Handpicked local experiences from people who actually live here.
From private sailing and fishing to diving, local guides, chefs, cars and private transfers, we connect you with people and experiences we genuinely recommend.
Sailing · Catamarans · Sailboats
Offshore · Inshore · Big game
Reefs · Marine life · Pacific diving
Witch’s Rock · Boat-access surf breaks
Custom multi-day journeys across Costa Rica
Local flavors · At your villa
Explore freely
Airport · Hotels · Private rides
We sailed our catamaran down the Pacific coast from California to Costa Rica and made Guanacaste our home in 2023.
Running private sailing trips introduced us to captains, guides, divers, fishermen, chefs and local businesses. Our guests kept asking us: “What else should we do while we're here?” We kept recommending the same people and experiences. Papagayo Collective grew naturally from that.
Read Our Story →Clear answers about what Papagayo Collective is, how booking works and what to expect.
Papagayo Collective is a local Guanacaste travel brand that helps visitors discover a small selection of experiences and independent local operators we know and recommend.
Papagayo Collective was created by Michelle and Clément. We sailed our catamaran from California to Costa Rica, made Guanacaste our home in 2023, and created the Collective after our sailing guests repeatedly asked what else they should do while visiting.
We first confirm availability with the operator. You then pay a deposit to secure the reservation. The remaining balance is paid directly to the independent operator according to the booking details you receive.
Experiences are operated by independent local professionals and businesses. Papagayo Collective acts as a local intermediary, helping travelers discover, compare and book experiences that fit their stay.
Our focus is Guanacaste and the Gulf of Papagayo area, including Peninsula Papagayo, Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Panamá and nearby destinations. Some private tours and multi-day trips travel farther inland.
Many of the experiences we feature are private, including catamaran trips, fishing charters, private guides and chef services. The exact format is clearly stated on each experience page.
Many are. The best choice depends on the children's ages, swimming ability, travel style and the specific operator's requirements. Tell us who is traveling and we can point you toward suitable options.
We prefer a small number of strong local recommendations rather than a huge catalogue. We prioritize operators and experiences we know, trust or would feel comfortable recommending to our own guests.
Cancellation terms vary by operator and experience. The applicable policy should be shown clearly before you pay a deposit so you know the conditions attached to your booking.
Yes. Tell us your dates, where you are staying, your group and what you enjoy. We can suggest a balanced selection of experiences without turning your vacation into an overloaded schedule.
Tell us where you're staying, your dates and what you enjoy. We'll show you the experiences we think are worth your time.
