One of travel’s greatest pleasures is discovering the food, customs, and idioms that resist easy translation. In Costa Rica, that phrase is Pura Vida—two words that serve as a greeting, a farewell, a thank you, a you’re welcome, and sometimes, an entire worldview. It embodies a slower rhythm, an appreciation for the present moment, and an increasingly rare optimism. In a world recovering from a pandemic and weathering political unrest and economic headwinds, it’s easy to see why Pura Vida resonates. What’s harder to believe—until you’ve seen it—is how luxurious and forward-looking that simplicity can be.
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, containing an estimated 5% of the world’s species in a territory roughly the size of West Virginia. Nationwide, it is home to more than 500,000 species, including over 900 species of birds, 1,250 butterflies, 14,000 plants, and nearly 250 mammals–despite representing just 0.5% of the world’s forests.
Peninsula Papagayo is situated on the northwestern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, within the Guanacaste Province. The peninsula’s tropical dry forest supports over 200 species of birds, capuchin monkeys, coatis, and ocelots. Walking through these woods, howler monkeys broadcast their presence at dawn, and crab burrows lace the forest floor. There are also pumas stalking the forest, but you are unlikely to see one unless you walk the forest alone at night. (Not advisable.)
Rooted in History, Designed for Tomorrow
Historically, Peninsula Papagayo was home to the Chorotega indigenous community, whose cultural legacy still informs regional identity. Their ceramics, tools, and language traditions endure in artisan workshops and cultural centers throughout Guanacaste. The peninsula’s modern transformation began in the 1970s as a national strategy to build a sustainable tourism economy. In 1999, Costa Rica passed Law 6758, establishing development regulations to conserve at least 70% of the land. That law laid the groundwork for Papagayo’s low-density, high-value model.
That hard cap has made the remaining 30% of the Peninsula even more valuable. Peninsula Papagayo is home to three major luxury resorts—Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Andaz Costa Rica by Hyatt, and the recently opened Nekajui, and a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The Four Seasons includes 182 rooms, suites, and private residences; Andaz features hotel accommodations and wholly-owned condominiums; and Nekajui will offer 107 rooms plus 36 branded residences. In total, the peninsula includes a growing portfolio of high-end real estate, such as the 20-villa Four Seasons Private Residences at Prieta Bay, Andaz Residences, and Ritz-Carlton-branded estate homes, positioning it as one of Central America’s most exclusive resort-residential communities.
Peninsula Papagayo operates under a vertically integrated model that differentiates it from most luxury resort destinations. The entire 1,400-acre peninsula is co-owned and managed by a single development partnership between Gencom, a Miami-based investment and development firm, and Mohari Hospitality, a global investment company founded by entrepreneur Mark Scheinberg.
This unified ownership structure allows for a long-term, purpose-driven vision—one that integrates hospitality, real estate, wellness, and environmental stewardship. What began as an isolated luxury outpost has matured into a cohesive, curated community where every detail—from the design of private residences to the guest experience at the Four Seasons, Andaz, or upcoming Ritz-Carlton Reserve—is aligned under one strategy.
“They’re drawn to the peninsula’s vertically integrated model, which ensures a cohesive, high-touch experience,” said Francesca Poddie, COO of Peninsula Papagayo.
Immersive Experiences Above and Below
During my stay at the Four Seasons, I was struck by its extraordinary setting—a narrow isthmus that connects two pristine beaches, one facing the Pacific Ocean and the other overlooking the calm waters of Culebra Bay. You can walk from one coast to the other in under five minutes, (see our cover!) but in that short span, the scenery shifts dramatically from crashing surf to tranquil shallows.
One evening at sunset, I hiked up to one of the highest points on the peninsula for a Kundalini yoga session. The practice was held in an open-air yurt perched atop the ridge, its circular structure offering uninterrupted 360-degree views of the ocean on one side and the bay on the other. As the session began, the early light spilled across the floor, the breeze moved through the space like a silent participant, and the instructor’s voice echoed softly against a backdrop of birdsong and distant waves. Breathing deeply and quickly in that elevated space—between ocean and sky, movement and stillness—it is impossible not to feel the high. And yes, it may have been simple hyperventilation from the yoga practice, but the effect was real.
Zip lines in the Palmares conservation area stretch across forest canopies, offering a rare aerial view of ecosystems inhabited by crabs and iguanas. Hiking trails trace old cattle paths, now restored as wildlife corridors. And unlike resorts that insulate visitors from their environment, Papagayo’s architecture, shaped by visionaries like Ronald Zürcher and Antoine Predock, invites nature into every corner.
One afternoon, I joined a guided snorkeling tour in Culebra Bay, where Peninsula Papagayo’s coral restoration project is based. Launched with the University of Costa Rica, the Culebra Reef Gardens Alliance has deployed over 150 coral structures and restored over 10,000 coral fragments. According to internal monitoring data, fish density around the reefs has increased by 197% in two years. “Guests actively participate in coral planting and even adopt coral structures, getting updates every three months,” said Susana Vicente, Director of ESG. “This project has significantly improved marine biodiversity.”
Indeed, snorkeling just off the beach, I swam with giant sea turtles, mingled with schools of tropical fish, and, unfortunately, lost a fin I had improperly buckled to my foot. Will coral grow on a rubber fin?
From the water to the land, biodiversity is the focus. The resort deploys motion-activated cameras to monitor jaguars, pumas, and peccaries. Biologists track nesting sea turtles. Guests are invited to night hikes, citizen-science excursions, and the resort’s monthly Biodiversity Talks series, which brings visiting researchers to speak about current projects.
Dining at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica combines local flavors and traditional dishes. Executive Chef Emiliano Rabia Sotil infuses international flavors while maintaining local and Latin American ingredients. At Bahia, the resort’s main all-day restaurant, Latin American dishes are elevated with wood-fired techniques and locally sourced ingredients—think grilled prawns and café chorreado brewed tableside. Pesce offers refined Italian fare emphasizing fresh seafood and house-made pastas. At the same time, Nemare, set at the golf clubhouse, delivers a smoke-forward steakhouse menu inspired by the Chorotega word for “smoke,” featuring showstoppers like a 22 oz. Ojo de Bife rib-eye and roasted bone marrow.
The Four Seasons also leans into Costa Rica’s rich coffee traditions, offering a dedicated tasting class, a guided tour of local farms, and even a coffee scrub treatment at the spa. (No sugar, no cream.) At the very least, you should partake in the traditional Chorreado at breakfast. This method involves pouring hot water over ground coffee held in a cloth filter, known as a bolsita, allowing the brew to drip directly into a cup, resulting in a strong, fresh flavor.
Real Estate with Purpose
But Papagayo is not just for guests. It’s a thriving residential community. Recently, the Costa Rican government introduced digital nomad visas and tax incentives for retirees and investors, recognizing the rise of remote work and lifestyle migration.
As a result, real estate on the peninsula has surged in value post-pandemic, as affluent families from the U.S., Canada, and Europe sought second homes in climate-resilient, well-governed destinations. In 2021, real estate transactions on the peninsula topped $200 million. Properties range from $1.8 million Andaz-branded condos to $25 million custom estates like Casa Las Olas. Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s Nekajui project adds 107 residences, including ten-bedroom villas and ocean-view suites. Many are sold before construction finishes.
Residents become members of The Club at Peninsula Papagayo, which grants access to Prieta Beach Club, the Ocean Course golf club, a wellness center, and curated outdoor programming. The marina at Marina Papagayo is one of Central America’s premier jumping-off points for deep-sea fishing. It’s 180 slips accommodate yachts up to 250 feet. Charter operators report high season bookings for sailfish, marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi. Much of this fishing occurs near the Costa Rica Thermal Dome, a rare upwelling of nutrients supporting one of the richest marine food webs in the Eastern Pacific. This makes it one of the best spots in the world for ocean sport fishing.
Building for Scale—Not Sprawl
Infrastructure is expanding to meet demand. Liberia International Airport, just 45 minutes away, welcomed more than 1.4 million international arrivals in 2023 and now offers nonstop flights from 17 U.S. cities. A private aviation terminal is in the works. Jet traffic is projected to double by 2026. Meanwhile, The Park—a 20-acre family recreation complex with food trucks, pickleball courts, and an adventure playground—is slated to open in 2025.
Even as it scales, Papagayo keeps community impact front and center. Creciendo Juntos, a nonprofit launched in 2002, supports 19 surrounding communities. It has upgraded 21 public schools, provided free preventive care to over 9,000 people annually, and launched job training programs in green tech, hospitality, and English. In 2024, the “Heart of the House” initiative paired students from the Liberia Special Education Center with internships at Four Seasons and Andaz. Three of them were hired full-time.
“We ensure everyone has equal opportunities,” Vicente told me. “Offering free English lessons and initiatives to support women employees in staying within the workforce.”
The peninsula’s concierge team – or Explorers Club guides, as they’re called – arranges for residents to meet Guanacaste’s artisans and characters: one day you might roll up your sleeves for a private pottery workshop with Chorotega indigenous craftsmen, and the next, join local fishermen at dawn to learn traditional net-casting techniques.
“There is a growing appetite for hands-on, purpose-driven adventure: travelers seek opportunities to learn traditional fishing techniques, train alongside elite athletes, or contribute to reforestation efforts,” Poddie says.
A Resilient Vision
Of course, no paradise is immune to global pressures. In 2023, ocean surface temperatures in the Gulf of Papagayo exceeded 95°F for six straight weeks, killing over 30% of coral cover in shallow reefs. The restoration team moved quickly, rescuing fragments and accelerating out planting. Within a year, 60% of coral structures had recovered. “Proactive restoration efforts have since encouraged recovery,” Vicente noted. But the event served as a warning—and a motivator.
As I left the peninsula, I thought about how Peninsula Papagayo challenges our assumptions about what luxury can mean. It’s not just about secluded beaches or oceanfront villas. It’s about foresight, stewardship, and living well without leaving a heavy footprint.
“Preserving biodiversity and luxury hospitality are not mutually exclusive,” Vicente said. “Our goal is to ensure that both thrive together for generations.”
Papagayo isn’t just a resort for those drawn to a more intentional future. It’s a blueprint—a real-world model for integrating capital, climate, and community. Pura Vida isn’t a catchphrase here. It’s a strategy, and it’s working.
