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Editor’s note: Andaz Peninsula Papagayo provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
Sometimes, I feel like I can’t color in a country on my metaphorical wall map unless I have really experienced it — not just stayed at a resort there. So, while I was excited and beyond grateful to make the trip north from Samara, Costa Rica, to stay at the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, I was also prepared to leave feeling like I had been secluded in a hotel bubble for three days. I was completely wrong.
The resort’s sense of place, connection to nature and welcoming staff members reflect the very best of Costa Rica. The Andaz also offers so many excursions that it feels like the whole country is at your fingertips — though with the resort’s excellent restaurants, spa and beautiful pools, you probably won’t want to leave it.
Related: The 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for beach visits or hiking trips
What is the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo? MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
This Andaz property is nestled into a hillside on Peninsula Papagayo, overlooking the sparkling Culebra Bay (which is visible from almost everywhere on the property). The peninsula — which is also home to many other hotels, each with its own strip of sand — is a tropical dry forest, one of the largest in Central America. This means if you visit around March, you can expect dry landscapes, and if you visit around October, you’ll be met with lush greenery.
As it happens, the Andaz just finished a massive renovation that brought a revamped beach club, Casa de Playa, which features a pool and restaurant called Meso; a brand-new menu and design at on-site restaurant Ostra; and the addition of 25 brand-new multibedroom residential villas now available for rent. Construction began in 2022, and the hotel started unveiling the updates in late 2023 — the property was even on our list of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2024, so we were eager to take a peek inside the revamped spaces.
Despite the fact that it’s a sizable Hyatt resort, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo feels like a hidden sanctuary where monkeys swing on surrounding trees, colorful birds chirp and iguanas sun themselves beside the stone pathways. The resort is geared toward travelers searching for relaxation and delicious on-site dining options. It definitely leans more toward the calm and family-friendly crowd than lively partygoers.
How to book a stay at the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo
When booking the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hyatt stays, and possibly one that offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
If you’re a World of Hyatt member, you can also find great deals by using points to book a stay in one of the Andaz’s rooms or suites. For a one-night stay in mid-August, nightly rates start at $692 or 21,000 points.
According to TPG’s awards versus cash calculator, booking with World of Hyatt points would save you $335 in this scenario.
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However, not all dates are points-eligible, so you’ll have to be flexible with travel plans if you want to pay this way. Also, note that you can only use points to book a stay in a room or suite — not one of the property’s residences or villas. Instead, you can use a residence stay as a major points-earning opportunity.
Getting there
This hotel is only about 20 miles from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. There are plenty of taxis waiting at the airport, and fares usually fall between $45 and $60. If you’d rather have a private airport transfer, you can contact the hotel to make arrangements.
If you choose to rent a car, you’ll be glad to know valet parking and self-parking are free at the hotel.
Most of the drive is on a one-lane road, so it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. You’ll pass farms and sugar cane fields before pulling into the beautifully manicured grounds and enjoying ocean views as you wind down to the lobby.
Checking in
I brought my mom along for a mother-daughter getaway, and the staff was waiting to greet us and take our luggage as soon as our car pulled up.
The discreet stone entrance seemed unassuming, but once I stepped inside, I was awed by the open-air lobby.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
It has an armadillo shell-shaped roof, hanging lanterns, a tree-lined walkway with flowing water and, of course, panoramic ocean views.
Private check-in room. MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
The resort staff showed us to a private room for check-in, but there were also tables and chairs scattered around the lobby where a staff member might bring you instead. No matter where you check in, you’ll receive fresh coconut water and a cool, refreshing towel.
Lobby check-in area. MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
The process was smooth and quick: We gave the check-in attendant our passports and reviewed a map of the resort before heading outside, where a golf cart was waiting with our luggage.
The staff then whisked us to our room in building No. 5, delivered our suitcases and reviewed basic room instructions like how to use the lights and balcony doors.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUYComfortable, spa-like rooms
This property offers 131 rooms and 21 suites, as well as new multibedroom residences (more on those later). I stayed in a standard king room with partial bay views, but depending on your chosen room, you might have jungle views or a private plunge pool.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
Upon entering, my eyes went straight to the sparkling blue ocean in front of me. I immediately walked to the balcony to admire the view, which was framed by bamboo. Once I managed to peel my eyes away, I noticed the outdoor space had a comfortable couch, a coffee table and a chair. I also noticed a second balcony door that led directly into a massive shower.
With a rainfall shower head, a second handheld shower wand, gray stone floors, Lather bath products and ocean views, you can see why the shower was one of the best parts of this room.
Tranquil, spa-inspired elements continued throughout the rest of the space with smooth wood, earth tones, bamboo accents and crisp white linens. The wide array of textures, from the fabric headboard to the rattan wall decor, brought the space to life and helped blend the room into the outdoors.
The bed was firm yet comfortable, and it was positioned opposite a 55-inch wall-mounted, flat-screen TV that offered satellite and cable channels (but no streaming capabilities). The assortment of lighting options made it easy to set a relaxing mood before bed, and blackout curtains helped me get a great night’s sleep. Plus, outlets — three-pronged and USB — were conveniently placed beside the bed.
The vanity area had everything I needed: a wall-mounted magnifying mirror, a Conair-branded hair dryer (1,875 watts), hand soap, plenty of towels and a kit with a nail file, cotton pads, cotton swabs, a shower cap and more. The vanity was separated from the toilet by a frosted glass door.
There was plenty of storage space in the room thanks to a four-drawer dresser beside the bed and a luggage rack.
A massive wooden wardrobe with three doors separated the bed from the bathroom area. The middle compartment held two drawers as well as 11 hangers. The one on the right held an iron, ironing board, complimentary flip-flops and an umbrella (key if you’re visiting during the rainy season).
The cabinet on the left held a safe, a minifridge (stocked with water, soda and the typical Costa Rican beer Imperial), three small bottles of liquor, an assortment of healthy snacks, a Britt espresso maker with pods and an electric kettle with tea bags. Everything was complimentary except the alcoholic beverages.
Attached to the wardrobe was a small table beneath a funky pendant lamp. It could suffice as a work desk (though hopefully you won’t have to work in paradise), but the chair was more fashionable than ergonomic.
Another wooden armchair and footstool beside the bed were positioned to look at the view through floor-to-ceiling windows.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
Last but not least, I can’t forget the fedoras — meant for guests to use — hanging on the wall beside the door. While I didn’t put mine to use, I saw many people wearing theirs around the hotel and thought it was a cute touch.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUYLarge groups can book a residence or villa
The hotel now offers 25 new residences, many with multiple bedrooms ideal for large-group trips.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
I was able to tour the 2,407-square-foot, three-bedroom penthouse, which features a kitchen, living room, outdoor dining area and a rooftop terrace in addition to the three bedrooms and three full bathrooms. The decor was sleek and pared-back, with textured accents like wicker furnishings and hanging lamps, as well as potted plants that gave the space a homey vibe.
I know I rave about the views in almost every section of this article, but the panoramic view from the rooftop at this residence was my favorite by far. The rooftop also had a comfortable couch, daybed and plunge pool.
A residence would be a great option for a getaway with multiple couples or a family trip. As stated above, you can’t use points to book a stay in one of these properties, but you can instead use them as a way to earn points.
Dining experiences highlight Central American cuisine Ostra
The hotel recently renovated its signature restaurant, Ostra, which now serves globally influenced Costa Rican cuisine.
A tunnel takes you into a chic bar area leading into the main restaurant.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
The airy and open layout maximizes ocean views, and the earth tones blend in well with the surrounding environment.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
Throughout my month in Costa Rica, I ate plenty of casados — traditional plates piled high with rice, beans, meat and plantains. So, I was excited to see casado croquettes ($12) on the menu, and it was a delicious, interesting take on the dish.
I also ordered a tequila spritz ($16), and my mom ordered a glass of pinot noir ($15).
After speaking with head chef Bruno Alves, it..