Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5478 reviews

• 

  Nice ! Place , but with it’s issues

  Theres plenty of info about size of the site , logistics of getting around etc etc .i wont go over old ground .. The problem with the hotel , is no 2 days are the same , You have a meal in Pan asian , great meal ,fab service, 5*. You go back next day and the service is terrible and the food truly awful .same in the seaside grill ,5*one day 1*the next day .. We book a catamaran for a treat $1000 it didn’t turn up ! .some days you get picked up , some days not .. If you get lucky you get a sun bed , very very lucky a parasol, some days not.Some days a fridge refill. Yep you guessed it ..so if you are prepared to forgive a lot and are a glass half full type of person you will love secrets (it is beautiful) if you expect 5* luxury and service, i can see you being disappointed. Very much a marmite hotel , but i will end by saying , we are half full people and did enjoy are stay .. ps a thank you to the staff they were 5*

  Jan 22, 2025
• 

  A gorgeous resort but lacking in so many fixable amenities

  Having never been to Central America but having traveled all over the USA and Europe, I researched the best all inclusive/all adult—the lush and beautiful hilly resort is beautiful —but from the beginning, we felt as though it could easily live up to the beauty—and it doesn’t. Here are the positives: Very nice and friendly and well meaning staff Beautiful rooms Gorgeous views Black sand beach Juan in reservations and club was wonderful—especially when weather prevented us from flying home, we were able to stay in our room an extra night Elia —one of the drivers was wonderful Amstar tour was great to zip line and swim in the hot springs Night time bar and games are fun—and well organized Japanese demo was the best —need reservations Beautiful large and private balcony Here are the issues: Shape of room—toilet on one side-shower on the other—very odd Reserving cabanas and even lounge chairs is completely stressful and impossible—who in the world wants to wake up at 6:30am to run down to the pool and fight over a lounge chair everyday? The privilege of being in the preferred club meant nothing in getting a cabana—had to stand in a line by 7 am to get one 24 hours in advance. Steps —many many steps to get from most rooms to the main area/s. Sometimes need to wait 20 min for pick up vans— Bring deet repellent AND Bug bite cream Very very dark at night—no sidewalks to and from any rooms, so walking to and from room is extremely dark —and vans are running right down the one lane street Bring a Flashlight Amstar said to not bring money or a credit card on the excursion—Bring money and Apple Pay on excursions —-otherwise there is no way to buy souvenirs and tip For the Zip line—wear glasses with a strap as mud flies into eyes or contact lenses Lots of sharp shells and small sea creatures on the beach—bring Swim shoes If you are less than 5’5”, cannot play Volleyball as the pool is so deep Needed to stay near the sloped walk in for pool exercise Website not interactive nor accurate —need to call for room service and wait over an hour—can’t use website—lots of activities not listed so get a print out Restaurant service is mediocre at best . Hit and miss Cleaning is spotty—sometimes we had towels and bath mat, sometimes we did not Sometimes we had water and sometimes we didn’t Sun lotion—$50–yes, $50!!!! Don’t buy coffee at gift shop—half the price on excursion Snorkeling can be dangerously—guide just left us as we had trouble with our equipment—current made it hard to swim back and no one ever checked on us Sad to say that the negatives tend to outweigh the positives as 90% of the issues could be fixed.

  Jan 21, 2025
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  Great first time experience at an all-inclusive.

  This was my first time at an all-inclusive resort and destination wedding. I had a blast. Loved my ocean view room. Check-in and check-out were super easy. The lobby staff are very accommodating with the variety of arrival times with the wedding guests. My stay was five days and I never left the resort. Between hanging out with my friends and enjoying the property, I had a great time. The pool, the bars, the food, and the fun activities throughout the day and night were enough to keep everyone entertained. The property is very hilly and they have a very efficient van/shuttle system to get you around. I never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a shuttle. I walked most of the time and only took the van after enjoying too many libations. My only pet peeve was guests getting up at 0600-0630 and saving 4-6 chairs for larger parties, even when the rules say not to. Also, make sure you get on the website to look at the dress code for the various restaurants.

  Jan 21, 2025
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  Some flaws they need to fix

  Not enough chaises for guests around both pool, unless you get there at 6AM to reserve one. Room service and housekeeping needs to be corrected as many errors. The food at this resort is great, especially in their special restaurants. Red wines not so great. Juan Manuel is the best bartender by the pool bar. He can fix any drink you want, but I loved the margarita made especially by him!

  Jan 21, 2025
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  Best holiday, there were no problems whatsoever

  Best holiday ever, there were no problems whatsoever. The room, the facility, the food, the drink's, the entertainment, and the staff were fantastic....lovely time all in all. The water sports were all available at additional costs and were well supervised and professionally handled.

  Jan 21, 2025