Your First-Time Guide to Peninsula Papagayo
Everything you need to know before your first visit to Costa Rica’s premier luxury resort community.
Welcome
If you’re planning your first visit to Peninsula Papagayo, welcome. You’re about to discover one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary destinations—and one that surprises almost every first-time visitor.
Many travelers arrive expecting a traditional beach town where hotels, restaurants, and shops line the shoreline. Peninsula Papagayo is something entirely different. Spread across 1,400 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it is a master-planned luxury resort community where private residences, world-class resorts, secluded beaches, nature preserves, and exceptional amenities are thoughtfully woven into the landscape.
Instead of crowded streets and commercial districts, you’ll find winding roads, breathtaking viewpoints, tropical dry forest, and hidden coves waiting to be explored.
Because everything is spread throughout the peninsula, planning your vacation can feel a little overwhelming at first. Guests often ask us the same questions:
- Do we need a golf cart?
- Which beach should we visit first?
- Which restaurants should we reserve before we arrive?
- Should we stay near the beach or high on the hillside?
Those are excellent questions—and the answers can make a tremendous difference in your experience.
Our family first fell in love with Peninsula Papagayo when Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica opened in 2004. We later became homeowners within the community, spending more than fifteen years experiencing the peninsula not only as visitors, but as residents. Since then, Papagayo Luxury has helped thousands of guests discover the destination we know and love.
This guide brings together the advice we share most often with first-time visitors. Think of it as a conversation on the terrace of your villa before your vacation begins. I’ll answer the questions I hear most often, share a few favorite places, and help you discover the experiences that make Peninsula Papagayo so memorable.
Along the way, you’ll find links to our in-depth guides covering beaches, restaurants, villas, concierge services, activities, and insider recommendations. We encourage you to bookmark this page and return to it as you continue planning your trip.
Quick Tip: If this is your first visit, we recommend reading this guide from beginning to end before exploring the individual pages on beaches, restaurants, activities, and villas. Everything else on the website will make much more sense afterward.
What Makes Peninsula Papagayo Different?
One of the things guests tell us most often after arriving is, “This isn’t at all what we expected.” They almost always mean it as a compliment.
Unlike many resort destinations, Peninsula Papagayo doesn’t revolve around a single beach, downtown area, or hotel district. Instead, the peninsula unfolds gradually. Scenic roads wind through tropical dry forest, connecting secluded beaches, luxury resorts, private residences, hiking trails, golf courses, beach clubs, marinas, and breathtaking viewpoints. Around nearly every corner is another place worth exploring.
That layout is part of what makes the experience so memorable. Rather than spending your entire vacation in one location, you’ll naturally find yourself discovering a different side of the peninsula each day. One morning might begin with paddleboarding in the calm waters of Playa Prieta, followed by lunch overlooking the bay. Another afternoon could include ziplining through the forest, hiking nature trails, relaxing with a spa treatment, or enjoying cocktails while watching the sun disappear into the Pacific.
Even the drives between destinations become part of the experience. Wildlife is everywhere. It’s not unusual to see monkeys swinging through the trees, coatis wandering alongside the road, iguanas sunning themselves on rocks, or colorful birds filling the canopy with sound.
Unlike Costa Rica’s lush rainforests, Peninsula Papagayo is located within one of the world’s few remaining tropical dry forests. During the green season, the hills become brilliantly lush, while the dry season opens dramatic ocean views through the trees. Each season offers a completely different—but equally beautiful—experience.
One of our family’s favorite traditions was taking evening golf cart drives just before sunset. We’d grab a few flashlights and slowly cruise the peninsula, looking for wildlife preparing for the evening. Some nights we’d spot white-faced capuchin monkeys settling into the trees. Other evenings we’d see coatis, deer, tropical birds, or even a fox we affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Skinny Legs.” Those simple adventures became some of our favorite family memories—and they’re experiences many visitors never think to include in their itinerary.
Perhaps that’s what makes Peninsula Papagayo feel so different from other luxury destinations. Yes, you’ll find exceptional villas, award-winning resorts, outstanding restaurants, and remarkable service. But the true luxury isn’t found only in the accommodations.
It’s the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with family and friends, and experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty at your own pace.
Whether your ideal vacation is filled with adventure or spent relaxing by the pool with a good book, Peninsula Papagayo gives you the freedom to create exactly the experience you’re looking for.
Jane’s Insider Tip: Don’t think of the golf cart as simply transportation. Some of our favorite family memories were made during leisurely drives around the peninsula, especially early in the morning and just before sunset when wildlife is most active.
Choosing the Right Villa
Not all villas, however, offer the same experience.
Some are perched high on the hillside with sweeping Pacific views. Others are just a short walk from the beach. Some feature expansive outdoor living spaces designed for entertaining, while others are ideal for families with young children or grandparents who prefer fewer stairs. Even homes within the same neighborhood can feel remarkably different.
One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “Which villa is the best?”
The truth is that there isn’t one answer.
The best villa is the one that matches the kind of vacation you want to have.
Are you dreaming of mornings with coffee overlooking the ocean? Is walking to the beach a priority? Are you celebrating a milestone with extended family? Would you rather spend afternoons around a large infinity pool than exploring the peninsula every day?
Understanding those priorities helps narrow the choices far more effectively than simply comparing the number of bedrooms.
Because we know every villa we represent personally, we spend time learning about your group before making recommendations. That personalized guidance is one of the biggest differences between booking through Papagayo Luxury and booking through a large online listing site. We’re not simply matching guests with an available property—we’re helping create the vacation experience you’re hoping to have.
Our villa pages include detailed descriptions, floor plans, amenities, nearby attractions, and honest recommendations about which groups are best suited for each home. Take your time exploring the collection, and if you’re unsure which villa is the right fit, we’re always happy to help you compare options.
Jane’s Insider Tip: If your schedule allows, arrive before sunset on your first day. Watching your first Pacific sunset from your villa is one of those moments guests remember long after they return home.
Planning Before You Arrive
One of the greatest advantages of staying in a private villa is the freedom to create exactly the vacation you want. Unlike a traditional hotel stay, where many decisions can be made day by day, a villa vacation gives you the opportunity to personalize your experience long before you arrive.
Fortunately, planning ahead doesn’t mean scheduling every minute. In fact, we encourage guests to leave plenty of room for spontaneous afternoons by the pool, leisurely lunches overlooking the ocean, and unexpected discoveries. The goal is simply to reserve the experiences that tend to book first so you can relax once you’re here.
Private chefs, in-home spa treatments, fishing charters, catamaran cruises, holiday dining, and many of the peninsula’s most popular restaurants often fill well before arrival, particularly during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Spring Break, and other peak travel periods.
Many guests also enjoy having groceries waiting in the villa when they arrive. After a day of travel, it’s wonderful to open the refrigerator and find breakfast items, fresh fruit, cold drinks, and a few favorite snacks already stocked. Others choose to begin their vacation with a private chef dinner, allowing everyone to settle in, enjoy the sunset, and spend their first evening together without worrying about cooking or leaving the villa.
Every group travels differently. Some families enjoy a full itinerary with activities planned each day, while others prefer only a few reservations and plenty of flexibility. One of the things we enjoy most is helping guests find the balance that’s right for them.
Our concierge team can assist with airport transportation, golf cart rentals, restaurant reservations, grocery pre-stocking, private chefs, spa services, boat charters, childcare recommendations, excursions, and special celebrations. We typically begin planning several months before arrival, giving you plenty of time to decide what you’d like to reserve while keeping your schedule as flexible as you’d like.
Rather than trying to coordinate everything yourself, think of us as your local resource. We’ve helped thousands of guests plan unforgettable vacations, and we’re always happy to share honest recommendations based on your group’s interests, ages, and travel style.
Getting Around Peninsula Papagayo
One of the first things guests notice after arriving is just how large Peninsula Papagayo really is. Although the community is easy to navigate, it’s much more expansive than many people expect.
Instead of everything being centered around a single resort, the peninsula stretches across miles of coastline, connecting beaches, restaurants, golf courses, hiking trails, beach clubs, private neighborhoods, scenic overlooks, and the marina. Exploring it becomes part of the vacation itself.
For that reason, we almost always recommend renting a golf cart in addition to your arrival transportation. While it certainly isn’t required, it’s one of the best ways to experience everything the peninsula has to offer.
Guests use their golf carts to head to breakfast, spend the afternoon at the beach, visit Papagayo Park, enjoy sunset dinners, or simply wander the peninsula’s beautifully landscaped roads. Many families tell us their children looked forward to the golf cart rides almost as much as the beaches themselves.
Whether or not you need a rental car depends on your plans outside the resort. If you’re planning to spend most of your vacation enjoying Peninsula Papagayo’s amenities, many guests choose private airport transportation combined with a golf cart during their stay. Others prefer having a vehicle to explore nearby beaches, waterfalls, national parks, and neighboring towns such as Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, and Tamarindo.
We’re happy to help you decide which combination makes the most sense for your itinerary.
One final piece of advice: don’t rush from one destination to the next. Pull over at scenic overlooks, stop to watch monkeys in the trees, or simply enjoy the drive. Peninsula Papagayo is one of those rare places where getting there can be just as memorable as the destination itself.
Jane’s Insider Tip: Many first-time visitors wonder if they’ll really use their golf cart very much. By the end of the trip, it’s often one of their favorite parts of the entire vacation.
Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss
Every traveler experiences Peninsula Papagayo a little differently, but there are a handful of activities we find ourselves recommending again and again. They’re not simply the most popular—they’re the experiences guests consistently tell us became the highlights of their vacation.
Spend a Day at Playa Prieta
If we had to recommend just one place to begin exploring Peninsula Papagayo, it would be Playa Prieta. Its calm waters are ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and simply relaxing beneath the trees. Combined with the beautiful pools, restaurants, and amenities of Prieta Beach Club, it’s easy to understand why so many guests return more than once during their stay.
Get Out on the Water
Some of Peninsula Papagayo’s most beautiful scenery can only be appreciated from the ocean. Whether you choose a private boat charter, sailing catamaran, fishing excursion, or snorkeling adventure, spending a day on the water consistently ranks among our guests’ favorite experiences.
Many of our favorite beaches—including Playa Huevos—are best reached by boat. Exploring sea caves, snorkeling in quiet coves, paddleboarding in protected bays, and occasionally spotting dolphins or sea turtles are the kinds of memories that last long after the vacation ends.
Enjoy a Private Chef Dinner
One of the greatest luxuries of staying in a villa is enjoying an exceptional meal without ever leaving home.
Imagine returning from the beach to find dinner already being prepared while everyone relaxes by the pool with a favorite drink in hand. Meals become unhurried gatherings where no one has to cook, drive, or make reservations. Many of our chefs even enjoy involving children in the cooking process, creating an experience that’s just as memorable as the meal itself.
Slow Down
Perhaps our biggest piece of advice is this: don’t try to do everything.
It’s tempting to fill every day with activities, especially on your first visit. Yet many guests tell us their favorite memories were the quietest ones—morning coffee overlooking the ocean, watching monkeys play in the trees, reading beside the pool, taking an evening golf cart drive, or lingering over dinner as the sun disappears into the Pacific.
Peninsula Papagayo isn’t a destination to rush through. It’s a place to savor.
Leave room in your itinerary to simply enjoy where you are. We think you’ll be glad you did.
Dining in Peninsula Papagayo
One of the things that surprises many first-time visitors is just how exceptional the dining scene has become within Peninsula Papagayo. Between the luxury resorts, beach clubs, the marina, and newer additions throughout the community, it’s entirely possible to spend a week here without repeating a restaurant—or compromising on quality.
Each dining venue has its own personality. Some are perfect for a leisurely lunch overlooking the beach, while others are ideal for celebrating a special occasion with a multi-course tasting menu. You’ll find elegant fine dining, casual beachfront favorites, Mediterranean cuisine, sushi, authentic Costa Rican flavors, handcrafted cocktails, artisan coffee, and fresh seafood caught just offshore.
One of the advantages of staying in a private villa is that you don’t have to dine out every evening. Some of our favorite vacation memories involve gathering around the outdoor table while a private chef prepares dinner just steps away. It’s a relaxed, unhurried experience that combines restaurant-quality cuisine with uninterrupted time together.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a family dinner, or simply looking for the perfect sunset setting, we’ll help you choose restaurants that match your group’s style and preferences. During holidays and peak travel periods, we recommend making reservations well in advance, as many of the peninsula’s most popular restaurants fill quickly.
Our complete Restaurant Guide explores every dining option within Peninsula Papagayo, including our favorite dishes, dress codes, locations, and recommendations for families, romantic dinners, casual lunches, and special celebrations.
Jane’s Insider Tip: Reserve one special dinner early in your trip rather than saving it for your last night. If you fall in love with the restaurant—as many guests do—you’ll still have time to go back before heading home.
Exploring the Beaches
One of the things that makes Peninsula Papagayo so unique is that there isn’t just one great beach—there are several, each offering a completely different experience.
Protected coves, varying exposures to the wind, and the peninsula’s dramatic coastline create beaches with their own personalities. Some are perfect for swimming and paddleboarding, others for snorkeling or sunset walks, while a few are best enjoyed simply by relaxing beneath the shade of the trees and listening to the waves.
For first-time visitors, we almost always recommend beginning with Playa Prieta. Its calm waters, beautiful setting, and easy access to Prieta Beach Club make it a favorite for families, couples, and groups of friends. Many guests visit more than once during their stay.
Playa Nacascolo is another excellent choice, particularly for calm water and easy access from Casa de Playa. Playa Virador combines beautiful scenery with one of the peninsula’s most popular beachfront restaurants, making it an ideal destination for lunch or sunset cocktails.
Then there are the quieter beaches that many visitors discover only after spending a little time exploring. Some are best reached by boat, where you’ll find peaceful coves, crystal-clear water, and stretches of sand that feel wonderfully secluded.
One of our family’s favorite places has always been Playa Huevos. Arriving by boat, exploring the sea caves, paddleboarding along the shoreline, and occasionally walking through the natural cave passage during exceptionally low tides are experiences that continue to bring us back year after year.
Rather than spending your entire vacation at one beach, we encourage guests to explore several. Each has something unique to offer, and together they showcase the incredible diversity of Peninsula Papagayo’s coastline.
Our Beaches Guide provides detailed information about every beach, including swimming conditions, amenities, dining options, accessibility, and recommendations for families, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sunset views.
More Ways to Explore Peninsula Papagayo
While the beaches are often what first attract visitors to Peninsula Papagayo, they’re only part of the experience. One of the reasons guests return year after year is that there’s always something new to discover.
Golfers can spend the morning on the spectacular Ocean Course, where dramatic Pacific views compete for your attention on nearly every hole. Tennis and pickleball players will find excellent facilities, while hikers and nature lovers can explore trails winding through the peninsula’s tropical dry forest, home to monkeys, coatis, iguanas, butterflies, and countless bird species.
Families often discover that Papagayo Park quickly becomes one of the highlights of the vacation. With water slides, splash areas, playgrounds, bike and scooter pump tracks, sports courts, open green space, and casual dining, it’s a place where children can play for hours while adults relax nearby.
Guests looking for a slower pace have equally rewarding options. A morning yoga class overlooking the ocean, an afternoon massage at one of the peninsula’s luxurious spas, or simply watching the sunset with a favorite drink can be every bit as memorable as a day filled with adventure.
If you’d like to explore beyond the resort, there are countless opportunities within a short drive. Ziplining through the forest, horseback riding, visiting waterfalls, exploring national parks, and discovering nearby towns all make excellent day trips.
Our advice is simple: choose a few signature experiences, but don’t feel the need to schedule every hour. Peninsula Papagayo has a way of slowing people down, and many guests discover their favorite memories weren’t carefully planned at all.
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, family time, or a little of everything, you’ll find plenty of inspiration throughout our detailed guides on golf, Papagayo Park, spas, water sports, hiking, and concierge experiences.
If This Were My First Trip…
After more than twenty years exploring Peninsula Papagayo—and more than fifteen years as a homeowner here—people often ask me a simple question:
“If you were visiting for the first time, what would you do?”
The answer usually surprises them.
I wouldn’t try to see everything.
One of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make is feeling like they need to fill every day with activities. Peninsula Papagayo certainly offers plenty to do, but what makes this place truly special isn’t checking attractions off a list. It’s slowing down enough to appreciate where you are.
I’d spend my first afternoon exactly where I should be—at the villa. After traveling all day, there’s something magical about unpacking, slipping into the pool, pouring your favorite drink, and watching the sun begin to set over the Pacific. There will be plenty of time to explore tomorrow.
The next morning, I’d wake up early, make a cup of Costa Rican coffee, and spend an hour on the terrace with nowhere to be. I’d listen to the birds, watch the changing light across the bay, and simply enjoy the quiet before the day begins. It’s still one of my favorite times of day in Peninsula Papagayo, and one that many visitors unintentionally miss by rushing to the next activity.
From there, I’d build the week around a handful of unforgettable experiences rather than trying to do everything. I’d spend a day at Playa Prieta, another exploring the coastline by boat, another enjoying Papagayo Park or hiking through the tropical dry forest, and I’d intentionally leave at least one day with no plans at all.
I’d stop at scenic overlooks simply because they looked interesting. I’d take an evening golf cart drive instead of heading back inside after dinner. I’d linger over dessert, order one more cup of Costa Rican coffee, and never worry about looking at the clock.
Those are the moments that become the stories you tell after you return home.
Every group travels differently, of course. Families with young children, couples celebrating an anniversary, groups of friends, and multi-generational vacations all have different priorities. That’s why we enjoy helping guests create an itinerary that reflects their vacation rather than following a predetermined schedule.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give every first-time visitor, it’s this: leave room for the unexpected. Some of your favorite memories won’t be the ones you planned—they’ll be the ones that simply happened along the way.
A Sample Week in Peninsula Papagayo
Every vacation is different, but if this were my first visit, this is the rhythm I’d aim for. It balances adventure with relaxation while leaving enough flexibility to enjoy the moments that can’t be scheduled.
Day 1 – Arrive & Settle In
Resist the temptation to rush off to dinner or immediately start exploring. Instead, settle into your villa, enjoy your first Pacific sunset, and let vacation begin. If possible, arrange for groceries to be waiting or have a private chef prepare dinner so everyone can simply relax after a day of travel.
Day 2 – Playa Prieta
Spend the day enjoying the calm waters of Playa Prieta. Paddleboard, swim, kayak, relax beneath the trees, and enjoy lunch at Prieta Beach Club. It’s one of the best introductions to the peninsula and a place many guests visit more than once.
Day 3 – Explore by Boat
Book a private boat charter or catamaran excursion and experience Peninsula Papagayo from the water. Explore hidden beaches, snorkel in secluded coves, paddleboard, and, if conditions allow, visit Playa Huevos and its sea caves. It’s consistently one of the most memorable days of the trip.
Day 4 – Relax & Recharge
Sleep in. Enjoy breakfast overlooking the ocean. Visit Papagayo Park, schedule a spa treatment, play a round of golf, or simply spend the afternoon by the pool. One of the greatest luxuries here is having nowhere you need to be.
Day 5 – Costa Rican Adventure
Choose one signature adventure beyond the resort. Go ziplining, horseback riding, visit a nearby waterfall, explore a national park, or head out on a fishing charter. You’ll return with a deeper appreciation for everything Guanacaste has to offer.
Day 6 – Return to Your Favorites
By now you’ve probably discovered a favorite beach, restaurant, or activity. Return one more time. Some guests spend another day at Playa Prieta, while others book a second boat trip or revisit the restaurant they enjoyed most.
Day 7 – One Last Sunset
Spend your final day enjoying the villa rather than trying to squeeze in one more excursion. Take one last golf cart drive, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and appreciate the slower pace that makes Peninsula Papagayo so special.
Many guests tell us they’ve already started planning their return visit before their flight even takes off.
Our Favorite Insider Experiences
After helping guests discover Peninsula Papagayo for many years, we’ve noticed something interesting. The experiences people remember most usually aren’t the biggest or most expensive ones—they’re the simple moments that many visitors never think to plan.
Take an evening golf cart drive just before sunset instead of heading back to the villa after dinner. Watch for monkeys settling into the trees, coatis wandering through the forest, tropical birds returning to their nests, and, if you’re lucky, the occasional fox crossing the road. Those quiet drives became some of our own family’s favorite traditions.
If you’re spending the day on a private boat, ask your captain to linger at the quieter beaches rather than trying to visit as many locations as possible. An extra hour paddleboarding, exploring sea caves, or relaxing on an empty stretch of sand is often more memorable than rushing to one more destination.
We also recommend planning at least one evening when no one has to leave the villa. Whether it’s a private chef preparing dinner or a casual meal enjoyed together on the terrace, those unhurried evenings often become the moments families talk about long after the vacation ends.
Wake up early at least once during your stay. The peninsula has an entirely different personality shortly after sunrise. The air is cooler, wildlife is more active, and you’ll often have the beaches almost entirely to yourself.
Finally, don’t feel like you need to experience everything during one trip. One of the reasons guests return to Peninsula Papagayo year after year is that they discover there’s always something new to enjoy.
After all these years, that’s still my favorite thing about Peninsula Papagayo. No matter how many times I visit, I always discover one more beach, one more sunset, or one more quiet moment that reminds me why I fell in love with this place in the first place. I hope your first visit is only the beginning.
Your Personal Concierge
few trusted recommendations and the flexibility to decide once they’re here. We tailor our approach to you.
Whether you need airport transportation, golf carts, grocery pre-stocking, restaurant reservations, private chefs, in-home spa treatments, boat charters, fishing excursions, golf tee times, tennis or pickleball reservations, childcare recommendations, or help planning a special celebration, we’ll coordinate the details so you can focus on enjoying your vacation.
Just as valuable as arranging services is sharing the local knowledge that only comes from years of personal experience. We can recommend the best beach for the day’s weather, suggest the ideal time to schedule a boat charter, help you prioritize activities based on your group’s interests, and share the small insider tips that help transform a great vacation into an unforgettable one.
Our goal is simple: to make your time in Peninsula Papagayo as effortless and enjoyable as possible, so you can spend less time planning and more time making memories with the people who matter most.
Why Guests Choose Papagayo Luxury
There are many ways to book a vacation in Peninsula Papagayo. What makes Papagayo Luxury different isn’t simply the collection of villas we represent—it’s the experience, local knowledge, and personal guidance that come with them.
Our connection to Peninsula Papagayo began when Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica first opened in 2004. We later became homeowners within the community, spending more than fifteen years experiencing the peninsula not only as visitors, but as residents. That firsthand perspective continues to shape every recommendation we make.
Because we focus exclusively on Peninsula Papagayo, we know the neighborhoods, beaches, restaurants, villas, and activity providers personally. We understand the subtle differences between properties, know which restaurants are best for celebrations or families, and can recommend experiences that many first-time visitors might otherwise overlook.
We also believe luxury is personal.
For one family, that might mean a private chef, childcare, and a week filled with adventure. For another, it may simply mean quiet mornings overlooking the ocean, afternoons by the pool, and enough flexibility to enjoy each day as it unfolds. Our role is to understand what matters most to you and help create a vacation that reflects those priorities.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed honeymooners celebrating new beginnings, grandparents traveling with three generations, groups of lifelong friends reconnecting after years apart, and families introducing their children to Costa Rica for the very first time. Many of those guests return again and again, often bringing new friends and family members to experience the destination they first discovered with us.
There is no greater compliment than welcoming returning guests year after year.
We’d be honored to help you discover why so many families continue coming back to Peninsula Papagayo.
FAQ: First-Time Vistors Often Ask…
Do I need a golf cart?
We highly recommend one.
While it’s certainly possible to enjoy Peninsula Papagayo without a golf cart, most guests quickly discover that it becomes one of their favorite parts of the vacation. It’s the easiest way to reach beaches, restaurants, Papagayo Park, scenic overlooks, and many of the peninsula’s most beautiful hidden spots.
→ Learn more about golf carts
Should we rent a car?
That depends on how you plan to spend your vacation.
If you’ll primarily be enjoying Peninsula Papagayo, many guests choose private airport transportation combined with a golf cart during their stay. If you’d like to explore waterfalls, national parks, neighboring beaches, or other parts of Guanacaste, renting a vehicle can be a great option.
We’re happy to help you determine what makes the most sense for your itinerary.
Can we use the Four Seasons and Andaz restaurants if we’re staying in a villa?
Yes.
Guests staying in our villas are welcome to dine at the restaurants throughout Peninsula Papagayo, including those at Four Seasons, Andaz, Nekajui, Prieta Beach Club, and Marina Papagayo. Many other resort amenities, including golf, tennis, pickleball, spa services, and selected day passes, may also be available depending on current resort policies and availability.
We’ll always provide the most up-to-date information before your arrival.
→ Beach Clubs & Resort Access Guide
When is the best time to visit?
There really isn’t a bad time to visit Peninsula Papagayo.
The dry season offers sunny skies and warm temperatures, while the green season transforms the peninsula into a lush tropical landscape with fewer visitors and beautiful afternoon showers. Each season has its own unique appeal, and we’re happy to help you decide which time of year best matches the vacation you’re planning.
→ Best Time to Visit
How far is Peninsula Papagayo from the airport?
One of the things guests appreciate most is how easy it is to get here.
The resort is located approximately 35 minutes from Guanacaste Airport (LIR), making it one of the most convenient luxury beach destinations in Costa Rica.
Ready to Start Planning?
Whether you’re still deciding which villa is right for your group or you’re ready to begin planning every detail of your stay, we’re here to help.
Take some time to explore our villas, browse our destination guides, or simply reach out with your questions. Every vacation is different, and we’re always happy to offer recommendations based on your group’s interests, travel style, and priorities.
Whether you’re planning a multi-generational family gathering, celebrating a milestone anniversary, organizing a friends’ getaway, or introducing your children to Costa Rica for the first time, we’d love to help you create a vacation that’s every bit as memorable as the destination itself.
We believe some of life’s best memories are made when family and friends spend meaningful time together in extraordinary places.
We hope Peninsula Papagayo becomes one of those places for you.
