Four Seasons Costa Rica Review: Our First Trip Together

White Lotus who?

Our very first trip together was four days at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, and honestly, it set the bar impossibly high. From breathtaking views and a golf course Tap House to the best breakfast of Hannah’s life and a silent disco with my company’s CEO, this trip is the reason we started traveling together constantly.

Here’s our honest review: how we ended up there, getting there, where we ate, what we did, and everything you need to plan your own trip.

How We Ended Up at the Four Seasons Costa Rica

I was lucky enough to be chosen to go to Costa Rica through my work. At the time, I worked for a technology company in sales and account management, and they had a program called the Circle of Excellence. Every year, they picked the top performers and leaders in the company and sent them somewhere amazing, completely free, plus a companion.

The trip was in April 2022, but I had to pick my plus-one early in the year. Hannah and I were still pretty new to serious dating, but I chose her anyway. (Ann, you snooze, you lose.)

• Passports: check
• Covid shots: check (I barely made the cut)
• Spray tans: check. They took me from Casper to Bahama Mama, at least until I showered.

Getting to the Four Seasons Costa Rica

We flew into Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR), which is the closest airport to the resort. Don’t fly into San José unless you want a much longer drive.

We were coming from St. Louis, still stuck in that awkward Midwest winter-to-spring transition, so the HOT humidity hit us the second we walked out. There were sloths everywhere, and anyone who knows me knows that’s exactly what I was there for. Customs was fairly easy, but it felt like forever to get our luggage off the carousel, so we shopped instead.

The ride to the resort was about 40 minutes, and you could smell the ocean as you got closer. The Four Seasons sits back on the peninsula, with gorgeous homes on the bluffs overlooking the water and the most PERFECT sunsets.

Good to know: our group took a bus, but the resort can book a private transfer that meets you right as you walk out of customs.

Arrival and Our Room

We were super lucky: when we arrived, a local floral shop was set up so we could pick out an arrangement of local flowers for our room. Then we had drinks and a few appetizers and started socializing while they placed the flowers in our room. Luckily for me, my “work wife” was on this trip too, so we waited for her to arrive.

Costa Rica also makes you feel completely rich, because a regular beer is so cheap. Around the resort, we had a lot of coconut drinks with rum, and my absolute favorite was Flor de Caña (a rum from neighboring Nicaragua) with local juices.

We quickly learned Costa Rica’s motto: pura vida, which literally means “pure life” but really means living the good life. And we were living it.

Where We Ate (The Good Stuff)

The food did NOT disappoint.

Breakfast at the main restaurant

The breakfast spot had a buffet and a menu, and we usually ordered off the menu because we just couldn’t eat that much in the morning. The view looks out through the trees onto the beach and the ocean.

We were shocked by how much traditional food they had. Hannah dove straight into the Costa Rican breakfast, and she says it’s the best thing she’s ever eaten: two eggs, gallo pinto, homemade tortillas, avocado, local cuajada cheese (the best), sweet plantains, and molcajete sauce.

I got the eggs Benedict, because as a Louisianian, it’s my job to test that. It passed. It just needed hot sauce.

And the coffee? Nothing I’ve had in America compares. We probably drank nine pots in those few days.

The walk-up café

We found a walk-up café the last two days of the trip and really liked it. The smoothie bar and a ham-and-cheese croissant made the perfect light breakfast. Pro tip: we had team-building exercises one day, and I learned quickly not to eat before a relay race.

Lunch at the Tap House

The resort sits on a huge golf course, and Hannah and I spent some free time at its cute Tap House. We were the only ones there for a while and had WAY too much fun. Charge it to the room, por favor! The sweet potato fries were the best thing I’ve ever eaten, and I’m still sad we didn’t give them their own photo.

Dinners

All of our dinners were with our work group, and every one was phenomenal. Two were on the resort, and one night a catamaran took us to a different restaurant. Ceviche is a huge deal in Costa Rica, and so is the local fish and shrimp.

Things We Did at the Four Seasons Costa Rica

• Zip lining. I didn’t get many photos because we had to put our phones in a locker, but it was beautiful. The zip line ends at a zoo, and we finished the afternoon with fire dancers. My tip: go during the lush green months, not the dry season. We went in April, and there wasn’t much of a canopy below us.
• A sunset catamaran ride. We ate snacks and sipped drinks while we sailed along the coast and watched the sunset. My work wife Allison brought a guest who was also named Allison (confusing, we know), and we got SO many inside jokes out of that ride.
• A silent disco. This was our FAVORITE night. Drinking a little wine and dancing at a silent disco with the CEO and executives of your company really creates a bond. Half the room would be screaming one song while the other half screamed another, and we kept trying to convince people to switch channels. I loved every second. They also got the best photos of us.
• Designing our own Nikes. The resort offered a custom Nike experience for our group. You design your shoes, and they ship them to your house, so you get a treat a few days after you’re home.
• Monkey spotting. You’ll hear a ton of wild monkeys, and they’ll roam right up to your room. They never bothered us, so don’t worry.

Tours Worth Booking Nearby

Our zip line and catamaran were set up through the work trip, but you can book similar adventures yourself. These are popular day trips from the Guanacaste area:

• Sunset catamaran cruise. The closest thing to our favorite afternoon.
• Zip lining and hot springs at Rincón de la Vieja. A volcano national park where you can zip line, hike, and soak.
• Palo Verde river safari. A boat tour to spot crocodiles, birds, and monkeys.
• Llanos de Cortés waterfall. A wide, swimmable waterfall that’s an easy half-day trip.

You can also book activities through the resort’s concierge. Booking ahead online lets you compare prices and read reviews first.

Tips for Planning Your Trip

How many nights should you stay?

We were there for four days, and I’d plan on at least four nights. Your first and last days mostly go to travel, so four nights gives you two or three full days to actually relax.

When is the best time to go?

Our trip was in April, at the end of Costa Rica’s dry season (December through April). That’s when Guanacaste gets the most sunshine and the best beach days, but everything is drier, which is why there wasn’t much green canopy on our zip line.

If you want lush jungle views, go during the green season (May through November). It’s usually cheaper and quieter, with sunny mornings and afternoon showers. Late July into early August often brings a short dry break locals call the “veranillo,” which can be the best of both.

How much should you budget for food and drinks?

Our trip was through my work, so the room was covered and we each had a set amount to spend at the resort. I thought the prices were pretty good, but the alcoholic drinks will eat through a budget quickly if you don’t watch out. A regular beer is one of the cheapest things you can order. On the resort dinners and drinks cost around $150 per couple

What should you pack?

• Swimsuits, cover-ups, and sandals
• Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes for zip lining
• One or two dressier outfits for dinner
• Reef-safe sunscreen and bug spray
• A light rain jacket if you’re going in the green season

Is the Four Seasons Costa Rica Worth It?

If you ever get the chance, go for it.

Even though this was a work trip, getting to go out of the country with Hannah, introduce her to people at work I looked up to, and spend time together in a group setting was so much fun. It’s the trip that sparked us wanting to travel together constantly.

Who it’s best for:

• Couples: our first trip together, with sunsets, the Tap House, and a catamaran ride. Hard to beat.
• Groups: we were there with a big work group, and the group dinners, catamaran, and silent disco were some of our favorite moments.
• Families: there’s a children’s pool, tons of space, and monkeys wandering right up to the rooms.

It’s definitely a splurge, so save it for a honeymoon, a milestone birthday, or a trip you want to remember forever.

Four Seasons Costa Rica FAQ

Pura Vida

This trip is where it all started for us. Four days of sunsets, coffee, monkeys, and way too many sweet potato fries, and we’ve been traveling together ever since.

Comparing Four Seasons resorts? Read about our weekend at the Four Seasons Punta Mita in Mexico. And if you’re planning a trip with a little one now, here’s what we learned taking Boston with a 2-month-old.

Got questions about the Four Seasons Costa Rica? Send us a message on Instagram, and pin this post for your trip planning!

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