Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Secrets Papagayo is the adults-only (18 and over) all-inclusive on Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo, and it sits at the premium end of what Guanacaste offers. What sets it apart from every Cancun and Punta Cana competitor is the setting: this is coastal dry tropical forest, and the grounds are wildlife habitat. Howler monkeys are heard at dawn, birds work the trees around the restaurants, and the volcanic Pacific landscape gives the property a wildness that manicured Caribbean beach resorts simply cannot replicate. The suites are spread across the hillside with balconies or terraces, and the Preferred Club tier adds plunge-pool junior suites and ocean-view bungalow suites in premium spots.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Wildlife on the grounds without leaving the property: the resort itself says tropical birds and monkeys can be spotted on site, and the dawn chorus of howler monkeys is the thing guests mention first
- +Seven dining venues and reservations are never required at any of them: four a la carte (Aqua, Himitsu pan-Asian, Portofino Italian, Seaside Grill), the Market Cafe buffet, the poolside Barefoot Grill and the 24-hour Coco Cafe
- +Gulf of Papagayo setting gives you rugged dry-forest hillsides dropping into calm Pacific water, a look no Cancun or Punta Cana resort can copy
- +Five bars including Manatees, the swim-up bar in the main pool, plus a separate relaxation pool for quieter afternoons
- +Strictly adults-only at 18 and over, so the pools and restaurants stay couple-focused all year
- +Full-service spa with outdoor couples massage rooms, facials, body treatments and a beauty salon on site
- +Night programming is fuller than you might expect for a small Pacific resort: theme nights with live music, karaoke and Costa Rica Night, nightly shows, and wine, coffee and rum tastings
- +Non-motorized water sports are included, and scuba diving and fishing trips can be arranged from the resort at extra cost
Cons
- −Food quality draws mixed reviews: some guests find it fine for an all-inclusive, others who know the Mexican Secrets resorts call it a step down, and room service is hit-or-miss
- −Preferred Club guests get a la carte breakfast and lunch at Seaside Grill to themselves; everyone can still eat dinner there, but the split at midday is noticeable
- −Sunbeds are tight around the main pool, and early risers claiming chairs is a common complaint
- −Both pools close at 7pm, so there is no late swim after dinner
- −The beach is calm and swimmable but darker-sand and modest; Guanacaste's showpiece beaches like Conchal need a drive
- −There is no tennis court, only a single pickleball court, so racquet players should pack their expectations accordingly
- −Airport transfers are not included: the resort says guests pay for their own transport from Liberia, which adds to an already premium nightly rate
- −Isolated location with nothing walkable outside the gate, so seeing Costa Rica means booking excursions
The practical experience is better stocked than its old reputation suggests. There are seven places to eat: four a la carte restaurants (Aqua, Himitsu for pan-Asian, Portofino for Italian and Seaside Grill), the Market Cafe buffet, the Barefoot Grill by the pool and the 24-hour Coco Cafe, with no reservations needed anywhere. Five bars include the Manatees swim-up bar in the main pool, and a second relaxation pool keeps things quieter; both pools run 7am to 7pm. Food quality still splits guests, especially those comparing it with the Mexican Secrets properties, and sunbeds around the main pool go early. Preferred Club adds a lounge and bar open 7am to 11pm, afternoon hors d'oeuvres and premium liquors, and Club-only breakfast and lunch at Seaside Grill.
This resort works best for couples who want all-inclusive convenience somewhere that does not feel generic, with wildlife and Pacific scenery as the payoff. Diving, fishing, canopy tours, ATV rides and horseback riding are all on offer nearby at extra cost, and Rio Celeste, Rincon de la Vieja and the area's national parks make good day trips. Budget for transfers from Liberia too, since the resort does not include them. Travelers chasing a postcard beach, top-tier food or pure value should compare carefully against other Guanacaste options before committing.
Common Questions
Do you actually see wildlife at the resort?
How many restaurants are there, and do I need reservations?
What is the Preferred Club and is it worth it?
What excursions and activities can I do from the resort?
Is the beach good?
Are airport transfers included?
What's nearby
Playa Hermosa11 min drive · 3.8 mi
Playa Panamá6 min drive · 1.6 mi
Liberia40 min drive · 19 mi
More things to do (23)
- Playas del Coco · beach20 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Playa Calzón de Pobre · beach20 min drive · 6.5 mi
- Gulf of Papagayo catamaran and snorkel trip · excursion20 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Bat Islands bull shark dive (May to November) · excursion20 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point surf boat trip · excursion20 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Playa Ocotal · beach30 min drive · 11 mi
- Museo de Guanacaste · museum40 min drive · 19 mi
- Museo del Sabanero · museum40 min drive · 19 mi
- Diamante Eco Adventure Park · adventure park45 min drive · 17 mi
- Playa Potrero · beach50 min drive · 20 mi
- Playa Penca · beach50 min drive · 20 mi
- Playa Culebra · beach55 min drive · 18 mi
- Marina Papagayo · marina55 min drive · 18 mi
- Ponderosa Adventure Park · adventure park55 min drive · 25 mi
- Playa Pan de Azúcar · beach60 min drive · 21 mi
- Playa Danta · beach60 min drive · 22 mi
- Playa Flamingo · beach60 min drive · 23 mi
- Sunset catamaran sail from Playa Flamingo · excursion60 min drive · 23 mi
- Marina Flamingo · marina60 min drive · 23 mi
- Catalina Islands dive trip · excursion60 min drive · 23 mi
- Sportfishing charter from Marina Flamingo · excursion60 min drive · 23 mi
- Apami Wildlife Rescue Center · wildlife60 min drive · 30 mi
- Monkey Park Wildlife Center · wildlife60 min drive · 30 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Costa Rica gets sargassum, typically worst March through August on the Caribbean coast only; the Pacific coast is clear every month.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.4 · 2,497 reviews
“Our stay at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica was nothing short of incredible. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt warm, welcoming, and genuinely well cared for. The property itself is beautiful and expansive, with so much to explore that we ho...”
“My husband and I recently spent three nights here during our honeymoon. Overall, the property is beautiful but everything is really concentrated in one central hub that makes it feel much smaller than other Secrets resorts we’ve been to. Given we wer...”
“The location is great. Our room was clean upon checkin with a beautiful view of the bay. Checkin was quick and easy. The staff were kind and friendly. The noise level where our room was located was quiet and peaceful. Food was delicious, especially t...”
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