Riu Palace Costa Rica Hotel Matapalo , Matapalo (Guanacaste) | Explore Room Options, Reviews & Pricing for 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

The 5-star Riu Palace Costa Rica on Matapalo Beach features four outdoor pools, a wellness center, and a kids' club with indoor and outdoor play areas.

Modern Room Amenities

All guestrooms at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica-All Inclusive provide 24-hour room service, laptop-compatible safes, air conditioning, and wireless internet. Rooms include balconies, mini-bars, and modern furnishings with sofa seating.

Diverse Dining Options

Four themed a la carte restaurants require advance reservations, while Lounge 24 offers round-the-clock dining with sea views. Capuchino cafe serves ice cream, pastries, and coffee in a distinctively striped interior.

Premium Leisure Facilities

The property features a two-part activity pool, relaxation pool, and swim-up bar pool with submerged loungers. A Greek-style whirlpool sits under a domed ceiling, while the fitness center offers extensive cardio equipment and free weights.

Location and Events

Riu Palace Costa Rica sits 21.5 miles from Liberia, with The Congo Trail and The Monkey Farm within 2.5 miles. Five conference rooms accommodate up to 730 people for business events.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Junior Suite

Max:

2 persons

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

Available transportation options

City Center

Matapalo (Guanacaste)1000 ft

Airports

Liberia (LIR) 18.8 mi

Tamarindo (TNO) 23.1 mi

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Food Variety

I loved the dining experience at Riu Palace. The main buffet, Arenal, had a fantastic range of options, and I enjoyed the themed dinners, especially the Italian night. The breakfast donuts were to die for! We also tried all four a la carte restaurants, with Kristal being my favorite!

Robert123. USA, 2024-07-15Read full review on

Spacious and Clean Rooms

Our room at Riu Palace was wonderful! It was spacious and clean, complete with a large balcony and king-size bed. The bathroom setup was luxurious with a walk-in shower and a bubble bath. We felt comfortable and at home throughout our stay.

Peter789. Canada, 2024-06-01Read full review on

Relaxing Pool Atmosphere

The pool area was a highlight of my stay. With organized events like foam parties and live music, the atmosphere was lively but relaxing. There were plenty of sunbeds available, and I loved how easy it was to find a quiet spot to unwind.

Charles456. UK, 2024-05-20Read full review on

Fantastic Evening Shows

I was thoroughly entertained during my evenings at Riu Palace. The scheduled shows were well performed, and the variety kept things exciting. From live bands to themed parties, there was always something to look forward to.

Bernard321. Australia, 2024-08-10Read full review on

What’s included

General

Smoking allowed in designated areas
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
24-hour reception
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Baggage storage
Elevator
ATM/Cash machine
Sundry/Convenience store
Gift/Newsstand
Beauty salon
Coffee shop

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center
Kayaking
Tennis
Fitness studio

Services

24-hour room service
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Grocery shopping service
Bell staff/Porter

Dining

Continental breakfast
Restaurant
Poolside snack bar
Coffee/Tea in lobby
Free breakfast
Buffet breakfast

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Paid babysitting/ Child services
Children's pool

Facilities for people with disabilities

Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach umbrellas
Beach towels
Sun loungers
Casino
Night club
Garden area
Television in lobby
Spa & wellness center
Sauna
Turkish bath
Jacuzzi

Room features

Air conditioning
In-room safe
Mini-bar
Terrace
Balcony

Media

Television
Telephone
AM/FM alarm clock

Location

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

Map view

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

City landmarks

Farm

The Monkey Farm

1.9 mi

25 meters from Ocotal Beach

Los Almendros de Ocotal

2.2 mi

Beach

Ocotal Beach Club

2.1 mi

Monkey Trail

The Congo Trail

2.5 mi

Cementerio Nuevo Colon

2.3 mi

Iglesia de Nuevo Colon

2.5 mi

Guacamaya Beach

3.0 mi

Church

Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco

3.7 mi

Gallery

Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts

3.8 mi

Coco Beach Hotel

Alessandra Cola Art

3.8 mi

Restaurants

Langosta Feliz Marisqueria

2800 ft

Restaurant

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily return

Stunning grounds

Delicious food

Cramped rooms

Mixed entertainment

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

7.6

Location

9.2

Service

8.0

Dining

7.0

William

United States of America, January 2025

8.6/10

I had a wonderful experience at the Riu Palace Costa Rica during our family Christmas vacation! The grounds were stunning, the facilities were impeccably clean, and the food was delicious, catering to everyone in our large group. On the downside, the rooms felt a bit cramped with extra beds added, and the nightly entertainment was hit or miss. Overall, this resort exceeded my expectations and was a great value for our family getaway.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were kept very clean, but with the additional bed, it felt a bit cramped.

Service

9.0

The service was exceptional, with attentive staff who remembered our names and made our stay enjoyable.

Location

10.0

The hotel is in a beautiful area of Costa Rica, right by the beach, which was lovely.

Dining

9.0

The dining options were plentiful and delicious, especially the breakfast buffet.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were fantastic with clean pools and plenty of entertainment options for all ages.

Stunning grounds

Cramped rooms

Andrew

United States of America, December 2024

8.0/10

My stay was wonderful overall, with clean and comfortable rooms along with friendly staff that gave great service. The hotel is located in beautifully landscaped grounds, making for a pleasant atmosphere. However, some dining experiences were inconsistent, and the wine quality left much to be desired. Additionally, water replenishment for breakfast items could be improved.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were spacious and well-kept, featuring comfortable beds and a decent-sized balcony. The layout had some quirks, but it felt free-flowing. Occasionally, I noticed that the cleaning wasn't daily, but it was still satisfactory overall.

Service

9.0

Service was generally outstanding, especially during room service, which was reliable. The staff were always happy and eager to help, contributing positively to my overall experience.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in a secluded area surrounded by nature, which created a peaceful environment. I enjoyed the easy access to the beach and the stunning views from many spots on the property.

Dining

6.0

Dining was hit or miss; while the buffet had various options, the lack of menu changes in specialty restaurants was disappointing. Some dishes were good but others didn’t meet expectations, especially in the wine department.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel boasts numerous pools and lovely lounging areas, ensuring that there’s plenty of room to relax. There was a fun foam party during my stay, which was a thrilling experience.

Richard

United States of America, November 2024

8.6/10

I had an amazing two-week getaway at this hotel! The rooms were spacious with fantastic views, and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay special. Dining was a treat with a variety of delicious options, although occasionally we faced some wait times for dinner. While the beach wasn’t the best I’ve seen, the pools were immaculate and perfect for lounging. Overall, it was a great experience, but the beach could use some improvement.

Rooms

9.0

The room was spacious, featuring a jacuzzi bath and an outdoor jacuzzi on the private balcony. It was very clean with decent amenities.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, especially from the customer service team who ensured we had a fantastic experience. Staff members at the restaurants were attentive and prompt.

Location

8.0

The hotel is beautifully located with a view of the pool and gardens, alongside direct access to a beach with intriguing surroundings.

Dining

9.0

Dining options were plentiful with great quality food, particularly at the a la carte restaurants. Breakfast was especially delightful with a range of choices.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were very well-maintained, especially the pools which were clean and inviting.

Patrick

United States of America, October 2024

7.0/10

I had a mixed experience during my stay. The hotel has a fantastic setting with beautiful landscaping and a clean pool area. The service varied significantly; there were some friendly staff members, but my overall experience with service felt lacking. The rooms were comfortable and tidy, but the dining options could use improvement, especially in variety. Overall, it's a nice place for relaxation, though it may not be ideal for families with teens due to the restrictions.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were comfortable and clean with everything I needed, including good air conditioning and a nice view of the rainforest.

Service

5.0

Some staff members were friendly and attentive, but my overall service experience was inconsistent, with moments of neglect that were frustrating.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in beautiful landscapes, close to the beach, offering a peaceful atmosphere.

Dining

6.0

Dining options were okay, but the variety was heavily skewed towards American fare, and drinks at the bar could improve.

Facilities

7.0

The pool area was well-maintained and activities were organized, but the early closing time for the pool was disappointing.

Clean and comfortable rooms

Inconsistent service

Mike

United States of America, September 2024

7.2/10

I had a great time overall, but there are definitely some areas for improvement. The location is stunning, with beautiful views and a lovely beach. The staff was friendly and the pool area was nice. However, the rooms were dated and maintenance issues persisted throughout our stay. The dining experience left something to be desired, especially during peak times with limited restaurant availability.

Rooms

6.0

The rooms were kept clean, but they felt very dated and experienced maintenance issues.

Service

8.0

The staff was generally friendly and eager to help, especially at the pool bar and dining areas.

Location

10.0

The resort's location is absolutely stunning, nestled in a beautiful bay with wonderful views and access to a shared beach.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience varied; while some meals were enjoyable, the restaurant system was poorly managed, leading to long wait times.