Papagayo Peninsula

Really enjoying all the great advice and tips on this forum. Will be staying at Four Seasons on Papagayo Peninsula during the third week of September. Having a difficult time finding any information about this particular area. Can anyone advise as to what the local markets are like, beach quality, wildlife we can expect to see, rainfall during this time... anything else which may be relevant. Would love to experience some real culture despite the accomodation. This is the first time to CR and S.A in general, it would be great to know what to expect (or not expect). Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Well late september will be rainy, cloudy and afternoon showers a given, if a tropical depression is nearby, or a hurricane, roads and bridges will be washed out.

You can arrange from your luxurious retreat, canopy tours, waterfalls, surfing and diving, maybe snorkeling if the water is clear and calm.

Resorts in CR I think are not a good value, though this property is top notch and brand new, your isolated from the locals, and half the fun of CR, is discovering the culture up close and personal as your trying to do.

At least your trying to get out of the compound, but there is only so much in the region, and with the weather, elevated areas and volcanoes may be cloud shrouded most time.

Rent a car and just drive down the coast, to Playa Coco, or Flamingo and Tamarindo to party.

Rincon or Santa Rosa are within driving distance for day trips from there. You could practically see all types of wildlife there, if luck is with you. You can even do Arenal from there, but it's a long day.

Tims right though, staying in a resort kinda defeats the purpose of exploring CR, but to each their own. I stayed in Allegro Papagayo on my first trip there, and left after 2 days. Nothing against the hotel itself, just wasn't what I wanted. Beaches are mostly black sand in the area, with smaller gold sand beaches sprinkled around. Somehow I picture the Four Seasons as having white sand imported from the Caribbean.

The best sand on the coast, is Playa Conchal (Resort), and just south of Playa Flamingo, and Playa negra south of Tamarindo, for anything remotely close to Caribe white sand. Most the sand on the Pacific coast is between Brown to black, or tan to cream, due to the volcanic rocks all along the beaches and under the sea. There are a few small coves on the coast if you hike, that are also very light in color, both north of Playa Grande, and also around Playa Papagayo.

RINCON DE LA VIEJA

Thanks for all the great tips. It is not my choice to be at a resort, as the trip is a gift. Otherwise we would be on a beach sleeping in hammocks. It will still be Costa Rica, and an adventure to be had.

By way of consolation the Four Seasons Papagayo has been voted one of the best hotels in all of Latin America (its in CA by the way, not SA) and most people I know who have eaten there say the food is stunning. If you play golf you'll be blown away and if you are arriving into Liberia then your short transfer is (not suprisingly) on the best strip of road in the country.
Although the Papagayo is scenically beautiful its not particularly representative of CR as its been deemed a specific area of tourism and tourist development (some would say this means it IS particularly representative!). As mentioned above the nearby national parks at Rincon and Santa Rosa are your best bets but yes you will be arriving at just about the wettest time of the year.

I have had a few assignments at the four seasons, as boomer said, it is a stunning spot but highly manicured. Budget is a major issue if you are staying there, however, everything is silly expensive on the property. My collegue went to the gift store and almost cried when he came back. I asked what was up and he was just able to gasp that he had just spent $100 on a a pair of reef flip flops and a four AA batteries. I seem to remember beers being around $8. Rent a car for sure, all of the four seasons provided transport is equally extorniate. Think about a trip into town or visit the gas station that is at the junction by the doit centre for stocking up on beer and flor de cana for the room. Each room has a fridge. Internet is $15 per day to hook into or $45 a week.
Travel times from the peninsua back to the main road is about 15- 20 minutes. From there, Tamarindo and brasilito is a little over an hour. You can see playa ocotal (killer black sand beach and the red rooster bar) if you look across to the mainland from the hotel beach (it actually has several). To the north consider the little visited playa Panama. As mentioned above, Rincon De viejo is close, Santa rosa national park is insane for birds and if you feel like a long adventurous hike, you can make it to playa naranjo where you can see the famous witches rock. However, in rainy season, it would be a very tough hike. Liberia is close, 30-45 mins from the hotel. there is shopping local style, and a cinema if you feelso inclined. You could also drive to Palo verde about 1 and a half hours away. Vwry good river trip is easily done in half a day round trip. Just head to Canas. Also near canas is a wiild cat rescue centre which has a some pumas and jaguars amoung other stuff. You are also in range of volcan tenario and the blue water falls witha nice hike, also very easy todo in a day.

I think you chap should think seriosly about a car to do stuff economically.

Sorry Boomer, I did know that CR is in C.A and not S.A as you corrected me. Guess I was thinking one and typed in the other.
twjthornton thank you so much for the great info and detail, you are a live travel guide! We aren't sure if this trip includes an itinerary or not, as details have been very sparse. We will be part of a group and am hoping very much they let us come and go as we please. Would be very sad to go all that way and end up pool side for the entire week. The activities which are offered through the resort do seem very cool, like the zipline to witches rock and trip to Rincon etc. I believe there is even an excursion to Liberia for some culture. We will definately bring extra flip flops and batteries! Thanks again everyone for your input!

Sky