Why “God Tier” Is the Only Way to Describe Four Seasons Papagayo
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
When I was researching my stay at Four Seasons Papagayo in Costa Rica, I came across a TripAdvisor comment that read simply: “This is god tier.”
It’s a high bar, yes. But the moment my boyfriend, Cory, and I drove through the gates of the Papagayo Peninsula — past howler monkeys in the trees, cows grazing roadside, and a wild-looking tree with carved-out “eyes” that locals call El Árbol de la Paz (the Tree of Peace) — I totally got it.
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
A VIP Welcome, with Coconuts
We landed that morning on a red-eye from LAX and were met at the wonderfully easy Liberia airport by a private resort transfer — luxe SUV, cold drinks, zero stress. Within 40 minutes, we were winding through the jungle and pulling into what would become one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at.
The open-air lobby. The cold towels and coconuts. The sweeping view of the Pacific. It all hit at once. My nervous system shifted. This place wasn’t trying to impress anyone. It didn’t need to. It just was. And for the next three days, we were fully in it.
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
A golf cart whisked us straight to our suite, which felt more like a private sanctuary — natural wood and stone, breezy fabrics, and daily surprises like fresh fruit and chocolates. But honestly, the best part? The people.
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
Everyone — from our spa therapists to the bar team walking around the pool handing out tamarind popsicles — was warm, real, and genuinely proud to share their home. Even the other guests felt like friends. We met people at the gym, over cocktails, on the beach — and ended up spending hours talking and swapping stories like we’d known each other for years. One couple had been coming for a decade. Another was staying for a month. It’s that kind of place.
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
Iguanas at Breakfast, and the Best Massage of My Life
To reset from the flight, we started our first morning at Bahía, where breakfast was next-level: fresh juice, tropical birds flitting through the trees, and an iguana making its way across the patio like he owned the place. Then came a rainforest couples massage that honestly felt spiritual. We sipped a traditional Costa Rican elixir in silence before floating out of there, both calm and recharged.
Aperol Carts, New Friends, and an Easy Rhythm
That night, we watched the sunset from the beach — pink skies melting into the water — before heading to Pesce, their Italian-meets-seafood fine dining restaurant. I ordered the chicken parmesan, Cory got the branzino, and I must also mention they had a literal cart of Aperol spritzes like it was an aperitivo dream. We’re still talking about it.
The next day started with a two-story gym session, which turned into meeting new friends over post-workout cocktails. The afternoon was all about Virador Beach Club — shaded daybeds, beachside service, and that sweet spot of doing absolutely nothing.
We grabbed lunch at Añejo, then made our way to a rum and Costa Rican chocolate tasting, where I unexpectedly became a rum person and made even more new friends.
Eight Courses, One Chef’s Story
That night’s dinner was the Latin Journey tasting menu at Bahía — an eight-course meal curated by Chef Heberto based on his life experiences across Latin America. It was personal, thoughtful, and so beautifully executed that we stayed long after dessert, just soaking it all in.
Surfboards, Sound Healing, and the Sunset That Did Me In
On our final full day, we booked a surf session to Witches Rock, a famous break about 40 minutes away by boat. The resort can arrange everything — boards, a guide, and drinks — and while I didn’t exactly shred (Cory sure did), it was a blast to be out there, sipping an Imperial, while the boat swayed.
Later that day, we golf-carted to the open-air Shala for a sound healing and sunset yoga session. The sunset was insane. The jungle around us was still, and the energy was unreal. That might’ve been the moment I fell in love with the place entirely.
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
The Last Night Was Straight Out of a Movie
We ended our stay with dinner on the sand at Virador Beach Club. The waves crashed nearby, low lights flickered, and Cory had another branzino, because when they’re that good, why not? The vibe was relaxed, elevated, and totally romantic — a perfect final night.
Leaving was honestly hard. My eyes welled up with tears. The staff waved goodbye, lovingly calling us “California” and wishing us well on our travels home. I’ve done a lot of traveling and luxury stays, but there’s something about this one that sticks. It wasn’t just the location or the amenities. It was the people. The energy. The feeling of being fully welcomed, fully relaxed, and somehow better than when you arrived.
Photo by Kevin Heslin Photography.
If you're looking for a place that delivers high-level luxury without the ego — where you can be active and connected or totally unplugged, where the details are thoughtful and the service is seamless — Four Seasons Papagayo is it.
There’s a reason people return year after year. And after this stay, I totally get it.
I’m already planning my return.
Huge thank you to Kevin Heslin Photography for capturing the vibe so perfectly. Kevin isn’t just insanely talented behind the lens — he also made the entire shoot feel effortless and fun, even in the heat and humidity of Costa Rica. He’s based locally, knows all the best spots, and somehow makes every shot look like it belongs in a travel magazine.
