Barra Honda National Park

I stayed at Secrets Papagayo in October when the resort was at 60% capacity, so it was pleasantly relaxed and never felt overcrowded. I’d read complaints about the shuttles, and it’s true that the steep layout makes walking around difficult. However, I never waited more than 10 minutes for a ride, even at 1 a.m. The facilities were clean and well maintained, and my room’s AC worked great. As a former military guy, I’m pretty easy to please: give me a clean room and cold air, and I’m happy! Pool chairs were limited, but we always found somewhere to leave our belongings. It wasn’t always within sight, though cameras covered the main pool area. I could see seating being a bigger issue during peak season. The food was good across the buffet, sushi restaurant, Seaside Grill, and Italian restaurant. Seaside Grill offers different lunch and dinner menus. My only minor gripe was having to wear long pants at the Italian restaurant in Costa Rica’s heat and humidity. As a single 36-year-old guy, I noticed most guests were couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, or simply relaxing. Despite reviews mentioning a party atmosphere, I found it laid-back, although the off-season may explain that. The staff were attentive and even remembered my name. Special recognition goes to Dalay from the entertainment team! She led daily activities with infectious energy and personality and was genuinely one of the highlights of my stay. Overall, a great experience. I’d happily return!