Peninsula Papagayo offers wildlife and quiet luxury in Costa Rica

Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica combines frequent wildlife sightings — including howler monkeys in Palmares Preserve — with a small enclave of luxury resorts and new guest amenities such as Papagayo Park.

A tour guide with Papagayo Explorers led the writer through Palmares Preserve, where a troop of howler monkeys lounged in the canopy and called back when prompted. Peninsula Papagayo lies on the northwestern coast in Guanacaste and was once cattle land before it was developed for tourism. The peninsula is described as a 1,400-acre enclave of tropical dry forest with three luxury resorts and limited further hotel development. Recent additions for guests include refreshed accommodations at the Andaz and a new multi-recreational hub called Papagayo Park. At a glance: - Howler monkeys were observed and noted for their loud calls in Palmares Preserve. - Peninsula Papagayo is a 1,400-acre enclave in Guanacaste that was formerly cattle land. - The area hosts three major luxury resorts, including the Four Seasons and the recently opened Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and the Andaz has updated rooms and added 25 villa residences. - Papagayo Park opened in December and is reported as free for Peninsula Papagayo resort guests. - The peninsula is set within tropical dry forest, one of the world’s rarer ecosystems. - Porter Airlines has launched a year-round non-stop service that the article says makes travel from Toronto easier. Summary: Peninsula Papagayo is presented as a compact luxury ecotourism destination where wildlife sightings are common and resort amenities have recently expanded. Undetermined at this time.