The hotel has 131 rooms and 21 suites, plus villas and penthouses. Natural materials, floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces connect the interiors to the hillside. Room size is only part of the choice here. A forest-facing balcony puts the trees in the foreground, while a bay-view category opens the outlook toward the water.

King Forest View and King Partial Bay View rooms measure 52 square meters. Both have a private balcony and a river-stone rain shower. For a soaking tub or private pool, check the specific suite or villa description rather than expecting these in every room. The 108-square-meter Andaz Suite has a forest outlook and separate sitting and work areas; the Andaz Bay View Suite keeps that size with a more open view of Culebra Bay.

Villas with one or two bedrooms bring full kitchens, laundry facilities and private plunge pools. These are practical features for families spending a week or more here, particularly when breakfast at home or washing beach clothes would make the trip easier. Two- and three-bedroom penthouses spread across three levels, with covered rooftop terraces and plunge pools. Their internal levels are an important distinction for anyone wanting everything on one floor.

Sombrero Oscuro lies below the main resort pools. Its volcanic sand, shaded loungers and water-activity equipment make it the beach for a paddle or a few hours close to your room. Access involves stairs. Nearby Sombrero Claro is a smaller, natural white-sand beach without resort services, so it is better approached as a quiet outing than a place to settle in for lunch. Neither beach is wheelchair accessible.

For a longer beach day, Casa de Playa is the resort's beach club on Nacascolo. There is a swimming pool as well as the beach, with shade, cabanas and food from Meso. Kayaks, paddleboards and snorkeling equipment provide alternatives to a lounger. The Nimbu boat leaves from Sombrero Oscuro for the crossing, which the resort estimates at around ten minutes. Boat service depends on the weather; a road shuttle is another option.

That separation is part of the appeal, but it changes how you plan the day. Take what you need for several hours rather than counting on frequent trips back to the room. Check return transport before staying for dinner at Meso, which serves evening meals on selected nights. Conditions on the bay also determine which water activities are suitable.

The current dining collection gives longer stays several distinct options. Gaio serves southern Italian comfort food and is also a breakfast venue. Chao Pescao takes a different direction, with Latin American and Caribbean small plates, cocktails and an open-terrace setting. Sharing dishes here works well when a group would rather sample several things than settle on a formal sequence of courses.

Ostra now focuses on Southeast Asian cooking, combining regional flavors with local ingredients. Its Perla sushi bar makes use of the local catch, with availability dependent on the day's produce. The terrace overlooks Culebra Bay, and reservations are sensible for dinner. Meso, at Casa de Playa, pairs Mediterranean cooking with Mesoamerican influences for meals by Nacascolo Beach.

Coffee & Vinyls adds a smaller-scale stop for Costa Rican specialty coffee, sandwiches and a record chosen from the collection. In-room dining operates around the clock. Guests interested in the cooking can look at the resort's scheduled classes, which cover subjects such as ceviche, empanadas and coffee preparation. Meals are not automatically included with every room booking; confirm the dining arrangement attached to your chosen rate.

The main family pool area has three infinity pools, including a shallow-entry pool. Adults who prefer a quieter pool can use the separate relaxation pool, reserved for guests aged 18 and over. Couples therefore have somewhere to swim away from the family pool area, though the resort as a whole welcomes children.

Cambi Kids Club welcomes children aged four to eleven, with crafts, storytelling and outdoor activities. Younger children need a different arrangement: babysitting can be organized for ages three months to twelve years. Check availability before planning a parents-only excursion. For older children and mixed-age groups, Papagayo Park adds pools, slides, a playground and racquet sports within the wider peninsula community, rather than directly beside the hotel rooms.

ONDA Spa draws on Guanacaste ingredients and Chorotega cultural influences for its treatments. Cacao, citrus and coconut milk feature in its signature rituals, alongside a wider choice of massages and facials. The lunar-inspired treatment collection gives the spa a regional identity beyond its forest surroundings.

The Hydrotherapy Dome has a cold plunge, steam facilities and a relaxation pool. An air-conditioned gym is available 24 hours a day, while the outdoor workout deck has equipment including kettlebells and TRX systems. Hatha and Vinyasa yoga sessions take place in the open air with forest and bay outlooks. A waterfront running and walking route toward the marina provides another way to start the morning without arranging an excursion.

The peninsula's Arnold Palmer Signature course has 18 holes, with tee times arranged through the concierge. Papagayo Explorers also organizes guided activities, and the Outpost in Palmares Preserve is a base for hiking, mountain biking and ziplining. These outings take you beyond the beach without a long drive out of the peninsula. Ask the concierge about schedules, age requirements and any separate charges before choosing an activity.

Arriving through Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport keeps the road journey relatively short. The hotel estimates a transfer of roughly 35 to 45 minutes, depending on conditions, and private transport can be arranged. Shuttles help with journeys around the peninsula once you arrive.

Andaz Costa Rica rewards a little planning around its hillside layout. Decide which outlook and bedroom arrangement matter first, then leave a full day for Casa de Playa and time for the activities your group actually wants. Between a bay-view suite, family pool and forest trail, there is enough choice to build different days without changing hotels.