Name: Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Address: Playa Matapalo, Riu Guanacaste Route, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal de Carrillo Costa Rica, 60602, Costa Rica, CR
Telephone: +506 2681 2300

Hotel Riu Guanacaste is a spa, located at Playa Matapalo, Riu Guanacaste Route, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal de Carrillo Costa Rica, 60602, Costa Rica. They can be contacted via phone at +506 2681 2300, visit their website www.riu.com for more detailed information.

Location :

Playa Matapalo, Riu Guanacaste Route, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal de Carrillo Costa Rica, 60602

Contacts :

Added by Jopie, at 31 December 2016

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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Alexis O'Hara

15 April 2018

This hotel exceeded my expectations. The pool was perfect for the hot weather and the bartenders made sure our drinks were always full. The food was satisfactory for an all inclusive resort, the lunch buffet was the best I've had for all inclusive. Its worth the wait for the omelettes in the morning and my favorite restaurant was the steakhouse. I would recommend this hotel to anyone!
Barbara Hassan

15 April 2018

The hotel is very spacious, the food was wonderful and the pool was wonderful. I definitely want to go back. Couple of things. Prices on common items such as sunscreen are extremely outrageous and the alcoholic drinks are extremely watered down. I don't drink and I can tell you, there wasn't much alcohol in those mixed drinks. I'd skip the red wine at dinner.
HUB YANDA

12 April 2018

It is strong three star hotel. Even they consider themselves five star. Ground are nice and clean, maintenance need to be at better level. You will not be excited to walk few floors on hot day due to not working elevator. They have nice buffet but restaurant food and service have a room for improvement. They do not believe in reservation. Old fashion way. Big line first come , first serve. If you want to make sure you get in .you will waste at least 30-45 minutes for Italian restaurant. Beach can much cleaner. Hours of operation can be much better. Beach activities not open till 9. Keep in mind in Costa Rica sun is out around 6. Management are just show off to the top management. Sometime the garbage in the building can be for hours until it will be cleaned. Need a lot of work to get to 5 star resort.
Ron Enge

23 March 2018

We just got back from the Riu Guanacaste last week. What a wonderful resort! Don't believe any of the crabby reviews below. The towels are fine, the rooms and resort are scrupulously clean, and the staff is kind and friendly and really know their jobs. Just ask for more pillows and they appear immediately. The service couldn't be better. We loved the pools, which are simply beautiful , and everything is quite well done. We even caught the staff sweeping the dirt under the hedges! Nightly shows are fun and much better than we expected. Even though the beach has a few rocky spots, there are lovely soft sand areas to walk with the waves lapping at your ankles. We had perfect weather, and found the snorkeling in the north beach area to be just as good or better than going out on the snorkel boat. The food was delicious, with a large and varied selection, well done in all respects. In all, it was a magical vacation, one we look forward to repeating.
Michael Miles

08 March 2018

The resort was all inclusive. It had a great pool and good drinks. The good was pretty good for buffet style but the restaurants filled up quick so make sure to get your name in by 630. The beach is nice and includes activities like paddle boarding and wind surfing. The staff was very nice and rooms were clean. The entertainment was fun, but a little tacky.
Donatella Ja

14 February 2018

I don't get how this place has bad reviews. The resort is beautiful, extremely clean. Yes the rooms are dated but all you really need them to is sleep and bathe so what's the complaint there? The food is delicious, mainly the buffet. There are so many options and they change a few things up from day to day so there's always something new. The staff is extremely friendly and very helpful as almost all of them speak English. Go to this resort with respect and a smile and you will get the same back! Beach is beautiful too, how could I forget the beach!
Jess Dwan

08 February 2018

This place is definitely beautiful. The food, drinks, and service is great. My only comments would regarding the night entertainment. It was lacking or just not very enjoyable. Also it was disappointing that the pools and everything closes outside, early too. It isn't exactly geared to younger guests. But all in all I had a phenomenal time here.

Also note that it was made so easy to plan excursions and really fun ones. Spa was lovely. It's right on the beach and is so picturesque everywhere you look.
Lu Do

08 February 2018

It is a massive hotel on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, just next to the Riu Palace Costa Rica. At any one time I would assume there are around 1400 guests staying at the hotel. We have had all inclusive deal, I guess it is the only way to stay here, but it means food and drinks all day long. Food choice was good with options for everyone. Also drinks and entertainment good. Beach is about a minute walk away and big pool is even closer. As with the clientele, mainly English speaking guests, primarily from North America, but also few from Europe. Staff is very polite and happy to help. Also very happy and smiley all the time. Smoking is not permitted only at the smoking points. Recommended.
Marilyn McKnight

05 February 2018

This is an excellent place to stay. Lovely big rooms, huge bathroom and balcony. There are five restaurants, each serving the most superb food and drinks. Massive pool area with enough sunbeds for all and the same on the beach! And the staff are so helpful, nothing is too much trouble. We're hoping to come back in November.
Biserka Mrzljak

10 January 2018

Beautiful resort surrounded with wild animals like monkeys and various exotic birds, lizards and hardly any bugs. Very family oriented offering variety of swimming pools of different depths. Friendly staff always ready for assistance. Abundance of food. Very clean, even the beaches that are public, hence a lot of local vendors that are on constant mission to sell you whatever.
Regina Nicole Rai Roberts

24 December 2017

I visited this resort with friends 3 weeks ago to kick-off the birthday celebration of my girl Dyamond. This was my first RIU stay and I thoroughly enjoyed. The food wasn't all that great in terms of selections on site but I was able to work around it. We also visited the nightclub on site, I would like to see island nightclubs cater to both natives and tourist with music selection without having to ask. Princess was phenomenal when assisting me with booking a spa day.
Todd Christensen

22 December 2017

Rooms were clean. Food was incredible. Pool was amazing and the drinks were fantastic. Beach was nice, little too windy for beach when we were there. Very clean and friendly staff, kinda wish there was sent better late night food options but that's being picky.
Fere Humble

21 December 2017

Just came home from Riu and loved it. The staff are super friendly, the food is amazing and fresh. The beach is beautiful and it's located in the middle of all things nature. Saw monkeys every morning and afternoon. They had awasome nightly entertainment. The Crazy Show was a hit with my kids. The one thing I would change is a little updating in the rooms, very clean just outdated.
Thank you guys for making our trip super fun
Steven MacDonald

20 December 2017

Great service. Friendly staff. Rooms are clean. Pool is beautiful. Beach is not private but locals don't really harass you. Lots of excursions to do. Food is pretty good. Plenty of drink options. 4 a la cartes to choose from. 40 minutes from airport.
Patrick Werner

22 November 2017

I recently had the privilege of visiting Costa Rica, as well as the privilege of staying at the Hotel Riu Palace in Guanacaste, and it's a thing I'll never forget. I have never had such fantastic service anywhere - the staff throughout the property truly went above and beyond to make all of the guests feel very much at home. The room was excellent and well kept twice daily. Everything about the hotel was as perfect as the gorgeous weather throughout my stay. I will definitely be back!
B V

30 September 2017

My husband and I booked the Riu for our honeymoon destination. We had plans to stay for three nights but left after one night.The elevators were filthy. They had smears and finger prints all over the walls and didn't even work the morning we left, causing us to have to haul our luggage down 2 flights of stairs. We made it very clear that it was our honeymoon and upon arriving to the room we were welcomed with a plate lying on the bed with 2 apples (as our welcome gift). The room was outdated dusty, and dirty. We weren't given any wash cloths and the towels we were given had bleach stains and looses stitching throughout. The sheets were clearly old and had balling on them. We planned to be enjoying the outdoors during our trip so we didn't make a huge deal about the condition of the room, we did notify the front desk upon checkout and their response was "well there is a cleaning supervisor that checks all of the rooms once they are cleaned".
The grounds are beautifully landscaped and the maintenance was well kept. The beach was beautiful and nice. The liquor was house liquor and the food selection was unimpressive in the buffet and restaurant we ate at . Our overall experience was rather disappointing, especially for a hotel that was considered to be a "5 star" resort.
Christine Martin

17 September 2017

We were actually at the Palace next door. The rooms were nice and spacious. Very clean. There's a fridge and bar available that are refilled as needed. The location is about a half hour drive from the airport with no other resorts around. You do not feel tied down and have room to explore off the resort. The people are great. We had no problems on or off the resort.
Matthew Reed

10 September 2017

Fantastic resort! EVERYTHING included, all day and night. Beautiful pools with great wet bar, 5 restaurants with tons of choices, snacks, plus a fully stocked bar in every room.

Fun and free events, plus entertainment every day. Also right on the beach with some great walks to be had.

All around wonderful place to relax!
Rhodri Kilcoyne

03 September 2017

The Riu Guanacaste is a relatively new hotel with the Riu Palace situated adjacent to it. It has well maintained gardens and a Spanish colonial style decor. It also has incredible sea and jungle views, which you may not need to pay extra for. The food is varied and delicious and has something to please everyone including 4 restaurants which operate under a first come, first serve policy (try to get there by 6pm to get a table). The hotel is is situated near an incredible stretch of coast where you will find a lot of Costa Rica's indigenous wildlife if you look hard enough.
Daniel Barr

26 August 2017

Food is OKplentiful. Staff is mostly courteous and helpful. Grounds are beautiful. Beach is average. Whoever operates the sound during the shows must be deaf,.painfully loud. Pool is magnificent;great for kids. We came in August.it's really hot & humid.
John Rich

25 July 2017

Stunning scenery, helpful service, clean large rooms, gorgeous beach and pools and free drinks. What more is there to ask for? The workers are super helpful and friendly even to those who don't speak any Spanish, everything is super clean and we'll cared for. Absolutely recommend!
Jake Mcclure

28 June 2017

The resort had some decent drinks and alright food, but the whole experience seemed fairly bland. Many of the activities they advertised weren't functional, ie we tried going kayaking a few times but we were always given an excuse ( too many rocks, waters rough, rain) which all make sense but there would be people from the "Palace" out in the water kayaking.

If you have been to a hotel Riu before then this will essentially be the same. There are very minor differences between them. The only outstanding part was the view.
Joshua Wiseman

16 June 2017

Nice place. First time at an all-inclusive resort. Beach was very rocky and had a lot of solicitors. We took our kids and they had a blast in the pool during the day. Restaurants we're not what they made them out to be, they didn't in force the dress code and they were more like a buffet setting than an nice sit down restaurant
Cassie Mclenithan

21 May 2017

Great experience!! The staff is beyond helpful and friendly, David was great! The food was to be expected. The grounds and rooms were well taken care of. I would definitely recommend staying here
Clark Murray

10 May 2017

We stayed for 5 days at Riu Guanacaste and loved it. The hotel grounds and rooms were beautiful with extremely friendly staff and great bartenders. The drinks were great all week, and I would advise asking the bartenders for their specialty shots for some more interesting combinations. The food is as expected from such a large venue and buffet style, but it did not leave anything to be desired each day.
Bobby Simon

06 April 2017

Nice hotel, all inclusive. Food was average. Very secluded, taxi costs are high to get out of resort. Excursions are worth it. Staff was pleasant. Entrainment not as good as Mexico Cancun and Pita Vallarta Riu hotels.
Iliana Ferrara

27 March 2017

Pura Vida!! This hotel was VERY clean and staff was attentive and they go out of their way to help. Food is delicious and they have a variety foods and desserts. Would recommend this hotel and I would definitely go back.
Antonio Alicea

14 March 2017

Everything about this place is outstanding and day dream worthy! From the ridiculously hospitable staff, to the locals on the beach that treat you like family.
I just got home last night, and honestly!? Five days wasn't long enough. My liver on the other hand is extremely happy I'm home.
Thirty of the closest friends and family celebrating my best friends wedding, and we are not a quiet bunch by any means. The hotel staff was on point through and through. We would order ten, fifteen beers at a time and they never skipped a beat.
The food was pretty good. Especially if you like nachos because the guac wasn't extra! (All inclusive. Get it!)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets always had many delicious decisions to choose from.
All and All. I'd go back to Riu Guanacaste at the drop off a hat.

Thank you for having us and all of our craziness, we look forward to many more Riu resort stays.

Pura Vida!
Dallelyn Ramirez

08 February 2017

Didn't like my experience there.Before arriving I tried to add a friend to my room, they told me that I had to do it in person. I get there and it took 2 hours just to add someone. They charged an arm and a leg just to add a person last minute; (hence the reason why they say you have to do it in person). Finally 2 hours later they give us 2 towel keys but no bedroom keys and make us get back in line. They care more about these towels instead of providing proper customer service. Also, I thought it was only the AC in my room that didn't work, but as I asked other guests, they said theirs barely worked either. Try getting ready for a wedding in 90 degree weather! The staff isn't very friendly either. And they should have more activities during the day for guests. Oh and the WIFI only works in the lobby. Definitely not recommending this place to anyone.
Shawn Olesewski

07 January 2017

Stayed here with my fiance and we loved it. If you are looking for a quiet relaxing place, this might not be your resort. If you are looking for a fun place to meet other people, lay on the beach, or take advantage of an all inclusive resort this is that place. We had a blast! Food and drinks were good, service was excellent. I'm really confused by the negative reviews we had an amazing time and we are considering returning for our wedding. Take a walk down the beach and go to the Monkey Bar. Cheers.