Matapalo · ★★★★★
Riu Palace
An Sophisticated and Elegant All-Inclusive For the Ultimate Vacation
All InclusiveLuxuryBeachfrontBest
- Check-in
- 3:00 pm
Riu Palace Costa Rica, on Playa Matapalo in Guanacaste
Riu Palace sits right on Playa Matapalo, near Sardinal in Guanacaste, a wide Pacific beach where the sun sets over the water. It is a big all-inclusive resort, and everything happens on the property: pools, a water park, a spa and a long list of restaurants and bars.
It suits families above all, and couples who like the ease of an all-inclusive: you arrive, unpack once and stop making decisions.
Why we choose it
- A water park on site. Splash Water World and the RIU Land kids programme keep children busy, so parents get their own time by the pool.
- Variety at every meal. With five restaurants and seven bars, a week here never feels like the same dinner twice.
- Beachfront in dry Guanacaste. The resort sits right on Playa Matapalo, in the driest, sunniest part of the country.
Rooms and views
The accommodation is built around suites. The Jr. Suite is the standard choice for couples and small families, and the Jr. Suite Deluxe adds a little more comfort.
For bigger families, the Connecting Junior Suite joins two rooms, so parents and children each have their own space but share a door. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 12:00, so on your last day we plan the transfer to Liberia around that.
On the property
The pool has a swim-up bar, and Splash Water World is the water park, with slides for every age. RIU Land is the kids programme. Renova Spa does massages and treatments, and there is a gym for the early risers.
Riu Palace is one of our team's favourites for families in Guanacaste, because it takes the planning off the parents' shoulders from the moment they arrive.
Location and getting there
The resort is beachfront on Playa Matapalo, Sardinal, on the Papagayo coast in Guanacaste. Liberia airport is the one to fly into for this side of the country. From here we arrange snorkeling or sailing along the coast, horseback riding, a day at Rincón de la Vieja or a river safari, each with a private driver.
Rooms & suites
Our favourite rooms, and why
Jr. Suite with sea view
Family Suites
Suite Jacuzzi with Sea View
Jr. Suite
How it compares
Hotels we book in Matapalo
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| Riu Palace | Riu Guanacaste | Secrets Papagayo Resort & Spa | The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Private jacuzzi in room | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Team favourite | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel | See hotel |
On the property
What you will find there
Getting there
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
Also in Matapalo
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Facts checked by our team: 1 November 2026
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