Costa Rica’s mind-blowing biodiversity—the country is smaller than West Virginia but home to five percent of the world’s species—sun-drenched beaches, and laid-back lifestyle draw vacationers from around the world. And one of the most intriguing destinations in Costa Rica right now is Peninsula Papagayo.

Located in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, Peninsula Papagayo is only a 45-minute drive from Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), and it’s as if it was dreamed up as the ultimate playground for nature lovers.

While most of Neverland’s trip will revolve around scuba diving and other aquatic activities, there are also several unique land adventures to enjoy when we’re ready to dry off.

For those looking for more time in the buzzier areas of Costa Rica before or after the trip, shuttles from Papagayo to lively Tamarindo leave daily.

Peninsula Papagayo is home to an amazing landscape, and the peninsula is surrounded by an equally extraordinary ocean full of marine life from the variety of schooling fish to the larger types of marine life, such as rays, whales, dolphins, turtles, and sharks. In addition to the bigger creatures, a ton of fascinating macro life includes the harlequin clown shrimp, sea horses, nudibranches, and much more. 

Catalina Islands

Every year, divers from around the world make their pilgrimage to Costa Rica’s Catalinas Islands—a haven for a spectacular variety of marine life, including giant manta rays with jaw-dropping wingspans up to 20 feet. Indeed, the Catalina Islands are a special place. A sprinkling of 20 rocky islands, this scuba paradise invites divers and snorkelers to mask up, jump in, and break through the sparkling surface of an indigo Pacific in search of devil rays, giant manta rays, humpback whales, white-tipped reef sharks, angel fish, orcas, spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and so much more.

Bat Islands

The Bat Islands are another one of the premiere scuba diving destinations in Costa Rica. Located in the far north of the Guanacaste off the coast of Santa Rosa National Park, the area has been protected as a marine preserve by the country as part of the national park. The Bat Islands are full of marine life, including huge schools of different species of fish ranging in size from small to huge, and also giant Pacific mantas and massive schools of devil rays that pass through the area. For divers, the area is most famous for the encounters that you can have with 20 foot bull sharks at a site called “The Big Scare”!

Monkey Head Island

As you descend into the crystal-clear waters, you’ll be greeted by a colorful underwater paradise. The site derives its name from a rock formation that resembles the head of a monkey, providing an interesting and distinctive landmark. You’ll have the opportunity to encounter an array of tropical fish species, including parrotfish, angelfish, surgeonfish, and butterflyfish. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic sea turtles gracefully gliding through the water, as well as spotted eagle rays and reef sharks patrolling the depths.

Bajo Negro

This impressive rock pinnacle east of the Bat Islands is covered with several species of coral and sponges and attracts an impressive amount of marine life. The pinnacle provides a home for seemingly endless schools of fish which can fully engulf you. There are possibilities to see large open water sharks, such as the mako and the tiger shark, as well as large rays, eels and rich schools of fish.

Tortuga

On a rock formation that you follow as you descend, you will find a variety of marine life. Mooray eels, puffer fish, and several other large schools of fish. Quite often on this dive, usually when the water is warm, there will be a group of white tip reef sharks that you will encounter only minutes into the dive.

After stopping and seeing the white tips you will continue the dive to a 40 foot fishing boat wreck that is located in approximately 65-70 feet of water.

Argentina Point

Argentina Point gets its name due to its rock formation that is eerily similar to the land mass of Argentina. This site features a huge variety of marine life. It is not uncommon to find the harlequin clown shrimp, sea horses, several species of rays, turtles, moray eels, and even the odd white tip reef shark can quite often be seen lurking about the rocks. The dive reaches a maximum of 80 feet.

Hike the Trail on The Bat Islands

The Bat Islands are in Santa Rosa National Park in the Guanacaste province, up in the Northwest Pacific corner of Costa Rica. 

Santa Rosa National Park is the first national park established in Costa Rica back in 1971. This national park is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area World Heritage Site. One extra special thing about this national park is that even though it is open to the public, it’s rarely visited due to the lack of road access.

The entire hiking trail takes about one hour and begins on the beach near the ranger station and goes throughout the island. You get absolutely incredible views of the islands, mountains and ocean.

Palmares Aerial Adventure

A unique collection of 30 epic aerial trails designed by adventure park legend Victor Gallo create a not-to-be-missed voyage through one of the last vestiges of old-growth tropical dry forest in the Americas. The two-hour guided exploration traverses seven ziplines, a majestic weeping fig tree, and 21 adventure-filled high-rope obstacles replete with rope bridges, swinging logs, cargo nets and more.

Meals On Shore

Given the dominance of all-inclusive resorts on Papagayo Peninsula, it’ll come as no surprise that most of the best restaurants and bars are within these hotels.

Wherever there’s great fishing, there’s great fish, from the crudos and tapas served at the Four Seasons’ open-air eatery Añejo to the array of ceviche at Ostra Restaurant in the Andaz Costa Rica Resort, also home to the peninsula’s best Latin cuisine at Chao Pescao. At the Four Seasons, Nemare caters to carnivores with steak as good as any in Argentina from a hilltop perch with 360-degree water views. Classic Italian cuisine and an impressive wine list complement the elegant setting at Pesce, where the waves crashing below might fool you into thinking you’re in Portofino.

Resort Day Pass

Finish out your adventure on the ocean with an escape into luxury and enjoy an all-inclusive, adults-only daycation situated on the exuberant Arenilla beach in Costa Rica’s Gulf of Papagayo. Relax in the pool, lounge on the beach, and indulge in unlimited gourmet dining, top-shelf premium drinks, and endless daily activities. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, water exploration, or adventure, enjoy all the activities Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica has to offer.