a simple ritual, but we liked the idea of everyone gathering for a shared moment at the end of the day.

The infinity pool is also worth mentioning. Finished in dark stone, its surface beautifully reflects the sky and surrounding landscape. Depending on the light, the water takes on an almost black appearance, creating a striking contrast against the deep blue ocean and lush greenery. Perched above the coastline, the pool seems to float effortlessly over the sweeping vistas of the Pacific and the many beaches scattered below.

There are also plenty of activities outside the hotel. Our itinerary included a visit to La Estancia Farm, a sustainable working farm with a plant nursery, fruit trees, and farm animals, which also supports Las Catalinas’ composting and community initiatives. Visitors can learn about its agricultural projects and enjoy experiences such as horseback riding. We also toured Center of Joy, a dedicated wellness and retreat space offering yoga and fitness classes, wellness treatments, and experiences designed to support physical and mental well-being. Nearby tennis facilities and an extensive network of hiking trails offer other ways to spend time outdoors.

The hotel can also help guests arrange excursions around Guanacaste, including activities on the water and visits to nearby natural attractions. With its ocean views and relatively intimate setting, Casa Chameleon, together with Las Catalinas, is also a location for weddings, private celebrations, and special events.

Las Catalinas: a coastal town worth exploring

One of the advantages of staying at Casa Chameleon is having Las Catalinas just a short walk away. Founded in 2006 by American entrepreneur Charles Brewer, the town was developed around the idea of creating a walkable coastal community inspired by traditional Mediterranean towns. Brewer wanted to build a place where people could walk between their homes, restaurants, shops, and public spaces without depending on cars.

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring Las Catalinas on foot. The town has colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, small plazas, fountains, and bougainvillea growing along the walls. Some of the streets and passageways reminded us of places we’ve visited in Italy and other parts of Europe. There are restaurants and places to stop for a drink or coffee, and the pedestrian layout makes it easy to wander without a particular destination in mind.

Another interesting aspect of Las Catalinas is its approach to conservation. According to the development’s planning information, approximately eighty percent of its land is designated for conservation and recreational uses, including over 42 kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails through the surrounding tropical dry forest. We loved having both experiences available.

At Casa Chameleon, there’s a sense of privacy and separation from the outside world. A few minutes away, Las Catalinas offers restaurants, activities, and the atmosphere of a small coastal town.

Final Words

Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas brings together several elements that make a stay in Costa Rica particularly rewarding: a spectacular natural setting, thoughtfully designed accommodations, memorable dining experiences, and genuinely warm, intimate hospitality. We especially appreciated the property's sense of privacy and tranquility, balanced by the opportunity to explore and enjoy Las Catalinas just a short walk away. From the panoramic ocean views and sunset rituals to the personal encounters with the culinary team, there were many details that made our stay feel truly special. It's a property that allows you to slow down, take in the sweeping Pacific views, and embrace the relaxed coastal lifestyle, while still having plenty to discover beyond the hotel. We plan to be back.