Despite living in New York City, my partner Julia and I both have a weakness for the cold, so we packed our bags for Costa Rica and jumped at the chance to visit Las Catalinas, a two-square-mile eco-community founded in 2006 on the Pacific coast. It seemed like everyone I knew was planning a trip to this country: Forbes recently named it one of the top 10 places to travel in Latin America in 2023, with data showing a 64% increase in tourists to the country in 2021 compared to 2019. There is a reason why Las Catalinas in particular is becoming a must-visit destination. It boasts pristine beaches, travel-worthy diving, snorkeling, fishing, and world-class mountain hiking and biking trails, not to mention zero cars or chain restaurants.

I had never visited Costa Rica, but all I could conjure up in my mind was the Technicolor and yoga studio atmosphere of hippie tie-dye: soft colors, tinkling wind chimes, and dreamcatchers swaying in the gentle breeze. So it was a bit of a shock when I arrived in Las Catalinas and discovered a walkable town characterized by a mature industrial minimalism. The coastal accents and natural touches made the entire community elegant and cool to the touch, even under the hot Central American sun. If you're dreaming of palm trees and sandy beaches and a spring break vibe, this town might just be the place for you.

Here's how to spend a sunny weekend in the most adult and tourist-friendly spring break destination.

Las Catalinas is full of lovely villas that can be rented whenever the owner is away. Las Catalinas is located on the westernmost tip of Costa Rica, so the sunsets are always spectacular. Adrina Fonseca, a Costa Rican native who worked directly with Steve Jobs on the design of the Apple Store, is the town's head architectural consultant.

For those who prefer a more traditional experience, the Santa Lena Hotel is located in the center of town and has 45 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites. Incorporating chic modern and tropical aesthetics, this boutique hotel has a rooftop terrace with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean (think "Glam"), a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a Mediterranean restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients.

The dinner we can't stop talking about is at Sentido Norte, a hilltop restaurant with a stunning outdoor terrace that gives you a front row seat to the sunset. Creative cocktails and a Latin American-leaning menu make this spot perfect for a date night. Don't miss the shared plates of paella, gazpacho, and prosciutto croquettes, as well as the weekly mixology classes.

We don't do a lot of fancy restaurant dining on vacation, so we also appreciate the array of casual options at Las Catalinas. Papagayo Brew House, a new beachside watering hole, offers chilled draft beer and bar bites, while Pots & Bowls is an always-parkable food truck selling homemade veggie burgers, smoothies, breakfast bowls, and more. Cooking at home and stocking up on rosé is easy thanks to Copper & Stone, a gourmet supermarket with a cute deli and regular wine tastings.

We love to hang out, but both Julia and I feel better (and kinder to each other) when we get moving during our travels. Luckily, Las Catalinas is located in a lush mountain setting with over 25 miles of well-maintained hiking and biking trails. Bicycles can be rented at Pura Vida Ride.

When I wasn't splashing in the ocean, I swam in the turquoise pool at the classy beach club, CORE by Chakfitness, an absurd outdoor fitness center with custom-built workout machines and locally sourced Guanacaste wood and organic It is a very absurd outdoor fitness center with weights. It has custom-built workout machines and weights made from local (gorgeous) Guanacaste wood and organic materials. It's very Flintstonesque. [Connect Ocean, a sustainable consulting firm, has an office in Las Catalinas to help tourists combat environmental threats while having a good time. Recognizing that overfishing is a major problem not only in Costa Rica but worldwide, scientists who predict that at current catch rates, wild fish will be gone from the ocean by 2048 have launched boat and dive trips that benefit local fishermen and aquatic ecosystems. Sign up for an "Ocean to Table" fishing tour and spend the morning on the water with a fisherman, learn about sustainable seafood sourcing, and finish with lunch at a local restaurant where you can eat your catch. connectOcean also offers citizen science dives that teaches tourists to identify, measure, and report underwater life using a proprietary mobile app.

Self-care is a must on vacation: enjoy a Reiki treatment or sound bath at the wonderfully named Center of Joy spa, or book a massage or facial at Wake Day Spa. Or, thanks to the Chunches Consignment (fancy people who own vacation homes on the Costa Rican coast have the best relics), you can weigh down your suitcase and head home.