Costa Rica’s relaxed “Pura Vida” lifestyle is the perfect atmosphere for a romantic escape, but its lush rainforests and pristine Pacific coastline are too beautiful to ignore. Here’s a four-night Costa Rica itinerary with tips for balancing adventure and relaxation at the adults-only Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica.
Arrival Date
You’ll find most of Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts in the Guanacaste region, so you’ll want to fly into Liberia Guanacaste Airport. Most resorts are sparsely spread throughout the region, but Secrets Papagayo is one of the closest with only a 20-minute drive. We recommend arranging airport transfers ahead of time with Amstar DMC, our preferred partner for transfers and excursions. They offer shared, private, and deluxe private transfers for a guaranteed easy travel day experience.
You’ll arrive at Secrets Papagayo’s lobby overlooking the lush flora, fauna, and coastline. It’s important to note that the resort is set amongst rolling hills, so shuttles are required to take guests around the property. The resort features a little over 400 rooms, with the nicest accommodations belonging to Preferred Club guests. There are three pools–a two-tiered pool with a swim-up bar open to all guests and an exclusive pool reserved for Preferred Club guests–seven restaurants, and an expansive indoor-outdoor spa.
After check-in, we recommend making a dinner reservation at Portofino. It’s the resort’s all-inclusive Italian restaurant and is the perfect intimate, fine-dining experience to kick off your vacation. In the meantime, take a shuttle to your room, settle in, and begin exploring! Either check out the pool or head to the resort’s black sand beach, Arenilla Beach, for some pre-dinner sun.
Day 2
Prepare for a full-day, 8-hour excursion with Amstar DMC! Again, we recommend arranging all your excursions ahead of time as they can fill up quickly. The Rio Celeste Rainforest Excursion is priced at $178 per adult and includes transportation, hiking, lunch, and a Costa Rican coffee and chocolate tasting.
You can grab coffee, smoothies, and baked goods at Coco Café before you head out for the day. The drive to Tenorio National Park from the resort is roughly an hour and a half. You’ll then head out on a guided, one-mile hike through the park with a chance to see monkeys, sloths, frogs, and butterflies in their natural habitat. Once you reach the Rio Celeste waterfall, you’ll notice its water is a mesmerizing shade of turquoise. However, this color is achieved through chemical reactions with the rocks, which is why the waterfall serves as a photo-op rather than a swimming pit stop.
You’ll then head towards a conservation center and sample a traditional Costa Rican lunch spread of rice, beans, plantains, and chicken, beef, pork, or fish (vegan and vegetarian options are available upon request). The experience will wrap up at a local coffee farm where you'll get to learn, observe, and taste how the hand-made process impacts Costa Rican coffee and chocolate. If you’re blown away by the rich flavors, you’ll have the option to purchase before heading back in your transfer. After a long day, we recommend finishing off your evening with a casual dinner at the Seaside Grill for quick bites and ocean views.
Day 3
Since there is so much to see and do throughout the Guanacaste region, we recommend penciling in one more excursion to maximize your experience. Amstar DMC’s Waterfall and Hot Springs Experience is priced at $185 per adult and includes transportation, swimming, mud treatments, hot springs, and a buffet lunch.
It’s about a one-hour drive from the resort to the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Upon arrival, you’ll take a brisk walk to the Oropendola waterfall where you’re free to enjoy, jump, and swim among the waterfall’s cool, crystal-clear water. After your group wraps up swimming, you’ll then take another short 20-minute car ride to experience natural volcanic mud treatments and hot springs. Volcanic mud is highly detoxifying and great for the skin, so let it sit for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing off in the river. Then, head to the hot spring to relax and unwind. This natural phenomenon can range anywhere from 94–114 degrees Fahrenheit!
Once you’re done in the hot springs, we recommend bringing a change of clothes for when you head to lunch. You’ll enjoy another classic Costa Rican spread before heading back to the resort. We recommend another casual dinner enjoying the light, healthy selections at Aqua or calling in room service. You'll enjoy amazing sunsets regardless!
Day 4
Wake up at your leisure and enjoy a relaxed day poolside. Read a book, sip at the swim-up bar, and soak up the warm Costa Rican sun–the choice is yours! Head to the beach if you’re looking for activities like jet skiing or kayaking or reserve your spot at the spa for an ultimate day of relaxation. Their treatment rooms are little outdoor huts overlooking the ocean, so you can enjoy the treatment of your choice while a warm ocean breeze lulls you to sleep.
We recommend reserving a spot at Himitsu for your final night in paradise. Reservations are required for the Hibachi-Tebbanyaki experience, so be sure to secure your spots ahead of time with the concierge. This experience is also a punctual one as they won’t accept you if you’re late. We recommend calling your shuttle early and grabbing a drink at Barracuda so you can walk over for your reservation. It’s a tasty show you don’t want to miss!
Departure Day
Sadly, all vacations must come to an end. You can grab a farewell breakfast at the main buffet at Market Café before heading to the airport in your Amstar DMC transfer.
Interested in visiting Costa Rica soon? Use our trip tips and mock itinerary to plan your perfect beach vacation!
