Occidental Papagayo - All Inclusive Adults Only
Occidental Papagayo - All Inclusive Adults Only is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica with 163 rooms. Amenities include Beach, Buffet Dining and Water Sports Rentals. Travelers rate it 4.3/5 across 4,156 Google reviews.
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, but Barceló is finally putting money into it. As of 2026, a new swimming pool close to the beach is under construction and a property-wide renovation program has begun, including all guest room bathrooms — management has publicly acknowledged the humidity and odor issues some rooms developed and says fixes are in progress. In the meantime, recent reviews still flag maintenance issues like broken outlets, non-functioning safes, and dated rooms, and the active construction means some areas are work zones. These are quality-of-life concerns rather than fundamental failures, and the 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 — and, for now, ongoing renovation work — 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 — 2026 guests still report dated and sometimes dirty rooms
- −Room maintenance concerns including broken outlets, non-functioning safes, and water pressure issues appear in recent reviews, and management has acknowledged humidity and odor problems in some rooms with fixes reportedly underway
- −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
- −Active construction through 2026: a new swimming pool close to the beach (with adjacent bathrooms) is being built and property-wide renovations including all guest room bathrooms have started, so expect work zones and some daytime disturbance
- −Some recent reviews 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...”