Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica

olesyakocheguro wrote a review September 2025

Another Amazing Stay at Riu

This was our second time staying at a Riu resort, and it didn’t disappoint. Last time we stayed at Riu Guanacaste, and this experience was just as great. Check-in was quick and easy, the staff were attentive and caring, and the beach was absolutely gorgeous. The food was excellent, the entertainment was fun, and we loved seeing so many animals around the resort grounds. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Date of Stay: September 2025

Dzign2aT wrote a review September 2025
Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Pura Vida in Costa Rica from a DC Girl!

My husband and I stayed at RIU Costa Rica near Guanacaste in April 2024. The hotel is nice although the rooms could use a little redo. If you have stayed at RIU you know what I am talking about. he customer service at the hotel was stellar. The food was exceptional and the drinks, music, foam party, and entertainment staff were amazing every single day. I am so glad I booked a hotel here and not in the capital. It allowed us to see an amazing part of Costa Rica, it felt more authentic here. The hotel partying was crazy as the entertainment staff knew how to through a mid-day or evening fun every day. The food, especially the steakhouse was great too. I have

Date of Stay: October 2024

jodya602 wrote a review September 2025

One and done

The entertainment was disappointing, and there was no ATM available on the property. The only highlight was the bartenders at the main lobby bar—Rachel and Michael were awesome. Unfortunately, the rooms were outdated and looked nothing like the pictures, and the food was mediocre at best. You don’t need reservations for the specialty restaurants, but if you go at the wrong time, you’ll be turned away, which was frustrating. I also didn’t like that the only breakfast option was the buffet, and the room service menu was very limited and not good. The beach wasn’t attractive, and as soon as you stepped off the pavement, locals immediately approached you to sell tours and souvenirs. The location itself is isolated and in the middle of nowhere. Overall, not impressed and would not recommend this property.

Date of Stay: August 2025

55geraldt wrote a review September 2025
San Bernardino, California

Pro tip

Heres a pro tip from someone who just got back. Sign up for a four hour fishing trip with Matts Tours since there local. They pick you up at the beach. Catch a yellowfin tuna and keep the fillets. Take them Papaguyos and fill out the waiver, and they'll cook it any way you like. Pro tip #2 Bring a Yeti for your drinks. Pro tip #3: Bring sound canceling earbuds or headphones if you're in bed before 10.00 pm. The resort was nice. Yeah, a tad dated but for the pricepoint it was a blast. Would definitely come back. The key is to do a tour or two to break up the isolated location. See the real Costa Rica.
Brausalito, playa Flamingo, Tamarindo , etc

Date of Stay: August 2025

dianecI6116YE wrote a review September 2025

Will return

10 day Vacation trip with my daughter. Staff were awesome , property was clean , food was good , shows were ok .Room comfortable but with limited English channels and some were very fuzzy though and hard to watch. Special shout out to Monica and chef Helario from the buffet. We thoroughly enjoyed the buffet

Here’s where to go for or a cheaper and more personalized experience…….

If you want a good massage look for the lady in white at the tent on the left side

If you’re looking to book an excursion check out Joni Tours on the beach and they’re the first tent on the right. Our guides were Kenneth and Magdani and They were Awesome! So knowledgeable and informative about their culture and pointing out the various volcanoes and plants.It was a great personalized tour. They took some really good pictures for us. Very memorable!
There are monkeys on the beach! They come in the morning. We had a marvellous time feeding them a variety of fruits like papaya, pineapple, watermelon and grapes. We did not feed them bananas ….
Unhealthy Treat: Due to their high sugar content, cultivated bananas are considered an unhealthy treat for monkeys and are even being phased out in some zoos due to concerns about diabetes digestive problems and tooth decay.

Date of Stay: September 2025

Laura_8 wrote a review September 2025

This not a Riu Palace, we left early

By far the worst Riu ever. There simply is no quality food. Room service has about five bland options. Buffet has an hour wait. 24 hour place is just sad. I have hypoglycemia and it hit too low every single day.

It is not the staff’s fault as they are kind and try their best. Braulio changed our minds after we were there the first day and ready to leave to stay longer with his kindness. Bar Bryan remembered our drinks and was so friendly. Sharon at the desk listened patiently. The landscaping is impeccable. The ocean is beautiful.

But the place is a dump which we could have worked with had there been just quality food (the first good meal we had was at the airport home).

Our turning point was a staff member who’s name starting with “Y” who was just mean to me when we asked for water - okay maybe a bad day. But when both me and my husband’s key cards did not work for the third time and he was mean again to me but he was respectful to the Hispanics. That was the breaking point when we left. Very bad food, very bad rooms, bad decor, and a person who treated us rude.

The hotel is old, the tiled glass between the shower was broken top to bottom held with glue. The AC barely worked. The decor is chipped and sad. There are these tiny black bugs all over the bed, desks, couch. It simply is not a palace category. We left early, lost money and didn’t care even though our vacation time is precious us - with most, we have limited days a year.

Just consider before you book this is not in a Riu Palace category.

Date of Stay: September 2025

S5128PKangiet wrote a review September 2025

Calm Staycation

7-Night Stay at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica (Sept 2025)
I stayed here with my boyfriend for a week and overall, we had a really enjoyable and memorable trip. Here’s a breakdown of our experience:

Food & Restaurants:
The à la cartes were the highlight for us. We loved the Japanese (highly recommend the salmon or steak) and the Italian (the ravioli and lamb chops were delicious). The steakhouse was also surprisingly good – the steak and lobster were better quality than expected.
The buffet was decent but repetitive, especially at breakfast and lunch, and the food was often on the colder side since the warmers didn’t always do their job. Expect lineups, since usually only one buffet is open at a time, but waits were fairly quick. For the à la cartes, wait times can look intimidating (sometimes 50–60 people waiting), but the system moves quickly. Only once did we wait about an hour with the buzzer. Overall, the à la cartes definitely saved our appetite and were worth the wait.

Service:
The staff here are absolutely lovely. Always smiling, friendly, and attentive—even serving drinks out on the beach. Housekeeping was great, the restaurant staff worked so hard, and any time we needed help (like reprogramming our room key a few times) customer service handled it quickly and kindly. Huge respect for all the hardworking staff at this resort.

Beach:
Yes, it’s a public beach so it’s not as polished as the resort grounds, and there are locals selling items, but the water itself was stunning. On sunny days, it was clear, warm, and perfect for swimming with small waves. One of the highlights of our trip was spotting whales out in the distance—such a rare and beautiful sight! Watersports are also available at reasonable prices. I do wish the sand area was better maintained, but overall, we enjoyed our beach time.

Resort Grounds & Pools:
The grounds are breathtaking and so well maintained—constant cleaning, painting, and upkeep. The pool area is gorgeous, with multiple pools to choose from (some quieter, some with more kids). Lots of lounge chairs available. A unique perk is that most of the pools are open 24/7 (except the swim-up bar pool), which was such a fun option at night.
One downside: the beach at night is completely dark, which makes it impossible to walk there. Some lighting would have been nice. Also, we were disappointed that the Riu Guanacaste next door was closed, along with the nightclub and casino (turned into extra rooms). Since this resort is quite remote, there’s really no nightlife nearby. After about midnight, the resort is quiet, so it’s better suited for calm, relaxing vibes than a party atmosphere.
Just outside the front of resort is some shops connected to the resort, pricy but lots of options and souvenirs to buy home.

Excursions:
Rio Celeste Tour (via Nexus/Sunwing): We were a bit disappointed. It’s marketed as a chance to see wildlife, but after a 2-hour hike we barely saw animals, and spotting sloths was almost impossible. The waterfall hike was also underwhelming because we weren’t informed that the stairs down to the falls were closed, so you only get a brief view from far away. The coffee and chocolate portion was fun, and lunch was included, but overall not worth the cost. (6.5/10)
Diamante Adventure Park: 100% recommend! It’s very close to the resort, and the zip lines were incredible—especially the Superman line with views over the mountains. The animal sanctuary was also impressive, with sloths, jaguars, pumas, monkeys, and more. This excursion felt well worth the time and money.
Heard great feedback and reviews from others about the Catamaran boat sunset tour and the Hot springs/Mud bath/ Waterfall excursion which we were going to choose instead of the Rio Celeste but didn’t. So would say that would be a better option for your buck.

Weather:
Don’t trust the online forecasts! Leading up to the trip, I was stressed thinking it would rain constantly, but the weather was beautiful. Mornings were usually sunny with clear skies, and although there were quick bursts of rain (mostly in the evenings), it never ruined the day. The heat and sun were amazing—just be prepared with lots of sunscreen (UV index can hit 12+). Honestly, rainy season might even be better than dry season.

Rooms:
We had a junior suite with a garden view and loved it. The bed and pillows were comfortable, the room was clean, and the AC worked great. No bugs at all. The hydro massage tub looked nice, but when I finally tried it on the last night, the water came out green and smelly, and then the sinks and toilet followed suit. Not sure if this was related to the tub, but luckily it happened at the end of the stay. Otherwise, the location of our room was convenient (3rd floor, near elevator, great mountain view). Just note that rooms near the lobby/theatre can be noisy at night.

Entertainment:
Hit or miss. The Michael Jackson show was disappointing (lip syncing and not really convincing), while the Latin show was much better with great dancers. Theatre seating fills up fast, so arrive early if you want a spot. Since this isn’t adults-only, expect kids at the shows and around the resort.

Amenities: Didn’t really explore these, typical spa and stuff like that here. Also people on beach offering massages for cheap deal. Other than the spa, there’s apparently a hot tub and jacuzzi area however we didn’t go, aswell as the water slides and kids area which was a little bit far from the swimming area of the resort, almost separate completely. This refrained us from going since it was a bit of a mission to go to the water slides and back to the pool.
The bar in the lobby offered premium alcohol which no one really tells you. There’s Henny, Don Julio, Crown royal, etc. Some times it’s very limited so might not always get to enjoy but for the most part, they do have good alcohol which is better than what most resorts offer.

Final Thoughts:
This resort is gorgeous and perfect if you’re looking for a relaxing, laid-back vacation with beautiful weather, amazing pools, and warm service. If nightlife and entertainment are your priorities, you may find it lacking. Food could be better, but the à la cartes are worth it. Excursions are mixed, but Diamante is a must-do. Overall, we left with great memories and would recommend it for couples or families who want a more calm Costa Rica getaway.

Didn’t see a lot of in depth reviews so thought I would share as much as I could and what I would’ve loved to know prior to coming. Hope this was helpful:)

Date of Stay: September 2025

W4622AHharrym wrote a review October 2025
San Antonio, Texas

Good group fun 2016

Went a few years back when they open April 2016. It was a group trip so something was planned everyday from excursions to dinners. Steakhouse was my favorite speciality restaurant. Buffet for breakfast and lunch because I could always find something but going to the Italian for lunch was my favorite just because of the lasagna. Everything was clean and enjoyed the drinks. Thinking of retuning 2026 but I’ve seen so many underwhelming comments lately that I’m second guessing returning and maybe thinking about Riu guanacaste since they getting renovations.

Date of Stay: November 2024

TayJay143 wrote a review October 2025
Brooklyn, New York

Great resort with amazing staff!

Let me start by saying that’s resorts has the best customer service I have experienced in along time. I want to give a shout out to Richard from the Lobby bar, Edwin and Ivan from the pool bar and Jesus from entertainment.

With that being said the resort is a little dated but the scenery and staff definitely make up for it.

My only complaint is the resort not supplying umbrellas, October is the rainy season so it would be nice if umbrellas were in the room and supplied around the resort.

Overall it is as an amazing vacation would definitely recommend.

Date of Stay: October 2025

bud7074 wrote a review October 2025

Nice stay at Riu Palace in Guanacaste.

The hotel was very nice. There were numerous choices of restaurants and food choices. The hotel rooms were large enough. i didn't spend much time in the room. The refrigerator in the was always stocked. I had a very good experience.

Date of Stay: April 2025

Roving60133717343 wrote a review October 2025

RIU PALACE COSTA RICA IS UNSAFE, UNSANITARY, NO WARM WATER , AWFUL FRONT DESK STAFF

i HAVE BOOKED CLIENTS AT THE RIU PALACE -COSTA RICA FOR YEARS. I HAVE NOW HAD 4 SETS OF CLIENTS THAT HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THEIR STAYS AT THIS RESORT AND I HAVE HEARD HORRIFIC STORIES THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED . FROM DOG DROPPINGS IN THE ELEVATOR THAT THEY REFUSED TO PICK UP, (YET THE WORKERS LEFT A RIU CONE ON THE DROPPINGS), VERY ARGUMENTATIVE FRONT DESK STAFF INCLUDING THE FRONT DESK MANAGER , BASICALLY CALLING PEOPLE LIARS THAT THEIR ROOM KEYS WERE WORKING , WHEN IN ACTUALITY THEY WERE NOT. HALF OF THE RESTAURANTS WERE CLOSED, THERE WAS NO HOT WATER FOR SHOWERS FOR OVER 5 DAYS. YES, THE FRONT DESK MANAGER STATED THE WEATHER IS WARM ENOUGH IN C.R. THAT PEOPLE DON'T NEED WARM SHOWERS . THE MANAGER ALSO TOLD MY CLIENTS THEY COULD NOT GET A REFUND FOR THEIR STAY SINCE THEY HAD THE NERVE TO BOOK THEIR HOTEL STAYES THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT AND NOT WITH RIU DIRECTLY. SO EVERYONE ELSE RECEIVED A REFUND EXCEPT THOSE WHO BOOKED THROUGH TRAVEL AGENCIES . THIS FRONT DESK STAFF NEEDS TO BE TERMINATED AND A WHOLE NEW FRESH STAFF NEEDS TO BE HIRED. I WILL NO LONGER BE BOOKING ANY OF MY CLIENTS AT THIS RIU PALACE IN COSTA RICA. A FEW OF MY CLIENTS ARE DIABETIC AND RIU REFUSED TO GIVE THEM DIET DRINKS AND ONLY STOCKED THEIR FRIDGE WITH SPRITE AND COKE . THEIR ROOM SERVICE ARRIVED 5 HOURS LATE BOTH TIMES THEY ORDERED. NORMALLY, THE RIU PRODUCT IS VERY REPUTABLE ... PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE GOING TO COSTA RICA , DO NOT STAY AT THIS RIU PALACE. FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE IS UNACCEPTABLE , UNSANITARY , NOT TO MENTION ARGUING WITH YOUR HOTEL GUESTS IN UNBELIEVABLY INSANE. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED .

Date of Stay: October 2025

heatheri599 wrote a review October 2025

Honeymoon Stay

My husband and I went to RIU palace in Costa Rica (Guanacaste) for our honeymoon. We went in October, which most would consider their “off season” and we loved it. We made a note before going that it was our honeymoon, and they left balloons and wine for us. The hotel staff was VERY friendly and helpful! The people who stood out to us the most at the bars were Gustavo, Warren, Bryan, and Kenneth! With a special shoutout to Julio being amazing with entertainment!

The hotel was kept exceptionally clean and well taken care of, the restaurants had good food, and the pools were amazing! We did wish there was a weekly schedule for the restaurants, as all of them were closed on certain days and we didn’t know until we would go to dinner.

There were a few families with smaller children, but this hotel seemed to be more adult type of resort. There is a RIU Nextdoor that seemed to be more family oriented.

Overall, we are so happy with our stay, and we cannot wait to go back!

Date of Stay: October 2025

sukiatravel wrote a review October 2025
Bahia Drake, Osa Peninsula, Province of Puntarenas

The Worst Hotel Experience of My Life — A True Lesson in How Not to Treat Guests

We left the hotel without eating, two children hungry, and our family humiliated — not because of a mistake, but because of a chain of negligence, miscommunication, and arrogance. What should have been a simple, pleasant weekend became an example of how a hospitality business can completely lose sight of its purpose.

The Incident

The breaking point came at lunch on our last day. We left the hotel without eating, two children hungry, after paying over $1,000 for our stay — not due to bad luck, but because of a contradiction created and mishandled entirely by management.

Throughout our three-day stay, we had already reported several inconveniences — missing amenities, lack of communication, and poor service attitude. Before checkout, we shared that feedback once again, and as a courtesy, the front desk granted us a late checkout at 13:30. It seemed like a considerate gesture — until it turned into the reason for our final humiliation.

Here’s what happened.
We arrived to begin checkout at 13:00, precisely in line with the courtesy extension. What we didn’t know — because it was never explained during check-in or our stay — was that lunch service ended at 13:30. Normally, most of the restaurants in the property operated from 12:00 to 15:00, so it was reasonable to assume that the process was: check out, receive meal tickets, and then proceed to lunch. That’s how the system had been described earlier for regular guests checking out at noon.

However, what made no sense was this: they offered us a later checkout, but failed to explain that it would effectively cut our lunch window to less than 30 minutes. In other words, the “courtesy” ended up being a penalty. The policy contradiction made it impossible for any family — let alone one traveling with two small children — to comply.

While we were finalizing checkout, the manager, Angel, urged us to go “immediately” to lunch, assuring us we could stay in the restaurant until 14:30 as long as we entered before 13:30. We moved as quickly as possible.

At 13:25, we reached the restaurant — only to find the staff already clearing the buffet. When we explained the situation, they laughed. One employee responded, “You have five minutes — hurry up,” as if serving paying guests were a burden. When we requested a supervisor, another staff member appeared — not to assist, but to lecture us about punctuality. Only after we insisted did he contact the manager, who ultimately refused to intervene and denied us access to another restaurant that was still open until 15:00.

The result was simple and unacceptable: our entire family left hungry, humiliated, and disappointed, not because of any unavoidable circumstance, but because of miscommunication, rigid attitudes, and a complete lack of empathy from management.

How We Got There

The warning signs were clear from the beginning.
Our late check-in was handled with no briefing on facilities, schedules, or policies. Upon arrival in the room, we found no soap, no bottled water, and staff visibly irritated when we called for assistance. We had to walk to the lobby to collect water ourselves. It was late; we were tired; we let it pass.

The next morning, before checkout, we provided constructive feedback to the front desk, and a staff member named Daisy kindly offered a one-hour late checkout as courtesy. That gesture seemed to reflect some awareness of the service gap — but it was the last trace of professionalism we encountered.

The Root Problem

The issue wasn’t the missing soap, or even the rigid lunch schedule. It was a complete absence of communication, coordination, and respect for guests. The staff failed to communicate policies, management failed to take responsibility, and when confronted with the consequences, they chose to mock rather than resolve.

In hospitality, structure is necessary. But when structure becomes an excuse for inaction, you no longer have a system — you have indifference.

Final Assessment

As professionals in the travel industry, we understand that errors happen. What defines a quality establishment is not perfection, but response. In this case, every opportunity for recovery was mishandled.

We left not just dissatisfied, but ashamed on behalf of an industry that depends on trust, empathy, and service. This hotel demonstrated none of the above.

For travelers: choose a place that values people over policies.
For management: study this review carefully — it’s not an angry outburst; it’s a case study in operational failure.

Date of Stay: October 2025