Costa Rica is the ideal place for families to explore, engage in multiple adventures and get a very healthy dose of nature. Kids and adults will find themselves happily ditching screen time in exchange for days of ziplining, aerial hikes, surfing lessons, snorkeling and chocolate tasting. The Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is the perfect home base for multiple adventures, as well as the ideal place to spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Families will feel particularly welcome at this luxury resort for multiple reasons.
The Four Seasons does a terrific job of creating welcoming suites with waterfront views. Suites range in size from one to three bedrooms and have nice outdoor spaces; some include a lovely plunge pool. The larger suites are over 4,000 sq. feet and guarantee that adults, kids and teens can each have a bit of privacy. For an even more exclusive experience, consider staying in one of the property’s residences which include a private guided entrance, a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor grill and wet bar, a swimming pool and a separate room for your nanny.
The resort can arrange a host of off-site activities, including a visit to the Monteverde forest where you can view the Arenal Volcano, go ziplining and enjoy a coffee tour. But what I really like are the endless activities that are offered on property. Offerings rotate daily and many are complimentary. On a typical day, you can join a guided kayaking tour of the bay, spend the morning snorkeling or birdwatching, go on an afternoon hike, relax with an outdoor yoga class or end the day with a tequila and chocolate tasting class. Evening activities include stargazing, laser tag, s’mores by the pool or a sunset kayak tour. The property also has an 18 hole, Arnold Palmer designed golf course, a putting green and six tennis courts.
Food at the Four Seasons is far from an afterthought. Nemare is the property’s steak house, which also serves an indulgent six course tasting menu featuring prime beef, oysters and molten chocolate cake. Pesce serves amazing Italian favorites such as fritto misto, rigatoni alla norma and lemon granita. For a casual bite, try Anejo. This is the place for outstanding sushi, a charcuterie board or a plant-based cheese platter. Bahia features grilled specialties including Caribbean charred chicken, grilled whole snapper and spiny lobster tail. Round out your meal with freshly squeezed juices, a perfect margarita and a side of avocado rice. If you are finding it challenging to leave your beach chair, you can order ceviche, Latin fish and chips, or churros with a view of the sea from the pool and beach menu.
Younger kids will love the shallow pool and jungle gym, as well as numerous complimentary activities such as a nature walk and arts and crafts. Parents will be thrilled to learn that the resort provides not only cribs and strollers, but also complimentary baby monitors, diapers, swim diapers and wipes. Older kids and teens will enjoy golf and tennis clinics, surf lessons, hiking, dance parties and soccer on the beach. A kids menu can be ordered at any restaurant and includes the classic burgers and pizza, but also grilled steak and asparagus and mahi mahi in a lemon and butter sauce. Multiple cookie choices and homemade ice cream are another kid-friendly favorite.
It doesn’t count as a vacation for me unless I can schedule a post-arrival massage. The Four Seasons spa has a multitude of therapeutic spa treatments that include a signature rainforest massage, a rebalancing energy massage and a hot stone massage that incorporates local, mystical Diquis stones. You can also enjoy a unique volcanic purification ritual that uses local volcanic ash or a coffee scrub. Kids over 12 have their own spa menu featuring manicures, hair braiding and a customized experience they can share with a parent.
