Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
A beautiful resort in one of the most naturally incredible places to travel.
Costa Rica is one of those places that just feels good to visit. The people are kind, the food is great, the climate is perfect, and there’s always something adventurous to do. It was actually the first big trip Zach and I took together, so going back years later with our girls felt really special.
The Four Seasons on Peninsula Papagayo is a wonderful home base for exploring the area. It has that classic Four Seasons service and comfort, but the setting is what really makes it memorable — jungle-covered hills, ocean views everywhere, and wildlife popping up in the most unexpected places.
Below are my honest notes on what it’s actually like staying there.
What You’ll Love
The gym and spa are exceptional
This might be one of the best hotel gyms I’ve ever used. It’s huge, beautifully designed, and stocked with everything — strength equipment, cardio, classes, and incredible ocean views. It’s the kind of gym where you actually want to work out on vacation.
The spa is equally impressive. If you enjoy spa days while traveling, this is the kind of place where you could easily go multiple times during the trip. The cold plunge and hot tubs look out over the beach. I could have used them for hours.
The food is fantastic
We loved every meal. The resort has several restaurants and they’re all very good — which isn’t always the case at big resorts.
The lobby bar deserves its own mention. It’s a great spot for sunset drinks and they serve excellent sushi. They also had fun pop-ups and events some evenings that made it feel lively without being crowded.
You’re surrounded by other great resorts and restaurants
Peninsula Papagayo is basically a little luxury resort community, which means you can easily visit other restaurants nearby.
Two notable neighbors:
- The Ritz-Carlton Reserve at Nekajui
- Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
Both have great restaurants and are an easy drive if you want to mix up dinners.
Tons of activities and adventure
Costa Rica is such a great destination if your family likes to actually do things.
Things we did and loved:
- Fishing charters (very easy to arrange)
- Jet skiing
- Surf lessons through the resort
- Watching the girls surf while riding jet skis out near them
The water is warm and there are so many outdoor options — it never feels boring.
Babysitting services were wonderful
We didn’t end up using the kids club, but we did use the resort babysitting service and had a great experience. It’s always a little nerve-wracking leaving kids with someone new on vacation, but they were excellent.
What to Know Before You Book
The beaches are nice but not the highlight
This is true for a lot of Costa Rica resorts.
The Four Seasons sits on a peninsula, so there are two beaches on either side of the property, which is nice because you can choose depending on the wind or waves. But the beaches themselves aren’t the powdery Caribbean-style beaches some people expect.
They’re pretty and great for activities, but the real beauty here is the jungle and landscape, not the beach.
The pools are beautiful but spread out
The pool areas are really pretty, but they’re winding and separated into different sections, which makes them feel a little fragmented. The adults pool is fairly small and gets booked quickly, but there are other family pools around the property. There’s also a gorgeous hidden hot tub built into a waterfall that feels like a little secret spot.
Pool service can be slow
Because the pools wind through different levels and areas, service sometimes felt a little slower than at resorts where everything is centralized. It wasn’t bad — just something we noticed.
The Overall Vibe
The Four Seasons Costa Rica feels relaxed, adventurous, and family-friendly, while still delivering the comfort and service you expect from the brand. I would lean more towards going as a family instead of on a couples trip as there aren’t too many adults-only areas around the property.
It’s a great trip if you want:
- incredible food
- beautiful scenery
- lots of outdoor activities
- warm, welcoming people
- a mix of relaxation and adventure
Costa Rica is one of those destinations that keeps pulling you back. Between the people, the food, and the landscape, it’s hard not to fall in love with it.
Going back with our girls after it was the first trip Zach and I ever took together made it feel even more special.
