Posada San Rafael Guidebook
Food Scene
Some recommendations Airbnb cannot locate in order to add below:
Fat Daddy's in Surfside is the world's best BBQ!
Ponciana at the Hotel Santarena in Las Catalinas-gourmet!
Bakery at the Hotel Santarena--breakfast and lunch
On the road to Flamingo (10 minute drive from Las Catalinas), this tiny spot has superb food. The dishes are varied and from around the world. They serve their breakfast menu all day long, as well. You cannot go wrong with anything you might try here. The owner is the daughter of my neighbor and if you have the pleasure to meet her or her husband, your day will be brighter! Not to be missed!!
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Surf Box
On the road to Flamingo (10 minute drive from Las Catalinas), this tiny spot has superb food. The dishes are varied and from around the world. They serve their breakfast menu all day long, as well. You cannot go wrong with anything you might try here. The owner is the daughter of my neighbor and if you have the pleasure to meet her or her husband, your day will be brighter! Not to be missed!!
(15 minute drive from Las Catalinas) Go early because the sunsets from this restaurant are amazing. Views from very high up, nestled in an upscale development, there is a pool there to use as well. Great for lunching with kids.
82 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gracia At Mar Vista
(15 minute drive from Las Catalinas) Go early because the sunsets from this restaurant are amazing. Views from very high up, nestled in an upscale development, there is a pool there to use as well. Great for lunching with kids.
On the beach dining in Flamingo (15 minute drive from Las Catalinas), excellent seafood!
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Coco Loco
Flamingo Beach RoadOn the beach dining in Flamingo (15 minute drive from Las Catalinas), excellent seafood!
Located in Flamingo (15 minute drive from Las Catalinas) Great steak. No views but excellent quiet restaurant for fish as well. Open air but comfortable.
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Angelina's
Located in Flamingo (15 minute drive from Las Catalinas) Great steak. No views but excellent quiet restaurant for fish as well. Open air but comfortable.
Located just above us on our hill) Also known as El Sentido Norte, (Chameleon is the hotel) the views are memorable and award-winning from their bar/restaurant. Go early and reserve a place in the bar before dining later in their adjoining open air restaurant. Food is great---fish is always a good choice when at the beach! Children must be older---check if you plan to bring kids. They will pick you up at Plaza Central if you don't want to walk up the hill to the restaurant. At night, you might catch their fire jets lighting up the sky from their infinity pool---quite exotic. A must do at least once!! Or twice!
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
Located just above us on our hill) Also known as El Sentido Norte, (Chameleon is the hotel) the views are memorable and award-winning from their bar/restaurant. Go early and reserve a place in the bar before dining later in their adjoining open air restaurant. Food is great---fish is always a good choice when at the beach! Children must be older---check if you plan to bring kids. They will pick you up at Plaza Central if you don't want to walk up the hill to the restaurant. At night, you might catch their fire jets lighting up the sky from their infinity pool---quite exotic. A must do at least once!! Or twice!
In Las Catalinas, this alfresco restaurant is right on the beach and a short walk from the villa, and a wonderful place to eat with your feet in the sand. Gourmet menu. They will cater or host a private dinner for your family above the restaurant. The mussels are outstanding and the tuna poke is the best anywhere. I've tried the entire menu and it is all excellent. Don't miss the frozen coconut lemonade! Superb bar service as well. Occasionally there is live music.
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Limonada Restaurant
Camino Las CatalinasIn Las Catalinas, this alfresco restaurant is right on the beach and a short walk from the villa, and a wonderful place to eat with your feet in the sand. Gourmet menu. They will cater or host a private dinner for your family above the restaurant. The mussels are outstanding and the tuna poke is the best anywhere. I've tried the entire menu and it is all excellent. Don't miss the frozen coconut lemonade! Superb bar service as well. Occasionally there is live music.
In Portrero about 10 minute drive from Las Catalinas. From steaks to pizza, everything I've tried on this menu is great!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
POTRERO Grill
In Portrero about 10 minute drive from Las Catalinas. From steaks to pizza, everything I've tried on this menu is great!
In Seaside about a 12 minute drive from Las Catalinas. Good fish, on the water for sunset views, super staff
The Beach House
In Seaside about a 12 minute drive from Las Catalinas. Good fish, on the water for sunset views, super staff
In Las Catalinas--a 3 minute walk from the Posada. Fabulous prepared dishes that can be eaten on their porch, free sparkling water, terrific local tap beers
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Copper and Stone Gourmet Market
In Las Catalinas--a 3 minute walk from the Posada. Fabulous prepared dishes that can be eaten on their porch, free sparkling water, terrific local tap beers
Great place in town (Las Catalinas) for lunch or breakfast--take away food or eat at a table outside.
The Bakery
4 Calle la RondeGreat place in town (Las Catalinas) for lunch or breakfast--take away food or eat at a table outside.
A new addition to the Las Catalinas eateries, this restaurant serves Mediterranean tapas style food. Excellent drinks.
Pascual
A new addition to the Las Catalinas eateries, this restaurant serves Mediterranean tapas style food. Excellent drinks.
Great cafe from Playa Grande but in Las Catalinas now, too! Every dish is fabulous! Can't go wrong here. In Beach Town north--about a 10 minute walk from us! Music on Sunday nights.
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pots & Bowls
Great cafe from Playa Grande but in Las Catalinas now, too! Every dish is fabulous! Can't go wrong here. In Beach Town north--about a 10 minute walk from us! Music on Sunday nights.
AND they have Adult milkshakes. Need I say more? In Beach Town North Las Catalinas--10 minute walk away!
Chunches | Luxury Goods and Milkshakes
AND they have Adult milkshakes. Need I say more? In Beach Town North Las Catalinas--10 minute walk away!
Ponciana is located at Hotel Santarena in town--6 minute walk from the Posada. The menu is varied and every dish prepared with care. Ponciana Gin is my favorite bar drink to date!
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Limonada Restaurant
Camino Las CatalinasPonciana is located at Hotel Santarena in town--6 minute walk from the Posada. The menu is varied and every dish prepared with care. Ponciana Gin is my favorite bar drink to date!
In Portrero a few minutes over the mountain---Famous for its Italian!
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Forketta
Calle NaranjaIn Portrero a few minutes over the mountain---Famous for its Italian!
Fun Fact: The Naked Bartender is a drink I named and is still on the menu! I asked the bartender to surprise me---he sent a drink to the table with a message: if she doesn't love this drink, I'll run naked to my house. I loved it. But told him otherwise!
The food is GREAT!
The Whiskey Howler Beach Bar & Grill
Calle 911Fun Fact: The Naked Bartender is a drink I named and is still on the menu! I asked the bartender to surprise me---he sent a drink to the table with a message: if she doesn't love this drink, I'll run naked to my house. I loved it. But told him otherwise!
The food is GREAT!
Furthest afield but worth every kilometer, make a reservation for an outside casita space---best sushi for miles! Which is a surprise because it's an Argentine style steak place---steaks are great, too!
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Patagonia del Mar
120 Av CentralFurthest afield but worth every kilometer, make a reservation for an outside casita space---best sushi for miles! Which is a surprise because it's an Argentine style steak place---steaks are great, too!
In Portrero but they deliver to the Plaza Central! Pizza made like in Italy by real Italians!
La Pizzetteria Da Oreste
In Portrero but they deliver to the Plaza Central! Pizza made like in Italy by real Italians!
Drinks & Nightlife
Las Catalinas is a quiet town that rolls up around 9 pm---we go to bed early to be up early when it's the best time to be active! But if you need some nightlife, close by in Portrero are some good options.
In Portrero....Tends to be a younger set hang out--very popular with excellent food
94 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Shack
In Portrero....Tends to be a younger set hang out--very popular with excellent food
In Portero, a very popular hang out, often has music
111 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Perla Restaurant
Brasilito to PotreroIn Portero, a very popular hang out, often has music
Entertainment & Activities
Great for sunset cruising! Call or email for reservations. They sometimes offer a discount on same day reservations if they have space left on a catamaran.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lazy Lizard Sailing
Great for sunset cruising! Call or email for reservations. They sometimes offer a discount on same day reservations if they have space left on a catamaran.
GREAT spa right in town just a few minutes walk from the Posada! And great shopping!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
WAKE Day Spa & Shop
GREAT spa right in town just a few minutes walk from the Posada! And great shopping!
Biking And Shopping And Water Sports! There is a great selection of beachwear and accessories at this shop, along with anything you might want to rent for the hour or day to use in the water or on the trails!
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pura Vida Ride
Biking And Shopping And Water Sports! There is a great selection of beachwear and accessories at this shop, along with anything you might want to rent for the hour or day to use in the water or on the trails!
Essentials
This brand new shop just opened up in town! It's a great place to grab gourmet coffee or a sandwich (they are superb! and they have daily specials) to take to the beach. Though a bit on the pricey side, the selection and quality is excellent and for wine enthusiasts, the wine cellar is quite special. Worth it not to have to leave the area to shop for groceries!!
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Copper and Stone Gourmet Market
This brand new shop just opened up in town! It's a great place to grab gourmet coffee or a sandwich (they are superb! and they have daily specials) to take to the beach. Though a bit on the pricey side, the selection and quality is excellent and for wine enthusiasts, the wine cellar is quite special. Worth it not to have to leave the area to shop for groceries!!
Shopping
Stores are continually opening up in town...keep a look out for them as this town grows!
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Las Catalinas
Camino Las CatalinasStores are continually opening up in town...keep a look out for them as this town grows!
If you need a day to shop 'til you drop, Tamarindo is it! Along with surfing, shopping has put this touristy destination on the map! It is crawling with restaurants, too, though the food isn't what I would go for.
72 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica
If you need a day to shop 'til you drop, Tamarindo is it! Along with surfing, shopping has put this touristy destination on the map! It is crawling with restaurants, too, though the food isn't what I would go for.
Airport Transfers & Tours
Please reach out to our exclusive concierge service to arrange airport transfers:
concierge@lascatalinascr.com
Las Catalinas has a hydrogen car for lease for short trips into Portero or surrounding areas. Reserve here: concierge@lascatalinascr.com
So far Uber has not reached us here the end of the beach road, but concierge can call for a taxi or arrange other transportation for you. But staying in town, walking the cobblestoned streets makes for a most relaxing vacation---there is an advantage to being at the end of the road.
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Las Catalinas
Camino Las CatalinasLas Catalinas has a hydrogen car for lease for short trips into Portero or surrounding areas. Reserve here: concierge@lascatalinascr.com
So far Uber has not reached us here the end of the beach road, but concierge can call for a taxi or arrange other transportation for you. But staying in town, walking the cobblestoned streets makes for a most relaxing vacation---there is an advantage to being at the end of the road.
Parks & Nature
Ziplining and more!! Will pick up from Las Catalinas.
150 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Diamante Eco Adventure Park
350 east RIU HotelZiplining and more!! Will pick up from Las Catalinas.