HOLIDAYS

HOLIDAY SEARCH
List
    See all destinations
    See departure airports for
    See what dates we fly to this route
    see what dates this destination is available
    Flexible by +/-3 days
    7 nights
    Clear search
    Child ages (on return date) Edit ages

    Riu Guanacaste

    PPPPP Plus

    InPlaya de Matapalo, Costa Rica

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    trip advisor

    Based on 8359 reviews

    • View Video
    • Show Gallery

    ABOUT THE HOTEL

    • Official Rating
    • Free Wi-Fi

    This place lines up a tucked-away beachfront setting, loads of activities, and a clutch of high-end restaurants.

    The Riu Guanacaste is pulled right up against the ocean and backed by green-cloaked mountains. Fitting for Costa Rica, the hotel has a Spanish colonial look and feel – right down to stone plazas, fountains and archways.

    The hotel’s setting is spot on if you just want to decamp to the beach each day. But if you want to get out and about, Coco Beach – the nearest resort – is about a 20-minute taxi ride away. You can also take a water taxi – it's a slightly longer journey, but you might spot some dolphins en route.

    • Rooms: 701
    • Lifts: 6
    • Building: 1
    • Floors: 6
    TRAVELIFE CERTIFIED

    This hotel meets global standards on how it's protecting the environment, looking after staff and supporting the local community.

    Things you'll love

    • Secluded beachfront setting
    • 4 speciality restaurants
    • Huge pool with swim-up bar
    • Free Wi-Fi
    • Perfect for your wedding day

    Location

    • Located on Matapalo beach on Costa Rica's Pacific coast
    • 18km from Coco Beach
    • Next to Diamante Eco Adventure Park which offers wildlife and zip-lining experiences
    • View Location

    Premier Holidays

    Swish hotels all over the world

    • Stylish 4 and 5-star hotels
    • Highly rated by you
    • 20kg luggage allowance on TUI flights
    • Handpicked for families and adults

    Find out more about Premier Holidays »

    FOOD & DRINK

    All Inclusive

    Show more Show less
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Evening Meal
    • Drinks
    • Snacks

    24-hour All Inclusive. Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Option for Continental breakfast. Selected local-brand and imported alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee, 24 hours a day. Regularly restocked minibar and in-room drinks optic with local-brand spirits. 24-hour snacks.

    Facilities

    View all facilities
      accommodationData.facilities
    • Renova spa*

      There are eight treatment rooms here offering things like hot stone massages, hydrating facials and aloe vera body wraps. Other facilities include a shiatsu area and a beauty salon.

    • Liberia buffet restaurant

      Open for breakfast and dinner, with themed buffets and a terrace for al fresco dining. Just so you know, there's a dress code here - gentlemen are asked to wear shirts with sleeves for evening meals.

    • Outdoor pool

      The huge lagoon-like pool takes centre stage. It meanders into different corners accessorised by things like in-water loungers and a swim-up bar area. In the middle of it all, you'll find a whirlpool bath.

    Rooms

    View all rooms
    • Double Room with Balcony or Terrace

      These double rooms have a balcony or terrace and come with Wi-Fi, satellite TV, air-con, a safe and a regularly restocked minibar. You'll also have a drinks optic with locally-branded spirits. They sleep up to four with either a king-size bed or two double beds.

    • Double Room with Sea View and Balcony or Terrace

      These double rooms have a sea-view balcony or terrace, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, air-con, a safe and a regularly restocked minibar. You'll also have a drinks optic with locally-branded spirits. They sleep up to four with either a king-size bed or two double beds.

    Horrible
    12 Dec , 2019 jimmykostro
    The RIU upper management should be ashamed. Luckily, we are only here two more nights. The hotel design is very poor with limited access points to the restaurants and common areas. There are no bathrooms anywhere remotely close to the hundreds of people in the pool. Good luck finding a bathroom or trash can on the grounds. The infrequent restrooms with such high volume of guests is mind boggling. The restaurant scenario is a total nightmare. You can not make a reservation or just show up. So what are you to do? You must get in a 30 minute line each day at 5:30 to make a reservation. It gets even worse. The restaurants operating hours are 6:00pm-8:00pm. This location is also 30-40 minutes from any stores, shops or outside activities. The room balcony’s also have cheap plastic chairs and tables. I hope this review helps you prevent wasting your valuable time and money.
    Relaxing holiday
    12 Dec , 2019 Splodge1964
    Hotel is large & everything is so clean & tidy especially the gardens. Our room was on the 5th floor, was large & air conditioning was brilliant. Beds hard but we found them comfortable however pillows are small so would suggest that you take your own like we did. Shower was not very powerful & did go hot & cold on occasions. The optics quarter full every 2 days. Our room not cleaned very well during our stay. Bedding and towels were changed but not a 5 star service really hence only gave 4 stars. Food was varied & quite good. The waiting staff were fantastic especially Ligia. She placed fresh flowers & made animal & bird napkins which she placed on our table. Pools were great & always plenty of sun beds. Entertainment was ok. A few nights just dancing on stage. Michael Jackson was the best night. The white & neon nights were basically the same. Started with same music but the decorations that were put up were effective. At the weekend it did get busier with the locals but to be honest, it wasn't that bad. Lifts worked all the time except one was out of action for 24 hours but was then fixed. We did have a power cut one morning for a couple of hours. It was again fixed very quickly. Ensure you take insect repellent and temperatures in the very high 30's & humid & is hot from the morning unlike a lot of countries when it gradually builds up.......from the time you get up it is hot hot hot! Excursions are very expensive and we only did one which was ok.
    Good but not five stars
    11 Dec , 2019 MagnusStig, 189848
    I’m a little bit conflicted; lovely place, nice beach and pools. Clean environment and nice and helpful staff. We had a good time. Sometimes a little bit noisy, our room was okay but out of style and not top standard. Main buffet not good but the restaurants that you can book were good or excellent. But to stand in line for 45 minutes....
    Will go back next year
    11 Dec , 2019 Shauna S
    I have been travelling for 40 years and never have I been to a country where the people are so nice. (even without tipping, even though I do) The food was terrific, grounds spectacular and service above none other. Didn't matter who you approached they all smiled, said hello and tried to help. Best English speaking resort ever even though I know a little Spanish. The a la carts were awesome. The drinks were delicious. Rooms stocked and clean. I'm a smoker and this is a non smoking resort. There are 2 designated smoking areas and you can smoke on the beach. What I found rude was when a smoker didn't stick to those areas because they are going to ruin it for other smokers. And there will end up being absolutely no smoking area's. It doesn't hurt you to put a dollar a day or two on your pillow they will really show their appreciation. Find Angel and Edward at the pool bar they are amazing. Katherine at breakfast goes above and beyond she will put flowers on your table every morning and your pot of coffee will be waiting for you. At the Pura Vida bar Mauricio will take good care of you. As for the animation team look for Esteban and Tannia with their smiles on.
    A nice Holiday
    11 Dec , 2019 Mike R, 1900744
    Room was okay with a balcony. The beds were very cheap and the pillows were very small. Nice hotel but you have to line up at 5:30 to get to eat at one of the 5 restaurants. Not all were open when we were there , just on the weekends. A great pool and the grounds were well kept. Got a great massage from one of the ladies at the beach. The boat ride to Coco Beach was very smooth and interesting.
    Show more Show less
    View all  8359  reviews

    Special Assistance

    This property is generally suitable for those with reduced mobility. Having said that, we understand that everyone has different needs, so feel free to contact our Customer Welfare team if you have any questions.


    Our Customer Welfare number is 0203 451 2585. Lines are open Monday to Friday 09.00-19.00, Saturday 09.00-18.00, and Sunday 10.00-17.00. Calls from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but calls from mobiles may be higher, so please check with your network provider.

    People who looked at this hotel also viewed...

    Items marked with * incur extra charges which are payable locally