Riu Guanacaste, Sardinal ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

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

Riu Guanacaste is a recently built five-star hotel located in Sri Guanacaste, Costa Rica, directly on Matapalo Beach. Surrounded by lush green hills, the resort offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. Guests can experience local culture through authentic cowboy sightings and enjoy a range of recreational activities in the region known for its stunning beaches. The property prioritizes guest comfort with an all-inclusive system and premium service.

Location

Riu Guanacaste is located 35 km from Liberia, a regional hub, providing accessible transportation options for guests. Situated in a sparsely populated area, the hotel is adjacent to several beaches and national parks, such as Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. The region’s rich ecology and opportunities for ecotourism make it an appealing destination for nature enthusiasts. Local attractions, including the Monkey Farm and various art sites, are also a short distance away.

Rooms

The hotel features 701 modern guest rooms, each equipped with air conditioning, a mini-bar, and an in-room safe. Rooms come with cable television and hair dryers for added convenience. A blend of comfort and style ensures guest satisfaction throughout their stay. Additionally, many rooms offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Eat & Drink

Riu Guanacaste boasts multiple dining venues, including buffet and specialty restaurants that present a wide variety of flavors. Guests can indulge in quality cuisine prepared by knowledgeable chefs using fresh ingredients. The all-inclusive system enables guests to explore diverse culinary options without restriction. Dining at the resort is designed to cater to different tastes and preferences.

Leisure & Business

The hotel offers a range of leisure activities, including a large pool known for its vibrant atmosphere and daily entertainment programs. For those interested in relaxation, the Renova Spa provides various treatments and massages. Business travelers can utilize five modern conference rooms, designed for seamless meetings and events. Additional facilities include on-site shops, a casino, and a disco for evening entertainment.

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

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

Fantastic Buffet Variety

The food at the buffet was very nice, with a vast array of choices for every meal. I particularly enjoyed the breakfast options, featuring fresh fruits, omelet stations, and plenty of pastries. Dinner was equally satisfying, with themed nights that provided a different spin each evening. Each meal felt like a culinary adventure. My personal favorite was the fresh seafood, especially the grilled fish, which was always cooked to perfection.

Parker82. United Kingdom, 2024-08-01Read full review on

Spacious and Comfortable Room

Our standard double room was spacious and impeccably maintained. We appreciated the large bed, the clean bathroom with two sinks, and the fully stocked minibar that was refreshed every two days. The air conditioning worked flawlessly, ensuring comfort on even the hottest days. Additionally, the balcony provided a lovely view of the gardens and jungle, allowing for a tranquil retreat after active days.

Harper2024. Canada, 2025-01-15Read full review on

Impressive Pool Area

The large swimming pool was certainly a highlight of my stay. The water was warm and inviting, and the swim-up bar was a fantastic feature! Even on busy days, I found plenty of space to relax. The pool was well-maintained, with staff cleaning it every morning. I also enjoyed the variety of activities happening poolside, making it a lively spot while still being a perfect place to unwind.

AmeliaExplorer. Australia, 2024-10-10Read full review on

Family-Friendly Atmosphere

I traveled with my family, and we found the amenities for children to be excellent. The mini club was a great hit with my kids, offering a safe environment and fun activities tailored for various ages. We also appreciated the on-site water park which was a nice surprise, creating nice moments for my young ones. It felt great knowing my kids were having fun while I relaxed nearby.

StellaAdventures. United States, 2024-12-05Read 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.

72%

liked the hotel and would stay again

Stunning location

Clean and spacious rooms

Service issues

Limited dining variety

7.2/10

Very good

Rooms

8.5

Location

9.0

Service

5.4

Dining

6.6

Alan

United States, September 2024

7.4/10

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The rooms are spacious and offer a lovely jungle view, which was a nice touch for my birthday celebration. However, the service was hit or miss, with one friendly bartender but some issues with management regarding missing items. The location is stunning, right on a beautiful beach, but dining options can be crowded and inconsistent. Overall, it felt like a decent value for money, but there were definitely areas for improvement.

Rooms

9.0

My room had two beds and a spacious bathroom, and I loved the jungle view. It was a delightful touch for my birthday.

Service

5.0

While Edwin at the bar was incredibly friendly and accommodating, the overall service seemed a bit lacking, especially when dealing with management about issues.

Location

10.0

The hotel is situated down the beach in a very beautiful area, making it perfect for enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Dining

6.0

Dining could be frustrating as it felt like many restaurants were too busy to serve properly, but there were a variety of options available.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had nice facilities, reasonably well-maintained, which contributed to a comfortable stay.

John

United States, August 2024

7.6/10

This hotel offered a fantastic experience with breathtaking views of the rainforest from our balcony and exceptionally clean rooms. While it was a bit frustrating that there were three beds instead of the expected setup in our suitcase, overall, the ambiance was pleasant. The service had its ups and downs, particularly in terms of honesty, although some staff like Edwin were genuinely friendly. The beach location was stunning, boasting dark volcanic sand with easy access to nearby attractions, yet Wi-Fi was an added cost, which felt slightly inconvenient.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were spotlessly clean, and the views of the rainforest from our balcony were fantastic.

Service

6.0

The service was a mixed bag; unfortunately, there seemed to be issues with staff honesty, but Edwin at the main bar stood out as a friendly and accommodating member.

Location

9.0

Nestled on a beautiful beach of dark volcanic sand and surrounded by mountains, the location was ideal for relaxation and adventure.

Dining

7.0

The dining options were varied, offering everything from American to local cuisine, though I wish there were more vegetarian-friendly choices.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were overall enjoyable, particularly the pool area which was well-maintained.

Jesse

United States, August 2024

7.0/10

I had a pretty mixed experience at this hotel. The location is absolutely stunning, right by the beach with beautiful dark volcanic sand, and I found the rooms to be clean and spacious. However, the service was a little disappointing, with some staff members not being as friendly or helpful as I hoped. The dining options were decent, but I craved more variety, especially at breakfast. Overall, it’s a decent place, but improvements in service and dining could make it a lot better.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were clean and spacious, offering nice views of the nearby forest.

Service

5.0

While some staff were friendly, I had issues with dishonesty and lack of concern from management regarding items going missing from my room.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a beautiful area, right by the Pacific Ocean and a beach of dark volcanic sand.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was okay with options ranging from American to local cuisine, but I wished for more variety at breakfast.

Facilities

7.0

Facilities included a nice pool area, which was enjoyable but not exceptionally luxurious.

Stunning location

Service issues

Brad

United States, July 2024

7.4/10

I had a nice stay at the hotel, enjoying the good cleanliness and comfort of the rooms. The service was a mixed bag, with a friendly bartender but management lacking in guest care when issues arose. The location was beautiful, right on the beach. Dining was decent with a variety of options, though nothing too extraordinary. Overall, the hotel is great for relaxation, but a few areas need improvement.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were kept very clean and comfortable, and it was a lovely surprise to find the fridge stocked for my birthday.

Service

5.0

While most of the staff seemed disinterested and there were concerns about missing items from the room, I did find the bartender Edwin to be friendly and accommodating with quick service.

Location

8.0

The hotel is located on the beach, making it easy to access and close to several attractions, though you need to bring water shoes due to the hot sand.

Dining

7.0

Dining had a good variety of options from local to American dishes, but it could be better if there were more vegetarian choices.

Facilities

8.0

Facilities were decent and well-maintained, making for a good overall experience.

Bill

United States, July 2024

7.0/10

I had a pretty good time at this hotel, mostly due to its beautiful surroundings and great location near the beach. The rooms were tidy and offered lovely views of the rainforest, although the service had some inconsistencies which could be improved. Dining was okay, but I expected a bit more variety. Overall, it’s a nice place to stay but not without its flaws.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms on the lower floors were kept spotlessly clean and had great views of the rainforest from the balcony.

Service

5.0

Service was a mixed bag. While Edwin at the main bar was super friendly and accommodating, I felt that the management didn't really care about the guest experience, especially when things went missing.

Location

9.0

The hotel is perfectly located on a 2-mile beach nestled amongst the mountains, right by the Pacific, making everything easy to access, even if it rains.

Dining

7.0

Dining options were decent, with a fantastic omelette station, but I would have loved to see more variety, especially for vegetarians.

Facilities

6.0

The facilities were okay, but I expected a bit more in terms of amenities and maintenance.

Edwin

United States, June 2024

8.0/10

The hotel is situated in beautiful grounds with plenty of wildlife all around, which really enhanced my experience. The rooms are clean and well maintained, and I appreciated the comfortable beds. The staff was friendly at times, but I did encounter some issues with service quality, especially when it came to management responsiveness. The dining options were varied, and I enjoyed the local food, but there were missed opportunities for more organized breakfast service.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were very clean and comfortable with well-kept amenities.

Service

6.0

While the bartender Edwin provided excellent service, I noticed some inconsistencies in staff friendliness and management's concern for guest experiences.

Location

10.0

The location is stunning, nestled between mountains and right by the beach, making for a picturesque view.

Dining

7.0

Dining offered a range of options from American to local cuisines, but breakfast could have had a more organized setup.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were nice, but there were some areas where improvements could be made, particularly regarding beach access.

Nicole

United States, June 2024

7.4/10

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. On the plus side, the rooms were clean and comfortable, and the location was beautiful, right by the beach. I appreciated the friendly staff who went out of their way to help. However, the service left something to be desired, as there seemed to be a lack of attention to detail, especially when I had an issue with missing items from my room. The dining options were decent, but could use more variety. Overall, the hotel had great potential but could improve in some areas.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were clean and comfortable, with a king bed and all-inclusive drinks in the fridge.

Service

6.0

While the staff was generally friendly and responsive, there were moments where it felt like management did not prioritize guest experience, especially when issues arose.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a stunning location, right on the beach and in a semi-secluded area that offers a peaceful retreat.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was varied, with options ranging from local Mediterranean food to breakfast items like a fantastic omelette station. However, it leaned heavily towards meat dishes, which didn't cater much to vegetarian diets.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities included a good range of table-based games, and the pool area was quite inviting. However, the amenities felt a bit dated.

Clean and comfortable rooms

Service issues

Jeff

United States, May 2024

7.0/10

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. On the positive side, the rooms were very comfortable and always clean, plus the location is quite lovely with wildlife around. However, the service didn't quite meet my expectations since some staff seemed less friendly, and I experienced issues with missing items in my room. The dining options were decent but not ideal for vegetarians. Overall, I think it offers fair value for money, but there are some areas that need improvement.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were clean and comfortable, with a well-stocked fridge and plenty of table-based games available.

Service

5.0

The service was a letdown at times; while the food was excellent, the friendliness of the staff varied, and I had a troubling experience with management when something went missing from my room.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location is convenient, being not too far from the airport and surrounded by beautiful grounds with lots of wildlife.

Dining

6.0

The food offered a variety of options, but I found it heavily meat-based, which didn't cater well to my vegetarian diet.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were decent, but nothing stood out as exceptional during my stay.

Eric

United States, May 2024

7.8/10

The hotel is set in a stunning location right by the Pacific, offering a beach with dark volcanic sand, which is a unique touch. My room was spacious and had a great view, and the staff was friendly and eager to help. However, the service had its issues; specifically, I felt the management lacked a sincere interest in guest experience, which was disappointing. Overall, it was a decent stay, but there’s room for improvement.

Rooms

9.0

I enjoyed a spacious room with a spectacular view of the ocean, which made my stay extra special.

Service

6.0

While the staff was friendly, I felt that the management could improve on handling issues and ensuring guest satisfaction.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a semi-secluded area right by a beautiful beach, making it a serene getaway.

Dining

7.0

The dining options were diverse and catered to different diets, but I found the breakfast selection somewhat lacking.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel had nice amenities, including a well-maintained pool area that I enjoyed spending time at.

Christopher

United States, April 2024

7.0/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. The rooms were clean, and the location next to the beach was fantastic. However, the service left something to be desired, especially with the staff's attitude when issues arose. The dining options were a bit off for my vegetarian diet, which made meals less enjoyable. Overall, it’s in a great spot and offers value for money, but there are definitely areas that need improvement.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were clean and had a good-sized bathroom, perfect for a comfortable stay. The views of the neighboring forest were a nice touch, too.

Service

5.0

While I found Edwin, the bartender, to be really friendly and accommodating, overall, the service felt lacking. There seemed to be a lack of concern from management when we had issues with missing items in our room.

Location

9.0

The hotel boasts a fantastic location right by the Pacific, with dark volcanic sand beaches and all amenities conveniently reachable under cover.

Dining

6.0

Dining was a mixed bag—while there was a range of food options, I struggled with the vegetarian selections, which often leaned heavily towards meat.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were decent, with well-maintained common areas, but nothing particularly stood out as luxurious.