Experience Luxury and Leisure at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica in Playa de Matapalo

Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica

Sardinal Del Carrillo Playa Matapalo, Near Diamante Eco Adventure Park, Playa de Matapalo, Costa Rica

Rating

4.3

Travelers Choice

2021

Price Level

$$$$

Rooms

538

Pets

May

Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, Playa de Matapalo

Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica

The Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica is situated on the edge of the beach of Matapalo in Guanacaste on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Guanacaste is known to be less tropical, humid and lush than the rest of the country, often reminding of African savannah landscapes. The impressive, modern hotel is surrounded by a garden area and offers four swimming pools, one of them with a wet bar. Guests will appreciate a wide variety of services and amenities such as a buffet restaurant, four themed restaurants, hot tub, gym, sauna and an excellent spa and wellness area with treatments and massages. Sports enthusiasts have a plethora of facilities such as table tennis, volleyball, tennis court, windsurf, sailing, snorkelling, kayaks and other water activities at their disposal. Guests can participate in excursions to the volcanic landscape or a visit to Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste. A wonderful place for a beach holiday.

Price & Availability

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Overall

Excellent

4.3

990 reviews

3279

1708

618

244

217

Customers Review

Value 4

Location 3.9

Cleanliness 4.4

Comfort 4.3

Neighborhood 4.3

Amenities 4.2

Condition 4.3

Recomendation 86.2%

“La comida bien y buena variedad de bebidas. Si vas con ganas de descasar y de un ambiente tranquilo este no es el lugar. Si vas con ganas de pasar un buen rato y con variedad de actividades te lo recomiendo. Las habitaciones todo le funciona perfecto sin embargo ya se ve el desgaste del tiempo y la falta de remodelación.”

— Marco Cordero

“Good despite the pandemic. Some restrictions in regards of bar on the room(including room service which is disabled) and jacuzzi nor currently working. Some contractions on the hotel ruin the beauty. Food was good still of quality. AC could stronger for my taste but still enough. Overall good experience.”

— Irina Molina

Overall Excellent, 4.3

Value 4

Location 3.9

Cleanliness 4.4

Comfort 4.3

Neighborhood 4.3

Amenities 4.2

Condition 4.3

Recomendation 86.2%

Heyleen Morales

Nov 30, 2021

Este lugar melhorou desde a nossa visita no ano passado. Este ano, o frigobar do quarto tem refil incluindo refrigerantes, cervejas e licores. A comida era ótima, com muitas opções de escolha. E nossa maior reclamação no ano passado foi a defasagem de um menu de coquetéis, que foi colocado em todos os bares este ano e até mesmo no aplicativo para hóspedes. Definitivamente, iremos visitar novamente no próximo ano.

Shaira Bush

Nov 26, 2021

Super super todo. El servicio dado del hotel. La atención de los colaboradores. Y la comida sumamente deliciosa

Digna Hernandez

Nov 26, 2021

Excelente hotel, muy buena atención.

Fran Denize

Nov 26, 2021

Muito bom

Heyleen Morales

Nov 23, 2021

This place has improved since our visit last year. This year the mini bar at the room has refill including sodas, beers and liquors. The food was great with many options to choose. And our biggest claim last year was the lag of a cocktail menu, which was placed in every bar this year and even in the guest app. Definitely we will visit again next year.

Michael Tucker

Nov 19, 2021

A propriedade é enorme, então a praia fica um pouco longe, mas agradável. Gostamos muito de todas as opções de comida. Estranho que os quartos não tenham relógios. Definitivamente recomendo.

Nursenene

Nov 19, 2021

Todo o pessoal foi simpático e amigável. Qualquer problema que tivéssemos, eles o consertaram o mais rápido possível. Comida muito boa, bebidas saborosas. Quando o voo da minha festa foi inesperadamente cancelado depois de fazermos o check-out, eles rapidamente conseguiram novos quartos para a noite. Com certeza voltaria

Perfumes China

Nov 19, 2021

Bueno, es un hotel de encanto, tubimos una experiencia muy bonita y la vez nos sucedió algo q dejo en evidencia q hay detalles que no se pueden perder, mi esposa tubo un accidente y se tardaron más de 30minutos en llegar asistencia médica, y al final llegó el médico y sin escrúpulos me dijo, la consulta vale 150 dolares mas medicamentos y si no llamamos la ambulancia, la verdad me quede perplejo ver la ética profesional en este médico, pero bueno. Por lo demás es espectacular. Por eso las 4 estrellas.

Sasha Kay

Nov 19, 2021

I am very disappointed with this resort. The first room we received was soaked with water and musty so we had to move to a room that was just a little better. Then they said they are all inclusive, however, some of the restaurants stop taking people after seating 100 people. The restaurants open at 6 and by 7 they have already seated 100 people. I just don't feel like I should be denied access to dining at an all inclusive resort. Riu management need to figure out a way to accommodate their guests.

Michael Tucker

Nov 19, 2021

Property is huge so the beach is a bit of a walk but nice. Enjoyed all the food options.Weird that the rooms have no clocks.Would definitely recommend.

Nursenene

Nov 16, 2021

All the staff was nice and friendly. Any problem we had they fixed it asap. Pretty good food, tasty drinks. When my parties flight was unexpectedly cancelled after we checked out they quickly got is new rooms for the night. Would definitely return

Kriss12011984

Nov 12, 2021

El servicio al cliente en especial de saloneros (piscina)(Kevin) fue excelente y los shows y los bailarines y staff genial son unos profesionales. Pero han bajado la calidad en cuanto a servicio tv ya q durante mi estadía no tuve ese servicio no se veía ningún canal...la habitación recién entregada tenía muy mal olor. Y los restaurantes temáticos no abrieron todos x lo q no hubo variedad... sólo usamos el tipo buffet y el Japonés q si abrieron 1 de los días q estuve... Está pandemia ha afectado notoriamente en todos los negocios. Y el uso de mascarilla obligatorio también es incómodo pero entendible x la situación.

Rigoberto Gonzalez Lepiz

Nov 12, 2021

Fue muy mala no hay actlvidadesbonitas durante el dia y se buelve aburrido la comida no es muy buena in magi ense que hace poco había visitado tambor y mo vi un ñoco mejor que el riu

Sergio Sojo

Oct 26, 2021

En términos generales la experiencia es buena, tienen varios restaurantes de especialidades o el típico bufet. Habitaciones amplias, aseo bueno y áreas comunes con excelente mantenimiento, la comida y cocteles muy bien y variedad para todo gusto. El personal en general es amable y servicial solo puedo quejar de una señora que el nombre inicia con Z y del restaurante Papagayo que es descortés, responde y atiende de mala forma al turista nacional como indicarme “el café está en la máquina” cuando minutos antes otra señora amablemente le llevo el café a la mesa a mi esposa, y así repetitivos pequeños detalles con esta señora.

Virginia Sullivan

Oct 26, 2021

Beautiful location, friendly staff, nice food options. Picked this time of year for fishing...interesting mix of people in off season!Whole place needs more exterior lighting. Hard to see near Steakhouse and Pool at night.

Marco Cordero

Sep 26, 2021

La comida bien y buena variedad de bebidas. Si vas con ganas de descasar y de un ambiente tranquilo este no es el lugar. Si vas con ganas de pasar un buen rato y con variedad de actividades te lo recomiendo. Las habitaciones todo le funciona perfecto sin embargo ya se ve el desgaste del tiempo y la falta de remodelación.

Shantee Richardson

Sep 26, 2021

The resort is beautiful. The ground is kept well. Pools everything clean about the resort. The only thing did not like was the food. It wasn't seasoned most of the time. And the meat was overcooked majority of the time. We went to one of the restaurants called crystals lovely place food was good there. I suggest you go there when visiting Costa rica. The drinks were watered down extremely. Only time you feel the effects of the alcohol is if you took shots. I'm not a shot person so I drink mixed drinks. Did not feel any effect or taste any alcohol. Other than that great stay love the jungle scenery love the noises of the animals I had a great time.

James Kenny

Sep 15, 2021

Amazing hospitality my wife and I stayed stayed for a week.. simply amazing. Courtesy all around every staff knew us from day one .made us felt so welcome. Swim up bar was my personal favorite.. all inclusive is a must 24 hr lounge honestly too much too list.. Costa Rica is an amazing amazing country 100% will be returning. Super friendly gracious people not enough can be said.bring cash no ATM on hotel property for tipping! Please tip these wonderful people!!!!

Michane Newman

Sep 04, 2021

The staff were super friendly and accommodating! The facilities were extremely beautiful! I would highly recommend this hotel to my family and friends. The only small set back is the rooms are dated

Terrell Garner

Aug 31, 2021

This place made my Costa Rica trip so amazing! The staff was so nice, and every time I went to the bar the bartender went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience every night. There's so much to do and the shows were great. The food was okay but I definitely recommend checking out some of the local cuisine. The seafood is amazing in that area, check it out!

Dino IAN

Aug 26, 2021

La comida en todos los restaurantes es deliciosa y tienen muy buena atención. Sin embargo me toco pasar malas noches primero porque en lugar de una cama hay un sofá cama donde quede con los pies afuera ( ya convertido en cama), solicitamos una cama extra que nunca colocaron. Y para colmo de males la primer noche sentí algo extraño, y valla sorpresa tenia una cucaracha encima. Muy mal para un hotel de tan alto rango. Además el aire acondicionado de la habitación no estaba funcionando. Esto lo avise a recepción pero no pasó más , esperaba algo más ya que la incomodidad era muchísima por lo menos un cambio de habitación, pero no.

Mick F

Jul 26, 2021

My first all-inclusive. The rooms were a little worn but the staff was great for the most part. This is a typical chain all-inclusive from what I'm told. The location is great, as it is close to some local attractions including the eco-adventure Park Diamante.. Fishing guides cam pick up right from the beach. All in all a great place to stay. Oh yeah...the tub is, in fact, pretty much in the middle of the room.

Kristel Chacón

Nov 26, 2020

Super lindo

NoÊmia Rocha

Oct 28, 2020

👒👒🌜🌜🌞🌞🌻🌻🌷🌷excelente este resort, primeira vez na minha vida aos 54 anos, uma semana de muito prazer, alimentaÇÃo, atendimento top dos funcionÁrios, muito obrigada pelas gentilezas😉😉😉😆😆😆😙😙😙😙

Eng. Alvaro Venegas

Oct 28, 2020

Falta ainda um estrutura para passeios náuticos

Isabel Seabra

Oct 28, 2020

Praia com areia muito fina escura e com muito pó, não gostei.A água do Mar é morna e agradável. Deveria existir mais limpeza na praia.. A decoração do hotel é de muito mau gosto.Buffet com muita variedade de comida mas ás vezes sem grande sabor...A fruta muito era boa. Restaurantes temáticos sem grande qualidade .Funcionários muito simpáticos.

Manuel Freitas

Oct 28, 2020

Claro Um oasis no meio do deserto

Carlosdep245

Oct 27, 2020

Muy bien el hotel, si es en pamdemia, deben de llamar al número de Costa Rica, nos ofrecieron muchas cosas, cosas que ya no estan disponibles debido a la pandemia, al tener distintas normas de salud nos quitaron varias cosas.

D G

Oct 23, 2020

After the nightmare we endured at the Riu Guanacaste Hotel, my travel agent moved us to the Palace where as honeymooners were very delighted with the personal touches and service we received.Our room was 2027 view of the ocean, mountains on either side and the the grounds below.balcony Jacuzzi was great after spending the day at the pool and/or right after dinner with cocktails in our room.The check in was a breeze, as was check out, the pool bartenders and servers are all very pleasant and they pay proper attention to the guests who take time to meet and greet them.I will miss Hernandez at the pool (pool server and bar tender) Luis (who played the pilot for the YMCA pool show.Great hotel for couples and family alike.excelleant dining options and the best in the early morning you can hear howler monkeys calling.We will return!PURA VIDA!

Nicole Mosley

Oct 22, 2020

Very clean. Staff very courteous. Knowing Spanish is a plus but not necessary. Enjoy and have fun!

Edier Montero

Oct 07, 2020

Excelente lugar, mesmo com as medidas de Covid a estadia foi incrível. Espero voltar em pouco tempo.

Jean Vega

Oct 07, 2020

Boa comida. Boas medidas de higiene e segurança. Talvez um pouco o design da sala um pouco estranho com a jacuzzi no meio da sala e no banheiro. A equipe é atenciosa e simpática

Jean Vega

Oct 07, 2020

Buena comida. Buenas medidas de higiene y seguridad. Tal vez un poco el diseño de la habitación un poco extraño con el jacuzzi en medio de la habitación y el baño. El personal mi atento y amable

Isabel Arroyo

Oct 07, 2020

Por los acontecimientos de la Pandemia ha cambiado, pero sigue siendo un buen lugar, la playa es una de las mejores. Su comida es excelente.

Edier Montero

Oct 07, 2020

Excelente lugar, aun con las medidas de Covid la estancia fue increíble. Espero volver en un corto plazo.

Nancy L

Oct 07, 2020

I absolutely enjoyed my time here! Everything was amazing from the ocean views, pool area, lively performances, and two amazing Bartenders Walter and Jean Carlo. I stayed here before Covid-19.

Alex

Sep 30, 2020

Apesar da crise global provocada pela Covid-19, o hotel oferece um serviço de qualidade, cumpre as medidas e toma os cuidados adicionais necessários. Excelente serviço, pessoal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, tudo ótimo.

Alex

Sep 30, 2020

A pesar de la crisis mundial ocasionada por el Covid-19 el hotel da un servicio de calidad, cumple las medidas, toma las precauciones necesarias adicionales. Excelente servicio, el personal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, todo genial.

Oscar Soto

Sep 28, 2020

Muy buen servicio y en estos tiempos de pandemia se lo han tomado muy serio. Recomendado.

Hermes Augusto Hernández Campos

Sep 28, 2020

Personal atento, solo que el hotel carece de indicaciones claras sobre procesos y actividades. Los protocolos para el covid19 muy bien.

Manolo Rodriguez

Sep 20, 2020

The check in riu palace was awful, please think twice before came here to suffer, 45 minutes on the car to check in.

Sergio Salas

Aug 28, 2020

Personal amable y atento. Los restaurantes deberían pasar más tiempo abiertos.

Lukes 910

Aug 28, 2020

Even tho we went in the middle of the pandemic and some of their features were closed, we had a blast ! We took a friend who hates these type of resorts since they rather go to amore simple and quieter hotels but they loved it . We stayed 3 nights and here's our rating of all the things we did and experienced:- Thefood was great . ( Even tho the first day all the desserts had a fridgey-like taste)- The mayority of the Staff was friendly.- The rooms were ok , my brother's room smelled like mold.- Room service was below average, had to call twice to get an extra blanket and they never came so I went to the reception to ask for one......- there wasnt any events playing at the theater ( only music and no live shows , we supposed that's because of Covid )- they close the beach at 2:30 pm , waaaay to early for our taste .- the pool closes at 6:30ish they should close it around 10pm instead ( adults want to spend time at the pool at nights too!- there was a Champions League Final Game that we wanted to watch and you would think that in this huge fancy hotel they would have lots of TV's and places to watch your favorite games. WRONG! there was only like 1 restaurant that had TV's. W.T.F....But anyways we had a blast and would definitely will comeback to this paradise.

Drum Covers and classes

Aug 25, 2020

The best Resort in Costa Rica, worth to visit. Great variety of restaurants and food. Loved it.

Irina Molina

Aug 18, 2020

Good despite the pandemic. Some restrictions in regards of bar on the room(including room service which is disabled) and jacuzzi nor currently working. Some contractions on the hotel ruin the beauty. Food was good still of quality. AC could stronger for my taste but still enough. Overall good experience.

Jonathan Loo

Jul 29, 2020

There is some rebuilding going on, so there is one pool closed. The rooms seems to be a bit deteriorated, but nothing too bad. The staff was extremely friendly and provided an excellent service. The beach was nice and clean, and it's perfect for bathing since there are no waves.

Igor K.

Mar 28, 2020

Place was basically heaven. Located in paradise, by the beach. The staff was very friendly and polite. The food was in my opinion, some of the best I've had. Surprisingly the buffet contained excellent food choices. The staff in this hotel definitely take their jobs seriously. Open bar at all hours of the day, made my stay very pleasurable indeed. If I had to point out a negative, it would be that our welcome arrangement of flowers in our hotel room, contained ants. Mind you, those were industrious Costa-Rican ants, not lethargic Canadian ones...

Samad Kadri

Dec 28, 2019

A really nice secluded resort. What you’d expect with a great all-inclusive. If you’re going for the beach or lots of water activities, then this is not the place.Food was above average for an all-inclusive. There are 4 restaurants to choose from and a Buffet, along with a few bars/snack bars. The restaurants are walk-in first come first served, so be prepared to line up if you want to get in.Staff was amazing and super friendly and all spoke great English. They clap when they open the buffet and the guests walk-in. Everyone is super attentive.

Eric Sposato

Nov 28, 2019

Wow, what a great experience we had!A group of us went together for a friend's birthday celebration, and also a nice relaxing vacation.The hotel was clean, the staff was exceptionally friendly, and the food options were more than sufficient.Overall, we had an excellent time, and would not hesitate to return again!

Francielli Berte

Oct 28, 2019

Muito bom

Dan R

Satisfactory Place

We came here and at first sight, the place was great. The pools were very nice and the landscaping was perfect. The housekeeping staff was great and the front staff was very friendly. The room was...

Ruth G

Riu Palace Costa Rica

We stayed here for a week and it is an excellent choice. The food was excellent, people very friendly and helpful. Great excursions. Beautiful place, pool was wonderful, everything taken care of and...

georgems355

Excellent Stay RIU Palace Costa Rica

The weather was amazing... HOT with a light breeze every day, great place to unwind. My son had his wedding at the RIU Palace what a venue.... Fantastic time had by all. The Beach area was ok, no...

V9846PTkevins

Overall Very Good!

Travelled for 1 week November 2021 with a 2 year old. The hotel is very clean and well kept. Housekeeping does a great job with cleaning the rooms. We always had bugs coming into our room and they...

2022TinaS

Amazing Property

From the moment we stepped onto the property the staff was absolutely amazing. They were always friendly, smiling and helpful. They seemed to really care about our experience. Our room was clean and...

ralphk600

"okay"

We were a family of 6 in 4 staterooms. We requested a handicapped room, with a wheelchair. And we requested the rooms be next to each other, as I needed to be next to my mother-in-law. When we got...

KimHegarty22

AMAZING HONEYMOON!

We had an absolutely amazing time! We were there for 2 weeks and were worried that maybe it would be too long in one spot but it was fantastic! Loved so many members of the staff: Arenal server...

simonlH712OL

Costa Rica December 2021

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and so far 8ts been everything we hoped it would be. We are staying at the Riu Palace and have stayed at 4 other Riuu Palace hotels around the world and have...

OntarioTraveller48

A Perfect 10

Having travelled twice a year for the past 20 years to the Carribean & Mexico including Roatan, Honduras, I can honestly say that the Riu Palace was the best ever...even better than other Riu...

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