Last Updated on September 12, 2021
The Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo is one of the best resorts in Costa Rica, combining an intimate setting amongst the lush tropical greenery, ocean views, and beachside relaxation. When you’re not at the beach or pool, this resort offers amazing dining to satisfy everyone. Everything you need for an amazing Costa Rica adventure can be found here.
We spent 3 days at this incredible hotel and put together this Andaz Costa Rica Resort Papagayo hotel review to help you decide where to stay when visiting Costa Rica!
If you’re looking for Costa Rica travel inspiration, we also compiled a 1 week Costa Rica itinerary with all of our favorite sights.
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Disclaimer: Our stay at the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo was compensated. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and as always, all our opinions on this Andaz Papagayo review and what to do are our own. Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Click here for the full disclosure statement. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support us!
Table of Contents
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Location
With a versatile country such as Costa Rica, you have the difficult decision of choosing a luxury jungle retreat, or beachside bliss. Luckily, with the Andaz Costa Rica Resort Papagayo you get the best of both worlds. Located in the Guanacaste province, the Andaz Costa Rica Resort is only a 30 minute drive from Liberia International Airport, which most guests will arrive at. Alternatively, if you arrive in the capital city San Jose, you will have a 3.5 to 4 hour drive, or you can take a 50 minute domestic flight.
The Andaz Costa Rica Resort is located on the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo. This private peninsula is home to the Andaz Resort, a Four Seasons hotel, luxury private residences, a golf course, and marina. The area is extremely peaceful and quiet, full of the amazing Costa Rica nature, and has stunning ocean views.
The Andaz Costa Rica Resort does not provide shuttle service, however can organize private transfer for you. Alternatively, taxis are readily available at the airport and there is no need to make a reservation in advance; just be sure to negotiate your rate before setting off. Rental cars are also plentiful, and having a rental car in Costa Rica is a great way to explore on your own. Both valet and self-parking are included as part of the resort fee.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Arrival
When arriving at the Andaz Costa Rica Resort, you will first have to enter the private grounds of Peninsula Papagayo. The entrance is long, grand, and impeccably well-maintained. After confirming your reservation at the Andaz Papagayo, you will be let in and given directions to the resort. It’s an easy 5 minute drive across the peninsula before you head downhill towards the ocean, and the Andaz Costa Rica Resort. As you drive up to the Andaz Costa Rica Resort, the buildings are obscured by the lush tropical trees, but once you arrive you are presented with a beautiful entranceway to the main open-air check-in area. Don’t miss an icon of the Andaz Costa Rica Resort, the bright purple VW van!
As we arrived during COVID-19 times, safety precautions were in place such as hand sanitizers and all staff were wearing face masks throughout our entire stay, as were most guests except when at the pool or dining at a restaurant.
Check-in was completed quickly and seamlessly, there is also a special line for those with World of Hyatt elite status to make your experience as fast and efficient as possible. We were offered water and chocolates, and were provided with an overview of the resort areas. As our room wasn’t quite ready yet, we were offered to have lunch while we waited, which we happily obliged.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Rooms
The rooms of the Andaz Costa Rica Resort are located in multiple buildings set amongst the palm trees and lush greenery of the peninsula. Each building is easily walkable to the restaurants and pool, however you can also call for golf cart shuttle service to wherever you want to go.
Courtesy of www.hyatt.com
All of the rooms at the Andaz Costa Rica Resort have a familiar modern design, characteristic of Andaz properties. The design is clean and includes lots of natural and local touches, unique to the Andaz Costa Rica Resort.
During our time at the Andaz Costa Rica Papagayo Resort, we stayed in a King Bed with Partial Bay View. We loved the floor to ceiling windows which brought nature right to you, but due to the design of the rooms, was still completely private. The bed was heavenly comfortable, and we loved the large size of the room which included a work desk, sitting area, and lots of storage. The standout feature was the river stone rain shower which was incredible. The shower was huge, and features both river stones for your feet, and a floor to ceiling glass door which can be completely opened.
If you get hungry or thirsty while in your room, the Andaz Costa Rica offers a complimentary minibar with snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as lots of water bottles and a coffee machine.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Amenities
Without being there, it can be hard to picture how the resort is laid out. From the main entrance building where you check in, the majority of all amenities are to the right-hand side. To the left-hand side you will find some conference and meeting rooms, the Andaz lounge, and a wellness area. Below this area is the Chao Pescao restaurant.
As you move right from the entrance area, a pathway uphill leads to buildings numbered 1 to 4 where the rooms and suites are located. This pathway ends at the Onda Spa and fitness center. If you take the downhill pathway, there are buildings 5 to 7, as well as the main amenity area which includes the Rio Bhongo restaurant and three pools. At the end of this pathway is the Ostra restaurant and the adult-only pool. Both the main pool are and adult-only pool area have a large number of lounges with umbrellas, however if the resort is busy you won’t want to wait too long to claim your spot near the pool.
From the main amenity area, you can pass between the pools and take another pathway downhill to the Sombrero Oscuro Beach area. The beach here is okay, there are some watersports and massage vendors. Mostly, you will come down here to take the free boat shuttle to the second beach, which is 5 minutes away and is larger and more pristine, and also includes the Andaz Beach House.
At the Andaz Beach House, there is a large tree-covered area with lounges and sitting areas, as well as the Beach House restaurant where you can order snacks and drinks throughout the day. There is a large swimming area at the beach, and the option to try snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding on a complimentary basis.
With the Andaz Costa Rica Resort being a part of the Papagayo Peninsula, you also have the ability to access the many running, walking, and biking trails throughout the peninsula. If you love to golf, the Palmer Signature Course has stunning views everywhere you turn, and the club also includes tennis courts, mountain bike rentals, and more.
The Andaz Costa Rica also offers some excellent classes that you can take part in. Highlights are the Barista Class where you can learn about Costa Rica’s coffee culture and how to prepare the perfect cup; the Ceviche Class where you can learn the Costa Rican way to prepare this delicious dish; and the Mixology where you will prepare some great new drinks.
We hope that this Andaz Costa Rica Resort review gives you the perfect overview of all the hotel amenities so that you are ready to make the most of your stay at this beautiful Costa Rica resort in Guanacaste province.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Dining
The Andaz Costa Rica Resort offers an impressive array of dining options for a smaller resort, with each focusing on Latin American culture, and authentic local ingredients.
The main restaurant located overlooking the main pool area is Rio Bhongo. Here they offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. The breakfast buffet is large and comprehensive, featuring a number of unique items, as well as a smoothie bar and coffee bar where you can customize some of your favorites. Rio Bhongo also offers a diverse lunch and dinner menu, and is the place to go when you might be eating at odd times of the day due to jetlag or your travel and adventure schedule.
Open only for dinner, you have Ostra and Chao Pescao. Ostra is designed in a way to feel like you are dining at a private residence, and is known for it’s incredible and numerous ceviche offerings on top of it’s focus on fresh, local seafood. You’ve haven’t truly visited the Andaz Papagayo if you haven’t tried more than one of the ceviche dishes from Ostra!
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Chao Pescao is a lively Latin American themed bar area, which offers amazing small plates so that you can sample dishes from throughout Latin America. If you dine here on the right night, you will even find live music. The building here is impressive, as is the bar area. Be sure to make time in your schedule to have at least one meal here. Highlights of our meal at Chao Pescao were the Pollo Caribeño and Camarones al Ajillo.
Additionally, if you’re spending the day at the Andaz Beach House, don’t worry about going hungry. The off-site beach house has a great snack and lunch menu to keep you satisfied throughout your time here.
We always like to specifically highlight coffee, as it’s such a large part of our morning routine. As mentioned above, Rio Bhongo has a coffee bar which is open all day, where you can get great barista drinks and coffee throughout the day. This is also where the Barista class is offered.
In-room dining is also available if you prefer to enjoy a meal in bed or from your private terrace, from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM every day.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Conclusion
The Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo is a really well-rounded resort, with an amazing pool area, beach access, large and stylish rooms, and superb dining options and culinary classes. The location is perfect for a mix of the Costa Rica beach and jungle experience.
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