Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo has introduced a more holistic take on the golf getaway, combining its Ocean Course with performance testing, recovery treatments and experiences connected to Costa Rica’s longevity culture. The programme arrives as the Arnold Palmer-designed course receives Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary status for its environmental management.
The Ocean Course adds an environmental certification
The 18-hole, par-72 Ocean Course follows the contours of Peninsula Papagayo with tropical forest, elevation changes and views across Bahía de Culebra. Its new Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary designation recognises environmental planning, water conservation, wildlife and habitat management and responsible turf practices.
For travellers, the certification adds another dimension to a resort golf experience that is already closely tied to the landscape. Rather than presenting the course as a manicured space detached from its surroundings, Four Seasons is positioning time on the fairways as part of a wider encounter with the peninsula’s biodiversity.
Performance testing moves beyond the scorecard
The resort’s PNOĒ VO2 Max Active Test measures factors including metabolism, endurance and recovery through breath analysis and VO2 testing. Guests receive an individualised plan covering nutrition, training and recovery, linking the physical demands of golf with a broader approach to maintaining performance over time.
Four Seasons also works with human-performance scientist Dr Andy Galpin as part of its wellness programme. For LYG travellers who already build fitness into holidays, that makes the resort proposition more substantial than a few generic gym sessions because the activity is connected to personal data and specific recovery goals.
Recovery is treated as part of the game
After a round, the spa offers restorative treatments, yoga, breathwork and other wellness programmes intended to support both body and mind. The Healing Bamboo Massage uses warm bamboo and deep-pressure techniques to address muscular tension and circulation, while outdoor options range from hiking and swimming to surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
This mix gives couples or groups more flexibility when not everyone wants to spend every morning on the golf course. A guest can play a round while a partner chooses the spa or water, then both can reconnect later in the day without the holiday becoming centred on one person’s sporting schedule.
Nicoya adds a cultural perspective on longevity
Peninsula Papagayo sits within reach of the Nicoya region, widely associated with traditions around movement, food, community and healthy ageing. The resort’s Blue Zone excursion takes guests into the countryside to visit villages, meet residents and learn about everyday practices that have shaped the area’s reputation.
The value is strongest when the experience is treated as cultural context rather than a promise of a particular health outcome. For Luxury Yacht Guide readers, the programme offers a high-end resort break that combines golf, water-based recreation and wellness with a reason to explore beyond the hotel itself.
Official sources: press.fourseasons.com.
