Rating8.4
Rating8.0
Rating8.1Adults OnlyAbove Average
Based on 8.5k reviews
Exceptional Service
Guests consistently praise the staff for their friendliness, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond, making the stay memorable.
Beautiful Grounds & Pools
The resort's well-maintained grounds, lush landscaping, and multiple swimming pools, including a lively swim-up bar, are major highlights for relaxation and enjoyment.
Comprehensive All-Inclusive
The 24-hour all-inclusive program, covering a wide range of food, drinks, and activities, is highly valued for its convenience and extensive offerings.
Water Park Access
Complimentary access to the 'Splash Water World' at the adjacent Riu Guanacaste is a significant draw, especially for families seeking extra fun and entertainment.
Buffet Dining Quality
The main buffet restaurant receives strong positive feedback for its diverse selection, freshness, and quality, particularly noted for breakfast.
Dated Rooms & Facilities
Despite reported renovations, many guests find that the decor and furnishings in rooms and some common areas feel outdated and could benefit from further modernization.
Inconsistent Specialty Dining & Cocktails
The à la carte restaurants receive mixed reviews for food quality, with some guests preferring the buffet, and cocktails are often described as basic or watered down.
Rocky Beach Quality
While offering direct access, Matapalo Beach is noted for being rocky rather than having soft, white sand, which might not meet all travelers' expectations for a Caribbean-style beach.
Potential Noise Issues
Rooms situated near main pools or entertainment venues can experience noise, which may affect guests seeking a quieter retreat.
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Travelife Sustainability System
GOLD certification
Travelife
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica's most practical advantage is its airport proximity — Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste is approximately 28km from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), a 20-minute transfer. In a region where most travelers arrive via San José (a 4+ hour drive to most Guanacaste resorts), the direct LIR connection makes the logistics straightforward.
Opened in 2012 and reportedly renovated in 2019, the property sits on Matapalo Beach — a Pacific coast beach with the characteristic volcanic-sand combination of the Guanacaste region. The beach is described as beautiful and surrounded by biodiversity, but also noted as sometimes rocky in areas. The resort provides free sun loungers on the beach.
The Tokio restaurant includes teppanyaki — live tableside cooking — which is an unusual inclusion in the all-inclusive format. Most Riu Japanese restaurants serve sushi and à la carte mains; Tokio's teppanyaki option is worth specifically planning a dinner around. The broader dining program covers fusion (Krystal), Italian (L'Anfora), and steakhouse (Papagayo) as the other specialty concepts.
Some guests have noted the 2019 renovation didn't fully modernize all areas — certain room configurations and facility sections still appear dated relative to Riu's newer properties. This is a reasonable expectation gap to manage before booking.
