Hotel Riu Guanacaste All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica Reviewed in 2025

➞ What to Do

One of the star features of Hotel Riu Guanacaste is its waterpark, Splash Water World. It’s steps away from the lobby, across the entrance from the neighboring Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, and guests of both resorts have access. There are multiple waterslides of varying excitement levels, including a separate splash pad with slides appropriate for the littler ones. Parents will appreciate sun loungers and umbrellas right there within watching distance.

On the other side of the resort, a large network of lagoon-style swimming pools offer another place to cool off, as does the swim-up bar. This is all just steps from the sandy cove, which is great for swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more. Water activities like sportfishing charters depart from here as well.

This resort does an exceptional job with on-site entertainment, including theme nights and famous “Riu Parties.” The discotheque, while not an all-inclusive benefit, is a nice touch for adult travelers in the evenings, while a kid’s program offers fun and games for the younger ones.

The Renova Spa is a great place to spend a day recharging one’s batteries. On the other hand, activities like safaris into the grasslands, volcanic regions, and rainforests are exciting ideas for more active guests.

➞ What to Eat & Drink

There are five true restaurants and five bars and lounges at Hotel Riu Guanacaste, and while most are buffets, there are a few à-la-carte options available. Note that no reservations are accepted, and due to the volume of guests served, you should expect to wait for a table – whether it be a short wait or a long one.

The main buffet restaurant is Liberia, which serves both Costa Rican specialties and international favorites for breakfast and dinner. Lunch, on the other hand, is a buffet at Ocotal, the steakhouse near the pool. But the midday menu consists of more casual items like pizzas, burgers, and other similar dishes.

Ocotal is a true steakhouse in the evenings and moves to à-la-carte offerings. La Toscana is an Italian kitchen with à-la-carte main courses to go with buffet starters and desserts. There’s a large sushi buffet at Furama and all kinds of Caribbean specialties on the buffet at Tucán.

Among the bars to order drinks from, don’t miss the swim-up bar, Santa Cruz, in the main pool. Pachas Discotheque, right across the driveway, is the spot for late-night partying – admission is included for guests, but drinks are not all-inclusive here.

➞ Room Guide

With more than 700 guest rooms, Hotel Riu Guanacaste is a large resort. However, there isn’t an overwhelming number of categories to sift through. It’s easy to choose an appropriate amount of space and the view that you want.

Standard, Superior, & Sea View: At a bit over 300 square feet, these rooms with one king bed or two (smaller-than-usual) double beds can be appropriate for couples or small families that just need the basics. They have television, air conditioning, and a small balcony, making them perfectly comfortable to retreat to at the end of each day.

Suites: This is an upgrade to consider, as you’ll get double the space and additional amenities. These include a dressing room, a living room with a sofa bed, and a bedroom with a king bed. Sea View Suites include a jacuzzi on the balcony, while all suites have hydromassage tubs in the bathroom.

Family Rooms & Suites: An additional option for families are slightly larger standard rooms with one king bed and one double bed, giving a bit of extra sleeping space. Family Suites, on the other hand, offer two bedrooms – one with a king and one with two doubles.

➞ Special Experiences

Some of the watersports offerings at Hotel Riu Guanacaste are great for an extra memorable vacation. For example, guests can enjoy a complimentary introductory scuba dive in a swimming pool to try the sport out and see if it interests them. Windsurfing is another unique benefit that guests have the chance to try out.

Again, be sure to take a look at the entertainment program during your stay, because there can be some very special events that you won’t find at other resorts. The all-ages foam party is a popular one, and there are frequently awesome live music performers.