Getting to the Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica
I think one of the most confusing things about the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is its name. I am no branding expert, but I think they would do much better named Andaz Costa Rica or even Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Outside of hearing about the hotel specifically, I had never heard of the Peninsula Papagayo and certainly couldn't point to it on a map until recently.
I mention this because before I got deeper into the research and planning phases of this trip, I thought somewhere like the Andaz Peninsula Pagagayo would be super remote and a bit of a challenge to get to, however the reality is different. Getting to the Andaz Papagayo is very easy, and here's how you can do it.
The closest airport to the Andaz Papagayo is Liberia (LIR) at about a 35 minute drive from the resort. From the US, Liberia is served by a pretty healthy number and variety of airlines including: United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Southwest, and Alaska. Since Central America can be a higher priced zone on a standard airline award chart, you will likely want to compare not only award availability but also paid tickets you could secure with cash or fixed value points.
We had originally booked our round trip nonstop flights from Houston to Liberia using 35,000 United miles each with a built-in free one-way flight back when that was possible via the United award chart, but a last minute change of plans ended with us scratching that reservation and instead using United miles to get there and buying a cash ticket back to the US.
Upon landing in Liberia we had to use stairs as the traditional jet bridge wasn't working. There were literally about 30 - 40+ people watching the plane and the deplaning passengers as we headed into the customs and immigration portion of the airport, but the process was quite orderly and efficient. The immigration hall was thankfully air conditioned, though some open areas of the airport are not air conditioned.
It took no more than 15 minutes for us to complete the customs and immigration process and exit that portion of the airport to head to ground transportation. You can take a taxi the 30 or so minutes from the airport to the Andaz, though you seem to need to negotiate a rate before you depart, and that didn't sound like the way we wanted to start our vacation.
Instead, we decided to try out two different shuttle companies, one booked through the hotel, and one booked on our own. The Andaz quoted us a price of $140 for private transportation from the airport to the hotel or shared transportation was $45 per person, with a minimum of two people. The shared transportation would only be shared if there was another Andaz guest arriving at the same time as us, so we went for that option to get from the airport to the property.
The shuttle was operated by a company called Relaxury and their staff was located just outside of the customs and immigration hall with a sign. We left the airport within 5-10 minutes of arrival to their area and ended up being the only ones on the shuttle. We were offered water and the shuttle had included WiFi we were able to use on the way to the resort.
The $90 charge for our 30 minute ride was added to our hotel bill, so the only transaction that happened for this ride was the tip to the driver. It is worth a mention that the roads on the way to the Andaz were paved and would have been easily drivable had we rented a car. My understanding is that is not the case in some other areas of Costa Rica, so keep that in mind if you do want to rent a car and explore a bit more around the country.
On the way back from the Andaz we followed the recommendation of Angelina Travels and opted for a slightly cheaper shuttled booked on our own through Liberia Airport Shuttle company. This price was just $59 for the two of us to go from the Andaz Papagayo back to the airport. We paid cash to the driver the day of the ride and set the shuttle up by emailing shuttle - at - liberiacostaricaairport.net. They were super responsive and very easy to work with both to initially set up the shuttle and then when we adjusted the time.
This ride did not include bottles of water or WiFi, but they were on time and provided a nice and uneventful ride to the airport. I wouldn't hesitate to use either of these companies to get from Liberia to the Andaz Papagayo. Obviously the Liberia Airport Shuttle was cheaper and totally adequate, but having the hotel manage the transportation details and having access to WiFi to catch up on things before arriving to the hotel had some value as well.
Of course the real treat waiting for you happens when you arrive to the resort and sit in the lobby to complete your check-in and start your vacation, and I'll have those details tomorrow!
In the meantime, you can check out this post on the Andaz Papagayo:
- Free Kid's Club at the Andaz Papagayo
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees