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Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
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Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica

Playa Matapalo, Carrillo, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal, Costa Rica

Five-StarNear CoastMid-Size
4.3
6,780 reviews on Google
New to Costa Rica? Read our Costa Ricatravel guide — passport, safety, tipping & more

Highlights

6 pools
5 restaurants & bars
Full-service spa
45 min from LIR

Activities & Experiences

Spa & WellnessWater SportsNightlifeKids Activities

Best Time to Visit

Jan
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Location

Guest Reviews

David Gjerseth · a month ago

We had a great time at the Riu Palace! We only have one other all inclusive stay to compare to but the food was definitely better than our last stay at an all-inclusive! The steak house and Italian restaurant were our favorites. We tried to get into the Japanese restaurant but it was full before...

Ibrahim Isbitani · a month ago

One of the best travel experience in my life. The rooms,services ,location and the crew were amazing . Clean rooms, friendly service, very friendly staff, Very professional in all departments, they give us the rooms when we first arrived at seven in the morning. The food was excellent in all restaur...

lisha Tartt · 4 months ago

I had an amazing experience at Riu Palace Costa Rica. This is my second time in Costa Rica and the best one by far. I had stayed previously at an adult only and that cost twice the amount and had less activities and entertainment, small common areas, and pool. This was perfect for my group. The se...

Andy Gates · 4 months ago

Just at the airport, heading home. Everything was excellent and don't believe any negative reviews. Food, service, pools were all excellent. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Cleanest resort we've ever been to. Everywhere you turn somebody was cleaning. Apparently, they're closing soon to r...

klaudia tomaszewski · 2 weeks ago

My first time in Costa Rica and definitely will be back! Specifically, the pool bar at the Palace - shoutout to all the bartenders that made our week so amazing, they were all so kind and funny!! Truly some of the nicest people I have ever met. The food was great, only downside is the restaurants ar...

Nightly rate
per person, per night · all-inclusive
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Details
Playa Matapalo, Carrillo, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal, Costa Rica
Getting There
Nearest airport: LIR
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
45 min transfer
The Vibe
Lively & Social
The Grand Escape file
Grand Escape Score
7.9/10
RIU Hotels & Resorts
Guanacaste
84% complete · Good review coverage
✓ Official site verified

Scores

Beach8.2
Medium
Food7.3
Medium
Service8.0
Medium
Rooms7.4
Medium
Pools8.7
High
Value7.8
Medium
Family8.1
Medium
Nightlife8.0
Medium
Remote work7.0
Low

Pros

  • Large pool complex with swim-up bar.
  • Beachfront Matapalo Beach setting.
  • Family-friendly all-inclusive format.
  • RIU entertainment and nearby Riu Guanacaste context add activity options.
  • Shorter transfer than more remote northern Guanacaste resorts.

Cons

  • Food consistency and restaurant lines are recurring complaints.
  • Rooms can feel dated.
  • Not a strong local Costa Rica immersion experience.
  • Large resort setting can feel crowded in peak weeks.

Things to know

  • Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica is a family-friendly 24-hour all-inclusive resort on Matapalo Beach next to Riu Guanacaste.
  • The strongest assets are pools, beach access, RIU-style all-inclusive predictability, and access to a larger RIU resort zone.
  • Food feedback is mixed and restaurant-line systems are a recurring complaint.
  • Rooms receive more dated or maintenance-related comments than the best Costa Rica all-inclusives.
  • This is better for a simple resort vacation than for an immersive Costa Rica nature itinerary.

Hidden tips

  • Line up early for specialty restaurants if the no-reservation system is still in place.
  • Choose this resort for pools, value, and RIU consistency rather than luxury design.
  • Plan excursions off property to experience more of Costa Rica beyond the resort.

What guests say

Most loved
  • Large pool complex
  • Beach and warm water
  • Friendly staff
  • Clean grounds
  • Easy all-inclusive format
Most common complaints
  • Food consistency
  • Specialty restaurant lines
  • Dated rooms
  • Crowding during busy periods
  • Limited authentic Costa Rica feel
Things people wish they knew
  • This is a beach-and-pool all-inclusive, not a nature lodge.
  • Specialty dining may require arriving early rather than reserving normally.
  • The nearby Riu Guanacaste complex influences the overall resort feel and activity ecosystem.
From Reddit

Reddit feedback is mixed to negative on food, restaurant lines, and crowding, while still recognizing that RIU Palace can work for a simple pool-and-beach all-inclusive break.

Rooms

Rooms To Avoid:Older-feeling rooms or far buildings should be avoided by guests sensitive to dated finishes or walking distance.Low

Recent guest feedback includes recurring room-age and maintenance comments.

Best Room Category:Ocean-view junior suitesMedium

Best fit for guests who want the strongest room experience and views within a value-oriented RIU Palace format.

The facts

538
Room Count
6
Number Of Pools
5
Number Of Restaurants
SpaGood WifiKids ClubNightclubBeachfrontSwim Up BarFamily FriendlySwimmable Beach

How we scored it

Food
Buffet: 7.4Line System Caveat: 5.8Restaurant Variety: 8Guest Food Sentiment: 7Specialty Restaurants: 7.4
Food Score From Restaurant Inventory Guest Reviews And Reddit Restaurant Line Complaints · sources: Official, Dining, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Booking.com, Reddit · verified 2026-06-28
Beach
Shade: 8.1Beach Access: 8.7Swimmability: 8.2Guest Beach Sentiment: 8
Beach Score From Matapalo Beach Access Guest Swimmability And Scenery Sentiment · sources: Official, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Expedia, Reddit · verified 2026-06-28
Pools
Swim Up Bar: 8.7Lounger Access: 8.1Pool Inventory: 8.8Guest Pool Sentiment: 8.6
Pool Score From Official Six Pool Claim And Guest Pool Sentiment · sources: Official, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, United Vacations · verified 2026-06-28
Rooms
Room Size: 7.8Cleanliness: 8Dated Room Caveat: 6.4Ocean View Options: 7.9
Room Score From Guest Room Condition Feedback And 538 Room Inventory · sources: RIU Blog, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Expedia, Reddit · verified 2026-06-28
Value
Pool Value: 8.7Beach Value: 8.2Food Caveat: 6.8Room Caveat: 6.8All Inclusive: 8
Value Score From All Inclusive Inclusions Pool Strength And Food Room Caveats · sources: Expedia, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Reddit, Official, United Vacations · verified 2026-06-28
Family
Beach: 8.2Pools: 8.7Food Caveat: 7Kids Access: 8
Family Score From Family Friendly Positioning Pools Beach And Activity Access · sources: Official, Expedia, RIU Blog, TripAdvisor, Booking.com · verified 2026-06-28
Overall
Food: 7.3Pools: 8.7Rooms: 7.4Expedia Rating: 8Booking Review Count: 633Expedia Review Count: 1577
Weighted Review Platform And Guest Sentiment Analysis With Food And Room Caveats · sources: Official, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Booking.com, Reddit, United Vacations, RIU Blog · verified 2026-06-28
Service
Pool Service: 8Cleaning Service: 8.2Front Desk Caveat: 7Staff Friendliness: 8.4
Guest Sentiment Analysis For Staff And Service Consistency · sources: TripAdvisor, Expedia, Booking.com, Reddit, United Vacations · verified 2026-06-28
Nightlife
Bars: 8Nightclub: 8.2Entertainment: 8Family Resort Caveat: 7.2
Nightlife Score From Riu Entertainment Pacha Disco And Resort Activity Sources · sources: Official, RIU Blog, TripAdvisor, Reddit · verified 2026-06-28
Remote work
Wifi: 7.2Quiet: 6.8Room Comfort: 7.4Workspace Evidence: 6
Remote Work Score From Wifi Availability Offset By Connectivity And Noise Caveats · sources: Official, Expedia, Booking.com · verified 2026-06-28

Sources

DiningRedditExpediaOfficialRiu BlogTripadvisorBooking ReviewsReddit SecondaryUnited Vacations

Scored with Grand Escape methodology v1.0.