Marina Papagayo

A sheltered harbor on a windy coast

Northern Guanacaste is famous for its December to April winds, the Papagayos, which can whip the gulf into whitecaps. Marina Papagayo sits on the inside of Culebra Bay, tucked behind the Peninsula Papagayo, where the hills block much of that wind. That shelter is a big part of why boats base themselves here all year.

The marina is part of the larger Peninsula Papagayo development, which also holds the Four Seasons, the Andaz and a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Its old website, marinapapagayo.com, now forwards to the marina's page on the peninsula's site.

Berths, fuel and services

Marina Papagayo lists 180 fully serviced berths for boats up to 250 feet. The floating docks are extra wide, and the D-Pier, at more than 1,000 feet long, is set aside for the largest boats. Services include mooring help, 24/7 monitoring, yacht assist, fuel bunkering and a dockside concierge who can arrange airport transfers, car rentals and dinner reservations.

Ashore, there's a ship's store, a convenience market and the Dive Bar Restaurant, a casual spot for a drink after a day out. Marina Suites, an extended-stay hotel with studios and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, gives visiting crews and anglers a place to sleep near the boats.

Fishing from Culebra Bay

The marina's charter fleet runs deep-sea fishing trips into the Gulf of Papagayo, along with whale, dolphin and turtle watching, and surf trips across the gulf to Witches Rock in Santa Rosa National Park. Offshore, Guanacaste crews fish for sailfish, marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo. Inshore, the rocky points and islands hold roosterfish, snapper, amberjack and grouper.

Because the marina is inside Culebra Bay, offshore runs start in calm water before heading out into the gulf. In the windy months, ask your captain how the Papagayos might change the plan for the day. Sailfish and marlin are released by Costa Rican law.

For booking a charter or other trips from the marina, the peninsula's activities team (it calls itself The Explorers) answers on +506 2696 2222 and at explore@peninsulapapagayo.com. Berth requests go through the inquiry form on the marina page.

Where to stay

Guests at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica can book fishing trips through the resort, and the Andaz and the Marina Suites are also on the peninsula. Playas del Coco, south of the peninsula, has many more charters; see the Guanacaste section for more.