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Hotel overview
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica (All-Inclusive), is located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on the edge of the beach of Matapalo.
This hotel, fully prepared to provide the best service to its customers, has four swimming pools (one with a wet bar), jacuzzi, gym, sauna and a wellness center "Renova Spa" with different treatments and massages. Everything you need for maximum comfort during your stay.
The quality of the cuisine offered at the different restaurants of the hotel is exceptional thanks to our chefs, who prepare a variety of dishes, from classic to the most exotic. You'll want to to try each of our menus and, thanks to the All Inclusive service, you will be able to enjoy the buffet restaurant or the four different theme restaurants of the hotel.
Being on a privileged environment, the hotel offers a variety of activities on the beautiful beaches such as diving or fishing in the Pacific waters, ecotourism in the volcanic areas, and during the day several programs of entertainment for all ages, whether in family or friends. The hotel has a gym, table tennis, volleyball, tennis court, windsurf, sailing, snorkeling equipment, kayaks and other water activities. If your favorite sport is golf, the Four Seasons Golf Club has fantastic views over the sea.
Guanacaste is less tropical, humid and lush than the rest of the country. Its plains and dry forests sometimes remind you of African savanna landscapes. Inland you can see the savanna, local cowboys on their horses while driving their flocks, which are authentic figures of popular culture of this destination. From the hotel, you can do several excursions, such as the visit of the National Park Rincon de la Vieja, the Safari Park or the capital of Guanacaste: Liberia.
Location
GuanacasteProperty information
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Hotel details
Hotel advisories
General policies & fine print
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 Policies - 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.
- Early Departure Penalty: 1 Night Applies: Sunday - Saturday 01May25 - 23Dec26
- Early Departure Penalty: 2 Nights Applies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26
Ratings & reviews
TripAdvisor traveler rating
10627 reviews
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Apr 23, 2025Not Horrible but definitely not the best
This place needs a serious upgrade, the rooms are sooooooooo outdated, the people are nice & friendly, but this place is old and shabby, and most of the all-inclusive restaurants are horrible ... buffet is the best place to eat at this resort ... my bed felt like a board, and they only give you 2 towels, and 2 wash cloths ... which seemed ridiculous to me ... definitely would not stay here again
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Apr 23, 2025Riu Guanacasta Not Worth Time or Money
I would not recommend staying here at the Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Costa Rica. The Customer Service is Negative numbers. The Hotel is run down and things are falling apart. The Front Desk Manager, Joseph, is very Rude and won't listen to any comments and was unwilling to help. We had to ask for his supervisor to get any help at all. The food is sub-par - and the exact same every single day - no variance. The Pools and slides were fun - but the pool is falling apart too. The tile pieces are all coming off of the bottom of the pool. I am sorry to say, that this place need a total rehaul of Hotel and Employees. Do Not Stay Here.
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Apr 23, 2025
Very very disappointing.
I don’t normally write reviews but I had to because this is the worst all inclusive I’ve ever stayed in and I’ve travelled all over the world. The food is terrible breakfast isn’t too bad you can usually find something but the rest of it is bland and very samey. The specialty restaurants taste exactly like the buffet, that’s if you can manage to get in there! You can’t book any specialty restaurants it’s first come first served which I’ve never experienced before. We waited 1.5 hours to get into the Asian restaurant only to be turned away because they didn’t have a table for 3. The drinks are horrendous especially the pool bars just sweet sugary crap cocktails with literally no alcohol in them. I’d be surprised if it was even 5% proof. You cannot get any Diet soft drinks it’s all full sugar which we all hate so we were stuck to find decent mixers. There was one bar that sold decent drinks in the whole hotel. The mini bar in the room is stocked every 2 days so we had to keep asking for bottles of water at reception. The reception staff are so rude when you ask for something it’s almost like you’re disturbing their day ! No smiling no manners just rudeness. When we checked out they cut off your wrist bands so you can’t use any of the facilities while you wait for your flight. Unbelievable! Everything is overpriced we spent £1000 on the tours in which only one was decent and that was the white water rafting which I recommend. Although I don’t recommend coming to Costa Rica we definitely will not be coming back ! This is nowhere near 5 star it’s barely 3 star at best ! Avoid !
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Apr 23, 2025Lovely getaway
Had a great time travelling there April 9-16th. We thankfully got a room in the new section, as I heard the old rooms can be not that great. Thankfully with the upcoming renovations, that should fix that and all travellers will get the beautiful new rooms. I’ve been to many RIUs and I love the no reservations needed. However, with the buzzer system where if you’re third back in line to get one, it may take up to 90 mins or more to get seated. We stayed mainly with the buffet which we could always find something. We lounged mainly at the new pool with the bar. The staff were pretty good about telling anyone under 18 to use the other pool. Water was great and the bartenders work so hard. Jose, Juan, and most of all Cruz took great care of us. Cruz made us feel like we’re old friends. Huge thank you to the ladies in Renova spa. We booked the jacuzzi literally every day. It’s included (one hour per day subject to availability, use the app to book. ) All in all, I would come back. Not everything was perfect (it never is though) but wow… it was a great getaway.
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Apr 23, 2025
A great location
The staff were very friendly and helpful. Any problems sorted very quickly. Good choice of restaurants, close to the beach and wildlife.