The Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste Province is understood for its pristine seashores, clear blue waters, and luxurious landscapes. Over the previous couple of many years, the area has skilled important progress by way of tourism improvement and has change into a preferred vacation spot for luxurious travellers searching for solar, sand, and outside actions.
Combining rugged surf breaks with mysterious dive spots, 5-star resorts and tremendous eating eating places, the Papagayo Peninsula provides loads of sights and is properly price visiting in your subsequent journey to Costa Rica.
Peninsula Papagayo map
About Papagayo Area
The Papagayo area is understood for its stunning bay on the far northwest coast of the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica.
The Gulf’s shoreline is characterised by its untamed, wild fantastic thing about a number of picturesque seashores and coves backed by a tropical dry forest that has fashioned over time from volcanic exercise. In the meantime, the wealthy emerald-green waters of the Pacific Ocean cover an abundance of marine life.
The northern facet of the Gulf of Papagayo is dominated by Parque Nacional Santa Rosa or Santa Rosa Nationwide Park, a wilderness space crammed with wildlife, dense forest, seashores and views of volcanoes. On the southern finish, you’ll discover the Papagayo Peninsula, an unique resort space. This skinny stretch of land jutting out into the gulf is the hub of exercise, with a number of stunning seashores, resorts and outside actions on provide.
The Gulf of Papagayo has not too long ago change into a spotlight of Costa Rica tourism, with the institution of luxurious accommodations and resorts, significantly on the Papagayo Peninsula. That is drawing increasingly individuals to the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica for its gorgeous views, calm waters, and unbelievable nature.
Find out how to Get to Papagayo, Costa Rica
Papagayo Peninsula is conveniently situated a few 45-minute drive from Liberia Airport, Daniel Oduber Quirós Worldwide Airport (LIR).
In the event you land at San Jose Worldwide Airport, it’s a few 4.5-hour drive or 250 kilometres (155 miles) to the Gulf of Papagayo.
Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
By Automobile
Whereas the Papagayo Peninsula is making a reputation for itself within the sustainable luxurious world, the general public transport community doesn’t repeatedly service the seashores and cities across the Gulf of Papagayo.
So, if you happen to’re on the lookout for larger freedom, you’ll have to hire a automotive from the airport in Liberia. From Liberia Worldwide Airport, you may attain the Papagayo Peninsula in lower than an hour by taking Route 253.
In the event you plan on exploring extra of the coast north of the Papagayo Peninsula, together with Naranjo Seaside and the nationwide parks, we recommend hiring a 4×4. A few of the roads for secluded seashores are tough and require an off-road automobile.
Vehicles for hire in Liberia Airport in Guanacaste
By Bus/Shuttle
Costa Rica’s public bus system goes so far as Playa Panama, which is about half-hour south of the Papagayo Peninsula. You’ll be able to journey from different cities in Guanacaste to Playa Panama or Playa Hermosa by bus, however you then’ll must get a taxi or organize a personal shuttle along with your lodging supplier to the Papagayo Peninsula.
Finest Time to Go to Papagayo, Costa Rica
Some of the interesting facets of the coast in Guanacaste Province is that it has loads of sunshine all yr spherical and is among the driest climates in all of Costa Rica. In saying that, the Papagayo area nonetheless sees a dry season and a wet season.
The dry season runs from December till April, which is when most vacationers enterprise to the resorts of the Papagayo Peninsula. That is peak seashore climate, with most days beginning at about 71°F (22°C) and by noon, temperatures attain 95°F (35°C).
From Could till November, the wet or inexperienced season in Papagayo consists of some showers within the late afternoon and night, however in any other case, far lower than in different components of Costa Rica. That is additionally thought-about the very best time for diving as bigger marine life comes nearer to shore, and visibility could be fairly good. Plus, these are additionally the very best months for browsing, with the SW Pacific groundswell turning up the dependable breaks to glassy 4-ft+ waves.
Playa Manzanillo, Guanacaste
Issues to Do in Papagayo Peninsula
Whether or not you could have a few days or every week of rest forward, listed below are the very best issues to do in and round Peninsula Papagayo.
Seaside Hop Alongside the Coast
It’s estimated that the Papagayo Peninsula has round 31 seashores alongside 15 miles of coast, and that’s not together with the seashores discovered additional north alongside the gulf of Papagayo and in Santa Rosa Nationwide Park.
This implies you’ll have limitless seashores to select from relying on the place you’re staying and what actions you propose on doing. In the event you’re staying throughout the peninsula, Playa Nacascolo is the primary seashore of Culebra Bay and is ideal for strolling, snorkelling and enjoyable within the solar. Plus, there’s a handy shuttle bus from the automotive park on the finish of Route 253 to the seashore.
For extra seclusion, you may head north to Playa Cabuyal, an attractive stretch of white sand excellent for swimming and enjoyable.
Most resorts on the peninsula of Papagayo provide entry to kayaks and paddle-boards, with organized snorkeling and diving journeys additionally out there.
Playa Cabuyal, Papagayo
Play Golf on the 4 Seasons Lodge
Ranked amongst a number of the greatest programs exterior of the US, the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo on the 4 Seasons is an 18-hole, par 72 Arnold Palmer-designed course. With unbelievable views of Culebra Bay together with howler monkeys hanging within the close by timber, this golf course provides an unforgettable {golfing} expertise.
Be part of a Fishing Constitution
Marina Papagayo on Culebra Bay has been a more moderen addition to the unique gated group of Papagayo Peninsula. Constructed to carry as much as 450 boats at a time, it’s crammed with a mix of personal yachts and business constitution boats.
Be part of a fishing constitution tour, which could be booked at any of the accommodations within the Papagayo Peninsula, and also you’ll embark from the marina. You’ll have the possibility to catch mahi mahi, tuna, snapper, wahoo and grouper and even marlins, rooster or sailfish if you happen to go deeper within the gulf.
Fishing Constitution, Costa Rica
Go Browsing at Witch’s Rock
Whereas the browsing is, arguably, higher round Tamarindo additional south, skilled surfers can’t look previous the native spot at Naranjo Seaside, generally known as Witch’s Rock. It’s an uncovered seashore break situated inside Santa Rosa Nationwide Park that provides constant surf all year long.
Witch Rock just isn’t straightforward to achieve. If you wish to get there by land, you’ll want a 4×4 and a few severe talent. Reaching Playa Naranjo and its campground takes about 2 hours on a nasty street from the Nationwide Park entrance. You then have to stroll no less than half-hour as much as the northern finish of the seashore, the place the very best surf break hits.
Alternatively, accommodations in Papagayo Peninsula provide boat journeys which might take you on to Witch’s Rock along with your surfboard in lower than an hour.
Witch’s Rock
Go to Santa Rosa Nationwide Park
Situated north of the peninsula, Santa Rosa Nationwide Park is among the greatest issues to do in Guanacaste. As one of many largest parks within the nation and an essential hub of biodiversity, Santa Rosa is house to 115 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, and 100 amphibian and reptile species.
In the event you go to between July and November, you may witness a whole lot of olive ridley turtles nesting on Playa Nancite. Go chicken watching and take within the views on a brief 1.5 km stroll on Los Patos Path to Tigre Canyon Viewpoint or one other 1.5 km stroll to Mirador Playa Naranjo.
Notice that Santa Rosa doesn’t have well-developed infrastructure like many different Nationwide Parks in Costa Rica, so exploring this space is a little bit of an journey within the wild.
The place to Keep in Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica
Recognized for its luxurious accommodations and large-scale resorts, the Gulf of Papagayo is for many who are on the lookout for a soothing vacation amidst stunning coastal landscapes and seashores.
4 Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
As the house of the one 4 Seasons resort in Central America, 4 Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo has change into one of many nation’s greatest accommodations. Sitting on the tip of the peninsula overlooking seashores on both facet, it boasts the very best ocean views from their villas.
It’s a family-friendly resort with quite a lot of facilities, together with a number of swimming swimming pools, Virador Seaside Membership, an Arnold Palmer Golf Course, a wellness heart and an eco-adventures firm.
Andaz Resort Costa Rica
A more recent institution and a lodge by Hyatt, Andaz Resort is a luxurious 5-star lodge situated on the Culebra Bay, only a 2-minute stroll from the seashore. Rooms are massive with fashionable picket decor and views of both the coast or the jungle. The resort boasts a swimming pool, spa and health club, tennis courtroom, and three on-site eating places that target farm-to-table components and domestically impressed dishes.
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica
Situated on Manzanillo Seaside, Planet Hollywood Costa Rica is An Autograph Assortment All-Inclusive Resort. Some suites provide sea views, whereas others provide a terrace with backyard views. The property boasts seven eating places, a tour desk providing a spread of actions, a buffet breakfast each morning, a spa and wellness heart, and two swimming swimming pools.
Catalina Islands, Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica
The place to Eat: Finest Eating places in Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica
Prieta Seaside Membership
Situated inside Playa Prieta Seaside Membership, Olas Restaurant serves extra laidback Latin American delicacies through the day, with a extra refined eating expertise at night time. The restaurant focuses on the freshest components and sustainable seafood and provides top-notch cocktails for sundown time.
Poro Poro Restaurant
An upscale restaurant on the peninsula inside Unique Resorts Membership Home, Poro Poro overlooks Playa Blanca beneath. The restaurant focuses on contemporary seafood, with the ceviche being an actual spotlight. Whereas somewhat dear, this spot provides one hell of a view, plus nice seafood and the expertise of consuming on the deck.
Dive Bar, Marina Papagayo
To flee the lavish resort eating places, head right down to the Dive Bar close to the marina on Playa Manzanillo. It’s an awesome place to observe the sundown and order some fish tacos and a happy-hour cocktail.
The Backside Line
Peninsula Papagayo is a dream vacation spot for nature lovers, luxurious travellers, and journey seekers. It provides a little bit of every little thing, from white sand seashores to world-class golf programs; it’s straightforward to remain longer than deliberate across the Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste.