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Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica · Four Seasons · Apex Luxury
Central America's only Forbes Five-Star resort held that distinction for ten consecutive years by 2025. Architect Ronald Zürcher set the January 2004 pioneer into the Peninsula Papagayo hillside with local lava rock and caña brava, letting the buildings feel of the forest while two Pacific beaches open below.
- 199 rooms
- Opened 2004
- Neighborhood: CR-G
- Rooms from 603 sq ft (56 m²)
- Architect: Ronald Zürcher
- Interiors: Paul Duesing Partners
About Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
- The Ocean Course, an Arnold Palmer design, drops 200 feet at the sixth hole and looks out at Monkey Head Rock from the seventeenth.
- Marina Papagayo below the resort holds 380 slips, enough for superyachts and sport-fishing boats alike.
- MICHELIN gave the resort a Two Keys rating in 2025.
- Entry-level rooms start at 603 sq ft (56 m²).
History
At opening in January 2004, the Four Seasons Costa Rica was the first large-scale luxury resort in the country, immediately transforming Peninsula Papagayo from a remote fishing area into Central America's premier luxury destination. It remains the only Forbes Five-Star resort in Central America — a distinction held for 10 consecutive years as of 2025. Architect Ronald Zürcher designed all structures with a "treehouse" philosophy, building into the hillside using local lava rock, stone, and caña brava. A $35 million renovation and December 2017 reopening elevated the property further, with ongoing enhancements in 2023 including the new Virador Beach Club.
The setting
Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo crowns a volcanic headland in Nacascolo on the 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo, perched 97 metres above the Pacific with Playa Blanca a three-minute walk south and Playa Virador eight minutes on foot. Declared a national tourism zone under President Daniel Oduber Quirós and holding ten consecutive Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars, the property anchors Latin America's most exclusive private resort community. The Arnold Palmer Signature Ocean Course and Marina Papagayo are minutes away by complimentary shuttle, and a cluster of landmark luxury properties shares the gated enclave. Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is 35 to 45 minutes away.
Restaurants and bars
- Pesce — Restaurant · Italian · Chef Victor Castro
- Añejo — Restaurant · Tapas · Chef Marco Chan
- Bahia Grill — Restaurant · Chef Heberto Mejia
- Nemare — Restaurant · Chef Jose (Kike) Retana
- Virador Beach Club — Poolside · Mediterranean · Khaled Natour
- Palapita — Restaurant · Chef Jose Retana
- La Reserva — Restaurant
Experiences
- The Explorers nature programme — Outdoor pursuits for all interests, ages and stages, described as the Nature Lover's Playground of Peninsula Papagayo.
- Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo golf — 18-hole, par 72 golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, with 6,788 yards and views of the Pacific and Monkey Head Rock.
- Peninsula activities — Palmares Aerial Adventure, off-roading, monkey spotting, wilderness hike, surfing, coral reef experience and canoe exploration.
- On-site activities — Birdwatching, rum tasting, paddleboarding, snorkelling, E-foil and cooking class.
- Tennis and pickleball — 3 tennis courts (clay courts available) and 3 pickleball courts; lessons available on inquiry.
- Marina Papagayo — 380-slip full-service marina accommodating large yachts and sport-fishing boats.
Amenities
- Spa with 18 treatment rooms; Wellness Shala inspired by Guanacaste winds
- Infinity pool
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Kids' club
- Tennis
- Golf course
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- AAA Four Diamond (2025)
- Costa Rica's Leading Luxury Resort 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
- Only Forbes Five-Star Resort in Central America (2025)
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