Costa Rica 2027: An LGBTQ Women's Guide to Pura Vida, Beaches & Belonging

Picture this: You're floating in an infinity pool at an adults-only resort in Guanacaste, rainforest on one side and Pacific sunset on the other, surrounded by queer women who all said yes to the same thing you did, a week of being pampered, reconnecting with yourself, and making memories with people who feel like your best friends by day two. Somewhere nearby, a catamaran is waiting. Somewhere else, karaoke night is about to get loud. This is Costa Rica, July 2027, your summer trip with the friends you haven't met yet.

Why Costa Rica Should Be Your Next LGBTQ Women's Getaway

Costa Rica made history in 2020 as the first country in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage, and that milestone reflects something deeper about the country's culture: a national identity built around pura vida, "pure life", a philosophy of presence, gratitude, and ease that extends naturally to how the country treats its visitors, regardless of who they love.

This isn't a trip built around a party scene. It's built around something queer women often crave just as much: permission to exhale. Think spa mornings, poolside pampering, and slow, sun-soaked afternoons, the kind of relaxation that actually sticks with you after you're home. Costa Rica consistently ranks among the safest and most progressive destinations in Latin America, with rainforests, volcanoes, and some of the most stunning coastline in the hemisphere. It's less about proving a point and more about disappearing into hammocks, hot springs, and horizon views with women who get it.

What Makes This Trip Different for LGBTQ Women

Most travelers experience Costa Rica through a general tourism lens: surf towns, eco-lodges, solo backpacking. This trip is different because it's built exclusively for LGBTQ+ women, which means every detail, the resort, the excursions, the pacing, is designed around connection first.

Think of it like a summer trip with a big group of friends, except you get to meet those friends when you arrive. From the Welcome Garden Mixer on day one to spa time, karaoke nights, and a catamaran cruise, every activity is built to bring the group closer together and give you real, lasting memories, not just an itinerary to check off. You're simply among your people, free to be as social or as quietly recharging as you need to be.

Your Home Base: Secrets Papagayo, Guanacaste

For the Guanacaste portion of this trip, the group stays at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort tucked on a black volcanic sand beach on the Papagayo Peninsula, with the Pacific on one side and tropical mountain forest on the other.

This is where relaxation and pampering really come to life. Under the resort's Unlimited-Luxury® model, everything is included, no wristbands, no upcharges, from ocean-view pools to round-the-clock room and concierge service. A few highlights that make it the perfect setting for this kind of trip:

• Secrets Spa: a full-service spa with massages, body and facial treatments, hydrotherapy, a steam room and sauna, and a salon, open daily for whenever the group needs to slow down and recharge

• Two ocean view pools with all-day poolside and beach service, made for long, unhurried afternoons together

• Seven dining experiences and five bars, including premium drinks and international cuisine, all included

• Nightly entertainment and theme nights, including karaoke, designed to bring the group together after the sun goes down

• 202 rooms and suites set into the hillside, with garden or ocean views, plus upgraded Preferred Club options for those who want an extra-elevated stay

It's the kind of resort built for exactly what this trip is about: rest, connection, and time together without a single logistic to think about.

The Complete Costa Rica 2027 Itinerary

Guanacaste: Secrets Papagayo (Adults-Only, All-Inclusive)

Day 1 - July 7: Arrivals & Welcome Garden Mixer

Touch down in Guanacaste and ease into island time. Meet your Ladies Touch Travel Fam at the Welcome Garden Mixer, the first of many moments this week built purely for connection, and the perfect low-pressure way to put faces to names before the week unfolds.

Day 2 - July 8: Wellness & Recharge / Evening Game Night

A day designed to pamper you, think spa time, quiet pool hours, and slow mornings where the only agenda is feeling good. Then the evening turns social with a playful, laughter-filled Game Night, the kind of easy bonding that turns strangers into friends fast.

Day 3 - July 9: Pura Vida Poolside Vibes / Evening Karaoke Party

Soak up the resort's pools and Pacific views by day, then let loose at an evening Karaoke Party, the kind of night built for connection over anything else. Fair warning: this is where lifelong inside jokes (and a few surprisingly strong vocal performances) get born.

Day 4 - July 10: Beachside Bliss / Catamaran Cruise

A full day on and near the water, capped off with a catamaran cruise along the Guanacaste coastline, with golden hour, ocean breeze, and your favorite people on deck. This is the kind of afternoon that becomes the photo you show everyone back home.

Day 5 - July 11: Farewell Beach Party

The group's last full day together at Secrets Papagayo goes out in style with a beachfront farewell celebration.

Day 6 - July 12: Departures / or Onward to Arenal

Time to head home, or extend your Costa Rica story with the Arenal/La Fortuna add-on.

What's Included

This is a fully hosted, all-inclusive experience:

• Airport transfers

• All group events and activities

• All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner where noted)

• All beverages, including adult beverages, at the all-inclusive Guanacaste resort

• 24/7 support from the Ladies Touch Travel team

Optional Extension: Arenal & La Fortuna (Add-on)

Day 6 - July 12: Transfer to Arenal / Hot Springs Social / Welcome Dinner

Trade beach for volcano views as the group transfers inland to La Fortuna, unwinding that evening in the region's famous hot springs before a Welcome Dinner.

Day 7 - July 13: Full Day Arenal Tour

A guided day exploring the Arenal Volcano region, rainforest, waterfalls, and the kind of scenery that ends up as everyone's new phone wallpaper.

Day 8 - July 14: Farewell Dinner One last celebratory meal together before saying (temporary) goodbyes.

Day 9 - July 15: Departures

Please note: the Arenal extension and full-day tour (available as add-ons), travel insurance, international flights, and gratuities are not included.

Safety & Practical Information for LGBTQ Women Travelers

Costa Rica is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in Latin America for LGBTQ travelers, with legal protections that include marriage equality and anti-discrimination measures. Still, smart travel habits apply anywhere:

• Fly into Liberia Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR): the closest airport to Guanacaste. Check-in at the resort is 3:00 PM, so plan flight times accordingly, especially arrival day.

• Extending to Arenal? Book your return flight to depart LIR after 3:00 PM on July 15, since the group travels back from Arenal to Guanacaste that day.

• Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Costa Rica trips, like all international travel, come with the usual unpredictability, and insurance protects your investment. Cancel For Any Reason coverage must be purchased within two weeks of your first deposit to apply.

• Traveling solo or want your own space? Book a Solo (Single Occupancy) room. Open to sharing? Book Shared (Double Occupancy), note that roommate matching is offered but not guaranteed.

• Keep valuables secured during excursions and always stay with the group during transfers and off-resort activities.

What to Pack for Costa Rica

For the Resort & Pool Days:

• Swimsuits (you'll want more than one)

• Lightweight cover-ups

• Reef-safe sunscreen

• Sandals or slides

For Excursions:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes for the Arenal tour

• A light rain jacket (rainforest weather changes fast)

• A swimsuit for the hot springs

• A dry bag or ziplock for the catamaran cruise

For Evenings:

• Something fun for Karaoke Night

• A breezy outfit for the Farewell Beach Party

• A light layer for cooler Arenal evenings

Don't Forget:

• Valid passport (US travelers do need one for Costa Rica, unlike Puerto Rico)

• Travel insurance documentation

• Any prescription medications

• A portable phone charger for long excursion days

Why LGBTQ Women Choose Group Travel for Trips Like This

Most of the women who travel with Ladies Touch come solo, and that's exactly the point. Group travel removes the two biggest barriers to a trip like this: cost and courage and replaces them with something better: real connection.

• Built-in community means you're never sitting alone at dinner, and every activity, like  spa time, karaoke, and the catamaran cruise, becomes a shared memory instead of a solo experience

• A true recharge with the logistics handled, you get to actually relax instead of managing an itinerary

• Shared accommodation makes an all-inclusive, pampering resort experience more affordable

• No explaining required: everyone in the group already gets it

It's the closest thing to a summer trip with your best friends, except this group of friends is waiting to meet you. 

Join Us: Costa Rica 2027

Ready to trade your notifications for hot springs, spa time, and a group of women who feel like home before day one is even over? This is your invitation to relax, reconnect, and make the kind of memories that only happen on a trip like this.

Costa Rica 2027 includes:

• 6 days / 5 nights at Secrets Papagayo, Guanacaste (all-inclusive)

• Welcome Garden Mixer, Game Night, Karaoke Party, Catamaran Cruise, and Farewell Beach Party

• Airport transfers, all meals, and all beverages

• 24/7 support from the Ladies Touch Travel team

Add-on: Optional 3-night Arenal & La Fortuna extension with hot springs and a full-day volcano tour

Spots are limited, and solo rooms tend to go first, so don't wait to lock in your place!

🌴 Reserve your spot for Costa Rica 2027 or explore all our upcoming LGBTQ women's trips.

Questions before you book? Reach out to our team we're happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costa Rica safe for LGBTQ women? Yes. Costa Rica became the first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2020 and is broadly considered one of the safest, most progressive destinations in the region for LGBTQ travelers.

Do I need a passport for Costa Rica? Yes, unlike Puerto Rico, Costa Rica is an independent country, so a valid passport is required for US travelers.

Can I travel solo and still have a great trip? Absolutely. Most Ladies Touch travelers come solo. Book a Solo (Single Occupancy) room, or opt for Shared (Double Occupancy) with roommate matching possible (not guaranteed).

Is the resort really all-inclusive? Yes, Secrets Papagayo is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort, so meals and beverages (including alcohol) are covered throughout your stay in Guanacaste.

Should I do the Arenal extension? If volcano views, hot springs, and rainforest adventure sound appealing, yes, it's the perfect complement to beach time in Guanacaste and turns the trip into a fuller Costa Rica experience.

What's the cancellation policy? Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Cancellations made between October 7, 2026 and January 6, 2027 receive credit toward a future trip only (no refunds). No refunds, credits, or transfers apply to cancellations made after January 7, 2027. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

When should I book my flights? Fly into Liberia (LIR) July 7. Resort check-in is 3:00 PM, so plan arrival accordingly. If extending to Arenal, schedule your departure flight after 3:00 PM on July 15, since the group transfers back to Guanacaste that day.

Relax, Reconnect, Remember: Your Pura Vida Moment Is Waiting

This is more than a beach vacation, it's a week of spa mornings, catamaran sunsets, karaoke nights, and a community that already feels like home. Come for the rest and pampering. Stay for the friendships and memories you'll be talking about long after you're back.

Join us in Costa Rica, July 2027, and experience pura vida the way it's meant to be lived: surrounded by women who get it, without a single thing to prove.

🌴 Reserve your spot now | Explore all upcoming trips | Contact us with questions

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Ladies Touch Events & Travel has been curating unforgettable LGBTQ women’s group travel experiences since 2016. Our thoughtfully designed journeys span destinations around the world, bringing together adventure, culture, and community in safe and inclusive spaces where queer women can explore freely and celebrate authentically.