Explore More of Costa Rica
Peninsula Papagayo is amazing, and could keep you busy with adventures or relaxing… But sometimes our guests want to get out and see what the other parts of Costa Rica have to offer in many of our Half-day and Full-day tours. From horseback riding to volcano exploring, we have you covered.
Ocean Exploration
Half or full-day boat trips around the Gulf of Papagayo (the boat picks you up only minutes from your home). An experienced captain and crew will take you wherever you and your group want to go! The secluded beaches, shoreline explorations, marine life sightings, are all a possibility on your boat adventure. This is the best way to see the area and coastline and to visit the numerous beaches that are only accessible by boat! Trips can include snorkeling, fishing, surfing, stand-up paddling, wakeboards, waterskiing, innertubes, scuba diving, and more…. picnics on secluded beaches, and lots of wildlife searching. The area is full of dolphins, whales, rays, and more!
Fishing
Costa Rica has some of the best deep sea sport fishing in the world! Catch sailfish, mahi, marlin, wahoo, tuna, roosterfish and more. Take a fully equipped boat with GPS, Fishfinder, Penn International and Shimano rods/reels, and an experienced captain and crew throughout the Gulf of Papagayo in search of the perfect catch. You and your group can have up to six lines in the water at once with outriggers, and live bait as the captain takes you to the action.
Half-day tours include coastal fishing for mahi, wahoo, tuna, roosterfish, jacks, snapper, and mackarel with refreshments, fresh fruit, and snacks included.
Full-day tours include deep sea and coastal fishing for mahi, wahoo, tuna, roosterfish, jacks, snapper, mackarel sailfish and marlin with refreshments, fresh fruit, snacks, as well as a gourmet lunch included to keep you and the group going all day.
SCUBA Diving
The gulf area is rich in marine diversity with creatures big and small. On any given day you can see frogfish, clown fish, seahorses, octopuses, or you might be lucky enough to encounter schooling eagle rays, white tip reef sharks, giant Pacific manta rays or a passing whaleshark! Private tours customized for small groups available with experienced guides who know the best dive spots in the area and for each time of year. This is a great place for beginners to experts in SCUBA diving. And if SCUBA diving is a dream of yours, but you don’t have a certification we can arrange for your certification while on vacation.
Stand-up Paddling
If you are looking for something relaxing yet athletic, look no further than a stand-up paddle experience. Move your way through the water at your own pace as you get the best views of the beach terrain and the gorgeous shoreline as well as the marine life below. This is a great way to enjoy being out on the water while soaking in all that the views have to offer. You can rent by the hour and no experience is needed to learn how to manage the board.
Surfing
Costa Rica (and the area near Papagayo in Guanacaste specifically) is known worldwide for its amazing waves. Professionals travel from all corners of the world to try out the long breaks of Costa Rica. From the beginner waves in many area beaches such as Prieta Beach or Tamarindo to the more advanced sets in Witches Rock and Avellanas. We offer lessons for beginners and intermediate surfers, as well as boat and van trips to surf spots nearby.
Horseback Riding
Experience a true Costa Rican adventure! Horseback riding is a way of life in many parts of Costa Rica, and you and the whole family can share in the “tico” love for horses. There are many areas and trails that can be ridden by beginners or experts, young or old.
Wave Runner
This is the perfect activity to add a bit of spark to a relaxing day at the beach. Rent a machine for an hour or two, or take a guided tour through the bay to visit beaches and search for wildlife. If you want to take it to the next level, ask about the jet ski/ATV combo tours, in which you can combine both of these rugged machines to get you to those off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Canopy Tour
Fly through the trees of Costa Rica with the whole family! This is a great way to see the beautiful landscape in a safe and exhilarating adventure. 90% of the animals and over 50% of the plant life are up in the trees and a canopy tour is a great way to gain a closer understanding of the diversity and beauty of the area. There are many options for tours, and depending on your other interests we can arrange a tour for you and your family through our concierge service.
Trail of the Giants Tour
Take a guided golf cart tour throughout the Peninsula and the golf course. The tour will give guests and especially nature lovers a real glimpse of the different trees, wildlife and their habitats with beautiful views throughout! This is a fun adventure for children of all ages as you can cover a lot of ground without much effort.
Tropical Forest Hike
The day starts with a drive up to Rincon de la Vieja volcano complete with beautiful volcano and green valley views, and you will pass through small villages where much tradition is maintained. The hiking can be customized to your experience level- there are options for uphill, downhill, and mixed, as well as hikes from 1 ½ hours to 4 hours. You will see up to four waterfalls, two of which you can bathe in. At the end of your hike, you are welcome to relax in the hotsprings to relieve your feet and muscles. Lunch and transportation is included. There are also options for those who want a rustic and authentic experience, or for those who want a bit more infrastructure to support them.
Somebody said volcanoes?
The day starts with a drive up to Rincon de la Vieja volcano complete with beautiful volcano and green valley views, and you will pass through small villages where much tradition is maintained. The hiking can be customized to your experience level- there are options for uphill, downhill, and mixed, as well as hikes from 1 ½ hours to 4 hours. You will see up to four waterfalls, two of which you can bathe in. At the end of your hike, you are welcome to relax in the hotsprings to relieve your feet and muscles. Lunch and transportation is included. There are also options for those who want a rustic and authentic experience, or for those who want a bit more infrastructure to support them.
Palo Verde National Park Boat Tour
This is a great adventure for the whole family, especially those nature-lovers who are looking to see monkeys, crocodiles, birds, and all types of local bugs and fun creatures! The tour consists of a two hour boat tour down the Tempisque river, where a naturalist guide will point out indigenous wildlife, and also includes a very typical Costa Rican meal cooked over a wood fire. One of our favorites! Located approximately 1 and a half hours away.
Family Photo Shoot
Capture the beauty of your trip to Costa Rica with a family photo shoot. The one to two-hour photo sessions are with our favorite local photographers that are experts at capturing images with the beautiful tropical background. They are fun, dynamic, and leave you with great memories! Ask about the different available packages.
Mountain Biking
Depending on your ability we can organize mountain biking experiences through rugged Costa Rican terrain, passing through local villages and cattle trails through the hills and farming pastures. Or we can organize exciting rides through volcanic areas for more advanced bikers. Levels from easy to difficult.
Amazing Waterfalls
Llanos de Cortes waterfall, nestled in it’s own microclimate of lush trees and vegetation about 1 hour from the resort gates of Peninsula Papagayo. This waterfall has a small beach area, and is great for swimming and picnics.
Rafting
As you head towards the volcanoes you will find the Colorado River which provides class II-III rapids amid pristine vegetation. Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes away. We also offer the Tenorio River, a bit more adrenaline packed with class III-IV rapids, located about 1 hour and 30 min away. The Tenorio River adventure is a guest favorite, and always gets great reviews for a safe but adrenaline filled excursion.
Community Service
If you and your family would like to give back to the communities of Costa Rica that have helped make your vacation a perfect reality, we can arrange for ways to contribute locally. If you would like to provide materials, or participate in an interactive event at one of the local area schools. The people of the local communities work hard, but are always grateful for those that want to give back. Please let us know if this is something you would like to do, and we can provide service options appropriate for your group.
Cooking Classes
What better way to enjoy the beautiful home where you will be staying than to learn about local cuisine and tasting the best that the area has to offer. Our professional chefs are not only wonderful in the kitchen, but are great company and full of interesting stories!
What else? Let us know what you are looking for and we’ll make it possible!
