Guest staying at Riu Palace Costa Rica have full access of the resort facilities at:
- Riu Guanacaste
Important Information: All of the above information is subject to change at any time without prior notice. More information will be provided upon check-in. Transportation available but not included. Please be aware that breakfast and dinner must be taken at the booked hotel.
Guests celebrating their honeymoon with us will receive the following amenities:
• Surprise welcome gift in their room
• Small bottle of Rum
• King bed (subject to availability at time of check-in)
• Late Check-out (Subject to availability at time of departure)
• Complimentary upgrade to next available room category (subject to availability and upon request)
• 35 USD Spa credit for a selected service in "Specials for couple" category (120 min). This discount applies per couple per stay and does not apply with other promotions or discounts.
To receive this offer, just enter "Honeymoon" in the Special Service Request section during check-out or call out Customer Care and we will be happy to make the notation for you.
Important Information: Proof of marriage must be provided at check-in and must be valid within 90 days.
Resort Details
- Arenal
Main restaurant with terrace.
- Capuchino
Patisserie & ice cream parlor.
- Coconut
Pool bar with swim-up bar.
- Krystal
Fusion restaurant.
- L'Anfora
Italian cuisine.
- Papagayo
Poolside restaurant - grill and steakhouse.
- Tokio
Japanese cuisine.
- Various Lounges/Bars- Daiquiri
- Flora
- Lounge 24
- Tico Tico
- 24-hour room service
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Exercise gym
- Free high speed internet connection
- Golf,Offsite†
- Jacuzzi
- Lounges/bars
- Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
- Pool
- 24-hour room service
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Exercise gym
- Free high speed internet connection
- Golf, Offsite†
- Jacuzzi
- Lounges/bars
- Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Shops and commercial services†
- Spa†
- Tennis court
- Water sports, Offsite†
† Fees may apply
- Beach
Free sun loungers.
Direct access to Matapalo Beach, surrounded by stunning biodiversity.
- Children's pool
- Children's program
- General †Stay at Riu Palace, enjoy Riu Guanacaste activities too.24-hour dining with unlimited food, drinks, and cocktails.Supports Costa Rica’s eco-tourism and sustainable travel initiatives.
- GymUse of this facility is restricted to guests over 18 years old. Sports shoes are mandatory when using the gym.
- JacuzziUse of this facility is restricted to guests over 18 years old.
- Non-Motorized Water Sports- Windsurfing
- Pedalos
- Snorkeling equipment
- Kayaking - Pool
There are 4 swimming pools, 1 with a swim-up bar.
- Steam bathUse of this facility is restricted to guests over 18 years old.
- Tennis courtFloodlit hard surface tennis court.
- Water activities †
Riu Splash Water World onsite, near volcanoes, waterfalls, sightseeing spots.
This attraction will offer a variety of water rides and features for all ages, including a children´s pool with slides, Aquaracer, Body Bowl, Aquatube and Kamikaze and refreshments area.
- Golf †
- Motorized Water Sports †
† Fees may apply
Guest Reviews from CheapCaribbean Customers
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
10700 reviews
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Jan 04, 2026Amazing location and resort but the food could be better!!
The ride from the airport took about 1 hour and was definitely bumpy. We traveled with a 15 month old girl, a 30 year old couple, a 28 year old and sixty year old grandparents. Check in was easy and efficient, rooms were great but smelled a little like sewage. We saw monkeys from the balcony in the mornings. The property was absolutely gorgeous and so was the beach . We enjoyed the water park, pools and beach. The service at all of the bars was great - the staff was warm and friendly and very helpful with our baby everywhere that we went. In general everyone at the resort was kind and warm. The food is the downfall of this resort. The buffet becomes very boring and repetitive after a few meals. They have the save fruit everyday and the same foods are repurposed throughout the day. The steak restaurant was horrible - and the Japanese restaurant was only a little bit better. All in all we had an amazing time- we fed monkeys right down the beach from the hotel , swam in the ocean and enjoyed the pools.
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Jan 03, 2026Unhappy
Customer service and hospitality was very poor We waited in lobby over 7 hours for our room keys. Ever-time we go to front desk to ask for room they are like can’t do anything. Food was ok not worth spending money. We are vegetarian and food was not labels.
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Jan 03, 2026
Nice hotel but food and service worth a 2*
Been to many Riu and all inclusive at Christmas time for the past 20 years (Dominican republic, Mexico, Jamaica) but first time for this period in Costa Rica. The location and recently renovated hotel and rooms are great. Nevertheless it seems that since pandemic they added 300 rooms in the back close to a new great water parks. Problem is they did not add any restaurant (actually closed the only gourmet à la carte on the beach or make it only available for the Riu palace) and closed the casino as well. So more rooms only one steak house à la carte where people are waiting online since 4h30 when it is opening at 6h30 no reservation system which is crazy and all other are buffet with mediocre food. Service is also very poor in all Restaurant, water missing from time to time in the rooms, pool are closing as they lost the water… I recommend to visit CR out of the hotel but plan travel, no availabilities to rent cars at the hotel
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Jan 02, 2026Good revamp, with thoughtful touches
We checked in on the first day of reopening after the remodel that took place here. Our visit was great! Our room was nicely decorated, with adequate space. I loved our view from our balcony- it was a great place to sit early mornings or late evenings. The beach is short walk down the path or you can utilize one of the pools. There was entertainment in the evenings and activities throughout the day. The restaurants can be tricky to book, so make sure that you take a moment to figure that out on day 1; several aren't open every day. I felt like we had a great experience for the money spent. We would visit again. Sidebar: Xochitl gives great massages to the left of the beach entrance and the money stays local😁
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Dec 28, 2025
Average all inclusive
We have been to several all inclusives and many RIU resorts. I don’t think Costa Rica is the place to go for AI however we wanted to end our trip with a relaxing no fuss stay. Check-in: 3.5/5 slow check in and big lines. No welcome drink or towel. Staff don’t know what is in room ie) sofa bed. Also don’t know anything about amenities ie) when Waterpark open. Buildings and reception: 5/5 beautiful and fully refurbished. Extremely clean. Lots of walking and huge resort. Rooms: 4/5 recently renovated. Very modern. Double sink and great shower pressure. No conditioner or shampoo. Raggedly old towels. Bugs in the room! Complained a few times but no resolution. Beds too soft but that’s personal preference Food: 2/4 this is where the resort falls down. We had the most amazing food in everywhere else in CR but Riu was not good. First off, no reservation system - everything is first come first serve which is very stressful for a vacation vibe. All restos are buffets with nothing that is made to order. Can’t get coffee tea in the resto outside of breakfast. Food is repetitive, not fresh and overcooked with high school cafeteria vibes. Notables: ice cream at Candy and veggie burger at American restaurant. Pools 5/5: warm pools very clean, great pool bar drinks and animation team and music. Best Waterpark! Beach: 4/5 clean and warm water. Volcanic sands. Go to the left for amazing massages by Two Sisters massage. Beach vendors harmless and friendly. I’d not go back to this Riu.
- AdvisoryCosta 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*Important Information for Our Guest* As of April 2012, the destination of Costa Rica has gone non-smoking in all public buildings and areas. All hotel rooms are also non-smoking.
- AdvisoryStudent 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.
- AdvisoryRiu Palace Costa Rica will undergo a complete renovation starting August 31st, 2026 and reopening on March 13th, 2027. During this period, the hotel will be temporarily closed to ensure the best possible results and guest experience upon reopening.
- 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 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 Policy
- Early Departure Penalty:1 NightApplies: Sunday - Saturday 01May25 - 23Dec26
- Early Departure Penalty:2 NightsApplies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26