I had built up some Hyatt points and knew there was a wonderful Hyatt Andaz just half an hour away
from the airport. I reserved it once I got our plane tickets. This hotel was the first hotel I’ve stayed with
that emailed me back and forth to help me plan our stay one month ahead. I loved it even before we
stayed. On the trip I also discovered Hyatt was upgrading Andaz Papagayo from Category 4 to
Category 5 on March 18, 2019. We wouldn’t be able to redeem the award travel if we traveled 3 days
later.
from the airport. I reserved it once I got our plane tickets. This hotel was the first hotel I’ve stayed with
that emailed me back and forth to help me plan our stay one month ahead. I loved it even before we
stayed. On the trip I also discovered Hyatt was upgrading Andaz Papagayo from Category 4 to
Category 5 on March 18, 2019. We wouldn’t be able to redeem the award travel if we traveled 3 days
later.
Originally I evenly divided our trip between rainforest and beach. Now adding one night last minute,
we would spend four nights in Andaz. I read that Andaz had its beach club with free snorkels, kayaks,
SUP. It’s exactly what I wanted for our family on a beach vacation. Unfortunately Andaz located in
Culebra bay and had no waves for surfing. This was the only negative point about this resort. But it
made the swimming/snorkeling for kids much safer.
we would spend four nights in Andaz. I read that Andaz had its beach club with free snorkels, kayaks,
SUP. It’s exactly what I wanted for our family on a beach vacation. Unfortunately Andaz located in
Culebra bay and had no waves for surfing. This was the only negative point about this resort. But it
made the swimming/snorkeling for kids much safer.
Four seasons and Andaz share Papagayo Peninsula. We saw beautiful manicured lawn, golf courses,
statues and fountains on the drive to the resort entrance. It reminded me of the St Regis on Kauai
that we drooled over. I felt fancy already. Our car made continues decent to almost sea level in front
of the lobby. Valet helped us move the luggage to our room with a golf cart and parked our car for us.
This property has 7 major residential buildings, a gym, a spa, a kids’ club, three restaurants, four
swimming pools and the lobby area with some wedding/conference space. All the building were
connected by narrow paved road that only golf cart was able to reach.
statues and fountains on the drive to the resort entrance. It reminded me of the St Regis on Kauai
that we drooled over. I felt fancy already. Our car made continues decent to almost sea level in front
of the lobby. Valet helped us move the luggage to our room with a golf cart and parked our car for us.
This property has 7 major residential buildings, a gym, a spa, a kids’ club, three restaurants, four
swimming pools and the lobby area with some wedding/conference space. All the building were
connected by narrow paved road that only golf cart was able to reach.
We checked in at their open lobby. The friendly smile from everybody we encountered made us felt so
welcomed. We checked in to Building 6, 626. It was the best option when we later discovered. It was
closest to the main restaurant and pool, and to the beach. We got in the room and it was spacious for
a hotel room (550 sqft) with a divider between the bathroom area and bedroom. The shower room was
huge with a glass door to the outdoor balcony. This door helped us to have some time to ourselves
after the kids go to sleep. We opened the glass panel from the living space to the patio and found so
many monkeys at the trees in front of our patio! I let out a joyful cry since we saw them so close!
There they were - about 10 howler monkeys leisurely hanging out right in front of us! With the ocean
as the background!
welcomed. We checked in to Building 6, 626. It was the best option when we later discovered. It was
closest to the main restaurant and pool, and to the beach. We got in the room and it was spacious for
a hotel room (550 sqft) with a divider between the bathroom area and bedroom. The shower room was
huge with a glass door to the outdoor balcony. This door helped us to have some time to ourselves
after the kids go to sleep. We opened the glass panel from the living space to the patio and found so
many monkeys at the trees in front of our patio! I let out a joyful cry since we saw them so close!
There they were - about 10 howler monkeys leisurely hanging out right in front of us! With the ocean
as the background!
When Will went to find a missing bag of wet swimming suits in our car, I took two kids to the beach
within the property to play. On our way there, a few white faced capuchins were gathering near a tree
in the trail. I bent down to take a photo from the distance. A playful monkey ran directly towards me. I
wasn't sure what he was doing and jumped aside. Then he saw Jackson and ran towards him. That got
Jackson so happy as his fur touched Jackson’s arm. The monkeys here as we noticed were those two
types. Sometimes they made big noise to claim their territory. We had our monkey sightings every day
in Andaz. And each time it was fun to watch them.
within the property to play. On our way there, a few white faced capuchins were gathering near a tree
in the trail. I bent down to take a photo from the distance. A playful monkey ran directly towards me. I
wasn't sure what he was doing and jumped aside. Then he saw Jackson and ran towards him. That got
Jackson so happy as his fur touched Jackson’s arm. The monkeys here as we noticed were those two
types. Sometimes they made big noise to claim their territory. We had our monkey sightings every day
in Andaz. And each time it was fun to watch them.
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| Playful Monkey |
As soon as our feet touched sand, the kids wouldn’t stop running and jumping in the water. Their smiles were so big and contagious. The worries and concerns floated away with the beautiful beach sunset. The sound of gentle wave splashing the shore and kids giggling made all the journey worth it.
We ate at Rio Bongo for dinner. It was really good dining experience for both parents and kids. Food
was made very quick and we all liked our choices. (I timed 14 minutes from ordering to be served) I still
craved for the authentic Costa Rican food we had on our last trip. We had the best meal stopped at a
small local eatery on a dirt road with traveler’s recommendation. But so far our trip’s meal had been
mediocre. We liked our Arenal Oasis food better than HG, but hasn’t found the flavor we remembered.
Andaz’s food was excellent but tasted like the good Dallas restaurant food. It may also be because we
were watching for our kids behavior more than paying attention to the food we ate.
was made very quick and we all liked our choices. (I timed 14 minutes from ordering to be served) I still
craved for the authentic Costa Rican food we had on our last trip. We had the best meal stopped at a
small local eatery on a dirt road with traveler’s recommendation. But so far our trip’s meal had been
mediocre. We liked our Arenal Oasis food better than HG, but hasn’t found the flavor we remembered.
Andaz’s food was excellent but tasted like the good Dallas restaurant food. It may also be because we
were watching for our kids behavior more than paying attention to the food we ate.
This was the first night they needed to share a bed. When Norah was young, I requested crib for her. I
had always try to have them in their separate beds for good sleep. We tried the sharing bed strategy
once when we traveled to Austin last Labor day at Chloe and Bruno’s house. They stayed up till 11pm
when we were ready to sleep and we separated them between us. The night when we stayed at a hotel
for the drive to Wolf Creek last December, we had to divide to girls’ bed and boys’ bed. And Norah
kicked me the whole night. This time we determined that they would share a bed. It was rough the first
night. There was the constant scream of “my blanket” “you took too much blanket” “you bumped into
me”. It got better the later nights. We were glad they had some practice. We got to enjoy our balcony
with the moonlight.
had always try to have them in their separate beds for good sleep. We tried the sharing bed strategy
once when we traveled to Austin last Labor day at Chloe and Bruno’s house. They stayed up till 11pm
when we were ready to sleep and we separated them between us. The night when we stayed at a hotel
for the drive to Wolf Creek last December, we had to divide to girls’ bed and boys’ bed. And Norah
kicked me the whole night. This time we determined that they would share a bed. It was rough the first
night. There was the constant scream of “my blanket” “you took too much blanket” “you bumped into
me”. It got better the later nights. We were glad they had some practice. We got to enjoy our balcony
with the moonlight.
Saturday after a slow morning, we headed to the beach to catch the shuttle boat to Andaz’s beach
house. We caught the 9:30 boat and it was actually the first boat of the day. Ten minutes of boat ride
later, we were at a bigger beach with lounge chairs and shades. This location also had its own
restaurant that served a good choice of lunch and drinks. We had unlimited beach toys for them to dig,
snorkels, kayaks, SUPs. Time went by super fast. I took Norah back for her nap after 1pm. Will and
Jackson caught the 4:15 boat (The last one is 4:45) and met with us to enjoy the swimming pool. A
beautiful beach day in the bag!
house. We caught the 9:30 boat and it was actually the first boat of the day. Ten minutes of boat ride
later, we were at a bigger beach with lounge chairs and shades. This location also had its own
restaurant that served a good choice of lunch and drinks. We had unlimited beach toys for them to dig,
snorkels, kayaks, SUPs. Time went by super fast. I took Norah back for her nap after 1pm. Will and
Jackson caught the 4:15 boat (The last one is 4:45) and met with us to enjoy the swimming pool. A
beautiful beach day in the bag!
Sunday we went to the beach a little early. Will and Jackson kayaked towards the marina to check out
the huge yacht that parked there. It’s hard to not noticing the yacht. It’s like a cruise ship by itself. We
had imagined who owned this yacht but the name on the hull was very small and hard to read from afar.
Norah and I did SUP because no more kayak was available. When we were about to turn back, I heard
a woman on a board happily screamed “Manta Ray!” And a pass by kayaker told me about a turtle in
that same direction. I paddled hard towards there but didn’t find anything. Manta Ray and turtles were
elusive on this trip. Only Will was able to spot a ray on the first day on his SUP.
the huge yacht that parked there. It’s hard to not noticing the yacht. It’s like a cruise ship by itself. We
had imagined who owned this yacht but the name on the hull was very small and hard to read from afar.
Norah and I did SUP because no more kayak was available. When we were about to turn back, I heard
a woman on a board happily screamed “Manta Ray!” And a pass by kayaker told me about a turtle in
that same direction. I paddled hard towards there but didn’t find anything. Manta Ray and turtles were
elusive on this trip. Only Will was able to spot a ray on the first day on his SUP.
We caught the first boat. During the short ride, Will discovered dolphins playing in the bay! He called
out to us from the back. Driver steered toward the dolphins and we watched a group of dolphins in the
water, one of them even did a jump. We added one more animal to our long list of spotted CR animals.
out to us from the back. Driver steered toward the dolphins and we watched a group of dolphins in the
water, one of them even did a jump. We added one more animal to our long list of spotted CR animals.
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| Norah in surf position |
 |
| Our spot on the beach |
Jackson and I went out for a snorkel once we arrived. We both put on fins and held hands when we swam toward the coral reef area. Jackson has gotten very good on snorkeling. I loved the feeling of knowing him right beside me when my senses were deprived by immersing our ears and eyes in the water. He trusted me completely to guide him. We went out about half an hour and saw sea urchins, puffer fish and schools of colorful fish. A group of silverfish reflected sunlight and surprised us. It was a fun activity!
I took Norah back to the room again for nap. When she napped a little longer than me, I did some more
reading on this hotel. I found out that kids under 5 eats free in this resort. No wonder the waiters
always asked how old them were. And later I paid attention that whatever the kids ordered were indeed
free. That’s the reason why our meal was cheaper here than Hacienda Guachipelin. Another thing I
found out was 3.5 year old could go to the kids’ club as well. Andaz has an excellent free kids club that
they converted from a presidential suite. On the website it said only 4-12 years old. We just assumed
Norah couldn’t go. But after reading the article, I had the plan to try out their kids program the next day.
Also there were free snow cones at the pool!
reading on this hotel. I found out that kids under 5 eats free in this resort. No wonder the waiters
always asked how old them were. And later I paid attention that whatever the kids ordered were indeed
free. That’s the reason why our meal was cheaper here than Hacienda Guachipelin. Another thing I
found out was 3.5 year old could go to the kids’ club as well. Andaz has an excellent free kids club that
they converted from a presidential suite. On the website it said only 4-12 years old. We just assumed
Norah couldn’t go. But after reading the article, I had the plan to try out their kids program the next day.
Also there were free snow cones at the pool!
 |
| Enjoying her apple on our balcony |
 |
| Snorkeling in the pool |
After nap, we got on a shuttle bus to have a tour of the peninsular. There were families that booked the Four Seasons tennis court to play, also families that reserved the Four Seasons restaurant to dine. We just rode along to enjoy the view of the bay. We caught a glimpse of Four Seasons beach and Prieta beach club. Both beach are on the pacific side and have bigger waves to surf. Andaz guests used to be able to use Prieta beach but in 2018, they built the beach house and no longer has the agreement with Prieta club.
A family of four jumped on the shuttle at Four Seasons and asked to be dropped at the Marina. I
thought about that mysterious jumbo yacht. Are they the owners of the yacht? I asked the women,
What’s in the Marina? She replied the Dive Bar. They also stayed in Andaz and her teenage daughters
wanted to have different food than the Andaz offered. When they got off the shuttle, Will and I looked
at each other and decided to stay to eat at Dive Bar too.
thought about that mysterious jumbo yacht. Are they the owners of the yacht? I asked the women,
What’s in the Marina? She replied the Dive Bar. They also stayed in Andaz and her teenage daughters
wanted to have different food than the Andaz offered. When they got off the shuttle, Will and I looked
at each other and decided to stay to eat at Dive Bar too.
We enjoyed being outside of the resort. It was all superb experience but eating outside made us felt a
degree of freedom. Our table had the view of the marina. Jackson loved the foosball table next to us.
Will told me later he noticed a young woman with five young guys at our next table and looked very
familiar. Could she be the owner of that yacht?
degree of freedom. Our table had the view of the marina. Jackson loved the foosball table next to us.
Will told me later he noticed a young woman with five young guys at our next table and looked very
familiar. Could she be the owner of that yacht?
 |
| sunset from the Dive Bar |
We walked back to Andaz through the bayside trail. Moon was close to full and shined brightly. We
chased our moon shadows back to our room.
chased our moon shadows back to our room.
Monday Jackson and Will got up early and left to search for the manta ray and turtle. Norah woke up
slowly and claimed she didn’t want to go to the beach today. I suggested kids club and she agreed.
Cambi (Kids’ club name) is in an individual building. I loved it once we stepped in. Norah seemed loving
it too. It had a calming and charming energy and the three girls in there were very friendly. Norah settled
down to a playdoh table and refused to leave. I left her there and headed to the beach house to tell Will
and Jackson our change of plan.
slowly and claimed she didn’t want to go to the beach today. I suggested kids club and she agreed.
Cambi (Kids’ club name) is in an individual building. I loved it once we stepped in. Norah seemed loving
it too. It had a calming and charming energy and the three girls in there were very friendly. Norah settled
down to a playdoh table and refused to leave. I left her there and headed to the beach house to tell Will
and Jackson our change of plan.
It was 9:45 when I arrived at the beach. I waited for the 10:00 boat in a hammock until 10:15. I asked the
staff where was the boat and was told the boat had problems and couldn’t operate today. I needed to ride
the shuttle to the beach house from the lobby. On the way to the lobby, I stopped by Cambi and asked
Norah if she would like to stay or come with me. She came with me. We rode a shuttle to the nature
center and a golf cart to the beach house. We wouldn’t have known there was a Nature Center had we
not ride the shuttle. But the activities it offered were for older kids.
staff where was the boat and was told the boat had problems and couldn’t operate today. I needed to ride
the shuttle to the beach house from the lobby. On the way to the lobby, I stopped by Cambi and asked
Norah if she would like to stay or come with me. She came with me. We rode a shuttle to the nature
center and a golf cart to the beach house. We wouldn’t have known there was a Nature Center had we
not ride the shuttle. But the activities it offered were for older kids.
There was another thing that bothered us from this hotel, the price of their tours. This hotel had so
many great amenities, but it’s either free or expensive. A four hour boat tour sets each person back
$165. A bioluminescent bay kayak for two hours costs $100 per person. It was even more than US
price. We noticed how expensive Costa Rica became since last time we were here. It was a
combination of touristy place charges and North American prices.
many great amenities, but it’s either free or expensive. A four hour boat tour sets each person back
$165. A bioluminescent bay kayak for two hours costs $100 per person. It was even more than US
price. We noticed how expensive Costa Rica became since last time we were here. It was a
combination of touristy place charges and North American prices.
 |
| Tapas restaurant view |
We kayaked, snorkeled, SUPed again until both kids were drained. Norah and I went back home again
for a nap. She had the best naps in Andaz. I shut the blackout curtains and she went to sleep
immediately and for two whole hours. We chose the Tapas restaurant for dinner. Maybe sensed the
looming goodbye to this paradise, Jackson acted out on this dinner. He claimed he missed the Dive
Bar and wanted to go back.
for a nap. She had the best naps in Andaz. I shut the blackout curtains and she went to sleep
immediately and for two whole hours. We chose the Tapas restaurant for dinner. Maybe sensed the
looming goodbye to this paradise, Jackson acted out on this dinner. He claimed he missed the Dive
Bar and wanted to go back.
Our flight on Tuesday was 2:30pm. Since Liberia airport was only 30 minutes away, we still had a
whole morning here. The mystery yacht was also leaving the same day. It docked for a few hours at
the middle of the bay and left to the vast ocean.
whole morning here. The mystery yacht was also leaving the same day. It docked for a few hours at
the middle of the bay and left to the vast ocean.
 |
| Bye bye, yacht |
We gave Jackson the choice of beach and kids’ club. He chose kids club. He had heard about Norah’s good experience at Cambi and wanted to go. After we dropped both kids off, we realized that we had some adult time on this trip! We couldn’t believe our luck and frankly never planned for it.
We decided to snorkel together to the coral reef. We took the route choice from the snorkel guide and
saw beautiful underwater world. We also swam to the smaller beach on the property and took a stroll.
We were like two happy honeymooners! Will went to check on them after one hour. They were both
enjoying the kids club and didn’t want to leave. So Will went to SUP by himself and I finally got a
chance to check out Andaz’s gift shop. I had never imagined that shopping at a hotel gift shop by
myself was such a treat! I was almost giddy checking each item out, even I knew I didn’t have that
much time. I packed up when they were still busy in the club and ordered room service for lunch.
It’s time to head home.
saw beautiful underwater world. We also swam to the smaller beach on the property and took a stroll.
We were like two happy honeymooners! Will went to check on them after one hour. They were both
enjoying the kids club and didn’t want to leave. So Will went to SUP by himself and I finally got a
chance to check out Andaz’s gift shop. I had never imagined that shopping at a hotel gift shop by
myself was such a treat! I was almost giddy checking each item out, even I knew I didn’t have that
much time. I packed up when they were still busy in the club and ordered room service for lunch.
It’s time to head home.
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