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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.
Ratings & reviews
TripAdvisor traveler rating
9524 reviews
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May 26, 2023LOVE LOVE LOVE
This was a milestone birthday trip and I have never been to Guanacaste before , overall I loved my stay here, staff was friendly food was great !! Just beautiful views and wildlife, easy to access excursions and get into town. There were a few bees by the pool area but thats out of our control, and they dont use straws at all but with explanation it makes a bit of sense
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May 25, 2023Pool staff concerns and moldy room smells
The rooms smell like mold which gave us headaches most nights. All 6 of us had our girlfriends with us and this staff by the pool Jedder kept chatting with our girlfriends to exchange social media with them and him to keep contact. We read another review about this and frankly the owner or manager doesn’t clearly talk to staff about this. The one review had feedback from saying it’s not tolerated but the guy staff still do it… the resort manager doesn’t take it seriously obviously as that’s not friendly to vacationers that’s almost like an escort place for women! This resort I wouldn’t take our women back to they felt concerned about the men staff who kept approaching them by the pools or in the the water. When the staff get involved to get contact that’s unprofessional! We all won’t go back to this resort again! Terrible staff morals and the feedback that they keep vacationers safe is a joke. It still hasn’t changed obviously if the staff still does this. Whoever writes feedbacks should be making Riu Guanacaste manager aware of the staff issues so it can change because when vacationers complain they shrug it off when we complaint about it to front desk.
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May 24, 2023Great Stay, Bad food for veggies.
The hotel is an okay hotel with free wifi, food and drinks with the all inclusive package. There is a very poor management of food for vegetarians. It is cooked in the same oil and bunched together with a lot of non vegetarian food. Due to this the tongs get used on both types of food and it creates a very bad eating experience. The chef can't clearly bifurcate between what is veg and non veg which makes eating a big hassle. Also there is very little options for vegetarians mainly pizzas and bread. If you are a vegan it would be very difficult as there are virtually no options for you. The pool area and beach area is great. Scuba diving lessons need to be a little longer for novices, 30 mins is difficult for us to learn everything.
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May 24, 2023
Excursion Recommendation
If you ever stay at this resort and looking for an excursion Frank the Tank is the one to contact. You can find him on face book. He answered my messages fairly quickly. The Unique Volcano Tour was the bomb!! Our tour guide Carlos was funny, exciting, and knowledgeable. Our driver Sidar was also very knowledgeable.
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May 22, 2023
Honest review from seasoned traveler.
Grounds and lobby area lovely. Beach rough and uninviting, long way to go get a drink, food, toilets. Chairs were filthy from dark sand. No bar service, only local vendors. Waves can be daunting. Room, clean and satisfactory. Room service spotty . Specialty restaurants difficult to visit. Very small occupancy. Waited 45 min at 7:30 for Tucan but it was good. Be sure to do steak house so you can dine with raccoons. Buffets were vast. Wine was red or white, very poor Shows were good, loud till midnight! Glad I was on opposite side of resort. Pool area had plenty of seating. Pool service only one day, otherwise fight crowd at bar. Drinks blah, one kind of beer. Grill beside pool was good, but no place to put dirty dishes or anyone to pick up Bees!!! Because so many left over sweet drinks are sitting around there are many bees. They don't sting, but nuisance. Same with mosquitos and flies, bring bug spray. Again, need people picking up and cleaning, it got pretty bad in afternoon. Monkey bar was short fun walk. Gym was adequate Many many children from few months to 7 years old Second trip to this resort, probably will go to different resort, resort has changed. Good news is no loud boisterous Americans as some people complain about at all inclusive resorts, , but loud boom boxes and partiers are from other countries, so still crazy. Beach is only quiet place , since few people are there . Was here 7 days, lowest afternoon temp 93, highest 97. Some days wind, others were hot hot hot.