Casa de Playa Andaz, Papagayo Bay, Costa Rica

Most people dining at Casa de Playa Andaz would be staying at the hotel, however you do not need to be a guest of the hotel. 

If you are a guest, you can head the beach club located just 10 minutes from the resort, by taking their complimentary boat transfer.

If you’re arriving by private ship like we did, you can drop anchor right outside the beach club.

Despite arriving at peak lunchtime, we did not make a reservation and were promptly seated at a nice table overlooking the pool and beach.

To get to Casa de Playa Andaz from our boat we dinghied ashore, dropped anchor, and tethered the retrieval line to the beach.

We typically get some understandable side-eye from the guests, but not this time. Just smiles and a couple curious looks.

Nestled against the backdrop of tropical scenery, the Nacascolo anchorage offers a mesmerizing view of lush greenery, and an expansive sandy beach. 

The Andaz Beach House is modern and clean with an open-air concept featuring light wood elements that blend nicely with the tropical enviroment. 

For guests of the hotel, they offer complimentary snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddling boards. Underneath the shade of the trees, there were ample beach loungers covered in clean white towels just begging you to spend an afternoon with a good book. After spening several weeks anchored outside the club, I also regularly saw locals offering jet ski rentals and tube rides.

According to their website: The Casa de Playa poolside and beach bites, “embody an essence of “Mesoterranean cuisine,” a fusion of vibrant Mediterranean flavors with a touch of Mesoamerican influence, expertly curated to transport you to a world of coastal delights.”

After spending years in hot, beachy locations, I am a firm believer in only eating lighter foods when the sun is out. I cannot stand a post-meal coma especially when I have limited time to enjoy a destination! Big meals are saved for dinner, and most of Casa de Playa’s offerings seemed to agree with this.

My husband and I shared a Gardener’s Salad to start while we chatted with a friendly woman who had plenty of questions about our boat life after seeing us land the dinghy. Turns out her husband went to the neighboring school as my husband! It truly is a small world.

The Beach House has a variety of locally-crafted beers, a selection of gin & tonics, and fresh spritzes.

My husband ordered the Jalapeno Special (always a sucker for anything spicy) with vodka, orange bitters, and coriander. As an alcohol-free girlie, I was thrilled to see their zero proof offerings and treated myself to a Peppermint-Ginger mocktail with orange juice and sparkling water.

For my entree, I chose the Shrimp Roll with dill, capers, cilantro, and aioli. My husband got the Lamb Burger. Long story short I won the game by a landslide. The Shrimp Roll was so fresh and light, yet rich and filling. Pair that with a side of perfectly crispy fries sprinkled with more fresh herbs and I was one happy camper.

After a leisurely and delicious lunch at Casa Del Playa, I was reminded of how special the Guanacaste region is. Nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Papagayo Bay, with the gentle waves lapping at the shore and the stunning views of the bay, the experience felt like the epitome of what makes Costa Rica so magical. The food was fresh and flavorful, but it was the combination of atmosphere, attentive service, and that signature laid-back, luxury vibe that truly made this meal unforgettable.

Whether you’re staying at the Andaz Papagayo or just visiting for the day, lunch at Casa Del Playa is an experience you shouldn’t miss.

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in this slice of paradise, make sure to carve out time for a meal at Casa Del Playa. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, with your taste buds happy and your soul a little lighter.