Riu Palace Costa Rica Hotel Matapalo , Matapalo (Guanacaste) ∞ Discover spa retreats, reviews & deals for 2025

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Key details

About Resort

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

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Select your room type

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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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

Explore a range of transportation options for your spa getaway

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

Really good Buffet Variety

During my stay, I was blown away by the breakfast spread at the buffet. Each day, I discovered new favorite items, especially the blueberry pancakes that became a must-have. The variety available at lunch and dinner was impressive, with something for everyone's taste. I often left feeling satisfied and excited to try different dishes.

Walter2024. USA, 2024-03-15Read full review on

Spacious and Clean Rooms

My room was incredibly spacious and well-maintained, allowing my family plenty of room to unpack and unwind. We had a fantastic view that overlooked the pools. Housekeeping was consistently on point, ensuring that our stay was comfortable and tidy every day. It truly added to the relaxing experience.

LeonardG. Canada, 2024-05-23Read full review on

Engaging Evening Shows

The entertainment was a highlight of my evenings. While the shows varied, one in particular stood out with fantastic choreography and an enthusiastic cast that energized the audience. One dancer, Daniel, completely stole the show with his performances and made it lovely. It's a great way to wind down after a day at the pool.

JohnR2024. UK, 2024-07-10Read full review on

Fantastic Pool Experience

I spent countless hours enjoying the beautiful pools, which were always clean and well-maintained. The pool area was large enough to accommodate guests comfortably, ensuring I could relax without feeling crowded. I loved having drink service right by my sunbed, making it easy to stay refreshed all day.

MarvinP. Australia, 2024-08-5Read 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 <br />

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

loved the resort and would return for another relaxing stay

Attentive service

Delicious food

Some areas aging

Limited daily cleaning

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

8.6

Location

9.4

Service

8.0

Dining

7.0

Jack

United Kingdom, January 2025

8.8/10

I had an amazing stay at the resort! The staff were incredibly attentive and made my experience unforgettable. The food was always hot and delicious, and I loved the layout of the resort. However, I noticed that some areas are starting to show their age, which may need addressing in the future.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were quite nice, featuring a jacuzzi tub right in the middle of the bedroom, which was a lovely touch! They weren’t cleaned every day, but the maid service did a great job when they did.

Service

10.0

From the cleaner to the manager, everyone was so happy and provided great service throughout my stay. I really appreciate the effort they put into making sure I felt taken care of.

Location

9.0

The resort is nestled in beautiful surroundings near a nice beach, giving a very relaxing vibe. It's also conveniently located close to where the evening entertainment takes place.

Dining

8.0

Dining options were plentiful, with various restaurants to choose from. Most dishes leaned towards American fare, but the chef prepared a special feast for us after our fishing trip that was simply fantastic.

Facilities

9.0

The resort had a range of facilities that were well maintained. The pool area was especially enjoyable and contributed greatly to my overall experience.

Attentive service

Some areas aging

Nicholas

United Kingdom, January 2025

8.0/10

We had a great family holiday with fantastic weather and a comfortable hotel experience overall. The rooms were spacious and clean, and the friendly staff made our stay even more enjoyable. The dining options were decent, though not extensive, and the pools were a hit with the kids. However, there were some cleanliness issues and the lighting in our room had some problems. Overall, we felt it offered good value for money.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious, clean, and comfortable, with a beautiful balcony that enhanced our stay.

Service

8.0

The staff were friendly and committed to providing good service, contributing positively to our overall experience.

Location

9.0

The hotel was in a convenient area, allowing easy access to various amenities, including the beach.

Dining

7.0

While the food options were adequate with several decent restaurants, there was room for improvement in the overall dining experience.

Facilities

7.0

The pools were well-maintained and provided a family-friendly atmosphere, although some cleanliness oversight was noted.

Molly

United Kingdom, December 2024

8.6/10

I had the best trip of my life at this resort! The cleanliness and beauty of the place were stunning, and we found the dining to be unexpectedly delightful. The staff was incredibly helpful, especially when they returned my lost credit card. However, there were a few downsides, such as noise levels from the activities and some crowded areas around the pools, making it hard to find peace at times.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were kept very clean, with a modern feel. We had a lovely balcony overlooking the rainforest, which added to the charm.

Service

9.0

Service was generally excellent, and staff made a real effort to provide enjoyable experiences. They were quick to assist with our needs.

Location

10.0

The location is fantastic, beautifully landscaped with every part of the resort accessible. Being close to the beach added an extra layer of enjoyment.

Dining

7.0

Dining options were plentiful, with each meal bringing a new surprise, though some themed nights felt repetitive towards the end of our stay.

Facilities

8.0

Facilities were great and well-maintained, though the layout made it difficult to find quieter spots to relax.

Immaculate cleanliness

Noise levels

Reese

United Kingdom, November 2024

8.2/10

I had a wonderful stay at the Riu Palace Costa Rica, with its stunning beachfront location surrounded by beautiful gardens. The room was clean and comfortable, but it could use a bit of renovation. The staff was attentive and friendly throughout my stay. However, the dining options were good but lacked variety for those with specific dietary restrictions. Overall, it was a relaxing vacation, though there are areas that could see improvement.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were spacious and clean, featuring a comfortable king bed and a jacuzzi tub in the middle. They were cleaned every day, and we felt secure with the safe provided.

Service

9.0

The service was attentive and friendly, from the cleaners to the management. We felt well taken care of during our stay.

Location

10.0

Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the hotel had beautiful landscaped gardens with iguanas roaming around, providing a great atmosphere.

Dining

7.0

Dining options were plentiful but mostly consisted of American fare, leaning towards deep-fried items. There could be better options for guests with dietary restrictions.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were decent, though some areas looked dated. The pool area was enjoyable, providing a nice space to relax.

Amelia

United Kingdom, September 2024

7.2/10

I recently stayed at the RIU Palace Costa Rica, and overall, my experience was quite mixed. The resort itself is beautiful, featuring clean and spacious accommodations, but my interactions with the staff left much to be desired. While some staff members were friendly, others were unwelcoming, and I faced issues with service consistency. The variety of dining options was impressive, but I encountered problems with the dining staff. While the location is stunning and ideal for beach lovers, service issues hindered what could have been a perfect vacation.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious, clean, and well-equipped, making for a comfortable stay.

Service

5.0

Unfortunately, the service was inconsistent; while some staff members were helpful, I experienced rudeness and dismissive attitudes from others.

Location

9.0

The resort is situated in beautiful surroundings, close to a natural beach, which was a highlight of the trip.

Dining

6.0

There were many dining options available, but I found the service in some of the restaurants lacking and had to wait too long for help.