Riu Guanacaste, Sardinal - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Resort

Sardinal De Carrillo, El Ocotal, Cr, Sardinal, Costa Rica

Riu Guanacaste is a recently built 5-star resort located directly on Matapalo Beach in Costa Rica, offering a stunning seafront location surrounded by green hills. This impressive complex features 701 rooms and modern amenities that cater to both leisure and business travelers. With a commitment to excellent hospitality and an all-inclusive dining experience, the resort serves as a destination for relaxation and adventure amidst beautiful natural settings.

Location

Riu Guanacaste is conveniently located 35 km from Liberia, providing easy access to several nearby attractions. The surrounding area features beautiful beaches renowned for surfing and snorkeling, as well as national parks like Rincon de la Vieja. Local culture is showcased through activities featuring authentic cowboys and their herds, enhancing the immersive experience.

Rooms

The resort features well-appointed rooms equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, a mini-bar, and in-room safes for guest convenience. Many accommodations offer breathtaking views, ensuring a relaxing stay in a comfortable setting. The attention to detail in design and modern decor enhances the overall guest experience.

Eat & Drink

Guests can indulge in a variety of cuisines at the onsite restaurants, including buffet selections and themed dining options. The quality of the cuisine prepared by chefs highlights local flavors and global dishes, making each meal an adventure. Signature dishes reflect the rich culinary heritage of Costa Rica.

Leisure & Business

The resort offers a wide range of recreational activities, including an expansive pool landscape that provides a lively atmosphere for guests. For relaxation, guests can unwind in the jacuzzi or take advantage of the Renova Spa, which offers various wellness treatments and massages. Entertainment options include introductory scuba diving, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

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City Centre

Sardinal 3.4 km

Airports

Liberia (LIR) 30.2 km

Tamarindo (TNO) 37.2 km

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Buffets!

I just returned from a wonderful week at Riu Guanacaste, and I must say the dining options were impressive! The buffet was always well-stocked with a variety of delicious choices. Every evening had a different theme, and the fresh juices at breakfast were a highlight. I found the Asian a la carte restaurant to be our favorite, and the variety in the main buffet often exceeded my expectations. We didn't even feel the need to try the specialty restaurants because the buffet was that good!

LukeStays. UK, 2024-03-15Read full review on

Spacious and Clean

My husband and I stayed in a lovely spacious room with stunning views. The accommodations were clean and well-kept, with all the amenities we needed. The mini-bar was well-stocked and was replenished every other day. We appreciated the optics in the room and the large king bed provided a comfortable sleeping experience. A truly great setup for a relaxing vacation!

WendyTravels. Canada, 2024-04-17Read full review on

Perfect for Relaxation

During my stay, I treated myself to an amazing outdoor massage on the beach for just $30! The experience was heavenly and the ambiance couldn't be better. I felt relaxed and rejuvenated afterward. There were also plenty of activities like paddleboarding and kayaking available for guests. I can't recommend this enough for those looking to unwind in a beautiful setting!

FrederickR. Australia, 2024-05-29Read full review on

Fun Poolside Vibe

The pool area at Riu Guanacaste was fantastic! There was always a lively atmosphere, with various activities happening throughout the day. I enjoyed the swim-up bar for tasty drinks and found plenty of lounge chairs to relax on. Although the music selection could use some updating, the vibe was fun and welcoming. My entire family had a blast spending time by the pool and enjoying the entertainment provided.

PaulAdventures. USA, 2024-06-05Read full review on

What’s included

General

Wi-Fi
Gift/Newsstand
Hairdresser

Sports & Fitness

Exercise gym
Kayaking

Dining

Continental breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Buffet breakfast

Children

Children's pool

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Casino
Night club
Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Turkish bath
Jacuzzi

Room features

In-room air conditioning
In-room safe
Mini-bar

Bathroom

Hair dryer

Media

Cable/ Satellite television
Telephone

Location

Sardinal De Carrillo, El Ocotal, Cr, Sardinal, Costa Rica

Map view

Sardinal De Carrillo, El Ocotal, Cr, Sardinal, Costa Rica

City landmarks

Farm

The Monkey Farm

3.1 km

25 meters from Ocotal Beach

Los Almendros de Ocotal

3.5 km

Beach

Ocotal Beach Club

3.4 km

Monkey Trail

The Congo Trail

4.0 km

Cementerio Nuevo Colon

3.7 km

Iglesia de Nuevo Colon

4.1 km

Guacamaya Beach

4.9 km

Church

Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco

5.9 km

Gallery

Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts

6.1 km

Coco Beach Hotel

Alessandra Cola Art

6.0 km

Restaurants

Langosta Feliz Marisqueria

840 m

Restaurant

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

78%

liked the resort and would come back again

Stunning beach

Friendly staff

Mediocre food

Frustrating dining system

7.8/10

Very good

Rooms

7.3

Location

9.3

Service

8.0

Dining

7.3

Felix

United States, December 2024

7.2/10

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Facilities

Sarah

United States, November 2024

7.8/10

I had a fantastic time at the resort, which features stunning grounds and a beautiful beach. The food offered was delicious, but I encountered some issues with the a la carte reservations and the comfort of the beds. Despite minor drawbacks like the uncomfortable pillows and occasionally slow service, I genuinely enjoyed my stay and would definitely consider returning.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were large and clean, but the pillows felt more like cushions and were quite uncomfortable.

Service

7.0

Service was generally quick and helpful, but there were some delays with requests after reporting issues.

Location

9.0

The location is beautiful with stunning beachfront and lush surroundings, truly a tropical paradise.

Dining

8.0

Dining was mostly excellent with a great buffet selection, though the long lines at the a la carte restaurants were frustrating.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were good, with plenty of loungers at the pool and access to a lively bar; however, some entertainment options were hit or miss.

Robert

United States, October 2024

8.0/10

I had a pleasant stay at this resort overall. The landscaping is stunning, and the rooms are generally clean and comfortable. However, I did encounter some issues with noise, especially from the entertainment area. While the food selection was good, there were noticeable hygiene concerns at the buffet. Overall, I would consider returning for a good price deal.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were clean and comfortable, with a nice touch of a stocked refrigerator. However, noise from the entertainment theater was bothersome.

Service

8.0

The staff was friendly and attentive, responding quickly to housekeeping requests. However, there were moments of inconsistency in service.

Location

9.0

The resort is located in a beautiful area with volcanic black sand beaches and lush landscaping. There is plenty of wildlife around, which adds to the charm.

Dining

7.0

The food options were diverse with a tasty selection, especially at the sushi and Toucan restaurants. However, I noticed some hygiene issues at the buffet that were concerning.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were overall well-maintained, particularly the pool area, although the entertainment was quite loud at times.

Rob

United States, September 2024

8.8/10

I had an amazing time at this resort! The food was better than many 5-star places I've been to, and I particularly loved the buffet with its variety of fresh options. The staff was incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make our stay memorable. The rooms were clean and comfortable, but I did have some minor issues with smaller pillows. The beach was beautiful, especially in the mornings, but the restaurants could get a bit crowded with long wait times. Overall, it was a great experience for the price!

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were kept very clean and comfortable, but the pillows could have been bigger.

Service

9.0

The service was exceptional, with staff members who genuinely cared about our experience.

Location

10.0

The location was great, right by a beautiful beach with volcanic sand and within easy reach of local activities.

Dining

8.0

The buffet dining was fantastic with a wide variety of fresh food, while the specialty restaurants required a bit of patience due to wait times.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were excellent, especially the pool area, which was clean and never too crowded.

Marvin

United States, August 2024

7.4/10

I recently stayed at the RIU in Costa Rica and while I found the resort nice overall, I wouldn't say it's a five-star experience. The beach is stunning and offers a private area exclusive to hotel guests, which I really enjoyed. The pool was lovely and the staff were incredibly friendly. However, the food left something to be desired, and the complexities with the reservation system for à la carte dining were frustrating.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were clean and well-maintained, but they felt a bit dated and could use some updates.

Service

8.0

The service was friendly and helpful, although there were a few frustrating moments regarding the dining reservations.

Location

9.0

The location is fantastic, right on a beautiful beach with private access, offering an incredible tropical atmosphere.

Dining

6.0

I found the dining options to be quite average, with the à la carte system causing some hassle and limited seafood selections.