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
10727 reviews
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Jan 23, 2026Perfect weather, nice resort.
We’re halfway through our stay in Guanacaste and truly feeling grateful to be here. Overall, it’s been a really nice experience with a mix of highlights and a few things that just weren’t our personal preference. The weather is perfect! The drive from the airport was easy enough, about hour with the traffic. We booked an Amstar private transfer for four, about $300 round trip, which was comfortable. When we arrived at the resort, our first reaction was wow! The property is absolutely beautiful, lush grounds, spotless, and everything looks very well cared for. It’s clear a lot of pride goes into maintaining the resort. Before arriving, we emailed with a room request and also asked about bringing donations (school supplies, etc.). Communication felt a little mixed but once we arrived, everything eventually worked out and we were ultimately happy with our room location. We have two rooms for our family (our kids are 22 and 13), and being close together was important to us. The pools are gorgeous, and we personally enjoy the older section of the resort, it feels a bit calmer and more our style. The newer section would be great for families with younger kids, though. The beach is different from what we’re used to. If you love calm, turquoise Caribbean water, this may feel like an adjustment. The sand is darker and the water can be choppy with waves. That said, if you walk to the right side of the beach, it’s calmer, and I was still able to enjoy floating but not in front of the hotel. We also did a snorkeling excursion with Frank the Tank, which was fantastic and gave us that crystal-clear water experience. The rooms are on the smaller, simpler side, which was totally fine for us, though there is a bit of a musty water smell in the bathroom, nothing major, just noticeable. Ladies, THERE IS NO CONDITIONER! As a mom with 2 daughters, for us this is a nightmare! Apparently there is a store somewhere on this property, but once we found it it was closed. They must close very early. Going to try again this morning.  For an all-inclusive, we found the food to be good, and there are plenty of options. Service can be a little more relaxed and self-serve than what some people may expect, especially at breakfast, they bring you a coffee pot but no cups lol and around the pool there is water tank but no cups, but once we got the hang of it, it became easier to navigate. They do run out of plates too at the lunch by the pool which makes self service impossible. We went to the Asian restaurant which was just a buffet. No service at all which was disappointing. A quick note for anyone who cares about drinks: during the day at the pool bars, the alcohol selection is more basic off brand. In the evenings, we noticed the theater bar had some nicer options, which was a pleasant surprise. The nightclub was fun, but the alcohol there is also more basic, so grabbing a drink beforehand might be a good idea if that matters to you. All in all, we’re very happy we came and appreciate the experience. It’s a beautiful, clean, well-maintained resort, and we’ve made great memories here. While it may not be a perfect fit for us to return mainly due to the beach style we’re grateful for the time here and can absolutely see why many people love this place.
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Jan 21, 2026Worse family vacation ever
Our family trip this year was the worse, thanks to the look off attention of the people at front desk. No costumer services. We did plan this trip since January 2025, 30 members of my family and the only thing we wanted was to be in rooms close by, the way they clean the rooms wasn't the best, plus that never leaves washcloths even we ask for. Only 4 of them guys was pleaseant. And was the guys from the bar near to the kids pool, Kudos to them. Our family Christmas was just not the best thanks to them service. Every year we try a new all inclusive and for sure this was the WORSE. Oh the drinks was counterfeit.
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Jan 21, 2026
terrible trip
BEWARE OF THEFT!! My family of 15 travelled to this hotel December 1st 2025, my parents reported to the desk the safe was not working properly, wouldn’t even open. The desk did nothing about it so the next morning the room got cleaned and their passports got stolen and they won’t do anything about it. So me and my parents lost 2 whole days of vacation because this resort won’t do anything about it.
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Jan 20, 2026Resort was nice, food and pool side service 💩
Hotel was clean and was apparently renovated this spring. Pools are nice, beach isn't great. Food is mediocre and there isn't really pool side service. Today was day 8 and it was the 1st day we saw a server going around the pool with a cart.
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Jan 20, 2026Brand new!
The resort was just completely renovated. Everything is new and looks amazing, not like ordinary RIU, but like a luxury resort. Beautiful interior accents, modern furniture, pleasant rooms. Food is typical for RIU, plenty of fruits, good coffee. Even some expensive alcohol drinks, such Chivas and branded Irish Cream. Beach is volcanic, not my favorite. Very beautiful surroundings, nice walk paths. Absolutely worth every penny! Great job 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