Four Seasons Costa Rica Review (2026): Is It Worth It?
Last updated in May, 2026
Sunset on the beach at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Arriving at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is beautiful. You come around the bend, get this breathtaking view of the water, drive down, and walk straight into a big open-air lobby with tons of staff. You immediately feel taken care of. They have you sit down and bring you refreshments. My son received a welcome backpack with a stuffy. The whole arrival is very polished. Nobody is confused about what they are doing or where you are going. They already know.
That arrival tells you most of what you need to know about the Four Seasons Costa Rica. It is not the newest hotel on Peninsula Papagayo, and it is not the most dramatic. What it is, reliably, is the resort where the trip simply works. For families, multigenerational groups, and couples who want polished service without running their own logistics, that turns out to be the rarer and more valuable thing.
The short version
Yes, it’s absolutely worth it for the right traveler. You are paying for service, location, and the kind of ease that makes a family trip feel effortless rather than managed. It is not cheap, and the food adds up faster than you expect, but if you want a coastal resort in Costa Rica where everything works the way it should, the Four Seasons earns its rate.
A note on booking with me
I book the Four Seasons Costa Rica every week as a Four Seasons Preferred Partner advisor, which means I know which rooms are working and which ones aren't, which managers actually answer the phone, and how to get my clients daily breakfast for two, a $100 resort credit, priority for room upgrades when available, and the kind of placement advocacy the resort cannot do for you directly. All of it at the same rate you would pay booking yourself. If you already know this is the trip, you can start planning with me here. If you are still deciding, the rest of the review below should help.
Accommodations and Location
Our room was ready on arrival. It was beautiful and clean. The resort is a very manageable size but not small. Our room was right above the pool, which I appreciated with my son. It overlooked the beach, just not on both sides the way some suites do. There was also a screen on the balcony to prevent animals from coming into the room, which I appreciated.
Our king room at Four Seasons Costa Rica, directly above the pool. The balcony screen keeps the wildlife out, which I appreciated more than I expected to.
The location is spectacular. Four Seasons Costa Rica feels like the perfect all-purpose luxury resort. It reminded me a bit of White Lotus Hawaii in terms of the level of care and attention. There were tons of families there and everything about the property makes family travel feel easy.
If White Lotus has you thinking about France, my post on the real Season 4 hotel in Saint-Tropez covers what to expect and where to book before the Riviera sells out.
No shortage of beautiful places to relax at the Four Seasons Costa Rica
World-Class Service
The service is amazing. They are personable and attentive without hovering. They remember you, they learn your names, and they are very accommodating. You are never waiting long for anything.
The beach at Peninsula Papagayo. Calm water, short walks, no agenda.
One thing I really loved was the no-reservations-needed restaurant, Añejo. You simply go when you are hungry, sit on the comfy sofas or loungers, and order. We brought card games and played while we waited, and it turned into a really nice family moment for us. The sushi was absolutely delicious, and the pad thai and coconut curry shrimp we had the next night were great too. They also had excellent mocktails.
Añejo, the no-reservations restaurant at Four Seasons Costa Rica. Show up hungry, order sushi, stay too long.
A moment that showed how good the service is happened one evening at the Añejo, near the pool. A group of kids, including my son, were playing with the little color-changing lanterns. One child dropped one and it cracked. Another accidentally dropped a glass water bottle and it shattered. Security came over calmly. The parent lightly scolded their child, but there was no drama. No dirty looks. No shaming. They placed a chair over the area, someone stood there so no one walked through the glass, the server cleaned it up, and everyone continued their night. Nobody stressed or felt bad. That is the Four Seasons vibe.
Activities and Family Amenities
We also went on the ziplining and ropes course excursion, which we loved. It was easy to set up, well run, and great for kids who like some adventure. This is one of the most popular activities in Papagayo and it lived up to the hype.
The Papagayo ropes course. Easy to book, well run, and worth the hype, which I do not say often.
I do not know when the rooms were last redone. They do not have the same wow factor as some newer properties, but they are extremely clean, beautiful and comfortable. Nothing looked dingy or tired. (The resort did complete a multi-million-dollar enhancement project in late 2023, which is likely why everything feels so spotless!)
I toured some of the suites. They are beautiful with views on both sides. Very comfortable and great for families.
The Kids For All Seasons Club is big and organized. They have a nap corner, a movie station, a science and space center, and a kids pool where children can go in and out under supervision. Kids under four can join with a babysitter. There is also a teen center with video games and activities. They have kids menus everywhere and the kids pizza option was helpful.
Kids For All Seasons at Four Seasons Costa Rica. A nap corner, a science center, and supervision that lets parents finish a sentence.
With my son, we spent most of our time at the pool with short beach walks mixed in. The entire property is very easy to move around, which I liked.
The main pool at Four Seasons Costa Rica, where we spent most of our time and regretted nothing.
I did not get a chance to see Andaz but I have heard good things. If you happen to stay there instead, it is absolutely worth taking the trip over to the Four Seasons for their Restaurants. And everywhere in the Papagayo Peninsula, you can book dinner at the other resorts, which gives you nice flexibility.
Costa Rica is also one of the top destinations in my 2026 luxury travel trends roundup, and the Costa Rica wellness resorts guide covers options beyond Papagayo if you want to add a few nights somewhere more remote.
Overall, the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is polished, comfortable, family friendly, and very well run. It is beautiful without being complicated, and everything works exactly the way you want it to.
If you are weighing Four Seasons against the new Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve next door, I stayed at both and wrote a full side-by-side comparison. They share the same Papagayo peninsula but deliver very different experiences. For a completely different Costa Rica vibe, the W Reserva Conchal is worth knowing about too, especially if your kids are older and want more energy.
Want this level of flawless service for your family? As a luxury travel advisor, I can book your stay at the Four Seasons Papagayo with Preferred Partner perks at no extra cost to you. You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast, a $100 resort credit, and priority room upgrade (when available). Skip the complicated booking and let Sebastian Luxe Travel plan your entire Costa Rica itinerary, complete with exclusive benefits and VIP status.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Four Seasons Costa Rica worth it? For the right traveler, yes. You are paying for service, location, and the kind of ease that makes a family trip feel effortless rather than managed. It is not the cheapest option in Costa Rica, and the food adds up, but if you want a coastal resort where everything simply works, it earns its rate.
Is the Four Seasons Costa Rica good for families? It is one of the easiest luxury resorts in Costa Rica to recommend for families. The Kids For All Seasons club is large and well run, there is a teen center, kids menus turn up everywhere, and the staff treat children like welcome guests rather than small liabilities. My son was happy from the welcome backpack onward.
Which airport do you fly into, and how far is the resort? You fly into Liberia (LIR), the closest airport to Peninsula Papagayo. The transfer runs about 45 minutes depending on traffic. Short enough that arrival still feels civilized, even after a long flight with a tired child and a husband asking where the passports are.
Four Seasons Costa Rica or Nekajui, which is better? They are not the same trip. Four Seasons is the safer pick for families and multigenerational groups who want classic service and resort ease. Nekajui, the newer Ritz-Carlton Reserve next door, is quieter and more design-led. I compared them in detail in my Four Seasons versus Nekajui comparison, because the right answer depends entirely on who is traveling.
When is the best time to visit? Dry season, roughly December through April, brings the most reliable sun and the highest rates, so book room categories early. Green season, May through October, is quieter and cheaper, with rain that usually arrives for an hour in the afternoon and then clears. The landscape is at its greenest then, which is its own argument.
Is the food included, and is it expensive? Plan for true luxury resort pricing. Food and beverage costs add up quickly, and the smoothies have clearly attended private school. Booking through me as a Four Seasons Preferred Partner advisor includes daily breakfast for two, which takes the edge off the morning bill. I always confirm exactly what counts as included before you arrive.
Did the Four Seasons Costa Rica renovate recently? Yes. The resort completed a major enhancement project, which is why some older reviews no longer match the property. The updates added Virador Beach Club, an adults-only infinity pool, and the Wellness Shala for yoga, breathwork, and sound baths, alongside the refreshed Kids For All Seasons club.
Is it good for couples, or only families? It works for couples, with one caveat. During school breaks you will see plenty of children. The adults-only infinity pool, Virador Beach Club, and the spa give you quieter corners, but if you want total silence for a honeymoon, room category and timing matter. Choose carefully, and romance will have somewhere to sit.
