We review the top best luxury resorts in Papagayo. These include the luxury Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, the modern Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, El Mangroove, a hotel which is part of the Marriott brand.
Papagayo is a magical Costa Rica peninsula, a 20-minute drive from the Liberia International Airport. Blessed with year-round heat and a lush landscape of sandy beaches, rugged coastline, cloud-forest havens, and rainforest canopies, expect a stay here to satisfy your beachside dreams and offer a surprising array of exciting wildlife in stunning surroundings.
Papagayo is great all year round. December to April is the dry season, during which you are virtually guaranteed no rain, but the landscape can get a little parched. May to November is a mix of sunshine and showers, making the countryside a lurid green, but you risk occasionally getting drenched before the sun comes out!
1. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Papagayo is a captivating peninsula in Costa Rica, just a quick 20-minute drive from Liberia International Airport. This paradise enjoys warm weather all year and is covered in a rich tapestry of sandy shores, dramatic coastlines, misty cloud forests, and lush rainforest canopies. A stay here will more than fulfill your beachside fantasies, while the region’s incredible wildlife in awe-inspiring natural beauty adds a delightful surprise.
The setting is nothing short of extraordinary. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is perched at the tip of Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, a scenic province on Costa Rica’s northwestern coast. This exceptional spot allows the resort to offer sandy beaches on both sides, creating unique double-ocean views from the main swimming pools. Just a few steps apart, each beach offers its own distinct vibe due to their positions on opposite sides of the peninsula, making this location truly unforgettable.
We recently explored Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica — a breathtaking retreat that overlooks the lush, rolling hills of this verdant peninsula. Spanning over 250 acres, the resort sits between a serene bay on one side and the vast Pacific Ocean on the other. The entryway is carefully positioned to maximize the breathtaking view of the bay as you approach, and the sweeping vista greeting you on arrival is like something out of a film.view. The vista that embraces you as you arrive is straight out of the movies.
The resort’s lobby is an open, airy space with bamboo ceilings and tall pillars, exuding a natural elegance. As you descend the staircase, the area opens up to reveal two pools: a main central pool with a sun deck and a separate family pool. The attentive staff offer refreshing touches like towels, chilled washcloths, and ice water. Plus, convenient stations provide complimentary sunscreen and after-sun products.
On one side of this picturesque peninsula, you’ll find a beach with soft, gray sand, while the other side features a curved stretch of palm-lined white sand. The resort also offers an exceptional spa, a golf course, various dining options, and a stylish lobby bar. It’s a luxury getaway that truly feels like a dream come to life.
Wherever you are in the world, Four Seasons hotels are consistently one of the best hotels in that city or resort. There isn’t a Four Seasons loyalty program, so you will never be able to book a free stay by racking up and redeeming points, or by collecting points on your credit card and spending them at a Four Seasons hotel. It can’t be done. But you can get discounts at Four Seasons hotels and benefit from special rewards at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
Review: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Tucked at the very tip of a beautiful Peninsula on the western coast of Costa Rica, you'll find the equally beautiful Four Seasons Resort. We visited this unspoiled land to enjoy everything this incredible hotel offers. The combination of relaxed luxury, epic Latin American scenery, impeccable, warm service, and excellent facilities makes this stunning eco-resort an absolute dream. We were welcomed with open arms and soon fell head over heels for the place. The Four Seasons resort perfectly reflects this exotic country it makes its home.
2. Andaz Papagayo
Hidden on the mountainside at the juncture where the Gulf of Papagayo meets the deep blue waters of Culebra Bay, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort unfolds across a scenic hillside, offering sweeping views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. This idyllic setting beckons travelers to enjoy infinity pools shaded by jicaro trees, all framed by the serene, cobalt bay.
The resort’s 153 elegant yet vibrant rooms blend seamlessly into the rich natural landscape around it. Two stunning outdoor pools are featured here, including a main infinity pool that overlooks treetops frequented by passing monkeys.
Relax by this pool at dusk, and you’ll likely spot families of white-faced monkeys leaping through the branches, headed toward the shore. Iguanas, colorful lizards, hummingbirds, and butterflies also thrive in the resort’s lush, flowering surroundings.
In the afternoons, guests can relax on two of the resort’s private sandy beaches. The Prieta Beach Club, a secluded spot about 15 minutes away via shuttle, is available exclusively to Andaz and Four Seasons guests. Closer to the resort, a shaded black-sand beach offers complimentary drink and towel service, ample beach chairs, kayaks, and snorkeling gear.
Review: Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo
Nestled in a location that is second to none, where the Gulf of Papagayo meets the sapphire blue waters of Culebra Bay, Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo extends over a vast hillside (call for a golf cart if the uphill hike in the heat becomes too much) with breathtaking views over the ocean and the mountainous behind. Set into the tropical hills overlooking the ocean and marina below, this impressive hotel offers a full five-star experience with warm and friendly service from its staff and the local wildlife.
4. El Mangroove, an Autograph Collection Hotel
Panama beach on the Gulf Of Papagayo, in Costa Rica’s north-west corner, is home to the chic, bohemian El Mangroove, an Autograph Collection Hotel. This boutique resort, one of the premier Marriott properties in Costa Rica, is set amid 17 lush acres of tropical greenery. True to its name, El Mangroove is surrounded by dense mangrove forests and overlooks the rich chocolate sands of Panama Beach.
Located on the stunning Papagayo Peninsula, this eco-luxury hotel is joined by other top-tier options like the Hyatt Andaz and Four Seasons. Nearby, the lively Playa del Coco provides peaceful, gentle waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Golf lovers can hit the nearby Arnold Palmer-designed course, while scuba divers can explore the Bat Islands, famous for its shark sightings.
El Mangroove’s “20 minutes from touchdown to sand” promise makes it the closest resort to Liberia International Airport, meaning you could be unwinding in the Presidential Suite within half an hour. This suite features a private plunge pool and direct beach access for a truly luxurious experience.
The resort has 85 modern suites with a stylish boho-chic flair, each offering open-air living spaces that feature playful local artwork. With outdoor lanais, comfy hammocks, and cozy seating, these suites create an inviting indoor-outdoor ambiance.
Dining at El Mangroove is a treat, with its gourmet offerings. By day, Matiss serves light fare in a sandy beachfront setting, while evenings bring cocktails and refined dining in a trendy, open-air lounge with rhythmic beats. The vibrant nightlife kicks off with a bar scene where you can sip handcrafted cocktails while watching the sun dip below the horizon. Expect live DJs, expertly mixed drinks, and themed beach events, from full moon parties to barefoot evenings under the stars.
The resort’s expansive pool and sandy beachfront are lined with plush lounges and stylish cabanas, each equipped with flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, and personal concierge service. For a unique twist, guests can rent illuminated paddleboards for a memorable sunset paddle along the shore.
Relaxation is effortless here. An onsite spa awaits to pamper you before a night of fine dining and lively DJ sets. With its sun-soaked days, moonlit beach parties, and dynamic South Beach-inspired vibe, El Mangroove brings a taste of Miami to the Pacific shores of Costa Rica.
Review: El Mangroove, Autograph Collection
Panama beach in Costa Rica’s northwest corner is home to the trendy El Mangroove, an Autograph Collection Hotel. El Mangroove sits on 17 acres of lush, tropical grounds and takes its name from its location in the dense mangrove forest on the chocolate sand shores of Playa Panama. Situated between the Papagayo Peninsula (where you will find the Hyatt Andaz and the Four Seasons) and the bustling Playa del Coco, Playa Panama offers tranquil waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
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