Las Catalinas, Landscape Architecture

Details:

  • Las Catalinas Holding Company, LLC

  • Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Highlights:

  • A master plan for 1,200-acre new hill town at coastal Costa Rica
  • Beach town detailed master plan
  • Planning, architecture and landscape architecture services for phase 0, phase I, of Beach Town and Punta Penca

Awards:

  • 2022 CNU Charter Award – Las Catalinas Beach Town

  • 2020 Urban Guild Awards – Design Excellence for Las Catalinas Beach Town

Description:

TSW provided landscape architectural design services for Las Catalinas, a 1,200-acre seaside resort town inspired by historic Mediterranean hill towns. Building on the master plan, TSW's landscape team worked to shape the public realm, focusing on hardscape design, pedestrian-oriented streetscapes, plazas, parks, and trail networks that seamlessly connect the town with its dramatic coastal and hillside setting.

The landscape architecture scope emphasized:

  • Pedestrian-Friendly Streetscapes: Design of interconnected walkable streets and plazas that prioritize pedestrian comfort, incorporate shade, and highlight framed ocean views.
  • Hardscape and Public Realm Design: Development of durable, context-sensitive paving patterns, walls, and site furnishings that reflect the architectural character and climate of Guanacaste.
  • Integration with Topography: Creative solutions to navigate steep grades, including stairways, terraces, and retaining walls that double as seating and gathering spaces.
  • Parks and Open Spaces: Design of community greens, pocket plazas, and recreational spaces that encourage social interaction and complement adjacent residential and commercial uses.
  • Trails and Connectivity: Planning and design of pedestrian and bicycle trails linking Beach Town to the surrounding hills, Chiron Trail system, and the Pacific waterfront.

The design celebrates outdoor living and strengthens the town's identity by balancing functionality with aesthetics, ensuring that every street and open space contributes to a cohesive sense of place. Las Catalinas has become a model for sustainable, pedestrian-first coastal development and continues to attract international recognition for its innovative urbanism.

Click here to read and article by the New York Times about Las Catalinas.