Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
3 Km North West from Panama Beach Main Entrance Playa Arenilla, 50503 Costa Rica
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Panoramas (58) Pool & Beach (1161)
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Avg. S$767 /night, 10/7 - 10/8
S$1,790
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S$1,213
per night
S$635
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#1 of 5 all-inclusives in Gulf of PapagayoLocation
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Set in the exuberant Arenilla Beach, Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica will offer adults a stunning Unlimited-Luxury(R) getaway in Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo. The secure community around Secrets Papagayo provides striking views of native flora and fauna and miles of unspoiled Pacific Coast beach. This all-suite resort boasts 202 spacious suites, each with a private balcony or terrace as well as a superb Unlimited-Luxury(R) experience starting with 24-hour room service, a daily refreshed mini-bar and more. The Preferred Club will provide an enhanced level of luxury with 65 ocean view suites and additional privileges including access to a private lounge, upgraded bath amenities and mini-bar, concierge service, pillow menu and much more. Guests will enjoy limitless gourmet cuisine, without reservations, at four restaurants and one café in addition to five bars that will serve unlimited top-shelf spirits. Days and nights are filled with land, beach and water activities and live entertainment. Two pools and a pristine beach await. Rejuvenation reigns supreme at the Secrets Spa by Pevonia(R), offering massage, body and facial treatments in 13 treatment rooms and a full-service beauty salon. Follow up this rejuvenation at the fully equipped fitness center or by taking part in one of many daily and nighttime activities. Just 20 minutes from the Liberia Airport and a mere 15 minutes from the touristic town of Coco Beach, Secrets Papagayo offers guests a privileged location both within the resort and throughout the area for an ideal Unlimited-Luxury(R) getaway on the Pacific Coast. We’re committed to redefining your travel journey with our best-in-class CleanComplete Verification™ practices. While health and safety have always been our top priorities, these new protocols further elevate our standards of quality and cleanliness, enabling you to vacation at any AMResorts® property with the ultimate peace of mind. Our 360-degree quality, safety and hygiene system takes into account every aspect of resort operations, backed by the highest-level third-party certification. We will be evolving and innovating our procedures continuously and will share the newest developments as they are implemented. Our protocols begin the moment you start planning a vacation to the time you return home! To learn more about our quality, safety and hygiene practices, please search for AMResorts CleanComplete Verification™ in your favorite browser.
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Property amenities
Parking
Wifi
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Bar / lounge
Beach
Diving
Airport transportation
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Fitness classes
Sauna
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Tennis court
Aerobics
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Car hire
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Salon
Adults only
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
VIP room facilities
Laptop safe
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mountain View
Modern
Languages Spoken
Spanish
Location
3 Km North West from Panama Beach Main Entrance Playa Arenilla, 50503 Costa Rica
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 42 out of 100
42
Liberia Airport
10.7 km•
See all flights
Nosara Beach Airport
69.1 km•
See all flights
162 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
Reviews
4.5
5,368 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica is a hotel that captivates guests with its stunning views and a variety of amenities, including diverse dining options and pools for both lively and quiet atmospheres. While the service receives accolades for its professionalism and friendliness, some guests have encountered inconsistencies.
The resort's location is celebrated for its scenic beauty, despite occasional navigational challenges and an intermittent septic smell. However, the value proposition has been questioned by guests who feel the experience does not justify the expense, and room conditions have drawn mixed reactions due to issues with noise, upkeep, and cleanliness.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Abundant
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5,368Reviews1,252Q+A100Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
My boyfriend and I, both in our mid 30’s, stayed here for 7 days/6 nights in a junior plunge pool suite. Started out with easy, straightforward pickup from airport to resort (20 min). We were preferred club, so we had a seprate check in area with a private bar. Andres and Robert were super friendly and accommodating. They made sure we enjoyed ourselves throughout our stay. They first told us we were upgraded to an ocean front room close to the main area, however once we were able to see it we quickly realized we wanted our original booking. We phoned the staff and Daniel had our concern resolved immediately and absolutely loved our plunge pool room, which still had an amazing view. The room was a little farther away from the main pool and restaurants but we enjoyed the peace and quiet. If we didn’t feel like walking we phoned for JJ to pick us up, best driver there. The resort itself was super clean and modern. Beautiful pool area that never felt overcrowded and never much of a wait at the bar. We actually preferred the beach area ourselves, it was quiet, clean and always 2 open chairs, along with servers who came down to take drink orders. We’re used to the Atlantic, so the water to us was beautiful! There were a few locals on the beach trying to sell you stuff, but they were friendly and weren’t too pushy. We eventually bought some things from them on our last day. Plenty of activities throughout the day. We did some snorkeling and kayaking, free, through the resort. Micheal was our guide for both outings. He was super friendly and knowledgeable of all the questions we had about Costa Rica. We Saw tons of fish and even a sea turtle! We talked with a couple who paid for a snorkle outing from a vendor on the beach and saw nothing. It was mostly 50+ crowd so nightlife ended early around 11 which was ok with us, we had our fun during the day. Amstar office on site which made booking excursions quick and easy. I booked our Mega combo excursion in advance of our trip through amstar, all we had to do was check in with them once we got there.
Food was great! We were able to eat at the restaurant we wanted every night with no reservations. The barefoot grill was our go to lunch spot as it was quick, easy and light. We both loved the burgers and jalapeño poppers. Don’t be deterred by Aqua’s “healthy cuisine” tag, the food was excellent and turned out to be our favorite of all. We only got rm service breakfast couple times, good.
lack of deserts and ice cream.
Food was great! We were able to eat at the restaurant we wanted every night with no reservations. The barefoot grill was our go to lunch spot as it was quick, easy and light. We both loved the burgers and jalapeño poppers. Don’t be deterred by Aqua’s “healthy cuisine” tag, the food was excellent and turned out to be our favorite of all. We only got rm service breakfast couple times, good.
lack of deserts and ice cream.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ShirleyEsquivel, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 11 Mar 2020
Dear jackiefigurido Greetings from Secrets Papagayo! We feel thrilled to know you spent an amazing time here with us and also that you liked our facilities and the world class service we have for our valuable guest. We sincerely look forward to welcome you back on a future occasion and provide you with the exceptional quality and service that characterizes our brand and resort. Pura Vida!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our room was in the 100 level, with a beautful view of the bay. The room was very spacious, with a seating area, a large bathroom area and great rainhead shower. It was an easy walk to the main pool and dining area of the resort. The housekeeping staff was very attentive and service included nightly turndown.
Our adult children and my mom went on the trip. We all felt very comfortable at the resort and there were plenty of activities to appeal to veryone. The resort is relatively small, making it intimate and quiet. We got to know some of the other guests simply by seeing them multiple times.
The nicest part of the trip was the genuine friendliness of the staff. We truly left having made friends with some of the amazing staff. Merari and Andre on the recreation staff were a lot of fun and went out of their way to include our family in activities. We ate at the Restaurante Sea Side four times during our stay. Johnny, the manager and sommolier, was extremely gracious and knowledgeable. We caught tuna and mahi on a fishing excursion. The chef at Seaside prepared seviche, and grilled and blackened fish from our catch the same evening!
The landscape, resort, activities, and food were all amazing. But it truly was the staff at Secrets Papagayo that made the trip one we will remember fondly for a lifetime. Pura Vida!
Our adult children and my mom went on the trip. We all felt very comfortable at the resort and there were plenty of activities to appeal to veryone. The resort is relatively small, making it intimate and quiet. We got to know some of the other guests simply by seeing them multiple times.
The nicest part of the trip was the genuine friendliness of the staff. We truly left having made friends with some of the amazing staff. Merari and Andre on the recreation staff were a lot of fun and went out of their way to include our family in activities. We ate at the Restaurante Sea Side four times during our stay. Johnny, the manager and sommolier, was extremely gracious and knowledgeable. We caught tuna and mahi on a fishing excursion. The chef at Seaside prepared seviche, and grilled and blackened fish from our catch the same evening!
The landscape, resort, activities, and food were all amazing. But it truly was the staff at Secrets Papagayo that made the trip one we will remember fondly for a lifetime. Pura Vida!
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â The terrain is quite steep, so if there are mobility issues you may want to choose a room closer...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shirley Esquivel, Otro at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 5 Nov 2020
Dear V7805EMchrish Greetings from your home in Costa Rica and all of us at Secrets Papagayo! We have loved having your family with us and makes us very, very happy to know so many of our staff create a very nice experience. Hopefully we will have the chance to welcome you back sometime in the future, please let me know if we can be of any assistance. Wishing a wonderful day
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
My husband and I just returned from a trip to Secrets Papagayo. This was our first trip to Costa Rica. We have stayed at many other Secrets, Dreams and Zoetry in the Riviera Maya area. This Secrets is similar to others in its amenities and restaurants however the feel there is different. It is very authentic tropical. All of the rooms are arranged bungalow style around the hill. There are 2 units per bungalow building. The 100 series is closer to the main restaurants and 400 is the top of the hill. All you do is dial 0 and ask to be picked up from your room if you prefer not to walk. We walked during the day for exercise after all that food and drink but in the evening we would call for a ride. The patios are very large and the birds wake you in the morning. You can sit on your patio and watch green parrots fly by! The beds are very comfortable and the entire room seems to have been recently refurbished. All rooms have only showers, no tubs. Turn down service is spotty and I assume that is because of the layout of the resort. The PC club is small there so they offer extra perks such as breakfast and lunch at Seaside Grill for PC guests only and complimentary day beds between the pool and beach area. Reserve your bed the day ahead. There were always chairs available by the pools and the hotel was full. All the restaurants are excellent. Be sure to try Aqua over by the quite pool and spa. We had both lunch and dinner there and the atmosphere is outstanding. You have to have the lobster nachos for lunch! Everyone in the entire resort is so friendly and go out of their way to make sure your stay is the best. Secrets is only 25 minutes from the airport so fast and easy to get to. We took a taxi over to Coco Beach, $40 round trip, for some shopping. We took a boat tour from the beach that took us to monkey head rock, the caves, snorkeling and to feed the monkeys fruit at the Hard Rock Hotel across the bay. The main pool is very lively in the afternoon. The beach area is quite and the spa pool is very quiet. Wherever you are waiters come around to serve you drinks. This was a very relaxing trip and I did not want to leave!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â 100's are closer to the main area, 300's are near the quiet/spa pool
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ShirleyEsquivel, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 1 Feb 2020
Dear Elante Greetings from Secrets Papagayo! Thank you for choosing the hospitality of Secrets Papagayo in your first trip to Costa Rica , and for taking the time to write a review about your recent experience. We feel honored to know this visit was amazing, and we would like to welcome you a thousand more since our goal is to make you feel home away from home. Please be sure that we will share your kind comments with our management team and all those made your stay a success. Pura Vida
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
To be clear, Costa Rica is a beautiful country with absolutely charming people. To be clear, a resort or resorts do not embodied an entire country or its people.
Lastly, our American concept of a 5 star resort is not necessarily the same rating in other countries and, in our case, certainly not our experience with this Secrets at this location. Some people will rate this resort 5 stars and had a great experience.
In our case, we have travelled the world and have a bit of a different perspective on actual 5 star ratings.
As nice as the staff were at all levels, it is our experience that the level of service and unfortunately the quality of the food, varied between a typical American 0.5 star to 2 stars. This resort was absolutely not worth the money it cost us. Moreover, the promises made to us between 24 hr room service or the 7 resort restaurants were simply lies. Room service was from 7am to 9pm and all restaurants were really just 3. In addition, from the moment we arrived, the resort haunted us with absurd and expensive up-sales, when we already thought we had paid for the best. The constant up-sale varying from wine to outings or even membership is not only ridiculous in its exorbitant pricing but it is absolutely groundless in the fact that the service simply does not exist. Furthermore, Costa Rica is not cheap and when one has paid a lot only to find out that one needs to pay more, it is simply insulting. We felt taken advantage of, we felt that the product sold was totally misrepresented, and most of all, we felt like we were seen as financial suckers.
Between finding a staple in our desert or a scorpion in our room, or the fact that 100% of our orders were off, meaning that 0% of room service orders were accurate during our 2 week stay, should say it all. Yes, management did offer us some non fiduciary compensation for our hardship, but it was too little too late. And even though it was nice and we appreciated it, it did not change the bottom line that service was always off (100% of the time) (except for Alexandra at the spa pool bar who was the only staff to anticipate guests needs and who was always on top) and that food quality almost never reached the level of your town’s local corner all you can eat buffet. (You know the one that always leaves you with an upset stomach and where you regret coming to the minute you step out ?)
So, at the end of the day, Costa Rica is a beautiful country with wonderful people. It is our experience as experienced travelers and that of our friends in Papagayo, that the resorts in Papagayo bay are all unfortunately over priced with very low quality food and service. Traveler beware: 5 stars in the USA is not necessarily the same in Costa Rica, and this secrets was definitely a major disappointment despite a colorful country and colorful people.
Lastly, our American concept of a 5 star resort is not necessarily the same rating in other countries and, in our case, certainly not our experience with this Secrets at this location. Some people will rate this resort 5 stars and had a great experience.
In our case, we have travelled the world and have a bit of a different perspective on actual 5 star ratings.
As nice as the staff were at all levels, it is our experience that the level of service and unfortunately the quality of the food, varied between a typical American 0.5 star to 2 stars. This resort was absolutely not worth the money it cost us. Moreover, the promises made to us between 24 hr room service or the 7 resort restaurants were simply lies. Room service was from 7am to 9pm and all restaurants were really just 3. In addition, from the moment we arrived, the resort haunted us with absurd and expensive up-sales, when we already thought we had paid for the best. The constant up-sale varying from wine to outings or even membership is not only ridiculous in its exorbitant pricing but it is absolutely groundless in the fact that the service simply does not exist. Furthermore, Costa Rica is not cheap and when one has paid a lot only to find out that one needs to pay more, it is simply insulting. We felt taken advantage of, we felt that the product sold was totally misrepresented, and most of all, we felt like we were seen as financial suckers.
Between finding a staple in our desert or a scorpion in our room, or the fact that 100% of our orders were off, meaning that 0% of room service orders were accurate during our 2 week stay, should say it all. Yes, management did offer us some non fiduciary compensation for our hardship, but it was too little too late. And even though it was nice and we appreciated it, it did not change the bottom line that service was always off (100% of the time) (except for Alexandra at the spa pool bar who was the only staff to anticipate guests needs and who was always on top) and that food quality almost never reached the level of your town’s local corner all you can eat buffet. (You know the one that always leaves you with an upset stomach and where you regret coming to the minute you step out ?)
So, at the end of the day, Costa Rica is a beautiful country with wonderful people. It is our experience as experienced travelers and that of our friends in Papagayo, that the resorts in Papagayo bay are all unfortunately over priced with very low quality food and service. Traveler beware: 5 stars in the USA is not necessarily the same in Costa Rica, and this secrets was definitely a major disappointment despite a colorful country and colorful people.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shirley Esquivel, Otro at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 14 Jan 2021
Dear GrandReviewMaster123 . Greetings from Secrets Papagayo It has been a pleasure to have you with us,very sorry for not been able to provide the experience you were expecting of our Secrets Brand, please do accept our sincere apology. Thanks a lot for your detailed feedback which is extremely helpful and we have already shared with our team. We will be reviewing and discussing carefully with all our team to improve to offer the service and attention that you and all our guests deserve and we strive hard to provide everyday. Again I would like to thank you for your visit, we would be very happy to have the opportunity to welcome you back. Pura Vida!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Hard to express with words how good the hotel was. Service was really taken to the next level.
First, the service was impressive. The drivers wouldn't even let us walk 5 meters. They would take you everywhere, open the door every single time, carry your bags and even turn the lights off when arriving so they wouldn't blind you. They will also offer you facemask if you happen to lose yours before entering the van. Their service is incredible and they are very social and kind. We liked the transportation service because we were able to enjoy the bar without worries of driving back to your room and in general, it's a very convenient service/excellent attention. Special thanks to Diego and José that were so kind and attentive, we got their names after some chats, but they were all very nice. Also, Steven from reception was very kind and talked us out making us feel very welcome and at home.
Our second favorite thing was the food, it's crazy GOOD!!!!! So many options to enjoy, from Japanese to Italian, to delicious snacks, beverages, cocktails, etc. Every single dish is delicious (special recognition to the ceviche bar, such a "simple" thing but so delicious and great idea). We love everything on the menu at the Market Cafe; great breakfast and so many options to chose you won't get tired. We even got a show at a Teppanyaki with an amazing Chef, which we are were honor to meet and sit at your table. The waitresses there were also VERY kind and always at your service.
The hotel room was very pretty, fully equipped. The cleaning service was very attentive and would even clean up twice the room throughout the day. You'll get refills, beers, a bar-room service, etc.
Every single service and detail in this hotel is meant to please you and let you completely relax and enjoy the many activities you are able to do there. The staff is very synchronized and there wasn't one single thing they would miss or fail.
Thank you very much for your service and we will 100% come back.
First, the service was impressive. The drivers wouldn't even let us walk 5 meters. They would take you everywhere, open the door every single time, carry your bags and even turn the lights off when arriving so they wouldn't blind you. They will also offer you facemask if you happen to lose yours before entering the van. Their service is incredible and they are very social and kind. We liked the transportation service because we were able to enjoy the bar without worries of driving back to your room and in general, it's a very convenient service/excellent attention. Special thanks to Diego and José that were so kind and attentive, we got their names after some chats, but they were all very nice. Also, Steven from reception was very kind and talked us out making us feel very welcome and at home.
Our second favorite thing was the food, it's crazy GOOD!!!!! So many options to enjoy, from Japanese to Italian, to delicious snacks, beverages, cocktails, etc. Every single dish is delicious (special recognition to the ceviche bar, such a "simple" thing but so delicious and great idea). We love everything on the menu at the Market Cafe; great breakfast and so many options to chose you won't get tired. We even got a show at a Teppanyaki with an amazing Chef, which we are were honor to meet and sit at your table. The waitresses there were also VERY kind and always at your service.
The hotel room was very pretty, fully equipped. The cleaning service was very attentive and would even clean up twice the room throughout the day. You'll get refills, beers, a bar-room service, etc.
Every single service and detail in this hotel is meant to please you and let you completely relax and enjoy the many activities you are able to do there. The staff is very synchronized and there wasn't one single thing they would miss or fail.
Thank you very much for your service and we will 100% come back.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â If you don't want to climb stairs just ask for a first level room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shirley Esquivel, Otro at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 6 May 2021
Dear 907gigig Kind regards from your home in Costa Rica and all your friends at Secrets Papagayo, I'm sure Diego, José, Steven are highly motivated by your comments. We are all very happy that you felt at home and among friends, while you were at Secrets Papagayo and I am sure you will be happy for a long time . It means a lot to us that you mentioned that it is difficult to put in words how good the Secrets Papagayo hotel is, it is really encouraging. On behalf of the entire team, a sincere thank you, we look forward to welcoming you again, we remain at your service , Pura Vida!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are experiencing crazy times and if you are like us, traveling was something that seemed taboo.
I am happy to say, I have a different view of it now. We travel on average 3 times a year and I have yet to experience anything like this. The precautions that are taken are above and beyond. They are operating with an abundance of caution. Noticeably all public surfaces such as the front desk, restaurant counters, and dining tables are cleaned multiple times throughout the day. Public touchpoints, such as handrails, railings, elevators buttons, door handles, and knobs, are also cleaned frequently throughout the day along with activities center areas and surfaces.
With that said, we could not have picked a better place to try to make 2020 a much better year.
We had an incredible time! From beginning to end the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. I mean all of them! A staff that deserves special recognition is Merari from the entertainment; she is full of energy and my wife and I truly felt at home with her, my wife is not the type that would do the resort's activity but somehow Merari made her very comfortable and involve! THANK YOU!!!
At the bars, I will say hands down the best drinks; I don’t think I have ever said that about any other all-inclusive resort. The staff was very attentive, shout out to Guillermo at the pool, and Alexandra at the preferred bar, great conversations were had.
There is no buffet but there was always food. The restaurants were clean and the food, the food was great! They took special requests and if something was not on the menu, they made it happen. Thank you to all the dining staff, Shout out to Rachel at the seaside grill.
Miriam at UVC was also amazing. Extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Do your research about the type of room you would like, there are a lot of hills to walk up to if you do not take the shuttle, but there is constant transportation. We were in room 105 Oceanfront and I would say it’s the most practical location. Note that rooms 103 and 104 have the best views with minimal trees in front of you. But we were extremely happy with ours. We slept with the balcony door open and the screen door closed. The ocean and birds' sound were therapeutic.
If covid-19 is holding you up from visiting this amazing resort, I will tell you I felt more comfortable going here than going to the grocery store back home. They take this matter seriously, the whole country does. Go for it!
I am happy to say, I have a different view of it now. We travel on average 3 times a year and I have yet to experience anything like this. The precautions that are taken are above and beyond. They are operating with an abundance of caution. Noticeably all public surfaces such as the front desk, restaurant counters, and dining tables are cleaned multiple times throughout the day. Public touchpoints, such as handrails, railings, elevators buttons, door handles, and knobs, are also cleaned frequently throughout the day along with activities center areas and surfaces.
With that said, we could not have picked a better place to try to make 2020 a much better year.
We had an incredible time! From beginning to end the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. I mean all of them! A staff that deserves special recognition is Merari from the entertainment; she is full of energy and my wife and I truly felt at home with her, my wife is not the type that would do the resort's activity but somehow Merari made her very comfortable and involve! THANK YOU!!!
At the bars, I will say hands down the best drinks; I don’t think I have ever said that about any other all-inclusive resort. The staff was very attentive, shout out to Guillermo at the pool, and Alexandra at the preferred bar, great conversations were had.
There is no buffet but there was always food. The restaurants were clean and the food, the food was great! They took special requests and if something was not on the menu, they made it happen. Thank you to all the dining staff, Shout out to Rachel at the seaside grill.
Miriam at UVC was also amazing. Extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Do your research about the type of room you would like, there are a lot of hills to walk up to if you do not take the shuttle, but there is constant transportation. We were in room 105 Oceanfront and I would say it’s the most practical location. Note that rooms 103 and 104 have the best views with minimal trees in front of you. But we were extremely happy with ours. We slept with the balcony door open and the screen door closed. The ocean and birds' sound were therapeutic.
If covid-19 is holding you up from visiting this amazing resort, I will tell you I felt more comfortable going here than going to the grocery store back home. They take this matter seriously, the whole country does. Go for it!
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Date of stay: November 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â in my opinion, the rooms in the 100 section are the most practical
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shirley Esquivel, Otro at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 18 Nov 2020
Dear felixh2800 Greetings from Secrets Papagayo! We receive your opinion with the greatest pleasure. We appreciate that you have highlighted our effort to offer our guests a clean and safe stay with our Clean Compleate Verification program . It was such a pleasure to have you with us, very grateful for your visit and for your very generous review, it means a lot to us to know you've have really enjoyed our resort. We are most grateful and remain at your service. Pura Vida!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pura Vida EduardoÂ
Here is a copy of the review that I posted on Trip Advisor .......
My husband I just returned from spending a week at Secrets Papagao in Costa Rica. Â
It was first time staying at this beautiful and picturesque hotel situated in the Guanagaste Region.
Â
From the moment that we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the front desk and taken by our shuttle driver, Julio, to our bungalow suite room on the hillside overlooking the bay, pools and restaurants. Â
We enjoyed breakfasts and lunches at the Market Grill buffet restaurant where there was a great selection to choose from.Â
The excellent service and warm greetings from all the staff was exceptional.Â
Special mention and thanks to Eloy, Raquel, Fabiana, Erick, Alba for taking such good care of us.Â
The gourmet restaurants were second to none, definitely a 6 star experience based on their delicious and well-presented menus together with their excellent service. Â
Our favourite being, the Portofino Italian restaurant with special thanks to Alexander, Carlos and Christopher.Â
We also enjoyed our dining experience at the Asian, Seaside Grill and the Aqua restaurants.
Julio, the poolside and beach bar server was always smiling and friendly and quickly remembered our favourite drinks.Â
The rooms are very clean, modern and well-decorated .Â
All in all, it was an unforgettable vacation and we are booking another vacation next January to see our new friends/hotel staff and take more excursions to see more of the Costa Rican culture.Â
We would strongly recommend this resort for your next vacation.Â
Pura Vida as they say in Costa Rica. Hope this resort will be your next choice. You won't regret it.Â
Madeline and Aivars Ramka
Montreal,Quebec Canada
Here is a copy of the review that I posted on Trip Advisor .......
My husband I just returned from spending a week at Secrets Papagao in Costa Rica. Â
It was first time staying at this beautiful and picturesque hotel situated in the Guanagaste Region.
Â
From the moment that we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the front desk and taken by our shuttle driver, Julio, to our bungalow suite room on the hillside overlooking the bay, pools and restaurants. Â
We enjoyed breakfasts and lunches at the Market Grill buffet restaurant where there was a great selection to choose from.Â
The excellent service and warm greetings from all the staff was exceptional.Â
Special mention and thanks to Eloy, Raquel, Fabiana, Erick, Alba for taking such good care of us.Â
The gourmet restaurants were second to none, definitely a 6 star experience based on their delicious and well-presented menus together with their excellent service. Â
Our favourite being, the Portofino Italian restaurant with special thanks to Alexander, Carlos and Christopher.Â
We also enjoyed our dining experience at the Asian, Seaside Grill and the Aqua restaurants.
Julio, the poolside and beach bar server was always smiling and friendly and quickly remembered our favourite drinks.Â
The rooms are very clean, modern and well-decorated .Â
All in all, it was an unforgettable vacation and we are booking another vacation next January to see our new friends/hotel staff and take more excursions to see more of the Costa Rican culture.Â
We would strongly recommend this resort for your next vacation.Â
Pura Vida as they say in Costa Rica. Hope this resort will be your next choice. You won't regret it.Â
Madeline and Aivars Ramka
Montreal,Quebec Canada
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ShirleyEsquivel, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 13 Feb 2020
Dear MADELIN2020 Greetings from Secret Papagayo ! We love your review, couldn´t be more right. Very glad to read you´ve enjoyed and have good memories of your experience at Secrets Resorts, this wonderful, adults only with beautiful facilities, great food and drinks and warm and friendly staff. On behalf of Julio Eloy, Raquel, Fabiana, Erick, Alba , and all your new friends at Secrets Papagayo, thanks a lot! Many more Secrets Resorts to explore, we hope to welcome you back very soon, please let us know if we can assist with any trip plans in the future. Pura Vida!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We started out our fabulous 2 week CostaRica and Panama trip at this beautiful resort. We’ve stayed at many Secrets before and have always enjoyed ourselves. This Secret’s appears smaller than others, probably due to the hilly location which was beautiful. There weren’t as many pools, restaurants etc., the food and service was wonderful! We called many times for transportation to and from our suite, to restaurants, beach, lobby etc. and never waited more than a minute or two for the very friendly staff to pick us up. The beach was nice and as your in a bay the water is usually calm without many boats and jet ski’s which made it great for swimming. The food was good and service usually great except for one BAD service meal in the Portofino restaurant which took over 2 hrs due to a HORRIBLE waiter who’s name was Marco. This was the ONLY bad experience at Secrets and ALL the other staff were EXCEPTIONAL! We had our own very private beautiful suite with our own plunge pool up high overlooking the bay! I was lying out on the patio and heard allot of squawking and looked up to see a flock of wild parrots flying over, quite the sight! This is a beautiful resort which would make for a wonderful location for a CostaRica vacation.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ShirleyEsquivel, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 24 Jan 2020
Dear D625LTstevef, Greetings from Secrets Papagayo! It has been such a pleasure to have you with us, on behalf of our whole team, thanks a lot, we are very grateful for your visit and your very kind review. Really appreciate your feedback,sorry for the inconvenience you've experienced at the portofino , this help us to managed to solve immediately . We would love to welcome you back very soon , if we can be of assistance in anyway at any time, please let us know. Pura Vida!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The hotel is set in very lush and beautifully kept grounds. We saw iguanas and some pretty birds. Other guests reported seeing raccoons.
The rooms are comfortable and spacious. Due to the terrain there is significant reliance on hotel shuttle transport and at busy times this can involve waits.
The main pool area is lovely but unless you're in position by 7.30am the chance of getting a bed with an umbrella is limited, potentially zero! The team take great care over ensuring the water in the pools is of a high standard.
The sea seems murky, possibly due to being the end of the dry season and the dark sand? It didn't really seem that inviting.
It was frustrating that when they have "buffet" evenings around the pool area they remove sun beds from 3pm which means guests have no where to go? Thankfully this only happens once or twice a week.
There is limited seating area for guests to have a quiet drink after dinner so guests end up having to sit on the loungers?
The food is great, nicely cooked and fresh. Drinks are premium brands and there's service to the loungers throughout the day, an amazing and creative choice of cocktails.
Staff are charming and the entertainment team very energetic and engaging.
We booked hoping to see lots of Costa Ricas highlights but trips involve 2 - 3 hour journeys to get to the location. With hindsight a tour of Costa Rica would have been a far better option.
We enjoyed our rest and relaxed for a couple of weeks. With a few tweaks this hotel could be fabulous.
The rooms are comfortable and spacious. Due to the terrain there is significant reliance on hotel shuttle transport and at busy times this can involve waits.
The main pool area is lovely but unless you're in position by 7.30am the chance of getting a bed with an umbrella is limited, potentially zero! The team take great care over ensuring the water in the pools is of a high standard.
The sea seems murky, possibly due to being the end of the dry season and the dark sand? It didn't really seem that inviting.
It was frustrating that when they have "buffet" evenings around the pool area they remove sun beds from 3pm which means guests have no where to go? Thankfully this only happens once or twice a week.
There is limited seating area for guests to have a quiet drink after dinner so guests end up having to sit on the loungers?
The food is great, nicely cooked and fresh. Drinks are premium brands and there's service to the loungers throughout the day, an amazing and creative choice of cocktails.
Staff are charming and the entertainment team very energetic and engaging.
We booked hoping to see lots of Costa Ricas highlights but trips involve 2 - 3 hour journeys to get to the location. With hindsight a tour of Costa Rica would have been a far better option.
We enjoyed our rest and relaxed for a couple of weeks. With a few tweaks this hotel could be fabulous.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shirley Esquivel, Otro at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 7 May 2022
Dear Churtsunseeke Greetings from Secrets Papagayo! Thanks a lot for being so positive and having a fun time and holiday in Costa Rica and enjoying your time at Secrets Papagayo. We are very grateful and appreciate your stay and your very informative and kind comments and review. Thanks a lot, it was indeed very nice to have you with us, I'm sure I talk on behalf of all our team saying thank you and looking forward to having you back soon. Pura Vida
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The first review I wrote on this resort was a little unfair. I was still at the resort and was very upset that our plans were ruined on our last night there due to a long wait in transportation followed by an even longer wait for dinner. This resort is absolutely breathtaking and unlike any other I’ve stayed at. You stay in bungalows along the mountain side. While you can walk if you choose to, it is recommended that you use their transportation vans. The roads are long, steep and narrow. We walked our first day and regretted it, but it was an experience. The country itself is beautiful and the people are the friendliest. The resort is EXTREMELY clean and the food was excellent. It was the best food we’ve ever eaten at an all inclusive resort. We were stunned every time we ordered a steak. They did not disappoint. The beach is also very clean and the ocean was like bath water. The pool was always fun. Drinks were great. Julio, the server by the pool, was AWESOME. This guy was the coolest from the first time we talked to him. He took care of us and we made sure it was worth his while as well. Everyone works for a living, so even though it’s not mandatory, you should always tip the people that take care of you.
The only two things I would recommend would be more transportation vans due to sometimes a very long wait, and allow reservations at the restaurants on the busier weekend nights. Our last night we had plans for Coco Beach. We planned on eating dinner then heading there for a few hours because we’ve heard and read such good things. Well, we called for a van that didn’t come for a half hour. They actually didn’t come for us, they came for our neighbor and we just hitched a ride. When finally getting down to the restaurants, we were told there was an hour and a half wait when going to all restaurants. We were told that we could eat at the buffet, but we didn’t travel all the way to Costa Rica to eat at a buffet twice a day. So after we finally sat down to eat dinner we realized it was just way too late to head to Coco Beach. We were very bummed.
All in all the resort and country are amazing. I would absolutely recommend visiting.
The only two things I would recommend would be more transportation vans due to sometimes a very long wait, and allow reservations at the restaurants on the busier weekend nights. Our last night we had plans for Coco Beach. We planned on eating dinner then heading there for a few hours because we’ve heard and read such good things. Well, we called for a van that didn’t come for a half hour. They actually didn’t come for us, they came for our neighbor and we just hitched a ride. When finally getting down to the restaurants, we were told there was an hour and a half wait when going to all restaurants. We were told that we could eat at the buffet, but we didn’t travel all the way to Costa Rica to eat at a buffet twice a day. So after we finally sat down to eat dinner we realized it was just way too late to head to Coco Beach. We were very bummed.
All in all the resort and country are amazing. I would absolutely recommend visiting.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ShirleyEsquivel, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Responded 10 Mar 2020
Dear MorganLynnP0916 Greetings from Secrets Papagayo! Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback shared here in TripAdvisor. it is indeed a pleasure to know that you have enjoyed your experience with us. Thank you again for your review and we look forward to welcoming you back to Secrets Papagayo. Pura Vida !
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
They have a little bit of everything. For whisky it was Jim Beam and Dewars, and maybe one more.
not really, even the pool area is terraced & steps down to the beach. The resort is VERY steep & it's so hot so makes it even harder. Once you get then to the pool you should be okay as the restaurants are located around the pool area. You can ring for a ride to the pool/restaurants area. However, from what i saw many of the units have steps leading upto or down to them, so its not just the hills. hope this helps
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"Be prepared for lots of walking, you will stay fit for sure. There are shuttles for the times you don't feel like the walk though."Read full review
"Bring good water shoes with good support, download the hotel app and you can see the daily activities. Super convenient"Read full review
"The resort is quite hilly so a shuttle service between areas is a must, also iguanas everywhere so just be wary."Read full review
"Download the app when you arrive - it has a schedule of all daily activities plus the restaurant menus."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
S$801 - S$1,528 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
hilton papagayo costa rica hotel gulf of papagayo, hilton papagayo costa rica resort and spa, fiesta premier costa rica, hilton gulf of papagayo, gulf of papagayo hilton, fiesta resort costa rica, fiesta premier resort spa costa rica
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of GuanacasteGulf of Papagayo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
202
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Which popular attractions are close to Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Nearby attractions include Costa Rica Unique Transfers and Tours (7.8 km), CafĂ© TĂo Leo (7.5 km), and Costour (7.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Yes, parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Conveniently located restaurants include Tandoor Indian Restaurant, Naans & Curries Coco Beach, and Numu Taproom & Bistro By Chef Nicolas Devenelle.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Does Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica have airport transportation?
Yes, Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Does Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the harbour view available here.