Wish you were here?

Hotel overview

Where families, spa-lovers, active travelers and couples come for sun and luxurious sand, this inviting resort provides the perfect blend of service and smiles fronting Costa Rica’s warm Pacific Coast. Nestled amidst tropical palms and fragrant gardens, guests are treated to spacious guestrooms and suites featuring a regularly restocked in-room mini-bar and liquor dispenser; a pampering spa; fun-filled children’s amenities including a playground, activity club and pool; lighted tennis courts; a disco and 24-hour, all-inclusive restaurants and bars serving delicious cuisines ranging from Asian fare to a robust Steakhouse. Creating the perfect setting for unforgettable vacation experiences, this polished resort has something for every member of the family.

Location

Guanacaste
Liberia, Costa Rica Airport (LIR) : 30 miles
San Jose, Costa Rica Airport (SJO) : 150 miles

Property information

Year Built: 2009
Accessible rooms: 1
All rooms non-smoking: 701
Floors: 6
Total rooms: 701

{{title}}

Hotel details

Amenities

Show more

Activities

Show more

Hotel advisories

Advisory Costa Rica will impose some restrictions for Holy Week. Alcohol is not permitted to be sold or consumed. This ban on alcohol starts the Thursday prior to Easter and runs through Easter Sunday. A few hotels purchase special permits to serve alcohol, but generally it is not available. In addition, most restaurants, shops, and bars will be closed for the same time period. Restaurants in the hotels will be operating. The City Tour will not be operating.
Advisory Two Bedroom Family Suite: ***Important Information*** Please note when booking a Two Bedroom Family Suite, the minimum occupancy for this room category is: 3 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 Children between ages 2-12. Children aged 13 and over are considered adults. The hotel will not honor/confirm bookings with 2 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 Child.
Advisory Student Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.
Advisory Family Room: ***Important Information*** Please note when booking a Family Room, the minimum occupancy for this room category is: 2 Adults. Children aged 13 and over are considered adults.

General policies & fine print

Check In: 3:00 PM
Check Out: 12:00 PM
Minimum Check-In Age: 18
General Policies:

Check-in Policy - Deposits or credit/debit card hold authorizations are not requested at check-in. Minimum age of 18 is required for check-in, an ID/Passport will be requested upon arrival.

Convention Policy - Individuals attending a convention cannot book this property for their stay. If found attending a convention, guests may be subject to higher room rates upon arrival.

Hotel Spring Break Policy- Student Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.


Transfer Policy - 
A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.

General Information - Room taxes and service fees are included in vacation price.
Minimum night stay restrictions may apply.
Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.

Pet Policy Pets Not Allowed

Ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

4.0 9531 reviews
  • 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Very Happy

    it was a great resort. The resort was very clean, the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The monkey bar was right down the beach within walking distance and the Monkeys would come out in the trees in the mornings and around 3 in the afternoon. Comfortable, clean, safe and lots of food.

    Jun 02, 2023
  • 1.0 star tripadvisor rating
    My fantasy was being able to LEAVE this place

    We arrived Saturday May 27 2023, By that evening, I dreaming of getting out of this nightmare! I should have believed the bad reviews, but I didn’t, now YOU BETTER! Don’t make the same mistake I did. Hey if this was a business trip to Oklahoma City, no big deal, but I assumed this RIU would be like others and it would a nice first class all inclusive sweet package of luxury….ahh, no! All Inclusive? Let’s start with beer, your choice is ONE, Imperial, that’s it! Not even Imperial Light, just Imperial no other choice! That’s just unbelievable in my book and an instant deal breaker, If I would have known , no way I go! Ahh, absolutely NO ROOM SERVICE! Another deal breaker! The whole place is like decorated from 1980, let’s see, just quickly run down a quick list…elevators were horrible and hot, safe didn’t work, tv didn’t work, coffee in the room sucked, toilet was more like a blender than a flusher, usually 3 flushes were required, more gross but true no fan in bathroom with paper thin walls…any sounds made in the bathroom were easily heard in the room (do I really need to explain further?) water was actually shut off one morning in our room! I’m an early riser so had to wait til 7am for breakfast and coffee, not good for me. Absolutely NO reservations for dinner was accepted, you simply got in line and stood there! Be careful, I really mean be careful taking a shower, it’s very slick, it’s not good. I thought the food at the buffet was ok……they have no cabanas around the pool, no type of up grades you can even pay for…..they don’t even have serves around the pool taking drink orders! The whole place is do it yourself! Honestly I would not go back to this place for a free trip with you paying me $2000. By far the worst resort I have ever been to and RIU should be embarrassed to have their name on the wall……I have stayed at RIU a half dozen times, but now this really makes me wonder about them as a whole! Just don’t do it!

    Jun 01, 2023
  • 2.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Very disappointed!!!

    I was very disappointed with this resort. Everything shuts down at exactly 11pm. Lights out everywhere. Including the lobby. The only place you can sit and chat is the sports bar that is open 24 hours, but the acoustics are so bad that you can't hear each other and you can't play music. We had no place to sit and chat or play cards. Had I known this place was geared to very young children or seniors, we would never have booked this resort. The night time desk clerk was so rude. He didn't even have the courtesy to look you in eye when speaking to you.

    May 31, 2023
  • 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Wonderful trips and safe for GF diet.

    Our family just came back from wonderful vacation at Riu Guanacaste. We liked the Our family just came back from wonderful vacation at Riu Guanacaste. We liked the hotel, food , drinks, workers and locals. I am highly allergic to gluten and it was safe for me to eat everywhere. A few chefs cooked special meals just for me (I didn’t ask - they offered - separate pan and oil etc) but buffet meals were good also- just read the labels and ask questions (if the particular worker doesn’t know the answer they will ask someone who knows). Trips- go to Erick on the beach! Fantastic trips and good prices. We did a Combo trip, Atv trip and waterfall experience with him. He will accomodate your needs! He is trustworthy, the car was licensed for tourism (our driver was Martin-very nice and respectful) and the guide Daniel at the waterfall was awesome (licensed and first aid trained also very knowleged about flora and fauna). You will have a lunch, fantastic time, pictures taken and wonderfull memories. Please have a resonable expactation about the hotel. It is an all-inclusive, busy place. They work hard to please all guests. Yes, it is a louder resort (entertaiment is great- tons of activities) the beds are hard and the room towels are not soft but just have a nice drink and go with the flow. We will choose the Riu again in the future just too bad we can’t take Erick with us as my trip organizer.

    May 28, 2023
  • 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    First trip to Costa Rica

    Just spent a great week at the Riu Guanacaste. We had a pool side room which was very comfortable for us (deluxe room). The maid service was excellent. Thank you to Marilin Juarez Castellon. Food and drinks were plentiful. We felt the hot food could’ve been hotter and the cold food could’ve been colder at the buffet. The entire hotel staff was excellent. Pool was clean and nice and I loved the Aqua Fit class with John Paul. Plenty of chairs and shade every day. Beach could’ve used more chairs in the shade. White faced monkeys near the Monkey Bar were fun to feed.

    May 28, 2023