Peninsula Papagayo Wins Global Sustainability Honors Redefining Luxury Tourism in Costa Rica

Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre private club and resort community located in northern Costa Rica, has achieved a remarkable milestone in global sustainable tourism. The eco-luxury destination, home to the Four Seasons Resort, Andaz Resort, and Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has been honored with two prestigious distinctions at the 2nd Annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai — World’s Leading Sustainable Hotel or Resort Development and World’s Leading Sustainable Community Empowerment Programme.

These accolades, selected from over 900 international entries, highlight Peninsula Papagayo’s pioneering role in redefining luxury through an authentic balance of environmental preservation, social equity, and forward-thinking development. Deeply aligned with the values of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, the resort community has become a living example of how responsible tourism can thrive without compromising ecological integrity or community well-being.

A Vision Rooted in Regeneration

Since its acquisition by Mohari Hospitality and Gencom in 2016, Peninsula Papagayo has transformed into a model of regenerative tourism. Every aspect of the destination has been carefully curated to honor nature while enhancing human connection. The resort’s approach integrates cutting-edge sustainable design, local engagement, and measurable environmental results. This vision reflects a commitment not only to luxury but to purpose — proving that comfort and consciousness can coexist harmoniously.

The resort’s master plan ensures that less than one-third of the land will ever be developed, preserving the region’s rare tropical dry forest and the biodiverse marine ecosystems that surround it. Projects such as Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bahías by Antoine Predock, and the forthcoming Papagayo Park embody regenerative principles through minimal land disturbance, native plant restoration, and efficient resource management. Peninsula Papagayo’s sustainability efforts also extend into operations, with initiatives like an ISO 50001-certified energy management system, a 51 percent reduction in golf course water usage, and AI-driven food waste reduction technology — all of which demonstrate tangible progress toward a low-impact, data-based sustainability model.

Empowering Communities Through Growth

The recognition for World’s Leading Sustainable Community Empowerment Programme honors Peninsula Papagayo’s Creciendo Juntos (“Growing Together”) initiative — a powerful example of social innovation in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region. Through the Home Gardens program, 138 families across 13 communities have received training in sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship. Remarkably, over half of these families are led by women.

The initiative has already yielded more than 250,000 kilograms of fresh produce, reduced pesticide dependency, and improved household nutrition. Beyond its environmental and health benefits, it has also established direct supply channels between local farmers and Peninsula Papagayo’s resorts, ensuring economic sustainability and stronger community integration. The program’s success underscores the resort’s belief that sustainable tourism extends far beyond ecological protection — it is about creating shared prosperity and dignity through education, opportunity, and empowerment.

Setting New Standards in Global Sustainability

Peninsula Papagayo’s recognition coincides with the release of its 2024 Impact Report and the launch of Papagayo Legacy, a new guest-engagement platform that brings sustainability to life through interactive conservation, cultural, and community experiences. Visitors are invited to participate in meaningful projects, such as reforestation, coral restoration, and local education initiatives — transforming travel into a tool for real-world impact.

These milestones reinforce Peninsula Papagayo’s position as a global leader in sustainable destination management. Through responsible investment, innovative design, and inclusive growth, it continues to set benchmarks for the hospitality industry. The resort’s evolution demonstrates how luxury tourism, when guided by purpose, can serve as a powerful force for environmental renewal and social transformation.

Peninsula Papagayo’s journey stands as a symbol of what the future of tourism can look like — a future where pristine landscapes are protected, communities are uplifted, and every guest becomes part of a legacy that values both people and the planet.

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