Resort Credit Includes:
Renova Spa - $190 in coupons
Scuba Caribe - $210 in coupons
Weddings by Riu - $200 in coupons
Avis Rent Car - $30 in coupons
Photoventura - $40 in coupons
Morpho Travel Experience - $20 in coupons
Quetzal Shops - $10 in coupons
Tres Volcanoes Golf Course - $420 in coupons
Important Information: Resort Credits apply as discounts on selected services only. The total of credits are per room per stay, for guests 21 and older. This promotion is subject to availability and inclusions are subject to changes without prior notice. Resort Credits are non-transferable, non-cumulative, non-refundable, non-combinable and cannot be used for future stays or be exchanged for cash; some restrictions apply.Resort Credit Includes:
Renova Spa - $190 in coupons
Scuba Caribe - $210 in coupons
Weddings by Riu - $100 in coupons
Avis Rent Car - $30 in coupons
Photoventura - $40 in coupons
Morpho Travel Experience - $20 in coupons
Quetzal Shops - $10 in coupons
Tres Volcanoes Golf Course - $180 in coupons
Important Information: Resort Credits apply as discounts on selected services only. The total of credits are per room per stay, for guests 21 and older. This promotion is subject to availability and inclusions are subject to changes without prior notice. Resort Credits are non-transferable, non-cumulative, non-refundable, non-combinable and cannot be used for future stays or be exchanged for cash; some restrictions apply.
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
- Agave
- Candy
- FuramaAsian restaurant.
- La ToscanaItalian restaurant.
- Liberia RestaurantBuffet-style main restaurant with non-smoking section and terrace.
- OcotalPoolside restaurant/grill and steakhouse.
- Papagayo
- Pepe's Food
- Tiki Taco
- TucanGourmet restaurant
- Various Lounges/Bars- Filadelfia
- Pura Vida
- Sports bar
- La Plaza bar
*Unlimited local and imported beverages 24 hours a day
- 24-hour front desk
- Accessible facilities
- Baggage hold†
- Bell staff/porter
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Children's play area
- Concierge desk
- Elevators
- Exercise gym
- 24-hour front desk
- Complies with Local/State/Federal laws for disabled
- Baggage hold†
- Bell staff/porter
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Children's play area
- Concierge desk
- Elevators
- Exercise gym
- Free high speed internet connection
- Free parking
- Game room
- Gift/News stand†
- Housekeeping - daily
- Laundry/Valet service†
- Lounges/bars
- Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
- Non-smoking rooms available
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Safe deposit box
- Smoke-free property
- Spa†
- Tennis court
- Tour/sightseeing desk
- Water sports†
† Fees may apply
- Children's poolThere is 1 children's pool on-site.
- Children's program, onsiteDaytime entertainment program for children.
- Direct access to a beach
- Fitness center on-site
- Hot tub
- Motorized Water Sports †Assorted water sports available.
- Non-Motorized Water SportsAssorted non-motorized water sports available.
- PoolTwo new additional pools, one with a swim up bar.
- Spa †
- Tennis courtThere is a tennis court on-site.
- Water activities †
Riu Splash Water World
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 †
- On-site EntertainmentDaytime entertainment programme for adults (daily)
Shows, Riu evening programme or live music (daily)
- Other Local AttractionsPlaya Matapalo is in the region of Guanacaste, in the north-west of Costa Rica. It is a place where one can enjoy the possibilities offered by the privileged surroundings - relaxation and water activities on the beautiful beaches; diving or fishing in the waters of the Pacific; and eco-tourism in the volcanic areas and natural parks. All this with a sophisticated, select range of tourism services that are fully integrated into a fragile medium, which is of great ecological value.
† Fees may apply
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
10368 reviews
-
Jan 19, 2025Great for our family
For us, it was almost perfect. We are a family of 5 with elementary aged kids. The property is older, but very well built and laid out. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. The food was all pretty mediocre, but that's expected at an all inclusive of this level, we didn't mind and kids didn't notice. We just had to keep them from eating endless ice cream! Best food I thought was the tacos or chicken from the daytime snack bar. The beach is dark sand with lots of vendors but not too pushy or harassing. There is a monkey family in the trees past the palace. They like grapes and eggs.. not banana. Shout-out to Geo and Miguel at the pool bar, great service. Be aware, most Americans had brought tip money. I didn't know to, but still got friendly interactions. We will definitely be back!
-
Jan 18, 2025Great place to stay in Costa Rica!
I don’t normally write reviews, but felt compelled to write one in defense of the RIU Guanacaste. Some reviewers have complained about the friendliness of staff, food and rooms that need to be updated. We, on the other hand, had a wonderful time at a beautiful property! Our reservations were for a “standard room” so we were pleasantly surprised when we had a beautiful view of the property and ocean view from our balcony. From the hotel reception staff to the grounds crew, wait staff at the buffet & restaurants and bartenders- everyone was pleasant and friendly. There were plenty of chairs all around the pool area. Even at peak sunshine, you could always find open chairs near the pool. Did I have to wait 5-10 minutes for a drink at the pool bar? Yes, but there were six bartenders working very hard to accommodate all the frozen fruity drinks that take longer to make. Otherwise, I would order a drink from the waitresses walking by my lounge chair. I gave them a dollar or two tip for their service and they checked on me throughout the day. We enjoyed the variety food we at the buffets and restaurants. There’s so much to choose from, we could always find something we liked. I especially liked the omelette station at the buffet in the morning and all the fresh fruit. Our room had a mini bar stocked with gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey. The mini fridge was stocked with tonic water, two large bottles of drinking water, Coke, Coke zero, and Fanta orange. The grounds were absolutely beautiful. Who can complain about palm trees, flowering bushes, and sunshine everyday? Every day we saw grounds keepers working to keep the place beautiful and clean. We walked the beach every morning to enjoy the sand on our feet and see the monkeys a little ways down the beach. There’s the big pool near the ocean and the new pool with the new hotel addition across the street. The new pool area also had a restaurant called Tiki Tacos that was good for lunch, a hamburger area, and ice cream shop. RIU Guanacaste is the most inexpensive all-inclusive to stay at in Costa Rica. So the people complaining should spend more money and stay at one of the higher end resorts. I will go back to the RIU- it was a wonderful place to stay!
-
Jan 18, 2025
Staff
Lots of fun, very friendly staff, very clean, always come back. Food was excellent as well, with a lot of varieties.
-
Jan 17, 2025Could be much better
Disappointed with the attitude of the people. Did their job but not at all attentive or cheerful. Food got to be boring after 3 days. Booze was watered down. Even when poured from the bottle in eyesight it had little alcohol. The entertainment was not great and too loud for my liking (an older fellow.) Property is well worn and some items in the room worked periodically (safe and plumbing.) Complained to management and got an apologetic yet patronizing response. Overall a rather poor experience.
-
Jan 15, 2025Beware…
During the first 24 hours of our trip there was no AC in the entire resort, so difficulty sleeping. The resort shop is charging $46 for suntan lotion. Anything outside of the all inclusive offerings is way over priced. Has not been a great experience so far.
- 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.
- AdvisoryTwo Bedroom Family Suite: ***Important Information*** Please note when booking a Two Bedroom Family Suite, the minimum occupancy for this room category is: 3 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 Children between ages 2-12. Children aged 13 and over are considered adults. The hotel will not honor/confirm bookings with 2 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 Child.
- 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.
- AdvisoryFamily Room: ***Important Information*** Please note when booking a Family Room, the minimum occupancy for this room category is: 2 Adults. Children aged 13 and over are considered adults.
- AdvisoryIn continuity with our product improvements, we are very excited to announce the upcoming renovation of the RIU Guanacaste hotel in Costa Rica, which will be taking place starting April 28th, 2025 to October 3rd, 2025 (re-opening on October 4th, 2025).
- 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 Policy- 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. - Pet Policy : Pets Not Allowed
- Early Departure Policy
- Early Departure Penalty:1 NightApplies: Sunday - Saturday 04Jul24 - 23Dec26
- Early Departure Penalty:2 NightsApplies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26