Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
7.9 / 10
Palmprint score
Strongest on pools & spa and beach
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica at a glance
- Location
- Sardinal
- Guests
- All ages welcome
- The plan
- All-inclusive
- Setting
- Near the coast
- Guest rating
- 4.3 / 5 on Google7,028 reviews
- Best months
- Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
- Pools
- 4 pools
- Airport transfer
- LIRAbout 45 minutes
- Dining
- 5 restaurants
- Drinks
- 7 bars
Compare rooms & seasonal prices
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Find your time to go
USD / room / night · 2 adults · 7 nights
Checked Sep 23, 2026 · Sample details
Dates shown are check-in dates. 2 of 2 rooms across 1 of 4 planned stay dates. Missing prices are not estimates.
Each price is a sampled rate, not a live quote. Select a room name above for its details.
Watch this resort
We check this rate on a rotating schedule. Leave an email and we'll flag a real drop, not a countdown timer.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
Things to know
before you go
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.
Things guests wish they had known
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.
Strengths from our research
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.
Other considerations from our research
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.
What guests say
Most loved
- Large pool complex
- Beach and warm water
- Friendly staff
- Clean grounds
- Easy all-inclusive format
Most complained about
- Food consistency
- Specialty restaurant lines
- Dated rooms
- Crowding during busy periods
- Limited authentic Costa Rica feel
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.
What’s included
Included
- Premium & à la carte diningIncluded
buffet and themed a la carte restaurants covered by 24h all-inclusive
- Top-shelf liquorIncluded
local and imported top brands 24h; in-room liquor dispenser
- Room serviceIncluded
24 hours
- Wi-FiIncluded
- In-room minibarIncluded
minibar and liquor dispenser regularly restocked
- Kids' clubIncluded
RiuLand daytime program, ages 4-7 and 8-12
Not included
- Spa treatmentsCosts extra
Renova Spa treatments at charge
- Airport transfersCosts extra
Airport transfers are not part of the all-inclusive rate, so guests book and pay for their own shuttle or taxi from Liberia (roughly a 40 to 60 minute drive), unless they qualify for a RIU Class loyalty transfer or a tour operator package that adds one.
Inclusions can vary by room category and season. Confirm your plan before booking. How we verify this
- Value
- 7.8 out of 10
- Service
- 8.0 out of 10
- Beach
- 8.2 out of 10
- Dining
- 7.3 out of 10
- Rooms
- 7.4 out of 10
- Pools & Spa
- 8.7 out of 10
Confidence is high across the board except value, service, beach, dining, rooms, family, nightlife and remote work, where the evidence is thinner.
Score breakdown, research & sources
How we scored Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
9 categories, scored from official sources and read against what guests actually report. Verified Jun 28, 2026 under Palmprint methodology 1.0.
The six that set the score
And 3 more we track
Confidence is high across the board except value, service, beach, dining, rooms, family, nightlife and remote work, where the evidence is thinner.
Open a category
Value7.8Medium confidence
- Pool Value
- 8.7
- Beach Value
- 8.2
- Food Caveat
- 6.8
- Room Caveat
- 6.8
- All Inclusive
- 8.0
Service8.0Medium confidence
- Pool Service
- 8.0
- Cleaning Service
- 8.2
- Front Desk Caveat
- 7.0
- Staff Friendliness
- 8.4
Beach8.2Medium confidence
- Shade
- 8.1
- Beach Access
- 8.7
- Swimmability
- 8.2
- Guest Beach Sentiment
- 8.0
Dining7.3Medium confidence
- Buffet
- 7.4
- Line System Caveat
- 5.8
- Restaurant Variety
- 8.0
- Guest Food Sentiment
- 7.0
- Specialty Restaurants
- 7.4
Rooms7.4Medium confidence
- Room Size
- 7.8
- Cleanliness
- 8.0
- Dated Room Caveat
- 6.4
- Ocean View Options
- 7.9
Pools & Spa8.7High confidence
- Swim Up Bar
- 8.7
- Lounger Access
- 8.1
- Pool Inventory
- 8.8
- Guest Pool Sentiment
- 8.6
Family8.1Medium confidence
- Beach
- 8.2
- Pools
- 8.7
- Food Caveat
- 7.0
- Kids Access
- 8.0
Nightlife8.0Medium confidence
- Bars
- 8.0
- Nightclub
- 8.2
- Entertainment
- 8.0
- Family Resort Caveat
- 7.2
Remote work7.0Low confidence
- Wifi
- 7.2
- Quiet
- 6.8
- Room Comfort
- 7.4
- Workspace Evidence
- 6.0
What it does best
- 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.
Where it costs you
- 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.
Room intelligence
- Rooms To Avoid
- Older-feeling rooms or far buildings should be avoided by guests sensitive to dated finishes or walking distance.Recent guest feedback includes recurring room-age and maintenance comments.
- Best Room Category
- Ocean-view junior suitesBest fit for guests who want the strongest room experience and views within a value-oriented RIU Palace format.
Everything we read on Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
Restaurants & bars
Palmprint food score 7.3 / 10
- Places to eat
- 5
- A la carte
- 4
- Buffets
- 1
- Bars and lounges
- 7
- Swim-up bars
- 1
International · Fusion · Italian · Japanese · Steakhouse
Arenal buffet plus Krystal, L'anfora, Tokio and Papagayo grill; some listings count up to 6 pools/extra bars
Venues, opening hours and plan inclusions can change by season. Confirm your choices when booking.
Rooms & suites
The rooms in our seasonal price comparison.
| Suite | Occupancy | Size | Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jr. SuiteBack to sampled prices | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Jr. Suite with garden viewBack to sampled prices | Not published | Not published | Not published |
More room options (3)
| Suite | Occupancy | Size | Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Suite | Sleeps 4 | 431 ft²40 m² | 1 bedroom |
| Family Suite | Sleeps 5 | 786 ft²73 m² | 2 bedrooms |
| Jacuzzi Suite | Sleeps 2 | Not published | 1 bedroom |
Occupancy limits and connecting-room requests should be confirmed for your party before booking.
Pools and the beach
Pools & waterplay
With waterpark, waterslides
4 pools (one swim-up bar) per booking listings, some sources say 6; free entry to Splash Water World park (5 slides) at the RIU complex
The beach itself
open Pacific at Playa Matapalo - surf and currents can pick up per traveler reports; Pacific coast, outside Atlantic sargassum belt
- Moderate water, swimmable most days
Counts come from the resort's own published information; the scores are ours, from the Palmprint file below.
Families & group stays
Bringing the kids to Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
What decides whether a resort works with children in tow, answered from what the resort publishes rather than from the brochure.
- Kids' club
- Supervised program
- Rooms that fit a family
- Junior Suite, Family Suite
- Can a family of 5 stay in one room at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
- Yes. Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica has room categories that sleep 5 or more in one key: Family Suite. The largest stated occupancy is 5. Occupancy rules count most children (and sometimes infants) toward the limit, so confirm your exact ages with the resort when you book.
- Does Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica have a kids' club, and from what age?
- Yes. Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica runs a supervised kids' club. Hours and age bands shift seasonally, so confirm before booking.
Taking a group
nightly shows and entertainment program; part of RIU complex shared with Riu Guanacaste
- Nightlife
- Lively, bars running late
Tell us the trip, we'll tell you the resort
Tell us your dates, budget, and who's traveling, and we'll point you to the best-fit resorts. Free, no obligation.
Kids' club hours, teen programs and group availability all move with the season. Confirm the specifics with the resort for your dates.
When to go
Best months: Dec to Apr
Temperature barely moves here across the year, so rain is the whole decision: the wet months run May to Nov.
Jan
Best93°F / 34°C1 rain daysFeb
Best95°F / 35°C0 rain daysMar
Best95°F / 35°C0 rain daysApr
Best93°F / 34°C3 rain daysMay
Wet91°F / 33°C12 rain daysJun
Wet90°F / 32°C14 rain daysJul
Wet90°F / 32°C10 rain daysAug
Wet90°F / 32°C13 rain daysSep
Wet90°F / 32°C16 rain daysOct
Wet90°F / 32°C17 rain daysNov
Wet90°F / 32°C9 rain daysDec
Best91°F / 33°C2 rain days
Average daily highs and monthly rain days. Seasonal averages, not a forecast.
Monthly climate data
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 93 degrees Fahrenheit | 95 degrees Fahrenheit | 95 degrees Fahrenheit | 93 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rain days | 1 day | 0 days | 0 days | 3 days | 12 days | 14 days | 10 days | 13 days | 16 days | 17 days | 9 days | 2 days |
| Verdict | Best | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best |
Getting to Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
- Nearest airport
- LIR · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
- Approximate transfer
- 45 minutes
- Transportation
- The resort lists transfers at extra cost. Your package may differ.
Your own driver. Possibly a lower price.
A personalized airport pickup could cost less than a taxi or shared shuttle. Compare private transfer prices before you decide.
Check my transfer price (opens in a new tab)We may earn a commission if you book through this link.
Destination essentials & trip planning
Playa Matapalo, Carrillo, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal, Costa Rica · +506 2681 2300
Costa Rica
- Language
- Spanish (English common in tourist areas)
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón – USD widely accepted
- Power
- 120V, Type A/B plugs (same as the US)
- Driving
- On the right
- Main airport
- Liberia – Daniel Oduber (LIR)
- Flight time
- ~3.5–5.5h from the US (nonstops to Liberia)
Who it suits
Three of the 9 categories we score in the Palmprint file for Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica; the full set is above.
What we'd book around it
Affiliate · commission at no cost to youFlights
Fly into LIR, 45 minutes from the gate; round trips from about $558.
Search fares (opens in a new tab)Insurance
Storms move flights in season, and the cheapest rates are usually non-refundable.
Compare cover (opens in a new tab)Data
An eSIM for the flight and the beach; Wi-Fi is included on the resort but stops at the gate.
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Where Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica ranks
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