Gulf of Papagayo

Gulf of Papagayo seen from space

The Gulf of Papagayo (Spanish: Golfo de Papagayo, meaning "gulf of the parrot") is a large body of water off Guanacaste province and the northwestern coast of Costa Rica. It lies at 10.7°N 85.8°W / 10.7; -85.8.

The Gulf and its coastline are part of a major tourism project by Costa Rica's government. Several expensive hotel chains and real estate developers plan to turn this region into a model tourism center where the natural environment and commercial development can coexist.^{[citation needed]} One of the major resorts in the area is the Allegro Papagayo.

Among the most popular destinations on the Gulf of Papagayo are Ocotal Beach, Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Panama. The Papagayo peninsula is the most developed area in the gulf region.^{[citation needed]}

A wild orange-fronted parakeet, orange-fronted conure, or half-moon conure (Aratinga canicularis) near a beach facing the Gulf of Papagayo