The end of June brought plenty of activity to Central Park and the three tennis courts, as Convivio RTA took place in Las Catalinas from June 26 to June 28. Throughout the weekend, Town became home to a full schedule of matches, visiting players, families, and a growing community interested in friendly competition.
The weekend brought together more than 40 players from Guanacaste, San José, Heredia, and other parts of Costa Rica to participate in one of the largest adult singles tennis tournaments held in Guanacaste in recent years. The event was powered by Las Catalinas Doorway, organized through a collaboration between RTA, with tennis coach Rolando Rojas from Heredia, and Alex and Steff Taulère from Pura Vida Tennis, coaches at Las Catalinas Doorway Tennis.
For Alex and Steff, the tournament is part of a broader vision to create more than a calendar of lessons and clinics. Through events like this, they are helping bring players together from different communities while positioning Las Catalinas as a gathering place for tennis in Guanacaste.
Matches began on Friday and continued through Saturday, with all three courts in use throughout the day. By Sunday, the tournament moved into its final rounds, bringing players, families, and spectators together around the courts to watch the last matches of the weekend.
Many of the visiting competitors stayed in Las Catalinas, either in vacation rentals throughout Town or at Santarena Hotel, turning the tournament into a complete destination experience. Players and families explored Town, enjoyed the restaurants and surroundings, and experienced Las Catalinas as a place where sport, walkability, and community naturally come together.
One of the standout stories of the weekend came from 12-year-old Mariana Parada of San José, who competed against adults and won the Women’s Category C championship. Her father, Martín, also reached the Men’s Category C final, making it a memorable tournament for their family. Martín finished as finalist after a strong match against Yasser Chacón, also visiting from San José, who won the Men’s Category C title.
In the other categories, Julio Villalobos won the Men’s B title, while Las Catalinas’ own Nick Holt took the Men’s A title in the final match on center court.
The weekend was also made possible with support from local partners. Special recognition goes to Tamaki Sushi, whose sponsorship, food, drinks, and hospitality helped support the event and welcome players and guests throughout the weekend. Their participation showed how local businesses can help community sporting events grow, bringing more visitors into Town while adding to the overall experience.
By Sunday afternoon, the tournament had brought together competitive matches, family moments, visiting players, and new connections across the tennis community. The weekend was successful on many levels, bringing people from different areas of Costa Rica to Las Catalinas, giving them a chance to experience Town, and helping weave new connections through the sport. For Pura Vida Tennis and Las Catalinas Doorway, it also marked another step toward strengthening a tennis culture where competition has a place, but connection remains at the center.