It’s pleasantly warm all year round, but there are some seasonal differences. May through November sees temperatures of 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), while December through April sees temperatures of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F). For more details on the water conditions for swimming, surfing and boating throughout the year in Peninsula Papagayo, please click here.
Wet season here is classed from late May to November, with peak rainy season in September and October. Temperatures drop slightly at this time of year, but they are still pretty stable. Don’t let that put you off though.
September and October are great months to come and immerse yourself in nature at our local reserves and parks. Although you may experience showers throughout your stay, it also makes for the perfect climate to keep you refreshed in between your adventures. Even though it’s classed as our cooler season, you’ll find that it’s still warmer than on the Caribbean coast.
Unsure of when is the best time to plan your trip to Peninsula Papagayo? No problem! Our dedicated concierge team is here to help you plan your itinerary and handle all the little details for you, ensuring that you can make the most of your trip. Simply contact us to get started.
The dry season in Guanacaste spans from mid-November to April, offering consistently sunny and warm weather. During this period, you can expect minimal rain and long, dry days filled with beautiful sunshine, making it the perfect time for beach lovers and sunseekers. You may still experience the occasional light shower, but for the most part, dry season visitors are treated to clear skies and pleasant temperatures.
If you’re hoping to catch some rays and enjoy the warmer temperatures, consider visiting during March or April, when daytime highs can reach up to 100°F (37°C). Thankfully, Guanacaste’s position close to the coast ensures refreshing ocean breezes, which help take the edge off the heat as you enjoy your time in the sun. These months are great for anyone looking to maximize their beach time and enjoy water sports in ideal conditions.
It’s also worth noting that November is an excellent time to visit as it marks the transition from the rainy season to the dry season. By November, the rains have ceased, leaving behind lush, vibrant landscapes, but with mostly dry weather—ideal for those who want the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for fewer crowds and beautiful scenery, November is a standout month to visit.
The microclimate of Peninsula Papagayo means you can expect particularly sunny weather year-round, even as other parts of Costa Rica may experience more rain during the green season. So whether you’re visiting in the heart of dry season or on the cusp in November, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the warmth.
Learn more in this blog.
It really depends on the type of vacation you’re looking for and what you plan to experience! The good news is that there really isn’t a “bad” time to visit Costa Rica. The country’s diverse climate, shaped by its Pacific and Caribbean coasts and volcanic regions, offers unique opportunities year-round.
In Guanacaste, where Peninsula Papagayo is located, the tropical climate has two distinct seasons: the dry season (December to April) and the rainy season, or green season (May to November). If you’re looking to relax on the beach and soak up the sun, the dry season is ideal. On the other hand, the green season brings a more lush and vibrant landscape, perfect for adventurers looking to experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty at its peak, often with fewer crowds.
For those looking for a happy medium between the two seasons, we highly recommend planning your trip in July or August. Although you may experience occasional afternoon showers, especially in July, there’s typically a two-week “Indian Summer” where it doesn’t rain at all. July is part of the green season, but rains often come later in the day, leaving the mornings sunny. Plus, traveling during these months means avoiding the peak holiday crowds while still enjoying great weather and lush landscapes.
In Peninsula Papagayo, the region benefits from a unique tropical dry forest microclimate, meaning it remains relatively dry, even during the green season. November and July are personal favorite months to visit—November sees the landscape at its most lush after the rainy season, and July offers the perfect blend of sunny mornings and light, late-afternoon showers.
If your schedule is limited to school holidays, there’s usually good villa rental availability during the high season, as many homeowners spend their time in the off and fringe seasons at their properties. Learn more in this blog.
When planning their trips, many of our guests ask us what the weather is like in Guanacaste. The good news is that we’re based close to the equator, so the region enjoys long stretches of sunshine all year round. It also means that the sun rises and sets at pretty much the same time each day, so daylight hours are plentiful no matter what month you’re visiting us in.
Having said this, there are some key seasonal variations to take note of when booking your trip. Due to the varied nature of the country’s landscape, there are multiple microclimates depending on which region you’re planning on visiting. Read on to see what the weather is like in Guanacaste to get a better idea of what you can expect during your trip!
It’s pleasantly warm all year round, but there are some seasonal differences. May through November sees temperatures of 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), while December through April sees temperatures of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F).
There are different types of vegetation in Peninsula Papagayo, from tropical dry forest and mangroves to rainforest. The good news is you can see all three of these nature spots within a 1.5 hours drive from your Papagayo Luxury, luxury villa rental. You can read more about it here.
Absolutely! Guanacaste is home to everything from breathtaking beaches and rich rainforests to lush mangroves and nestling coves…which makes it the perfect habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Many of our luxury vacation villas also have lots of tall trees and deep vegetation nestled around the properties, making them a great place for spotting some of the local creatures. When you’re looking out from your villa’s terrace or balcony, you can expect to see everything from howler monkeys to vibrantly colored birds.
If you want to immerse yourself in nature further, we have so many excursions and trails that we can recommend – click here for more details.
Yes, you need onsite transportation. The terrain is hilly and can be quite steep. Any vehicle will work fine in the resort. Outside of the resort, a car should be sufficient. If you plan on self driving out of the resort, you may consider an SUV to have a bit more clearance. Learn more in this blog.
Costa Rica offers several transportation options, including private drivers, transfers, and organized tours. Many tourist destinations, such as national parks, beaches, and wildlife reserves, are easily accessible. For those staying at upscale resorts or rentals, concierge services can arrange transportation for a hassle-free experience. Learn more in this blog.
Yes, onsite transportation is essential due to the resort’s hilly terrain. While any vehicle works within the resort, we highly recommend renting a golf cart. It’s both convenient and fun, turning everyday travel into an adventure. A golf cart makes it easy to reach amenities like the restaurants at Four Seasons and Andaz, the Arnold Palmer golf course, tennis and pickleball courts, Prieta Beach Club, and Marina Papagayo. Learn more in this blog.
Absolutely! Driving a golf cart around Peninsula Papagayo is an adventure in itself, with stunning views and chances to spot wildlife. When my kids were younger, we’d have evening “safaris,” using flashlights to spot foxes, coyotes, field mice, and even a snake. We saw one fox so often we named him “Mr. Skinny Legs.” Learn more in this blog.
For most destinations in Costa Rica, a rental car works fine. However, if you plan to explore remote areas, an SUV with better clearance is recommended. Learn more in this blog.
Papagayo Luxury includes concierge services with your rental, handling all the details for golf cart or rental car bookings, chef services, and activity planning. From booking tee times to arranging day trips, we ensure a seamless vacation experience. Learn more in this blog.
It is 30-50 minutes to the grocery store from your vacation home. We also offer provisioning service where your groceries are delivered to your home and placed in the cabinets and fridge prior to your arrival.
The Andaz and the Four Seasons resort have live music on certain days. Ask the concierge for specific recommendations in the nearby beach towns which are approximately 50 min away. We can provide a driver, if desired.
We supply your vacation home with organic handmade Costa Rican spa quality bathroom amenities. We provide shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and hand soap.
Each home will have basic kitchen provisions including salt/pepper shakers, oil, vinegar, sugar for coffee, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. If you are grilling and may use a lot of aluminum foil, please consider stocking up with an extra roll.
We have a “pay it forward” pantry system. After you leave, we will keep on hand the unused items that might be helpful for the next guest (spices, sugar, flour, pancake mix, etc).
Our guests have access to the private Prieta Beach Club which backs Playa Prieta. This beach is great for boogie boarding and beginner surf lessons. Guests also have access to Playa Nacascolo, which is located near the golf driving range. Playa Nacascolo is perfect for families with small children as it is flat water (bay side) and with a very long, shallow entry, with no steep drop-offs.
With a day pass (or by taking the stair trails for the adventurous), you can access the beaches of the Andaz Hotel (Playa Sombrero) and Four Seasons (Playa Blanca and Playa Virador).
Hotel day passes at Four Seasons Papagayo and Andaz Papagayo offer access to exclusive resort amenities, but they are only available to guests already staying within the Peninsula Papagayo resort. The Four Seasons day pass is $200 + VAT for up to four guests, while the Andaz day pass is $50 + VAT per person, or $100 + VAT per person for access to the Casa de Playa Beach Club at Nacascolo Beach. For Papagayo Luxury villa guests, the Prieta Beach Club access fee is $75 + VAT per person (or $150 + VAT during the Festive season). Day passes are typically available no more than the day prior, so please check with our concierge to confirm availability and the most current pricing.
See more details in this blog.
Two types of monkeys are primarily found at Peninsula Papagayo, the mantled howler monkeys, and capuchin (white-faced) monkeys. In the past year, guests and staff have seen a spider monkey as well, which is certainly a more rare occurence. We see monkeys nearly every day at the resort, though they may be more difficult to spot during green season when the trees are thick with leaves. Ask me for my “monkey map!”
Some of the activities are paid in cash and your concierge can offer a suggestion of how much cash to bring for the planned elements. There is an ATM at the Four Seasons hotel and also at the Papagayo Marina. Most ATMs will give you cash in local currency only. There is also an ATM and bank at the Do-It-Center between the airport and Peninsula Papagayo.
There are a variety of onsite or nearby adventures and opportunities and here is the current schedule for Nov 2019-Apr 2020. The resort will frequently add new adventures, and your concierge will advise of new activities.
If you have US dollars, you will not need to change money. We do not recommend changing money at the airport as those are very high transaction rates. Most of the rates in-resort and for the tours are shown in US dollars. If you require change, you will receive change in local currency (Costa Rica colon), and they should be at a fair and reasonable exchange rate. You can use a credit card for many charges and you can also use the ATM if you require cash. There is also a nearby bank at the Do-It-Center which is located between the airport and Peninsula Papagayo.
It is approximately 19 miles from the Liberia (LIR) airport to the Peninsula Papagayo entrance gates.
Leave the airport and turn right onto the airport road. After 0.8 miles, turn right onto the main road (route 21). After 17.7 miles, turn right at the Do-It-Center, which is well marked (Route 253). There is also a sign for the Andaz at this intersection. Drive for approximately 12.2 miles until it ends at a roundabout. Turn right at the second exit off the roundabout and drive about 200 meters to the guard gate.
Your concierge will send you specific instructions on how to get to your home from the Peninsula Papagayo guard gate.
The tap water is fine to drink. There is a water purification plant onsite at Peninsula Papagayo and the water is purified by reverse osmosis process. The water may be different than you are used to at home, so certainly feel free to purchase bottled water.
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Please note that we review our Privacy Policy from time to time, and we may make periodic changes to the policy in connection with that review. Therefore, you may wish to bookmark this page and/or periodically review this page to make sure that you have the current version.
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Peninsula Papagayo offers three outstanding spa options within the resort gates: the Four Seasons Spa, Prieta Spa, and ONDA Spa at Andaz. Each provides a range of treatments, from therapeutic massages to unique wellness experiences. Our concierge can also arrange in-home spa services for treatments in the comfort of your luxury vacation villa. For more details, visit our Spa page for a more in-depth look at these top choices.
Yes, Peninsula Papagayo is one of the safest destinations in Costa Rica, combining exclusive gated access with 24/7 security patrols, land and sea monitoring, and on-site medical support. The resort features a fully equipped ambulance and clinic with office hours, ensuring prompt care for guests. Adventure activities are led by certified professionals, and the Papagayo Luxury concierge can help arrange excursions with trusted providers. Read our full blog post for an in-depth look at the security and safety measures at Peninsula Papagayo and safety tips for traveling in Costa Rica.
See more details in this blog.
