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It’s incredibly difficult for a resort to be both eco-friendly/non-toxic and truly luxurious—because the very things that define five-star travel (fresh linens and towels daily, endless bottled water, heavily fragranced spa products, oversized portions at buffets) are usually at odds with sustainability.
So if you’ve ever wondered whether a five-star resort can truly be sustainable, the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is the proof.
In the beginning of the month, I took Daylon, Felix, and Wolfie there for four incredible days. It somehow managed to be deeply relaxing and wildly active — with incredible food, thoughtful wellness programming, and genuine environmental stewardship that is so often lacking at this kind of high-end resort.
This Four Seasons Costa Rica review covers everything we did, ate, and loved — plus the eco-initiatives (and low-tox touches!) that I found most impressive.
(I also published a highlight reel of our trip.)
Arrival & First Impressions
We landed midday on Wednesday after a long trip (with layover) from New York. As soon as we cleared customs, I saw a smiling guy with a Four Seasons placard and breathed a sigh of relief--vacation had officially begun! Our driver carried all our bags, handed us a basket of healthy snacks and cold water (plus optional beer), and we started off on a scenic 45-minute drive to Peninsula Papagayo. The driver was knowledgeable about everything from Costa Rica history and trivia to the particulars of the Four Seasons Property, and we loved chatting with him.
At check-in, we were welcomed with cold towels, fresh coconuts with bamboo straws (plus optional rum) and small gifts for the kids. Our Three-Bedroom Canopy Villa was tucked into the hillside with both jungle and ocean views and a private plunge pool—plus four full bathrooms, a kitchen and media room, and two additional outdoor showers.
Inside, there was a stunning fruit and nut platter, refillable glass water bottles, and even a compost bin next to the recycling (emptied nightly as part of turndown service).
That afternoon, I went to the spa for a Detox & Lift facial with non-toxic iSUN products. The spa’s relaxation lounge overlooks the rainforest, and offers more healthful snacks, including local dark chocolate and teas.
Dinner that night was at Bahía, the resort’s main open-air restaurant serving Costa Rican classics. I definitely recommend the casado with mahi-mahi — I love all casado, but this one was especially delicious. Wolfie bravely tried the grilled octopus, which he did not like, BUT I love that my kids become much more adventurous eaters on vacation. In general, the mocktails at this Four Seasons deserve a special mention — they were all creative, herbal, and non-cloying, and I let my kids order them with every meal.
Day 2: E-Foiling, Sound Bath & Steak Night
I love jet lag for getting everyone up early, and Thursday kicked off with breakfast buffet at Bahía, which might be the best we’ve ever had. It’s part local (gallo pinto, tropical fruit, plantains) and part continental (pastries, parfaits, omelette and waffle stations). You can also order a la carte, and I'd suggest everyone try the fruit platter, which is a work of art.
After breakfast, we met our instructors for e-foil lessons — those electric surfboards that let you glide above the water. It’s harder than it looks, and only 16-year-old Felix was really any good at it, but we all really enjoyed the experience (and it's not scary, for those like me who are wondering). The instructors provided everything we needed, from rash and knee guards to hats, waters, and mineral sunscreen.
That afternoon, we headed to the Shala, the resort’s open-air wellness studio overlooking the ocean, for a family sound bath. I found it really restorative, and Wolfie slept through the entire thing and was difficult to rouse at the end. I'm bummed I didn't get to take a yoga class up in the Shala—next time!
That night, we took the shuttle to Nemare, the resort’s sleek steakhouse in the golf clubhouse. The boys all said the steak was amazing, and I once again had yummy seafood (grilled shrimp, this time). Every on-site menu had tons of vegetarian and pescatarian options.
Day 3: Golf & Ziplining
Friday was our big adventure day. After breakfast, we went for a family golf lesson at the Arnold Palmer course, which has the most postcard-perfect ocean views on nearly every hole. This was the first time any of us had golfed, and it was hard, but the instructor was great, and staff delivered cold towels, snacks, and drinks while we played, making it feel indulgent once again.
After lunch, we went off-property with Aerial Adventures for ziplining through the forest canopy — this was pretty mellow as far as ziplining goes, so I think it would be great for even littler kids. As usual, the resort handled all logistics; we just had to show up, and were provided with water, cold coconuts to drink, and snacks along the way.
Dinner that night was at Pesce, the Italian restaurant that looks straight out over the ocean. Once again, there were great vegetarian options, and I had a delicious take on eggplant parm (not breaded, but instead thinly sliced eggplant wrapped around ricotta and topped with sauce and cheese).
Day 4: Spa, Pool & Kids’ Club
Saturday, our last full day, was pure relaxation. We began with a couples massage in a private ocean-view suite, followed by a day in a poolside cabana where staff brought trays of fruit, passionfruit pops, champagne and peach cocktails, and cold towels every hour. It was the life!
Meanwhile, the boys spent most of the day in Kids & Teen Club, which is one of the best-run programs I’ve seen at any resort. They loved the basketball and pickleball, and there's also soccer if that's what your kids are into.
The rest of the day was blissfully simple: ocean, pool, hot tub, repeat. I had a delicious sashimi platter for lunch in my cabana, along with an excellent margarita.
That night be had our favorite dinner of the trip at Virador Beach Club Eatery & Lounge, which sits right on Virador Beach and offers an airy, relaxed beachside dining vibe. The food here is Middle Eastern, and I implore you to not skip the challah, which is baked daily and served warm with hummus. The feta salad was another standout, and this was the night my family finally let me order the soursop sorbet—guys, it was GOOD.
Day 5: Goodbye, Papagayo
On our final morning, I finally made it to the gym, which is as nice as you'd expect at a Four Seasons, and special because of the cold plunge in the adjoining spa. After a final dip in our warm infinity pool in our suite, we lingered over one last breakfast, including that perfect Costa Rican coffee I got in the habit of starting my days with (in real life, I'm a tea drinker). We stopped by the on-site boutiques for a few gifts for family back home, and reluctantly headed to the airport by way of another charming, knowledgeable driver.
More About the Four Seasons Costa Rica
We traveled to Costa Rica eight years ago, and didn't make it to this magical peninsula. I've wanted to visit this Four Seasons since doing my research while planning for THAT trip--I am so glad I finally got there.
The resort sits on 1,400 acres of lush tropical forest and oceanfront, with the rare distinction of having two beautiful beaches on either side of the property — Playa Blanca and Playa Virador. One is calm and perfect for paddleboarding or snorkeling (this is where we did our e-foiling), while the other is ideal for boogie-boarding and watching the sunset. The resort provides complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear, so there’s no need to rent or plan ahead. That's kind of the theme of the entire resort—you can show up with very little and be completely taken care of.
The resort also has four swimming pools (including a quiet adults-only pool, a family pool, and one with ocean views), plus an expansive wellness area with a fully equipped gym, the aforementioned cold plunge pools, and a eucalyptus steam room. The Shala—an open-air studio overlooking the bay—is where we did our sound bath; they also host daily yoga and meditation classes.
This is clearly a golfer's dream, and even if you don't golf you should take a cart around the 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course. There are also multiple tennis and pickleball courts, and easy access to off-site adventures like ziplining, horseback riding, and boat tours.
Costa Rica is a great for families generally (you can read my last review here), but the Four Seasons makes it extra easy. The Kids for All Seasons Club and Teen Center offer daily programming that ranges from wildlife walks to crafts to beach games, all led by warm, engaging staff.
I was worried on the front end about ONLY eating at Four Seasons restaurants for this whole trip (it's not how I usually travel). But instead I found myself commenting to my husband on the last day that there were a ton of things I had wanted to try and never got to! There is just SO MUCH yummy, healthy food at this resort. There are the four restaurants I mentioned, plus the Palapita bar and café for smoothies, poke bowls, and cocktails, as well as the Anejo bar for sushi and tapas. You can also arrange private in-villa dining or a beach picnic.
Why the Four Seasons Costa Rica Is the Gold Standard for Sustainable Luxury
Beyond the beauty and service, this property is setting real benchmarks for eco-friendly, non-toxic hospitality. The Four Seasons somehow pulls of impeccable service, design, and comfort without the waste, including refillable glass bottles instead of plastic, locally sourced organic menus, composting in every villa, and spa rituals made from botanicals grown right on the peninsula. Plus, the dish and laundry soap in the villas, plus the bath and body products (including the sunscreen), were all low-tox.
Here are some more highlights on the sustainability front:
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Zero single-use plastics: reusable glass water bottles eliminate roughly 292,000 plastic bottles per year.
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Composting and recycling in every villa, collected daily.
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AI-driven kitchen analytics help chefs plan menus and cut food waste by more than 50%.
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Water treatment and reuse for irrigation.
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Solar energy powering much of the resort’s operations.
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Guest participation in reef restoration and biodiversity programs on Peninsula Papagayo.
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GSTC-certified sustainability program across the peninsula.
It’s easy to call something “eco-friendly”; it’s harder to build those systems into a five-star guest experience. Here, it feels effortless.
Final Thoughts
This Four Seasons Costa Rica review sums up what made our stay unforgettable: it’s a resort that delivers everything you’d expect from Four Seasons — the food, the service, the spa — while genuinely caring for the planet. If you’re looking for a luxury family vacation in Costa Rica that’s as kind to the environment as it is indulgent, this is the place!
Stay sane,
