Riu Palace Costa Rica Hotel Matapalo , Matapalo (Guanacaste) - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Resort

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

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The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Junior Suite

Max:

2 persons

room details

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Getting around

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City Center

Matapalo (Guanacaste)1000 ft

Airports

Liberia (LIR) 18.8 mi

Tamarindo (TNO) 23.1 mi

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Pleasant Dining Experience

The varied dining options at the Riu Palace Costa Rica were fantastic. The buffet offered a diverse selection of delicious dishes, and I particularly enjoyed the themed restaurants. The Italian restaurant was a highlight and offered an appetizer buffet that was almost a meal on its own. The red wine, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon, was good. Having lunch by the pool with BBQ options was an added treat.

Melissa2024. USA, 2024-01-15Read full review on

Spacious and Modern Room

My room was spacious and modern, featuring a unique design with the jacuzzi in the middle acting like a room divider. The presence of optics and a mini bar was a nice touch. Overall, I enjoyed the clean and well-kept feel of the room, making it an inviting place to relax after a day by the pools.

Isaac2024. Canada, 2024-02-28Read full review on

Invigorating Amenities

The pool area was a highlight of my stay! With plenty of lounge chairs available, I never struggled to find a comfortable spot. The swim-up bar was busy, but it offered great service as the bartenders were incredibly skilled. I loved watching the iguanas roam around while I soaked up the sun, making the pool area even more entertaining.

Helen2024. UK, 2024-03-12Read full review on

Exciting Entertainment Options

The entertainment at Riu Palace Costa Rica kept my evenings lively. The staff put together engaging shows, including a fantastic Michael Jackson tribute that was impressive. I also enjoyed the live band that played after the shows, and the atmosphere was enthusiastic and fun, making each night enjoyable.

Dana2024. Australia, 2024-04-20Read full review on

What’s included

General

Smoking allowed in designated areas
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
24-hour reception
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Baggage storage
Elevator
ATM/Cash machine
Sundry/Convenience store
Gift/Newsstand
Beauty salon
Coffee shop

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center
Kayaking
Tennis
Fitness studio

Services

24-hour room service
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Grocery shopping service
Bell staff/Porter

Dining

Continental breakfast
Restaurant
Poolside snack bar
Coffee/Tea in lobby
Free breakfast
Buffet breakfast

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Paid babysitting/ Child services
Children's pool

Facilities for people with disabilities

Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach umbrellas
Beach towels
Sun loungers
Casino
Night club
Garden area
Television in lobby
Spa & wellness center
Sauna
Turkish bath
Jacuzzi

Room features

Air conditioning
In-room safe
Mini-bar
Terrace
Balcony

Media

Television
Telephone
AM/FM alarm clock

Location

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

Map view

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

City landmarks

Farm

The Monkey Farm

1.9 mi

25 meters from Ocotal Beach

Los Almendros de Ocotal

2.2 mi

Beach

Ocotal Beach Club

2.1 mi

Monkey Trail

The Congo Trail

2.5 mi

Cementerio Nuevo Colon

2.3 mi

Iglesia de Nuevo Colon

2.5 mi

Guacamaya Beach

3.0 mi

Church

Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco

3.7 mi

Gallery

Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts

3.8 mi

Coco Beach Hotel

Alessandra Cola Art

3.8 mi

Restaurants

Langosta Feliz Marisqueria

2800 ft

Restaurant

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

80%

liked the resort and would come back again

Beautiful surroundings

Spacious, clean rooms

Loud weekend crowds

Limited dining options

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

6.8

Location

8.3

Service

7.8

Dining

5.3

Jeff

United States of America, January 2025

8.2/10

I had an amazing stay at this Riu hotel! The service was top-notch, especially from Diana at the front desk, and the variety of food was delightful. The nighttime entertainment added a fun touch, although the beach could have been nicer. Overall, I felt the hotel offered great value for money with excellent drinks and beautiful accommodations, but I would recommend some improvements to the beach area.

Rooms

9.0

The deluxe room we stayed in was extremely nice with stunning views, featuring a private balcony overlooking the rainforest.

Service

8.0

Service was largely excellent, with standout staff like Diana and Filipe, although some staff could be more welcoming.

Location

7.0

The resort is set in a beautiful area of Costa Rica, surrounded by well-landscaped gardens and natural beauty, although the beach isn't as inviting as I hoped.

Dining

8.0

Dining was a highlight, with a good selection of food at the buffets and restaurants, but I would have loved more breakfast options.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were clean and well-maintained, with a bright gym and a fun waterslide park that exceeded my expectations.

Alan

United States of America, October 2024

5.4/10

If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, this hotel offers plenty of party vibes and beach fun. However, the rooms we experienced had quite a few cleanliness issues and an unpleasant odor. While the dining options were disappointingly low quality, the beach and nearby excursions saved our vacation. It’s definitely more suited for those wanting to indulge in drinks and social scenes rather than luxury or comfort.

Rooms

5.0

Unfortunately, the rooms had a musty smell and weren’t as clean as expected, with hairs found on the sheets.

Service

7.0

Staff members were helpful, especially Daniel at the front desk, who arranged a room change for us.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in beautiful surroundings right by the beach, making it a great spot for day excursions.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were quite poor, with food quality resembling cafeteria fare, very disappointing for a supposed 5-star hotel.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel has decent amenities, including various bars and pool areas, but they can feel chaotic.

Gene

United States of America, September 2024

7.0/10

I recently had a fantastic holiday at the Riu Palace that I will never forget. The hotel had something for everyone, with a variety of pools and lots of entertaining activities. The staff were exceptional, and the outdoor environment was breathtaking, especially the wildlife. However, I would advise against this place for those seeking a luxury experience or extensive dining options, as there were some shortcomings in food quality and room condition.

Rooms

6.0

The rooms were not up to the luxury standard you'd expect, with some issues like musty smells and wear. However, they were cleaned every day, which was a plus.

Service

9.0

The staff were super helpful and responsive. They accommodated our requests promptly, especially at the reception, and tried their best to make our stay pleasant.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a relatively secluded area right by the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by beautiful nature. The volcanic beach was not crowded, which made for a peaceful atmosphere.

Dining

5.0

Dining was a major letdown; the choice of food was limited and did not meet the expectations of a 5-star resort. The buffet felt more like cafeteria food, and we found better meals while on excursions.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had a great variety of facilities like pools and activities. However, some areas showed signs of wear and could use updates to match the aesthetic of a palace.

United States of America, August 2024

7.8/10

I had a lovely stay at this hotel with its stunning surroundings and well-maintained rooms. The staff was warm and welcoming, contributing to a great experience. However, the busy weekends with loud groups and some dining options could definitely use improvement. The pools were fantastic, and the lounge areas were comfortable, making it a cozy getaway overall.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and clean, with great amenities like air conditioning and a daily replenished minibar. I particularly loved the balcony overlooking the lush garden.

Service

7.0

The service was attentive, with staff always smiling and eager to help. However, I did experience a minor issue where my drink was moved at lunch without a resolution.

Location

8.0

The hotel is set in a beautiful, isolated area, perfect for unwinding. It offers access to a beach with a unique view, although it can get crowded during certain times.

Dining

7.0

Dining options were varied, but I found some restaurants to be underwhelming, especially the steakhouse that lacked vegetarian options. The buffet provided ample choices though.

Facilities

8.0

Facilities like the pools were excellent, with plenty of loungers available, but I would have preferred a quieter adult-only pool option.

Beautiful surroundings

Loud weekend crowds