Apr 5, 2015, 12:32 pm
Last edit by: ehallison
(2022 RENOVATIONS) Major reductions in service and facilities August 1 to October 31 2022 The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo will undergo renovations August 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022. The renovations will take place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The hotel will renovate the Ostra restaurant, however, Rio Bhongo, Chao Pescao and the Beach House will be available for dining.
The hotel will expand the fitness center and upgrade the spa’s reception area. The fitness center will operate at an alternate location and spa services will be offered at that location. The adults-only pool will not be available during renovations. All guests will use the main pool area.
Overview of hotel, restaurants, menus, activities, pretty much everything you need to know: (Link)
Buildings 1, 2, 3 ,4 on higher level and will have steps or you can call for a shuttle
Buildings 5, 6, 7 will be at pool/restaurant level
Property Map (click here)
Parking: valet and self parking included in 10% resort fee
Free shuttle: was until 6pm, now extended to 10pm. Please check for the specifics. Shuttle from 6pm has a charge of $25 USD to Four Season. (2/18 - sign only spoke of shuttle to 6pm)
Vaccination:
Hepatits A and Typhoid vaccine before travel.
Mosquito repellent, especially at night and during rainy season due to Dengue fever.
Complimentary poolside and beachside sunscreen and ice water with citrus in it
Complimentary in the rooms- Sun hats and flip flops, as well as a modest minibar including chips and nuts
If you plan to drive:
1. Strongly recommend GPS, or iPhone app
2. About 30-35minutes from airport
3. 20-25 minutes from hotel to major road (route 21)
4. Road is 2 lane paved road
5. There are no shoulders, just ditches (for rain to drain)
6. Roads in small towns may be unpaved.
7. Roads are not lit. Scariest part about driving at night is not getting lost, but pedestrians walking or a cyclist right on the edge of the road.
8. Another guest at Andaz turned over a car on the first day out with a rental…and this is during the dry season!! (I have no idea how this is possible, unless the driver was incompetent. I rented a car and drove my family several times into town. No problems. Was considering not doing so based on the above sentence. if you have common sense, you will be fine.- Bikeguy)
9. Consider rent from hotel a couple of days instead of getting rental for your entire trip : $90 smaller car, $120 Toyota RAV, $190 Toyota Prado seats 7
Worthwhile activities:
1. At hotel: complimentary kayak, snorkels, paddle board
2. Golf at Four Seasons
3. Witch’s Rock: very close to hotel. Canopy (zipline- $75 pp), horseback riding, quad rental
4. Palo Verde:
• Boat tours are worthwhile
• Chose one that has sun protections or bring an umbrella for sun protection
• Best approach from the south end (eg Palo Verde Boat Tour in Ortega) since it is only an hour away from hotel (vs 2hours from the north entrance.) Stop by Guaitil and pick up some famous Chorotega pottery for souvenir/gifts.
• If approaching it from the north side, stop at nearby Llanos de Cortez waterfall for a dip.
• For bird lovers, consider a Palo Verde boat tour that includes Isla Parajos that can be seen with a tour from Puerto Humo (2 hours from the hotel)
5. Rincon de Vieja
6. Fishing, surfing in Tamarindo
Nearby dining:
At hotel:
• Rio Bhongo: great breakfast (especially for diamonds), recommend casado for lunch. Diamond can also get room service breakfast instead of at restaurant.
• Chao Pescao: recommend chicken arepas, apple cake (apple pie with crème brulee like custard and vanilla ice cream)
• Ostra
Four Seasons
Dive Bar
• at Marina
• A value for happy hour and Tuesday tacos and other specials, otherwise food were similarly priced as at the hotel and not as good.
Cambi:
• 8-5 free childcare, but with a 1 hour break at noon (so you can't do a full day trip while leaving the kids in Cambi). There is a charge for some activities
• Evening:
a. 6-10pm: $50 with meals served
b. Up to 3 hrs: $40 with meals served.
Miscellaneous:
• There is a supermarket right as you enter “larger” cities like Liberia, Playa de Coco, Santa Cruz. See if guide will make a stop if you are by a “larger” city. For example, if taking a tour to Rincon de Vieja or north end of Palo Verde, see if they will stop in Liberia for meal at Café Liberia (excellent well priced food, serving lunch and dinner but only snacks from 2- 5pm) and to pick up items at the supermarket
• Do It Center
• at 21 and 253
• Can pick up Sim card:
a. Need unlocked phone.
b. Kolbi at the pharmacy
c. Movistar in the Monge electronic store in the hardware store
• Pharmacy
• Pizza place
• Bank
d. Gas Station is across from airport, adjacent to Hilton Garden Inn
The hotel will renovate the Ostra restaurant, however, Rio Bhongo, Chao Pescao and the Beach House will be available for dining.
The hotel will expand the fitness center and upgrade the spa’s reception area. The fitness center will operate at an alternate location and spa services will be offered at that location. The adults-only pool will not be available during renovations. All guests will use the main pool area.
Overview of hotel, restaurants, menus, activities, pretty much everything you need to know: (Link)
Buildings 1, 2, 3 ,4 on higher level and will have steps or you can call for a shuttle
Buildings 5, 6, 7 will be at pool/restaurant level
Property Map (click here)
Parking: valet and self parking included in 10% resort fee
Free shuttle: was until 6pm, now extended to 10pm. Please check for the specifics. Shuttle from 6pm has a charge of $25 USD to Four Season. (2/18 - sign only spoke of shuttle to 6pm)
Vaccination:
Hepatits A and Typhoid vaccine before travel.
Mosquito repellent, especially at night and during rainy season due to Dengue fever.
Complimentary poolside and beachside sunscreen and ice water with citrus in it
Complimentary in the rooms- Sun hats and flip flops, as well as a modest minibar including chips and nuts
If you plan to drive:
1. Strongly recommend GPS, or iPhone app
2. About 30-35minutes from airport
3. 20-25 minutes from hotel to major road (route 21)
4. Road is 2 lane paved road
5. There are no shoulders, just ditches (for rain to drain)
6. Roads in small towns may be unpaved.
7. Roads are not lit. Scariest part about driving at night is not getting lost, but pedestrians walking or a cyclist right on the edge of the road.
8. Another guest at Andaz turned over a car on the first day out with a rental…and this is during the dry season!! (I have no idea how this is possible, unless the driver was incompetent. I rented a car and drove my family several times into town. No problems. Was considering not doing so based on the above sentence. if you have common sense, you will be fine.- Bikeguy)
9. Consider rent from hotel a couple of days instead of getting rental for your entire trip : $90 smaller car, $120 Toyota RAV, $190 Toyota Prado seats 7
Worthwhile activities:
1. At hotel: complimentary kayak, snorkels, paddle board
2. Golf at Four Seasons
3. Witch’s Rock: very close to hotel. Canopy (zipline- $75 pp), horseback riding, quad rental
4. Palo Verde:
• Boat tours are worthwhile
• Chose one that has sun protections or bring an umbrella for sun protection
• Best approach from the south end (eg Palo Verde Boat Tour in Ortega) since it is only an hour away from hotel (vs 2hours from the north entrance.) Stop by Guaitil and pick up some famous Chorotega pottery for souvenir/gifts.
• If approaching it from the north side, stop at nearby Llanos de Cortez waterfall for a dip.
• For bird lovers, consider a Palo Verde boat tour that includes Isla Parajos that can be seen with a tour from Puerto Humo (2 hours from the hotel)
5. Rincon de Vieja
6. Fishing, surfing in Tamarindo
Nearby dining:
At hotel:
• Rio Bhongo: great breakfast (especially for diamonds), recommend casado for lunch. Diamond can also get room service breakfast instead of at restaurant.
• Chao Pescao: recommend chicken arepas, apple cake (apple pie with crème brulee like custard and vanilla ice cream)
• Ostra
Four Seasons
Dive Bar
• at Marina
• A value for happy hour and Tuesday tacos and other specials, otherwise food were similarly priced as at the hotel and not as good.
Cambi:
• 8-5 free childcare, but with a 1 hour break at noon (so you can't do a full day trip while leaving the kids in Cambi). There is a charge for some activities
• Evening:
a. 6-10pm: $50 with meals served
b. Up to 3 hrs: $40 with meals served.
Miscellaneous:
• There is a supermarket right as you enter “larger” cities like Liberia, Playa de Coco, Santa Cruz. See if guide will make a stop if you are by a “larger” city. For example, if taking a tour to Rincon de Vieja or north end of Palo Verde, see if they will stop in Liberia for meal at Café Liberia (excellent well priced food, serving lunch and dinner but only snacks from 2- 5pm) and to pick up items at the supermarket
• Do It Center
• at 21 and 253
• Can pick up Sim card:
a. Need unlocked phone.
b. Kolbi at the pharmacy
c. Movistar in the Monge electronic store in the hardware store
• Pharmacy
• Pizza place
• Bank
d. Gas Station is across from airport, adjacent to Hilton Garden Inn
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo (Costa Rica) REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Oct 26, 2021, 12:38 pm
#1291
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,854
My understanding is the self test kits aren’t valid for the most part. The only ones approved are if you do a video interview with a dr and they watch you collect it and everything. So not just the $15 ones at Walmart.
Oct 26, 2021, 1:04 pm
#1292
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,946
The eMed kits are valid for return to the US - they’re also the same ones you buy in CVS / Walgreens / Walmart - but you also have a telehealth appointment to conduct the test and verify the results. You used to be able to get. 6 pack for $125 (or maybe $150?) but now they’re only selling 3 packs max. They also have a short expiration date (within a month or two).
Oct 26, 2021, 6:54 pm
#1294
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Wifi
Just checked out of the property today. WiFi at the property is very good. You’d definitely be able to work remotely on it. I didn’t check the coverage at the beach in front of the property but Wifi at the Andaz Beach House was also very good.
Nov 12, 2021, 7:09 am
#1296
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 694
It did have availability throughout March and April a few months ago - recent demand booked all the base rooms for that time period.
Nov 12, 2021, 12:20 pm
#1298
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 4
Any data points on being the second guest of a Globalist reservation at this property?
Trying to find a way to get globalist benefits on our stay here Dec 9-13 but looks like I can only find someone that is willing to put me as second guest and not GoH. (Obviously because they'll get night credits this way)
Trying to find a way to get globalist benefits on our stay here Dec 9-13 but looks like I can only find someone that is willing to put me as second guest and not GoH. (Obviously because they'll get night credits this way)
Nov 12, 2021, 2:51 pm
#1300
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,854
Any data points on being the second guest of a Globalist reservation at this property?
Trying to find a way to get globalist benefits on our stay here Dec 9-13 but looks like I can only find someone that is willing to put me as second guest and not GoH. (Obviously because they'll get night credits this way)
Trying to find a way to get globalist benefits on our stay here Dec 9-13 but looks like I can only find someone that is willing to put me as second guest and not GoH. (Obviously because they'll get night credits this way)
Nov 14, 2021, 2:45 pm
#1303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,908
Is papagayo floating and canopy still operating nearby?
Are there still folks renting out jetski etc down by the beach??
Is pork belly benedict still on breakfast menu? (unfortunately I think I know the answer to that one...)
do they still take donations of school supplies for local schools?
Are there still folks renting out jetski etc down by the beach??
Is pork belly benedict still on breakfast menu? (unfortunately I think I know the answer to that one...)
do they still take donations of school supplies for local schools?
Nov 14, 2021, 2:55 pm
#1304
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,854
Breakfast is free as we are Globalists otherwise I’d estimate $80-90.
Lunch we spend ~$50 including taxes and service charges.
Dinner. We spend $80-$100 including taxes and service charges.
Typically we will get breakfast which is the full buffet and be full until dinner. On days we sleep in we’ll get an early lunch then dinner.
Is papagayo floating and canopy still operating nearby?
Are there still folks renting out jetski etc down by the beach??
Is pork belly benedict still on breakfast menu? (unfortunately I think I know the answer to that one...)
do they still take donations of school supplies for local schools?
Are there still folks renting out jetski etc down by the beach??
Is pork belly benedict still on breakfast menu? (unfortunately I think I know the answer to that one...)
do they still take donations of school supplies for local schools?
Some people are renting jet skis quoted prices were $80 for 30 minutes $120 for 1 hour.
We also took a rainforest tour with the company down on Sombrero Oscuro Roadrunner tours which went pretty well.
I’ll attach the full current breakfast menu.
Nov 14, 2021, 4:43 pm
#1305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,908
Thank you.
Papagayo floating and canopy is a place nearby- driving there directly it was prob half price of what was quoted via hotel with pickup. For a family one activity was enough to offset the cost of rental car.
Papagayo floating and canopy is a place nearby- driving there directly it was prob half price of what was quoted via hotel with pickup. For a family one activity was enough to offset the cost of rental car.