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Occidental Grand Papagayo

3742 Reviews
★★★★★
Hotel category
5 Star
Rooms
162
Wellness/Spa
YES
Internet
FREE
5 star dive center
Offsite (Free pickup)
House reef
NO

Resort Highlights

  • Occidental Grand Papagayo is an adults-only, all-inclusive 5* resort
  • Turtles, large rays, octopus, moray eels, reef fish, macro life
  • Lush gardens, calm bay, quiet beach
  • Two pools surrounded by sun loungers
  • Japanese (Teppanyaki) and Italian a la carte, international buffet
  • Spa with sauna, turkish bath, beauty treatments
  • Tennis, archery, chess, volleyball, snorkelling, kayaking
  • Cycling, cultural, nature-based excursions

Resort Description

Occidental Grand Papagayo is an adults only, all-inclusive 5* resort in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica.

A week's worth of underwater exploration in this region provides the chance to see turtles, large rays, octopus, moray eels, reef fish and macro creatures. Look out for a pygmy sea horse or neon-coloured nudibranch. 

The resort is set into lush green hills looking out onto a calm Pacific Coast bay. Colonial style buildings with clay tiled roofs house spacious guestrooms with balconies. Two pools are set in the extensive gardens and surrounded by sun loungers. The beach is reachable on foot. 

4 restaurants offer Japanese, Italian and international flavours for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 4 bars serve non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine and cocktails throught the day.

Tennis, archery, chess, volleyball, snorkelling and kayaking is available. The onsite spa offers massage, a sauna, turkish bath and beauty treatments. Cyling, cultural and nature based excursions are encouraged. 

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Explore diving around the Occidental Grand Papagayo

Best dive sites in Playas del Coco (Guanacaste)

There are approximately 20 dive sites near to the Playas del Coco shore. You’ll find additional sites at the Catalina, Bat and Tortuga Islands. The dive sites at the offshore islands are the most famous. In particular, Cueva del Tiburón (a.k.a. Shark Cave) near the Catalina Islands is home to several, sleeping reef sharks. Also, Big Scare near the Bat Islands offers up an adrenalin-filled Bull Shark encounters. Closer to shore, Cabeza de Mono is a superb site for watching rays pass by. Punta Gorda and Punta Argentina are other superb dive sites in the area with a healthy variety of tropical fish life.

Snorkeling in Playas del Coco (Guanacaste)

Because of the poor visibility and lack of coral immediately surrounding the shore, Playas del Coco is not known for its snorkeling opportunities. However, Playa Guacamaya and Nacascolo are both within an hour’s boat ride and feature coral reefs with plenty of marine life. The snorkeling at both of these destinations is the best in the region.

What to see

Playas del Coco is particularly popular for its abundance of pelagic species. You won’t have to wait long before you find something big in the water.

During the rainy season, plankton blooms occur in the Pacific, attracting dozens of Giant Manta Rays, mobulas and migrating humpbacks and pilot whales. Occasionally, a whale shark may float past. Fantastic arrays of sharks, including the Bull Sharks of the Bat Islands also arrive from May to November to feast on offshore bait balls. Nurse sharks hide out in the caves of the Catalina Islands.

Throughout the year, colorful fish and endangered sea turtles cruise along the Guanacaste coast, stopping to lay eggs on the area’s beaches.

Dive Center

Highlights

  • Best dive vessel in the Guanacaste region (36ft, 2x 300 HP Yamaha engines)
  • Daily dive trips to 22 local sites, fresh fruit on board
  • Regular diving around The Catalina and Bat Islands 
  • Recreational and professional PADI training
  • Experienced, multilingual dive masters and instructors
  • Maintenance station, rental equipment, WiFi
  • Free pick up in new van

Description

Rocket Frog Divers is a PADI 5* IDC based in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.

The dive operation is proud to offer their customers the absolute best dive vessel in the area. Built with the sole purpose of diving in mind, the Pacific Express is 36 feet long and is fitted with two 300 HP Yamaha engines.

Dive trips depart daily to local and specialty dive sites (The Catalina Islands and The Bat Islands) in less than half the time of other local dive boats. Refreshments and fresh fruit are available during the surface interval. 

PADI recreational and professional courses are offered, including night, Nitrox and wreck specialties. Divemasters have in depth knowledge of the local marine ecosystems, and training is provided in English, French and Spanish. 

Facilties include a shop, gear maintenance station, rental equipment and storage space, air-conditioned classroom, filling station, WiFi and fish ID book selection.

Free pick up in Rocket Frog Diver's new van. 

DIVING SERVICES

Courses

  • Intro Dives/Discover Scuba
  • Scuba Refresher
  • Open Water Diver
  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Rescue Diver Certification
  • Divemaster
  • Divemaster Internship
  • Instructor/Idc Course
  • Free-Diving Course
  • Kids Courses
  • Nitrox Certification
  • Underwater Photography
  • Deep Diver Certification
  • Underwater Videographer
  • Night Diver
  • Wreck Diver
  • Drift Diving
  • Boat Diver
  • Underwater Propulsion Vehicle
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Sidemount Diver
  • Other Specialties

Equipment

  • Tanks With Int (Yoke) Valves
  • Tanks With Din Valves
  • Din/Int Adapters
  • Nitrox ($)
  • Rental Equipment ($)
  • Open-Back Fins ($)
  • Dive Computer ($)
  • Equipment For Kids
  • Filling Station
  • Rebreather Friendly

Diving Facilities

  • Shop
  • Training Pool
  • Camera Room
  • Battery Charging Station
  • Wi-Fi (Free)
  • Facilities For Disabled Guests
  • Air Conditioning
  • Warm-Water Showers
  • Fish Id And Diving Books

Safety

  • Emergency Oxygen Kit
  • First Aid Kits
  • Automatic External Defibrillator (Aed)
  • Vhf Radio
  • Nautilus Lifeline
  • Enos
  • Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon

Languages spoken

  • English
  • German
  • Spanish
  • French

PADI membership level

  • Padi 5 Star Idc
  • Padi 100% Aware

Distinction

  • Padi 5 Star Cdc/Idc

Resort Amenities

Activities

  • Snorkeling
  • Stand-Up Paddling
  • Jet Skiing
  • Windsurfing
  • Surfing
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Fishing
  • Tennis
  • Ping Pong
  • Golf (Close By)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Yoga

Food and drink

  • Restaurant
  • Bar / Lounge
  • A La Carte Menu
  • Snacks All Day
  • Alcohol
  • Vegetarian Food

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa Facility
  • Hot Tub / Whirlpool
  • Massage Services
  • Beauty Treatments

Facilities

  • Beach Front
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Wi-Fi (Free)
  • Air-Conditioning
  • Garden
  • Lounge/Tv Area
  • Facilities For Disabled Guests
  • Us Power Sockets

Entertainment and family

  • Games
  • Karaoke
  • Nightclub
  • Babysitting/Child Services

Payments

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Discover
  • Cash (Usd)
  • Cash (Local Currency)

How to get there

Arrival

  • The closest airport is Liberia. 
  • You can catch a taxi from the airport, ask for 'Occidental Grand Papagayo'.
  • A private transfer can be arranged via the hotel for an additional cost.

Departures

  • A return taxi can be caught back to the airport, or a private transfer can be arranged for an additional cost. 

Reviews

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