If you are using a screen reader, we recommend that you disable JavaScript.

Help | Contact us | Register for offers |


Riu Guanacaste Hotel   Four plus sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Playa Matapalo , Costa Rica

 

If peace and luxury top your list of holiday musts, then this spot is the perfect find. Hidden away in acres of Costa Rican forest and right on the beachfront, this grand hotel has got a real back-to-nature feel. But it isn’t just for quiet types. There are tons of all inclusive facilities for your fix of fun including outdoor pools, watersports and an entertainment programme for grown ups and kids. And if that isn’t enough, you’ll also find four restaurants, five bars, a casino and a nightclub all on-site.

Key features

Premier All inclusive Close to beach Exclusive to FC in the UK

Premier

An exclusive selection of quality four and five star hotels, our Premier range offers superior standards of comfort, service and dining, with luxurious facilities and fantastic extras. In-flight and in-resort benefits vary across our Premier Family, Premier Luxury and Falcon Premier holidays.

 

Benefits may include:

  • Free in-flight meal and reserved seating on First Choice Airways flights
  • Increased baggage allowance (up to 23kg per person)
  • Free day before check-in at London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham Airports
  • Priority airport transfers to your resort or return private taxi transfers
  • Premier Reps providing outstanding customer service and assistance
  • Complimentary children's’ pack with Premier Families

All Inclusive

Our All Inclusive holidays cover all your essentials, so you can relax knowing that the important bits are already paid for while you’re on holiday with the UK’s ‘Best All Inclusive Tour Operator’.

What’s included?

  • Unlimited local alcoholic drinks
  • Meals and snacks
  • Unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee
  • Ice cream for the kids in many hotels
  • Sports facilities in most hotels
  • Daytime and evening entertainment and activities

For full details of exactly what's included at your chosen hotel, check the individual hotel details.

Close to the Beach

Choose one of these accommodations to ensure you are within 300 metres of the beach (1km for villas).

Exclusive to First Choice in the UK

Exclusive to our customers in the UK, these highly rated properties are only available through First Choice holiday brands.

More on this page

 
 
 
 

Accommodation

All Inclusive

Standard rooms sleep up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children with private facilities, hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone, radio alarm clock, iron & board, minibar, liquor dispenser, ceiling fan, air-conditioning and balcony or terrace. Courtyard view and Seaview available at a supplement.
Suites are suitable for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children and have facilities as above plus bathroom with hydromassage bathtub and shower, walk-in closet and integrated lounge area with sofa and sea view.

Building
Official Rating: 5 Star
 

Facilities

On Site

Swimming pool, Adjoining Whirlpool bath, Extensive gardens, Sun terrace, Sun loungers, Towels, Parasols, 'Santa Cruz' Poolside Bar with Swim-Up Bar, Main restaurant (buffet meals), Themed buffets 3 times a week, Optional dining (reservations required) at 3 restaurants: Furama - Asian, La Toscana - Italian, & Grill - steak house restaurants, Casino*, Drinks at 'Pacha' nightclub* & casino*, Shop*, Use of computers* with internet access*.

Location

Located on the seafront, along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, 33km from Liberia airport.

 

Activities

Entertainment

Daytime & Evening entertainment programme, Daily Shows or Live Music, Entry to the Casino and Nightclub.

Sports

Floodlit hard tennis court, Use of gym, steam bath & whirlpool bath (for guests over 18 yrs only), Beach volleyball, Selection of Watersports* including Windsurfing & Kayaking, Snorkelling equipment, 1 introductory scuba diving lesson in the pool, Nearby sports*, golf * & horse-riding*, Table tennis.

Health & Beauty

Gym, Steam bath, Whirlpool bath (for guests over 18 yrs only), 'Renova' Spa*, Beauty Salon*, Massage*, Hairdresser*.

 

All inclusive

All inclusive
24-hour All Inclusive.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in main buffet restaurant. Snacks 24/7. Optional dining in 3 restaurants. Drink: 24-hour unlimited selection of local and imported alcoholic and soft drinks. Minibar regularly restocked.
Sports and Activities: All included except where indicated*
 

Local info

About Playa Matapalo
If getting away from it all is on your hit list, you’ll love Playa Matapalo. Life at this laid-back hamlet is all about lazy days on its long, honey-coloured beach. It’s also a surfer’s paradise and a great fishing spot. If you want to up the ante, follow the track from here to see the turtles at the Portalon Ecological Wildlife Refuge or head through the valley on horse back to the impressive 120-foot Terciopelo Waterfalls.
Airport Transfer: 40mins
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica may be little – you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific waves from its highest point – but it packs a lot in. For adventure, head to its national parks, cloud forests and tropical rainforests where you can spot wildlife like monkeys and sloths or go wild with zip wiring and white-water rafting. Of course, you could just discover its lazy side on a pristine beach where you can de-stress with a fruity ‘frescos’ cocktail.
Weather
 

Thomson Airways Longhaul

Fly longhaul with Thomson Airways and look forward to:
  • 33” seat pitch as standard – that’s more legroom in longhaul economy than BA, Virgin Atlantic, bmi and Monarch*
  • Stylish leather seats
  • Amenity pack
  • 7” widescreen seat-back TV with complimentary headphones
  • On-screen selection of movies, TV programmes, games, radio channels and more**
  • Choice of four course meal and snack


* Source: BATA website, September 2008
** Entertainment upgrades available on selected flights
Upgrade to Premium Class and enjoy even more!
A dedicated cabin exclusively for Premium passengers
Increased seat pitch of at least 36”
Wide leather seats with head support
9” widescreen seat-back TV with complimentary noise-reduction headsets
Even more choice of in-flight entertainment, with an increased selection of movies, TV programmes, games and radio channels
Complimentary drinks* including a drink before take-off, and a luxury pampering pack
Dedicated cabin crew
Priority check-in and boarding
Pre-booking option – guaranteeing you sit together
*Excluding champagne
 

Key

Charges may be made for some facilities in addition to those highlighted as payable locally above.
* - payable locally
** - deposit required
† - Minimum age 14 years
†† - Minimum age 16 years
††† - Minimum age 18 years
*** - Must be accompanied by an adult

 

Your departure details

When are you going?

The selection you made here has been altered by one of your other choices. You can change these if required.

Number of rooms?

Who's going?

Room 1

Room 2

Room 3

Room 4

Room 5