Secrets Papagayo - Adults Only - All inclusive

The Christmas Eve plans could have been explained much better. A special dinner with front access to the holiday show cost an extra $200, and without that upgrade only the buffet and Italian restaurant were open. We ate early, but many guests were upset by the long waits with most places closed. They should make holiday dining choices clearer if so many options will be shut and the event mainly serves upgraded guests. We were there for three nights on our honeymoon. The grounds are lovely, but everything is packed into one central area, so the resort feels smaller than other Secrets properties we have visited. We appreciated the complimentary champagne, though the other honeymoon perk, breakfast in bed, was just regular room service. The beach is gorgeous, with rocks that make the views even better, and the black sand beach is easy to reach from the hotel beach. There are lots of included activities, and we enjoyed kayaking. We visited over the holidays and found the staff kind and helpful. Esteban and Alonso were our favorite bartenders, and Erick at the Seaside grille was our favorite server. The food and drinks were decent, though not especially memorable. Our room looked nice, but the shower drained poorly and still had standing water overnight. When we arrived, the room was not ready, and our bags were left out in the open for hours. That felt unsafe, as anyone could have walked up and taken them. The main pool had constant activities, music, and dancing. The quieter pool was far enough away that we stayed at the main one, and by the third day it felt repetitive. Shuttles seemed infrequent, so we walked everywhere. If you like spending time at the beach, be aware that people sell goods and activities there. We enjoyed the stay, though with our high standards this would not be the first Secrets resort we would recommend.

Christian at Seaside Grill looked after us several times and was always smiling and kind. We never had a bad meal at any of the restaurants, and the food was amazing. Edward, Anderson, and Merari made the activities fun and got us involved in several games. My husband and I came to Secrets for our honeymoon and had such a good time. We’d gladly come back again and again!

Kayaking and snorkeling are included, which is a nice perk. The staff were welcoming every time we interacted with them, and they made us feel like VIPs. This Secrets is much quieter and more laid back than the locations in Mexico and the DR, so it suits anyone looking for peace. For UVC members, though, the food and amenities don't seem worth exchanging nights at a 2:1 rate.

We had sunny days around 90 degrees and no rain for all six days, which made the trip even better. The country and resort are beautiful. The staff really made our girls trip special. Merari and her young staff were wonderful, as was Christian. We also loved the food and drinks.