Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo has been named the number-one Best Resort in Central America in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. The recognition comes from one of the travel industry’s most closely watched annual reader-voted rankings and adds another high-profile accolade to the Costa Rican property.
The result follows the resort’s 2026 Triple Crown distinction and reinforces its position among the region’s leading luxury destinations. For travellers weighing a Central American resort stay, the award provides a current benchmark based directly on guest experience rather than an internal hotel rating.
Reader voting gives the award particular weight
Condé Nast Traveler says the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards reflect first-person reviews from more than 750,000 readers in the United States. Those responses cover the full travel experience and make the ranking especially relevant for guests comparing established luxury properties.
For Peninsula Papagayo, the number-one position signals strength across service, setting, design and the overall guest experience. It also places the resort ahead of a broad competitive field across Central America rather than within a narrow local category.
Nature remains central to the resort’s identity
The property sits between tropical dry forest and the Pacific Ocean on Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula. That setting gives the resort a distinctive character, combining a highly serviced luxury environment with immediate access to beaches, forest and outdoor adventure.
Four Seasons says more than 130 experiences are available across wellness, golf, surf, culture, food and nature-based activities. This depth of programming is important for longer stays because it allows guests to build a varied itinerary without repeatedly leaving the peninsula.
Private villas broaden the appeal
Accommodation ranges from guest rooms and suites to private villas overlooking the Pacific. The villa option is particularly relevant for families and multigenerational groups who want residential space while retaining access to a full resort service network.
The combination of privacy and resort infrastructure also suits travellers arriving before or after time on the water. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is already a strong leisure destination, and the resort provides a high-end land-based extension for yacht and boating travellers moving through the region.
A useful benchmark for LYG readers
For LYG readers, the award is most useful as a current signal of guest satisfaction in a market with an increasing number of premium resorts. A reader-voted number-one position helps distinguish Peninsula Papagayo from properties relying mainly on brand reputation or design credentials.
The resort’s mix of nature, private accommodation, wellness and outdoor activity makes it particularly well suited to travellers who want a destination stay rather than a purely urban hotel experience. The 2026 ranking adds another reason to consider it when planning a Central American luxury itinerary.
