Things to Do in Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
The Papagayo Peninsula is a curl of land on Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific coast, in the province of Guanacaste. It encloses Bahía Culebra — calm, deep, sheltered from open Pacific swells — which made it a natural setting for a planned tourism enclave (the ‘Gulf of Papagayo Project’) that opened in the late 1990s. The region is dry tropical forest (very different from the rainforests further south), the sun is reliable, and Liberia International Airport (LIR) is a 30-minute drive — making this the easiest part of Costa Rica to reach from North America.
Quick Facts: Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) is in Costa Rica. Best time to visit: December–April for the dry season — sun, breezes, no rain. May-November is rainier (afternoon storms) but the landscape is greener.
🌴 Save on Your Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) Resort Stay
Qualified visitors stay at resort-quality properties in Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) for a fraction of retail — in exchange for a short vacation ownership presentation. No obligation to purchase.
View Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) Packages →
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a vacation ownership presentation. Full terms provided at booking.
Top 10 Things to Do in Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
Playa Hermosa
Wide gray-sand beach 10 minutes from the peninsula entrance. Calm, swimmable, with a string of small beach restaurants.
Playa Panamá
Even calmer than Hermosa — barely a wave most days. Family-friendly, decent for kayaking and SUP.
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
About 90 minutes inland — active volcano with mud pots, hot springs, waterfall hikes. Day-trip favorite.
Palo Verde Mangrove Boat Tour
About an hour south — boat through mangrove channels with crocodiles, howler monkeys, hundreds of bird species.
Catamaran Sail in Bahía Culebra
Calm bay makes for some of the smoothest sailing in Costa Rica. Snorkel stops, sunset returns.
Playa Conchal
30 minutes south — ‘Shell Beach,’ literally made of crushed shells. Turquoise water, accessible from Brasilito by walking.
Palace of Iguanas Hot Springs
Sulfur hot springs and mud baths near Rincón de la Vieja. Pair with a volcano hike.
Tamarindo Surf Day Trip
About an hour south — Costa Rica’s signature surf town. Beginner-friendly waves, surf school capital.
Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja)
Famous offshore boat-access surf spot for advanced surfers. Day boats from the Papagayo marina target it on swelly days.
Borinquen Mountain Resort & Hot Springs
Geothermal hot springs, mud baths, hanging bridges — half-day adventure park feel.
When to Go
December–April for the dry season — sun, breezes, no rain. May-November is rainier (afternoon storms) but the landscape is greener.
Combine It With a Discounted Resort Stay
Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) is one of the destinations where qualified visitors can stay at resort-quality properties for a fraction of retail in exchange for a short vacation ownership presentation. Packages typically include 4 nights / 5 days in suite-style accommodations.
🌴 Save on Your Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) Resort Stay
Qualified visitors stay at resort-quality properties in Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) for a fraction of retail — in exchange for a short vacation ownership presentation. No obligation to purchase.
View Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) Packages →
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a vacation ownership presentation. Full terms provided at booking.
View Papagayo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) Timeshare Promotions →