Into the Wild: Luxury and Simplicity in Peninsula Papagayo

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Photo Credit: Christian Horan

Hidden away on the North Pacific end of the tiny country of Costa Rica is a peninsula, a jungle paradise in the Guanacaste Province known as Peninsula Papagayo. With hotels that need no introduction including Four Seasons, The Andaz, and the (soon-to-be-built) Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo offers a vacation like no other. Referred to as “part sophisticated resorts, part primitive playgrounds,” this apt description only touches the surface of the fun to be had on the Peninsula’s 1,400 acres of private community. A world-renowned golf course, nearby zip-lining and UTV riding, surfing and paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba diving, wildlife adventures with the Papagayo Explorers, newly built pickleball courts, and a soon-to-be-built $25 million sports complex are just a few of the endless opportunities available. 

Photo Credit: Oliver Pilcher

The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Peninsula Papagayo is one of the most desirable locations for the brand in the world and with good reason. It is all of the refinement, luxury, and excellence of service the Four Seasons is known for wrapped inside of a tropical paradise. The grounds include two beaches to choose from, five restaurants,  luxury boutiques, four pools, and a fleet of golf carts armed with men in crisp white uniforms able to take you wherever your heart desires. The Four Seasons Residences are just as luxe, but with even more mesmerizing views. Marking the mountainside of Prieta Bay, the residences offer the best views of the ocean, and with their limited availability, an exclusively luxurious Costa Rican lifestyle. 

Photo Credit: Christian Horan

This standard of luxury is also upheld by The Andaz, soon-to-be Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotel and Residences, and exclusive Bahia Residences by Antoine Predock. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve will be named Nekajui which comes from the language of the pre-Columbian Chorotegas, Guanacaste's original inhabitants. The English translation, garden, inspired Nekajui's singular open-air venues that will welcome guests to step into a natural wonderland containing more species per square mile than any other country on the planet. A secluded beach house, reserved for hotel guests and residence owners, is situated steps from magical grotto pools and sea caves in Pochote Bay.

Predock’s Bahia Residences will have only 13 family compounds that are architecturally designed to move with the natural topography of Costa Rica. With no two residences looking the same, these hot on-the-market homes start in the low $6 million and are soon to be sold out. As can be seen, the real estate market on the Peninsula is booming, with closed sales of luxury branded residences at Peninsula Papagayo having exceeded $328 million since the beginning of the pandemic.

From the largest developments down to the smallest event decorations, every piece of Peninsula Papagayo is also heavily focused on sustainability and community service. Their most recent event was the third annual Peninsula Papagayo Golf Invitational which served as a fundraiser for Creciendo Juntos, a charity the Peninsula has supported for over 20 years. The final night also featured a gala where it was announced that over $190,000 was raised for the charity specifically to build a technology lab that will bridge the gap for every child who doesn't have access to the internet or a device for remote learning during the pandemic. And once the night was over, all decorations were recycled and every live flower that hung beautifully from the ceiling was carefully preserved and replanted, with nothing going to waste. 

With a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its doorstep protecting one of the last tropical dry forests in the Americas, Papagayo focuses on sustainability and community service as much as it does comfort and luxury. Costa Rica is a gateway that harbors 12 major life zones, 500,000 species, and 5% of the life forms found on the planet. It is also home to peaceful, happy people who teach the language of Pura Vida, pure life—the gift of grace that’s all about living in the moment.

From the monkeys and iguanas walking next to you to the beautiful oceans and mountain views, it’s easy to see why the New York Times named Costa Rica one of the top 3 places in the world where people are looking to buy real estate. The land of Pura Vida,  Peninsula Papagayo, is a one-of-a-kind destination for the adventurous spirit and luxuriously refined. Are you ready to visit? 

Photo Credit: Oliver Pilcher

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Mary Gibson

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