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Pools:
At the heart of the Resort – right between the two beaches – await three swimming pools, immersed in lush landscaping and surrounded by spacious pool decks with abundant chaises longues. The freshwater main pool – 1,000 square metres (10,765 square feet) – is joined on either side by two smaller pools. The quiet, adult pool is steps from Playa Virador (the quiet beach), while the more lively, social pool overlooks Playa Blanca (the activities beach). A whirlpool grotto is nearby. Guests can enjoy an aquatic workout or relax in a comfortable chaise longue, as Four Seasons attendants bring cocktails and complimentary fruit, water and other treats.

At the Kids For All Seasons facility, children enjoy their own 50-square-metre (540-square-foot) swimming pool with a shallow, beach-style entrance, along with kid-size and adult-size chaises longues in the shade nearby. A variety of pool toys and frozen treats is available at the toddler pool. Additional refreshing touches include complimentary fruit and water delivered to sunbathers three times daily and complimentary bottled-water spritzes.

Fitness facilities:
The two-level fitness centre – with 202 square metres (2,178 square feet) of state-of-the-art fitness facilities – adds inspiration with beach views through trees and greenery. Workouts can incorporate a range of cardio machines, equipped with TVs and iPod docking stations. Options include exercise bicycles, elliptical crosstrainers and treadmills. Also available are resistance-training machines and classes in aerobics, yoga and mat Pilates. Personal trainers are on hand for guidance and motivation. Afterwards, luxurious locker rooms help guests relax with steam rooms and discreet outdoor hot and cold plunge pools.

Spa: Click here for Spa information
Capturing the essence of Costa Rica, The Spa at Four Seasons offers a calm environment with naturally chic décor and ocean views from relaxation lounges. The comprehensive selection of facials, body treatments and massages highlights therapies using indigenous ingredients, such as mineral-rich rainforest muds from the nearby Osa Peninsula.

The Spa's facilities encompass eight massage rooms – including three couple's rooms – seven wet treatment rooms with showers and four facial treatment rooms. Hair and salon services are available, in addition to full nail care with three pedicure stations. The locker room's plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas are free to enjoy, even without a spa appointment.

The spa is accessed via a separate entrance in the main lobby of the Resort. Spa services are available to guests 18 years of age and older.
Tennis:
For tennis enthusiasts, Four Seasons offers four courts with the clay-like Har-Tru surface. Located at the Four Seasons Golf Club – a 10-minute shuttle ride from the Resort lobby – the tennis programme is managed by world-renowned Peter Burwash International. Private lessons, clinics and player match-ups are available, as well as tennis equipment and accessories.

The Resort offers several tennis clinics, including Never Touched a Racquet, a clinic for beginners; Serve and Return; Advance Drill Session, for competitive-level players; and Stroke of the Day, where a specific ground or overhead stroke is emphasised.

Water sports
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica's two expansive beaches set the scene for the enticing array of water sports offered by the Resort daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Complimentary activities include snorkelling, boogie boarding and sea kayaking. Sporting equipment is provided, along with instruction for beginners.

Deep sea fishing:
Guanacaste offers one of Costa Rica's premium fishing destinations – the Catalina Islands. The deep water to the south and west, off Flamingo and Tamarindo beaches, is home to blue, black and striped marlin, a multitude of sailfish and dorado (mahimahi).

Big-game fishing is available, 16 to 65 kilometres (10 to 40 miles) offshore. Boats used measure 9.5 to 16 metres (31 to 52 feet) and accommodate four fishers each. Every boat is equipped with high-tech communication devices, GPS, fish depth-finder, life jackets and Penn International fishing gear. Four Seasons believes in the preservation of our environment and fishing resources – as such, we encourage all bill fishing and not-for-consumption fish to be released, protecting our future resources.

Half-day excursions depart the Resort at 7:30 am and return at 12:00 noon. Full-day excursions depart the Resort at 7:30 am and return at 4:00 pm.

Scuba diving:
There are many dive sites on the Guanacaste coastline, showcasing underwater life that is richly diverse in colour, species and natural volcanic rock formations. Marine life unique to this region abounds – divers will see massive schools of fish, rays, jacks, whale sharks, giant mantas, sea turtles, whitetip sharks, dolphins and more.

Diving trips include local dives, night dives and dives to the Catalina Islands. Dives include all equipment and light refreshments, while our PADI Gold Palm dive service offers PADI certifications and specialty courses with professional instructors. Featured courses include: Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Tune-Up, PADI Open Water, Open Water Referral, Adventure Diver, Advanced Adventure Diver, Emergency First Responder, Rescue Diver and Nitrox Diver.

For guests interested in learning how to scuba dive, an instructor will be on hand poolside to demonstrate basic techniques.

Surfing:
For surfing enthusiasts, the Resort is only 18.5 kilometres (10 nautical miles) from Witch's Rock, Petrero Grande, Ollie's Point and several other world famous spots routinely featured in surfing magazines. Arrangements can be made through local surf shops to transport guests to these locations by boat.

For the less-experienced or new surfer, Tamarindo is a very popular surfing destination, with two beaches: one for beginners, and the other for the slightly more advanced. Located approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes' drive southwest of the Resort, Tamarindo is on the south side of the Gulf of Papagayo. Lessons are available through local surf shops.

Other water sports

• Snorkelling exploration – Swim amongst schools of tropical fish in the warm Pacific waters right off Playa Virador or Playa Blanca.
• Kayak adventure – Explore some of the beautiful and secluded beaches of the peninsula, accessible only by water, or watch the sunset over the Pacific.
• Catamaran – Sail away on a warm tropical breeze to discover the wonder of Costa Rica.
• Boogie boarding

Resort activities

Artisan exhibit:
Don't miss the chance to see the work of local craftspeople. Learn how they create masterpieces in wood and pottery.

Beach activities:
Thanks to its position on the narrowest portion of Peninsula Papagayo, the Resort is framed on both sides by pristine golden-sand beaches – separated by just a three-minute walk across the pool decks. Both beaches are remarkably long and inspire leisurely strolls, with stops to examine hermit crabs and pick up sea shells.

On the north side of the Peninsula, Playa Virador faces the open Pacific, yet remains calm with gentle waves. This is considered the quiet beach and is interspersed with only a few chaises longues to allow a sense of solitude and seclusion.

 

On the south side, Playa Blanca faces the Bahia de Culebra, where the waves are slightly rougher and the atmosphere is slightly busier. The watersports pavilion can supply equipment and instruction for an enticing array of activities – from snorkelling and sea kayaking to sailing and sailboarding.

Bird watching: Birders of any level are invited to spot parrots, manakins, antbirds and trogons, located all around the Resort.

Bubble Maker:
Children swim or scuba in shallow, confined waters under close supervision. A distinctive recognition certificate and card, along with colourful Bubble Maker emblems, decals, towels and toys, make the experience one to remember. (Recommended for guests aged 8 to 10.)

Catch of the day:
Meet a local fisher on Playa Blanca and choose your dinner right off the boat. Our chef will be on hand to help.

Classes

• Dance – Salsa or Merengue
• Spanish for beginners
• Cooking
• Fitness – Yoga, Pilates, spinning, Latin aerobics
• Beach meditation and relaxation
• Cooking – Learn culinary secrets, and maybe even a new recipe, from one of our chefs

Hiking:
Providing a convenient opportunity to witness nature in the Costa Rican forest, the Resort offers its own hiking trail. The route extends approximately 1 kilometres (0.6 miles) from the beach on one side of the Peninsula up the hillside and down to the beach on the other side. The stairs and pathways are well-maintained and prove an exerting challenge for hikers.

Join us for an invigorating, high-impact nature or sunset hike through the trails around the Resort. The Resort also offers Walk Fit, a vigorous walk along the roads of the Papagayo Peninsula.

Trail of Giants:
Take a guided tour, certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, through the tropical dry forest surrounding the golf course. The forest is home to endangered birds, monkeys, iguanas, butterflies – and over 25 species of giant trees. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn about the exotic flora and fauna of Costa Rica while enjoying the lush forests and awe-inspiring, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Turtle viewing:
The Resort's protected shoreline provides nesting sites for rare sea turtles. On evenings from October to February, join the Resort's Turtle Manager and watch for the leatherback turtle and the giant baula as they lumbering up the sandy beaches to lay their eggs.