Occidental Papagayo - All Inclusive Adults Only
Adults-only resort in Gulf of Papagayo.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(440 discussions)
Occidental Papagayo delivers what most Costa Rica resort travelers want at its core: an adults-only all-inclusive on one of Costa Rica's most beautiful Pacific coastlines, with genuinely good food, personable staff, and a beach that never feels uncomfortably crowded. The Gulf of Papagayo setting is legitimately spectacular — the protected bay with Guanacaste's characteristic dry forest hillsides rising behind the resort creates a visual environment that rewards guests who came for Costa Rica's natural beauty rather than just an all-inclusive pool circuit. The three specialty restaurants providing genuine 5-star-caliber dining for reserved evenings represent an unusual amenity depth for a mid-market adults-only resort.
The property's age is the persistent challenge. Recent reviews consistently flag maintenance issues — broken outlets, non-functioning room safes, varying water pressure — that suggest investment in upkeep hasn't kept pace with the property's age. These are quality-of-life concerns rather than fundamental failures, but they represent the gap between the resort's experiential ambitions and its physical execution. The overall atmosphere and food quality compensate for many guests, which is why the rating remains solid despite the maintenance feedback.
Occidental Papagayo is best positioned for adults-only travelers who prioritize Costa Rica's natural beauty, Gulf of Papagayo's spectacular scenery, and genuine food quality in the all-inclusive format, and who can accept some physical property aging as the price for that experience at the mid-market tier. It competes with Planet Hollywood Costa Rica at similar pricing but offers a quieter, more intimate atmosphere in exchange for the Hollywood entertainment infrastructure. Guests who can access Andaz Papagayo or Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo at higher price points will find meaningfully upgraded property quality.
Pros
- +Adults-only policy creates a genuinely relaxed atmosphere on the stunning Guanacaste coastline — one of Costa Rica's most beautiful Pacific settings
- +Three specialty restaurants delivering 5-star dining for reserved evening meals provide genuine variety beyond the daily buffet format
- +Gulf of Papagayo location puts guests in one of Costa Rica's most sheltered and scenic bays with excellent conditions for water sports
- +Free activities and optional paid tours give guests flexibility to either relax on property or explore Guanacaste's natural attractions
- +Pool and beach areas never feel overcrowded due to the resort's size and capacity management — space is genuinely available throughout the day
- +Staff receive consistent praise for genuine helpfulness and a warm, welcoming attitude that feels authentic rather than trained
- +Top-notch food quality in both the buffet and specialty restaurants earns strong marks in most reviews
- +Papagayo Peninsula location provides access to Costa Rica's driest climate zone, with the most sun-reliable weather of any Costa Rica resort area
Cons
- −The resort is aging and some areas show their age through dated decor, maintenance issues, and room furnishings that need updating
- −Room maintenance concerns including broken outlets, non-functioning safes, and water pressure issues appear in recent reviews
- −The Papagayo Peninsula is more remote than many Costa Rica tourist areas, requiring more planning for excursions to major inland attractions
- −Service consistency is uneven — individual staff members earn high praise while some departments generate frustration, particularly around maintenance response
- −Adults-only positioning limits who can stay but doesn't always create the premium environment adults-only guests expect
- −Some recent reviews from 2025 report limited food options at certain meal periods, which is an unusual complaint for a full all-inclusive
- −The property doesn't match the polish of newer competing properties in the Papagayo market like Planet Hollywood or Andaz
- −Transfer from Guanacaste airport, while relatively short, requires coordination that can be challenging for independent travelers
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“The resort is not perfect, but you can make the time enjoyable here. You will always find something that you will not like; here , there, everywhere. But all employees are great, very attentive and kind. Food is great, full buffet for breakfast, lun...”
“Absolutely wonderful resort. The pools were lovely, the rooms provide gorgeous views of the ocean as well as local wildlife and birds. It should be noted excursions through the resort are fantastic. Since it's only folks on the resort you don't need...”
“We were there for 7 days Dec 2-9 and totally enjoyed this resort. By far, the best part, is the staff. Without exception, everyone was friendly, attentive and professional. The activity team was amazing and there were plenty of activities from mor...”