Superior Double Room
33 m2 room with two small double beds or one king-size bed, satellite TV, air conditioning, minibar and beverage dispenser, and a balcony or terrace.
On-site
Amenities
Renova Spa
Splash Water World water park
Three large outdoor swimming pools plus a children's pool with slides
Swim-up bar
Seven bars including Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, Sports Bar, Ice Cream Bar, Splash Bar
Nightclub
Tennis court
Gym
RIULand kids' entertainment
Fun4All entertainment program and RIU Party themed events
RIU Fit sessions, snorkeling and kayaking
1,300-meter Matapalo Beach access
Where to stay
Room & suite types
Double Room with Sea View
Standard double room configuration facing the sea.
Standard Double Room with Courtyard View
Standard double room overlooking the interior courtyard.
Superior Family Room with Pool View (2 bedrooms)
Two-bedroom family configuration overlooking the pool.
Suite with Sea View
Upgraded suite category facing the sea.
Our local insight
Riu Guanacaste is built for constant motion: Splash Water World, three pools, seven bars and a nightclub keep groups and families entertained without ever leaving the property. It suits travelers who want that all-inclusive energy on site, then step out for private tours to see the quieter side of Guanacaste.
Why travelers love
This resort
See how this property matches different travel styles before planning your stay.
Couples
Privacy, beautiful scenery and relaxed moments made for two.
Families
A comfortable resort base with options that work well for different ages.
Travelers seeking local experiences
A travel style that pairs naturally with the experience offered at Hotel Riu Guanacaste.
Signature experiences
Curated experiences from this resort
Most popular
Local favorite
Adventure pick
Buena Vista Mega Combo
Private full-day adventure at Buena Vista, Guanacaste — zip line, waterslide, hot springs and more. Certified bilingual guide. Book via WhatsApp with Wild Papagayo.
Monteverde Treetop Walk
Private full-day Monteverde Cloud Forest treetop walk — suspension bridges at canopy level with zip line (Classic option) or reptiles exhibition, butterfly garden and sloth sanctuary (Plus option). Breakfast and lunch included.
Sensoria Land of Senses & Magical Rainforest
Private full-day Sensoria nature reserve — 7km rainforest trail with multiple waterfalls, thermal pools, howler monkeys and incredible biodiversity where Guanacaste transforms into lush rainforest. Walking sticks and lunch included.
Real guest sentiment
What Guests Are Saying
4.2/5 on Google · 10629 reviews
“Overall decent and just okay. The transportation folks were great. The morning bartenders were great at the better 🍺 bar; coffee and Bloody Mary's. The far end of beach was peaceful and beautiful. Not a lot of kids running around. If the food was better and the pool was cleaner we would have rated it 4.5 star. The...”
Christina Campa4 weeks ago“The rooms are fairly standard but covers all your needs. Bathroom has all the amenities needed, ie bodywash, shampoo and conditioner. They also supply a hairdryer. The whole resort is kept super clean including all washrooms. There's absolutely no shortage of food or drink. All staff I dealt with were super friend...”
Linda Benoit4 months ago“Had a 6 night night stay with family including kids. Hotel is amazing and recently renovated. Service was great. A lot of fun ongoing fun activities to keep everyone engaged. Kids loved the splash park pool area. We changed our initially assigned room as it was bit of a walk with little kids to main lobby and restau...”
Gurprinkal Mehraa month agoTransportation & Guides
Guanacaste Airport (LIR)
42-54 minutes (33.4 km) by private transfer.
San Jose Airport (SJO)
230-294 minutes (242.4 km) by private transfer.
Private Driver
Door-to-door private transportation for every tour and excursion -- no shared shuttles, no waiting on other guests.
Certified Local Guides
Every experience is led by a bilingual, certified local guide who knows Papagayo firsthand.
Getting oriented
Where you'll be
Playa Matapalo, RIU Guanacaste Route, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal, 50503, Costa Rica
Planning your trip
Best time to visit
Costa Rica, month by month
Compare rainfall, temperatures and crowds across the whole country.
Browse weather by month →Planning your trip
Where to Eat Nearby
Real, currently-rated options near Papagayo, sourced live from Google.
Niri Beach Club
Prieta Beach Club
Taru Restaurante by Hotel Suitree
Coco's Tiki Bar
Olas at Prieta Beach Club
Peninsula CR Steak & Seafood Grill
Plan with confidence
Travel insights
Transportation & Transfers
Do You Need a Rental Car at Riu Guanacaste?
An honest look at whether renting a car makes sense during an all-inclusive stay at Hotel Riu Guanacaste, and when private transfers work better.
Tours & Experiences
Best Tours From Riu Guanacaste: Local Recommendations
After years arranging trips from Riu Guanacaste, these four private tours are the ones we send guests on again and again — from sloths to Río Celeste.
Safety & Practical Tips
Should Kids Bring Life Jackets to Costa Rica?
Traveling to La Fortuna and Riu Guanacaste with young children? Here is when strong swimmers still benefit from bringing properly fitted life jackets.
Before you arrive
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I use for Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Guanacaste Airport (LIR) is the closest practical airport. Private transportation can be arranged directly to the property.
What tours can I book from Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Wild Papagayo can arrange private tours across Guanacaste, with pickup coordinated directly from Hotel Riu Guanacaste.
Do I need a rental car if I'm staying at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Not necessarily. Guests who use organized private tours and transfers can typically manage the trip without renting a car.