Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo: Is 40,000 Hyatt Points Per Night Still Worth It?
The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort in Costa Rica absolutely stunning, and it’s been a favorite in the World of Hyatt program for its incredible blend of luxury and authentic Costa Rican charm.
However, as many points and miles enthusiasts know, Hyatt does its annual category reorganizations, and unfortunately, the Andaz Papagayo has now jumped to a Category 8 property, costing a cool 35,000 - 45,000 Hyatt Points per night.
When I stayed here, I was lucky enough to lock in a rate of just 29,000 points per night—a rate that felt like an absolute steal, especially considering the cash price was over $1,200 a night! But with the new standard rate now jumping up to 40,000 points, the burning question remains: Is the Andaz Papagayo still worth your hard-earned points?
Let's break down my full experience and do a thorough value analysis.
First Impressions: A Modern Treehouse Welcome
Getting to the Andaz Papagayo is part of the adventure, but a straightforward one. The resort is about 45 minutes from Liberia International Airport (LIR), making it relatively easy to access. The moment you enter the Peninsula Papagayo area, you immediately feel a sense of exclusive tranquility. It's a gated, secure, and incredibly lush environment that sets the tone for your stay.
The resort itself sprawls across a hilly, jungle-covered landscape, but getting around is seamless thanks to the complimentary golf cart shuttles. All it took was a quick WhatsApp message, and a friendly staff member would arrive to whisk us away. My 3-year-old thought this was the greatest thing ever, hilariously trying to hail every passing golf cart with a shout of, "Can we get a ride?!" It was such a fun, memorable touch that really helped when navigating with a toddler and a baby.
The moment you arrive at the Andaz, their signature vibe is unmistakable: laid-back luxury wrapped in authentic Costa Rican charm. The open-air lobby itself feels like you’ve stepped into a modern treehouse, offering sweeping views of the lush landscape and Culebra Bay. We were immediately greeted by the valet who swiftly took our rental car keys and handled our luggage, ensuring it would be delivered directly to our room. We were then welcomed with refreshing cold towels that smelled like tropical flowers and provided with a delicious welcome drink of natural coconut water. We simply sat down, soaked in the stunning view, and let the incredibly helpful and genuinely nice staff handle our check-in process. This warm, efficient welcome immediately set the tone for the rest of our unforgettable stay.
Our Room: Bay Views & Rainforest Showers
I originally booked a standard Forest View room, which is their basic category. As a Hyatt Globalist member, I was thrilled to receive a complimentary upgrade to a beautiful Bay View room. This upgrade was a game-changer, offering truly spectacular views of Culebra Bay from our expansive balcony.
Our room was a sanctuary of comfort and local artisan design, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly framed the bay. The highlight for me was the incredible rainfall shower, which even had a door that opened onto the balcony for a unique, partial outdoor showering experience – a truly immersive jungle vibe!
The room also comes with a complimentary minibar, generously stocked with local Costa Rican snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s the little things, right? We also found a lovely welcome gift in our room: a large brownie, a fresh fruit basket, and some delicious homemade coconut ball candies. As a major foodie, I was all about that free, tasty goodness! Another small but significant detail: the room was fully stocked with filtered water bottles, so I never had to worry about hydration. As someone who once packed an entire case of water in an extra suitcase for a trip to Egypt (an irrational fear, I know!), this was a huge relief. Plenty of fresh, clean water was always available.
Pools & Beaches: Jungle Immersion & Speedboat Adventures
There are two main infinity pools cascading down the hillside, offering stunning views and a lively atmosphere. Tucked away discreetly is a quieter, adults-only pool, perfect for a more serene escape, all beautifully integrated into the surrounding jungle. While we didn't partake in the full-service spa, its open-air treatment rooms looked incredibly tranquil.
The Andaz Papagayo features two distinct beach experiences:
Andaz Beach: This beach is accessed by a series of beautiful wooden stairs winding down through the jungle. It's a lovely, jungly spot with loungers and chairs, offering a more secluded feel.
Beach Club: This is, in my opinion, the star. You access it by a complimentary speedboat ride, which was genuinely fun and took about 10 minutes each way. You wait at the first beach for the speedboat to pick you up. Once there, the Beach Club offers its own infinity pool, a full-service restaurant (Meso, with great Mediterranean options), and plenty of comfortable chairs and loungers. We never had an issue finding a spot, and there was always ample shade from the numerous trees lining the beach.
What made the Beach Club truly surreal was its integration with nature. We constantly saw monkeys hanging from the trees right over our heads – one day I counted 15! It felt like we were right in the middle of the jungle. Now, for a less fun anecdote: one day, a boa constrictor decided to curl up right under a beach lounger. As someone who absolutely hates snakes, I was not a fan! I was literally about to sit there but thankfully spotted comfier loungers with large cushions nearby, so I narrowly avoided the "snake seat." The staff was fantastic, though; they promptly noticed the crowd gathering and had the snake safely removed from the property. It truly reminds you that you are deep in nature, adding to the authentic Costa Rican experience.
Activities & Dining: Engaging Fun & Family-Friendly Perks
Beyond lounging, the property offers a variety of activities to keep you engaged. You can enjoy complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, join guided nature walks, and almost guaranteed wildlife sightings. Costa Rica is absolutely a place to bring your binoculars, as there's so much vibrant wildlife to see! In fact, one staff member told us that jaguars were spotted on the property during COVID when occupancy was very low – don't worry, they haven't seen any since, and the resort is always fully booked now, which helps keep them away.
When it comes to dining, the resort offers several options:
Rio Bongo: Serves a fantastic breakfast buffet and casual bites throughout the day.
Chao Pescao: Great for tapas and cocktails in the evenings.
Ostra: An upscale seafood restaurant for a fine dining experience.
Meso: The restaurant at the Beach Club, offering delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
La Piazza: A pop-up Italian restaurant with pizzas and other Italian items, open seasonally.
Coffee and Vinyls: A specialty coffee shop perfect for a caffeine fix.
While the dining options on resort can be a bit pricey, the food is generally decent. Not Michelin-star amazing, but satisfying for a resort. The standout benefit for families, which I loved, is that kids 4 and under eat for free off the kids' menu, and children aged 5-11 can eat at a 50% discount. This was a huge money-saver for us! My children, including my 1-year-old, enjoyed the food, with plenty of soft solids like noodles, rice, and meatballs that were easy to cut up.
Breakfast, complimentary for Globalists, was an absolute highlight. Rio Bhongo offered a fantastic buffet with local fruits, Costa Rican specialties, and endless fresh options. There was even a dedicated kids' section with waffles, pancakes, and cereals. I ordered three double cappuccinos every morning (because I love coffee!) and never saw a bill – they simply thanked us for coming. While Ostra was suggested for a more personalized breakfast, we stuck with Rio Bhongo; its buffet style was perfect for our toddler and baby, knowing they might be messy or loud. Plus, Rio Bhongo provided some unforgettable entertainment when the monkeys came down from the trees, hilariously trying to steal food off people’s plates! It was a truly authentic reminder that you’re dining right in the jungle.
Service & Vibe: Laid-Back Luxury
The service at Andaz Papagayo is truly top-tier, but delivered with that wonderfully laid-back, genuine Costa Rican warmth. Staff members consistently remembered our names, accommodated small requests quickly and without fuss, and were genuinely enthusiastic about making our stay memorable.
This resort truly leans into boutique luxury. It never feels crowded, even when fully booked, and you’ll rarely have to wait long for anything. It’s the kind of place where time truly slows down, encouraging you to simply relax and enjoy the stunning views, the beautiful beaches, and the incredible nature surrounding you.
Value Analysis: Is 40,000+ Points Per Night Still Worth It?
Now, let's tackle the big question: Is the Andaz Papagayo still worth 40,000 Hyatt points per night?
When I stayed here, it cost me just 29,000 Hyatt points per night. I felt like that was an incredible deal, especially considering the cash rate for our stay was typically $1,200 per night. Our six-night stay would have cost a staggering $7,200 in cash, making 29,000 points per night feel like an absolute steal.
But now, at 40,000 points per night, the Andaz Papagayo is priced in the same category as some of Hyatt's most aspirational properties like the Park Hyatt Maldives, Alila Ventana Big Sur, or the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
So, at 40,000 points a night, is it worth it? I think it depends on your travel style and how you value your points. I do believe that 40,000 points is a lot of points for this property, and it's probably overpriced at that specific point value compared to other Category 8 hotels.
However, if you look at the cost per night in cash, you are still consistently getting 2+ cents per point (CPP) when redeeming at this property. For example, if a night is $1,200 cash and costs 40,000 points, that's still 3 CPP ($1200 / 40,000 = $0.03). This is an excellent redemption value, explaining why Hyatt increased the points price due to the elevated cash rates. So, while I personally think 40,000 points feels high, the math often still makes sense for value.
That being said, if you’ve never been here before, it might absolutely be worth it because the property offers an incredible, unique experience. The stunning design, the breathtaking views, the abundant wildlife, and the genuinely warm service all combine to create a truly memorable stay.
You don’t have to stay a whole week to get a good taste of it. One smart strategy is to make the Andaz a part of a larger Costa Rica itinerary. Spend a few days exploring other amazing areas like Arenal, Monteverde, or La Fortuna, and then begin or end your trip with 2 to 4 nights at the Andaz to enjoy its luxury. We stayed for six nights, and while it was amazing, next time we’d probably aim for three or four nights to stretch our points further across the country.
So yes—40,000 points is a significant chunk of your points balance. But if you have some Hyatt points to spend and you've never experienced the Andaz Papagayo, in my opinion, it's a powerful way to add a touch of unforgettable luxury to your Costa Rica adventure. If you plan it right, it could still be one of your most rewarding Hyatt redemptions because you are still getting a strong cents per point value due to those high cash prices.
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