Gulf of Papagayo

Costa Rica is a well-known mecca for nature-lovers and boasts luxurious hotels in stunning natural surroundings such as those in the Gulf of Papagayo, which have privileged locations on gorgeous beaches along the Pacific coast. The hotel complexes at Bahía Culebra offer guests access to white sandy beaches and calm waters, set against the backdrop of tropical rainforests. Visitors exploring the in-land areas will find the national parks and protected natural areas of Guanacaste Province, where the mountainous terrain is dotted with extinct volcanoes and teeming with exotic wildlife. Costa Rica made environmental protection a priority back in 1948 when the country abolished its army to invest in the environment and education instead. This strategy is bearing its fruits in the spectacular north-eastern corner of the country where luxury tourism development is managing to keep in balance with respect for the environment.

Stunning beaches abound in Papagayo and the luxury all inclusive seafront hotels are located in the very best bays with white sand and turquoise blue waters. These hotels offer guests secluded areas for sunbathing and swimming or surfing, and the tropical trees that line the coast ensure that there's always a shade to relax under. Some of the resorts have an adults only policy, with special services for newlyweds, couples looking for a romantic holiday and groups of friends. With year-round sunshine and temperatures fluctuating between 26°C and 32°C, Costa Rica always has perfect beach weather. Papagayo is also a great location for diving, snorkelling, kayaking or sailing thanks to its crystal-clear waters, and has easy and convenient road access from the airport straight to the hotels which boast luxurious facilities such as 24-hour swimming pools, spas and restaurants. All this makes it the perfect destination for a dream holiday!

Exploring the beautiful mountainous terrain of Guanacaste is easy thanks to the adventure tours operating in the region that provide transport to and from the hotel. The main attractions are the Palo Verde National Park and the Guachipelín Canyon, on top of many other options. Friendly and highly-experienced guides are available to show visitors the incredible wildlife of the region, particularly the monkeys and sloths that wildlife lovers cannot possibly miss. Brightly-coloured frogs, parrots and lizards can also be seen, as well as swarms of butterflies fluttering among flowers and greenery. Thrill-seekers have a choice of exciting activities such as wild-water rafting, ziplining, horse riding or mountain biking. No matter what mode of transport you take, which could well be a comfortable air-conditioned van, the stunning views of volcanoes, waterfalls and jungles never cease as visitors travel through the inland parks and protected areas of Guanacaste Province.