Papagayo Peninsula is located on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the northwest province of Guanacaste. It is located in the Golfo de Papagayo and was formed by volcanic activity as the Caribbean tectonic plate continuously overrode the Cocos Plate and by subsequent weather erosion. The 15 miles at the coastline contains 31 separate beaches. The larger Elena Peninsula Santa to the north protects the waters in the Papagayo Peninsula.