Invite an Iguana to Breakfast

Iguanas are indigenous to this region, and the property is full of them. One of them sat munching leaves on the bush right in front of my bungalow, and at the outdoor seating areas, they wander around looking for crumbs at breakfast and lunch, and seem totally comfortable with humans invading their space.

The Hilton Papagayo offers two breakfast options, a buffet breakfast at the main restaurant, La Cosecha, and an alfresco breakfast bar by the spa pool. Buffet-style restaurants are somewhat of an oxymoron, as no food that sits in a chafing dish for hours is going to be great. However, La Cosecha has two chef stations with made-to-order omelets, and one where you can get fresh corn tortillas and scrumptious pancakes flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. I had an omelet made which I then stuffed in my tortilla for a custom breakfast taco, and then I had a “dessert” of pancakes topped with syrup and fried plantains.

At Grill Del Fuego by the spa, which is a breakfast and lunch spot by day and an Italian eatery by night, the selection was smaller, but loaded with fresh fruit, a European style meat and cheese selection, cereals, and an omelet station. It’s a beautiful and peaceful spot with views of the water, but beware of leaving your food on the table unattended. Two big blue jays swooped in and tasted my breakfast when I got up to get a pastry, and a large iguana stationed himself by the bar to watch what we were eating, which definitely added to the tropical ambiance.

Costa Rica is very eco-conscious and the Papagayo resort is on government protected land because of the black sand volcanic beach. In addition to experience the natural wildlife, you’ll notice that everywhere on the property are garbage cans for both organic and solid waste.