THE TROPICAL PARADISE of Costa Rica may seem a million miles away, but the truth is, the country’s natural wonders are astonishingly easy to visit. A four-hour direct flight on Delta takes you from Atlanta to Liberia in northwest Costa Rica. From there, it’s an hour to the breathtaking beaches of the Guanacaste coast, which dot a 400-mile stretch of the Pacific Ocean like jewels. There are myriad beaches worth a visit up and down the so-called Gold Coast, which range from surf-bum favorites like Tamarindo to the shell-covered stunner Conchal. But if you’re looking for natural beauty alongside unforgettable luxury hospitality, point your compass northwest toward the Papagayo Peninsula, where you’ll find a Four Seasons experience unlike any other.
Fifteen miles long and studded with seven beaches carved out among lush hillsides, this entire peninsula is dedicated to low-density, sustainable eco-tourism. Per Costa Rican law, 70 percent of its land must be preserved as green space, which means abundant native wildlife—from howler monkeys and giant spiny-tailed iguanas to the glamorous long-tailed motmot bird—can be spotted passing between old-growth mangroves and teak trees.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
The Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, the first resort to open here (in 2004), was designed to complement its wild surroundings. Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher Gurdián defied the Spanish colonial style popular among the country’s other luxury hotels of the era. Instead, he opted for an understated, nature-hued design that blends in with its surroundings to the point of being invisible: From afar, the entire resort seems to disappear into the peninsula’s thick greenery. (So committed was Gurdián to this effort, he told Architectural Digest, that he scooped up a sample of peninsular dirt and sent it to the paint factory to make sure the building exteriors matched sufficiently.)
Such harmonic design extends to the accommodations, which are utterly private, opening onto peaceful ocean views bordered by natural greenery. That’s true whether you’ve booked a basic room (they start at $1,200) or something more: The resort offers larger rooms with amenities such as plunge pools and outdoor showers, as well as multiroom residences and entire villas adjacent to the main property that have access to the full resort (up to $30,000 a night).
If you’ve come for a romantic getaway, you don’t have to look much further than an evening stroll on the beach: The Guanacaste coast boasts some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets. That said, Four Seasons offers other ways to slow down and reconnect with each other.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
Opt for a “Perfect Day for Two,” in which the concierge staff creates a custom itinerary based on your preferences. Start the morning at the wellness shala: A yogi’s dream, this beautiful open-air studio is positioned on one of the peninsula’s highest hills and boasts nearly 360-degree views of the ocean below. As you sweat it out on your mat, look for surprise guests, whether it’s geckos climbing the blond wood columns or a black hawk landing on a nearby branch. Then take breakfast on the Bahia restaurant patio, where in the trees above, handsome blue magpie jays show off their impressive head plumage (be warned, it’s a distraction to try to steal your breakfast).
From there, options abound. Costa Rica offers endless beauty and adventure, and the Four Seasons can deliver almost any experience, whether it’s kayaking through nearby mangrove forests, learning to make handmade chocolate from native cacao, or cruising by boat to a surfing lesson at nearby Santa Rosa. In the afternoon, try a Rainforest couple’s massage at the spa, or explore more bespoke treatment options inspired by the local ecology, such as a volcanic mud mask sourced from nearby Arenal.
For dinner, stroll down to the Virador Beach Club, arguably the resort’s best restaurant, with a casual, oceanside vibe. Chef Khaled Natour’s Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menu is a bold choice for Costa Rica (land of arroz y frijoles and superlative tropical fruit), but he’ll win you over easily with classics such as creamy red-pepper muhammara spread and a simmering kofta bil forn (spiced meat casserole). Some dishes, like the peppery sea bass carpaccio and snapper Marrakech, make excellent use of Costa Rica’s plentiful local seafood.
If you want to take your romantic voyage to the next level, however, indulge in a “Virador Sunset Experience,” which is so much more than supper on the beach. Beneath a canopy of bistro lights, surrounded by flowers and candles, you’ll recline on pillows while lingering over a three-course meal. Take in the sunset over the ocean, the shore birds settling in for the night, and even—if you’re extra lucky—the baby turtles hatching from the sand and finding their way to the sea. You won’t connect only with each other: You’ll connect with Costa Rica’s pura vida energy, at once peaceful and wild, which makes this country so special.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
The Four Seasons Resort Peninsula
Papagayo, Costa Rica
Getting there
Fly to Liberia Guanacaste Airport, then rent a car or arrange Four Seasons transport; travel time to the resort is about 45 minutes.
Rates
Start at $1,200 per night.
Why it’s worth it
Spend your days immersed in the beauty of one of the most biodiverse countries on earth, then dream about it all night from your famously comfortable Four Seasons bed.
Have kids? No problem.
Don’t despair: Romance is possible even on a family trip. Four Seasons’ masterstroke may be paying thoughtful attention to its youngest guests while giving parents time to themselves. For younger kids, the property boasts an unreasonably fun play space, full of whimsical nooks and stocked with toys galore, where kids ages four and up can be dropped off to play under the supervision of staff childcare providers. There’s also a teen clubhouse, Tuanis (that’s “cool” in Costa Rican slang, but your teenager totally already knew that). New this year is nearby Papagayo Park, a 10-minute shuttle bus from the resort: It’s a water park, skate park, art classroom, and play zone, all rolled into one, with ice cream and lunch spots (plus copious free sunscreen). For a night out, you can also hire a Four Seasons–staffed babysitter, who can come directly to your room.
This article appears in our August 2026 issue.
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Rachel Garbus
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