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Hotel overview

Where families, spa-lovers, active travelers and couples come for sun and luxurious sand, this inviting resort provides the perfect blend of service and smiles fronting Costa Rica’s warm Pacific Coast. Nestled amidst tropical palms and fragrant gardens, guests are treated to spacious guestrooms and suites featuring a regularly restocked in-room mini-bar and liquor dispenser; a pampering spa; fun-filled children’s amenities including a playground, activity club and pool; lighted tennis courts; a disco and 24-hour, all-inclusive restaurants and bars serving delicious cuisines ranging from Asian fare to a robust Steakhouse. Creating the perfect setting for unforgettable vacation experiences, this polished resort has something for every member of the family.


Location

Guanacaste
Liberia, Costa Rica Airport (LIR) : 30 miles
San Jose, Costa Rica Airport (SJO) : 150 miles

Property information

Year Built: 2009
Accessible rooms: 1
All rooms non-smoking: 701
Floors: 6
Total rooms: 701

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Hotel details

Dining

Dining options are available for this property.
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Amenities

Multiple amenities are available at this hotel.
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Activities

This property offers numerous activities.
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Hotel advisories

Advisory Costa Rica will impose some restrictions for Holy Week. Alcohol is not permitted to be sold or consumed. This ban on alcohol starts the Thursday prior to Easter and runs through Easter Sunday. A few hotels purchase special permits to serve alcohol, but generally it is not available. In addition, most restaurants, shops, and bars will be closed for the same time period. Restaurants in the hotels will be operating. The City Tour will not be operating.
Advisory Family Room: ***Important Information*** Please note when booking a Family Room, the minimum occupancy for this room category is: 2 Adults and 1 Child between ages 2-12. Children aged 13 and over are considered adults. The hotel will not honor/confirm bookings with 1 Adult and 1 Child or 2 Adults.
Advisory Two Bedroom Family Suite: ***Important Information*** Please note when booking a Two Bedroom Family Suite, the minimum occupancy for this room category is: 3 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 Children between ages 2-12. Children aged 13 and over are considered adults. The hotel will not honor/confirm bookings with 2 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 Child.
Advisory Student Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.
Advisory In continuity with our product improvements, we are very excited to announce the upcoming renovation of the RIU Guanacaste hotel in Costa Rica, which will be taking place starting April 28th, 2025 to October 3rd, 2025 (re-opening on October 4th, 2025).

General policies & fine print

Check In: 3:00 PM
Check Out: 12:00 PM
Minimum Check-In Age: 18
General Policies:

Check-in Policy - Deposits or credit/debit card hold authorizations are not requested at check-in. Minimum age of 18 is required for check-in, an ID/Passport will be requested upon arrival.

Convention Policy - Individuals attending a convention cannot book this property for their stay. If found attending a convention, guests may be subject to higher room rates upon arrival.

Hotel Spring Break Policy- Student Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.


Transfer Policy - 
A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.

General Information - Room taxes and service fees are included in vacation price.
Minimum night stay restrictions may apply.
Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.

Pet Policy Pets Not Allowed
Early Departure Policy:
  • Early Departure Penalty: 1 Night Applies: Sunday - Saturday 01May25 - 23Dec26
  • Early Departure Penalty: 2 Nights Applies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26

Ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_4.0 10566 reviews
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 2.0 star tripadvisor rating
    We would never recommend our friends or family to this resort.

    The receptionist disaster: Rachel, the receptionist at the guess services helped us upon arriving to the resort. Was asked for identification and gave us a key to our room. About 4-5 hours into our stay after we’re have unpacked our suitcases for our 7 days trip to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We were told that we had to move because the hotel staff gave us that specific room by mistake. Ruined our day, since we had to repack then move to another room, and unpacked again. My husband was very furious.

    Mar 28, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 1.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Deeply Disappointed – A Painful and Frustrating Experience

    I had high hopes for ending our trip to Costa Rica with a relaxing 3-night stay at Riu Guanacaste, but it turned out to be one of the most frustrating and physically exhausting travel experiences I’ve ever had. At the time of booking, I specifically requested a handicap-accessible, first-floor room, and my travel agent has proof of this request. Instead, we were assigned a second-floor room in the farthest possible building from the restaurants, pool, and beach. Once inside the building, we had to walk all the way to the center for the elevator, only to backtrack to the very end of the hallway where the room was located. By the time we arrived, my physical condition was already flaring up from the unnecessary exertion. Getting to the pool near the beach was an ordeal in itself. I was in so much pain I never even made it to see the actual beach. I sat in a chair near the pool and observed what I can only describe as a chaotic, trashy scene. To top off an already disappointing day, we were unaware that reservations were required for the nicer restaurants and ended up at the Mexican buffet—only to regret it later when it left my entire family sick. That night, around 10:30 PM, we were abruptly awakened by blaring strobe lights and an emergency voiceover in Spanish instructing everyone to evacuate. We panicked, grabbed our valuables, and stood outside in the parking lot with dozens of other confused guests. No staff member ever came to provide guidance or explain what was happening. After standing outside for far too long with no communication, guests started re-entering the building on their own. When I called the front desk, the man laughed it off, saying, “It must have been a false alarm.” That response—complete with chuckling—was the final straw. By the next morning, I was in so much pain I could barely stand, let alone walk. This resort is massive, with most amenities located at the opposite end of where we were placed. No shuttle service, no golf carts, and no assistance were offered. While the room itself in the newer section was lovely, I physically couldn’t continue the stay. We had no choice but to leave the resort early. Despite everything—the failure to honor my accessibility request, the false fire alarm with no staff response, the physical toll, and having to cut our trip short—the resort refused to refund us for the two unused nights, hiding behind a “non-refundable” policy. That policy should not apply when the resort is the one who failed to meet reasonable, documented accommodations for a guest with disabilities. They offered an upgraded room, but the room wasn’t the issue—mobility and distance were. I wasn’t going to spend my vacation in a wheelchair or being carried around because of their poor planning and disregard for guest needs. Had my accessibility request been honored, we likely would have stayed and made the best of it, even with the weak drinks, worn amenities, missing ping pong tables, and strange rule prohibiting drinks on the beach. But that’s not what happened. What happened was painful, stressful, and completely unacceptable. I highly recommend booking elsewhere. This resort does not care about accessibility, safety, or guest well-being. Their lack of empathy and poor handling of every situation left a lasting negative impression. I will never stay at a Riu resort again and will be advising everyone I know to avoid it as well.

    Mar 27, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    2nd time customer

    My husband and I stayed here a year and a half ago and decided to return for Spring Break with the kids. We very much enjoyed our stay both times and could see ourselves returning again. We very much enjoyed and would return to the “older” side and wouldn’t be as interested in the new portion, mostly due to the proximity to the beach. The new construction is farther from the beach and the landscaping is new/small trees. Less shade.

    Mar 27, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Great hotel.

    Just returned from this fabulous hotel. We stayed in the newer section and our room was lovely. Great to be able to sit on the balcony and watch the monkeys first thing in the morning. Hotel has many restaurants and a snack bar that is open through out the day. Staff are very friendly and helpful and the entertainment is very good. Very clean hotel. Beach does have local vendors on it but they are friendly and will leave you alone once you have told them your not interested. Costa Rica is an amazing country and this hotel will only enhance your stay there.

    Mar 25, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Loved it !!

    Had a great time at the resort ! Everyone was friendly . They are closing soon for renovations, so I’m excited to go back and see it when it’s done !!

    Mar 25, 2025