Costa Rica's Peninsula Papagayo - Undiscovered paradise for families

The idea of a family beach vacation usually conjures up images of crowded beaches, a muddy ocean, and food I will wish I hadn't eaten. Doesn't really sound like a vacation to me.

So when Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo invited Cool Mom Picks to check out their resort for families, you can bet my interest was piqued.

Costa Rica is one of those places that not only looks amazing but actually is, considering every single person I spoke to who had been there had nothing but awesome things to say. Followed by, "I can't wait to go back and take my family." After spending a few days there myself, I couldn't agree more. (Although I did enjoy taking my first ever vacation with just my husband since having kids.)

The Peninsula Papagayo is a fantastic undiscovered family-friendly destination that should definitely be on your radar and here's why.

 

Getting There

To explore the Peninsula, you'll arrive at Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, with direct flights daily from Atlanta on Delta (it's a little over 3 hours long), and connections through Houston and Miami for other airlines. The benefit for Four Seasons Costa Rica guests is the transfers are included: a friendly staff will escort your family to the hotel on a 45-minute scenic drive so you can take in the lush greenery, beautiful ocean, and wild life. Nothing like the prospect of seeing monkeys to cheer up any weary little traveler.

While the long travel day will certainly be forgotten once you set foot onto the Four Seasons property, word has it that the new airport terminal and runways will be completed in the late fall, which will make for more direct flights and shorter wait times, particularly on the return home when you're dealing with customs. Make sure you pack patience and a lot of jelly beans if you're traveling with kids.

As you might guess, the weather is hot. All the time. But with two distinct seasons - wet and dry - you'll want to be sure to check the weather before you book your stay. September and October generally rain non-stop, which, unless you're a fish doesn't make for an awesome beach vacation.

Accommodations

The Peninsula is largely undeveloped and undisturbed, with just a few rental properties, plus the Four Seasons, which is surprisingly perfect when you want to enjoy the beauty of the area in its most natural state.

This isn't like some [Big American Hotel Chain] plopped down on a pristine beach. In fact The Four Seasons guest rooms and villas are built into the hills, with the roofs carefully designed to look like animal shells to maintain as natural a habitat for the indigenous flying creatures as possible. (And there are many!)

The standard rooms (left), which probably offer the best option for families traveling with little ones, are hardly "standard" as you might imagine. There's plenty of room for a family of four, including a screened-in porch. Rooms can be adjoining if you're traveling with more family members, and cribs and baby proofing are complimentary should you need covered outlets or padded table corners. Additionally, these rooms are only a few steps from the beach, the pool, and the restaurants, perfect if you're traveling with a stroller in tow.

If you're traveling with older kids or are looking for more luxe accommodations, check out the villas, which are the size of large apartments and feature everything from a private infinity pool to a full kitchen and washer and dryer--though honestly, I'm not sure where you'd buy food to prepare. Scattered up the hill, they're walkable, though you'll probably enjoy making use of the free golf cart "shuttle" service. Just know the golf carts are not completely little kid-friendly, especially how fast some of them whip around the curves.

Food & Drinks

The chefs at all three of the Four Seasons restaurants do an exquisite job of combining local favorites with typical fare, so adventurous and picky eaters will be nothing short of satisfied. Think tropical fruits, delicious (and world famous) coffee, and seafood that tastes like nothing you've ever had. Our faves: a local deep fried beef "Patty" that we couldn't stop eating while sipping a Guajito, a frozen specialty Mojito.

For a special evening out, hire a sitter through the hotel's service one night and take the 10-minute shuttle to the Caracol Steak House. Using mostly local grown ingredients, some of which the Executive Chef grows right on the property, the meal was one of the best I've eaten. Ever.

Keep in mind that the finest ingredients prepared by some of the world's most talented chefs don't come cheap. This is the Four Seasons, after all.  But kids under 5 eat free, and kids 6-12 save 50% on all choices from the adult menu--good if you've got a kid who's happy with a plate of buttered pasta and a banana.

Beaches

The beauty of the Costa Rican coast is evident on its beaches, and whether you're looking to laze around the pool or beach (me! me!), or keep active with water sports or hiking, there's something for everyone without it ever feeling touristy.

You can access two beautiful beaches right from the hotel. My husband enjoyed some of the complimentary non-motorized sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling at Playa Virador, all of which are closely monitored by staff. If you're looking to catch some rays and let your kids play in the sand, grab a cabana at Playa Blanca (left) and swim in the warm, crystal clear water. Kids will love chasing hermit crabs or spotting tropical fish. And the large pool is only a few steps from both.

One extra benefit for Four Seasons guests is free entry to the Papagayo Beach Club, only a quick five-minute complimentary shuttle drive from the hotel where you'll find beautiful infinity pools, lap pools and kids pools; a sushi and sports bar; and a gorgeous beach with more activities. Surfing, anyone?

Even though my kids are happy to play on the same beach day after day, it's a nice change of scenery for the adults, especially given the beaches aren't very big.

Activities

You're pretty secluded on the Peninsula, which has its obvious benefits, but if you're looking to hit the town for a hopping night life or shopping til you drop, you'll probably be disappointed. In other words, there's no Carlos + Charlie's here.

Good thing for us, the live music at the bar every night and the well-stocked hotel shops sufficed.

While my husband geeked out over the vast, lush Audobon-certified golf course, which is worth playing even if you're only a sometimes golfer, I was treated to a little time in the spa, where you canrelax in a hot or cold pool (open to all guests free of charge) or get everything from a facial to a massage. Prices are pretty competitive with what you'd pay in a full-service spa in a large city.

The highlight of our trip was the Witch's Rock Canopy tour
where you can fly over treetops and waterfalls. The ziplinging bragging rights are definitely worth the short drive, extra cash, and rumbling in your stomach for those like me who are scared of heights.

If you're interested in adding a charitable component to your trip, you can also participate in their amazing Growing Together Volunteer program to help give back to the surrounding community. We actually painted a school fence during our visit, but they'll put together an experience appropriate to your family - whether it's an actual outreach, to adopting a family in need, to even just donating school supplies to a local student. When you're spending this kind of money on a Four Seasons resort, it does offset the liberal guilt just a little bit.

A note on bugs: While we personally didn't have a huge issue with mosquitoes (surprising given that I'm usually a bug magnet) a couple of guests we were with did. So pack some bug spray and don't go walking through the lush brush late at night.

Kids Club

For days when you (or your kids) want a little break (hello spa!), you can send them to one of the two complimentary kids clubs. The Kids for All Seasons is open daily for kids 4-12 and features a playground, kids pool, and indoor activity center stocked with crafts, toys, and technology. This definitely comes in handy for the somewhat inconsistent weather patterns.

You can leave your kiddos there all day or just for a few hours while you hit the fitness center or snooze on the beach alone; staff will feed them a buffet lunch and even take them outside for activities, so they're still getting a Costa Rican experience themselves.

For kids 13 and up, the Tuanis Teen Center (left) is a meeting and hangout zone with a pool table and video gaming system, plus basketball and tennis. A  staff member is in charge of the center, but the kids aren't highly supervised. At this age however, they're off roaming around on their own anyway.

Sooooo...

As you might guess, a luxury vacation, especially at a Four Seasons resort, will never ever fall into the "budget vacation" category. If you're going to spend the money, I definitely say you'll have the best time if your kids are four and over. That said, we saw plenty of families with little bitty ones while we were there, all with smiles on their faces. Yes, even the parents.

You do get what you pay for here--amazing food, exquisite service, and a destination that looks like it was taken right out of photography book. Pura Vida!

If you're ready for a vacation of a lifetime that's on the path less traveled, I couldn't recommend it more. -Kristen

Book a fabulous Four Seasons Costa Rica vacation through their website with all sorts of cool deals popping up all the time, like the current one: Stay four nights get the 5th night free!

A huge thanks to Four Seasons Costa Rica for including Cool Mom Picks on this press trip and covering expenses. Photos copyright Kristen Chase, Emily Schuman, Four Seasons Costa Rica

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