Hotel Riu Guanacaste Rating: Pearls
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Oyster Review Summary
Photos and Review by Oyster.com Investigators.
Pros
- Huge pool with a non-stop party atmosphere
- Rooms all have liquor dispensers and balconies
- Decent food variety: four restaurants and three bars
- Quality beach with protected turtle nests
- Excellent spa (shared with neighboring Riu Palace)
- Casino, disco and shops on-site
- Lively entertainment staff (but the shows aren't for everyone)
Cons
- No in-room Internet (but free Wi-Fi in lobby)
- Off-brand alcohol
- No room service (but sports bar is 24-hour)
- Bumpy, 45-minute ride from Liberia Airport
- Lots of bothersome bees
Bottom Line
The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.
Categories
All-Inclusive, Beach, Party, ResortOyster Hotel Photos
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Oyster Hotel Review
Location
On Matapalo Beach, in northwestern Guanacaste
Guanacaste is a dry, sparsely populated area of the country that's known for its beautiful beaches (including ones where sea turtles nest), surfing, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, and its string of large resorts. The region is home to seven national parks, including Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, where visitors can hike past boiling mud pots and smoking fissures. Guanacaste has a lower elevation than other areas of the country and an arid climate, so there are no rain forests here, but the dry tropical forests are still wildlife rich: Visitors can spot howler monkeys, sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and iguanas.
- 45-minute, $70 taxi from Liberia International Airport
- 4.5-hour, $360 taxi ride from San Jose International Airport
Bottom Line
The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.
Things You Should Know About Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Address
- Playa Matapalo, Sardinal Carrillo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Room Types
- Jacuzzi Ocean View Suite
- Ocean View Room
- Standard Room
- Suite
- Superior Room
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Nearby Hotels to Consider
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- Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa
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- Reserva Conchal
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Hotel Features
| Number of Rooms: | 701 |
| Pool: | Yes |
| Fitness Center: | Yes |
| Spa: | Yes |
| Internet Access: | Yes |
| Pets Allowed: | No |
| Cribs: | Yes |
| Kids Club: | Yes |
| Jacuzzi (in room): | Some |
| Casino: | Yes |
Hotel Information
| Location: | Guanacaste, Costa Rica |
| Address: | Playa Matapalo, Sardinal Carrillo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (See Map) |
