Occidental Tamarindo: Amazing resort

The resort is old but it is maintained well the staff do an exelant job their and the beach is amazing . You feel safe their food is great people are great ! Pool is clean and if their is any problem at all it would be only to bars you might have to wait in line for a drink sometimes .

Riu Guanacaste: Hidden Gem!

We hadn’t really considered Costa Rica in the past and had stuck to the Caribbean. This resort, and the entire country of Costa Rica feels like a hidden gem. We stayed at the Guanacaste, which has been beautifully renovated. The rooms are clean, and the beds are very comfy. Food is great, especially at the buffet!

Riu Guanacaste: Beautiful resort

We stayed here for 1 week and it was perfect. It was all new therefore everything was absolutely beautiful from our room to the lobby area to the restaurants to the pools;) All areas are always clean and the service was excellent. The ocean was great to swim in and although we do not like to sit on the beach we could see that there are not many areas that you can get shade. We would definitely go back to this resort for sure;)

Hotel Villas Playa Samara: Not what I hoped

Overall we managed . The beach is nice relaxing. The villa grounds need upkeep better then what was done. The mini golf area is unusable as it is unkempt. Pool ok if you like lots of bleach I guess cloud y water dirty edges walls that you could see. The wait staff bartenders are friendly nice. The meals are ok I ate salad and fruit there beans and ham was good oh loved there meatballs. The la a carte option was grill and chill steak good the rest of my plate not the Italian loved it thumbs up bu [... read more]t that is my opinion. They had another beach club option but menu did not appeal to me im not a fish sea food kind of person and I had steak already. As for my room dirty it maybe tidy but dirty floor was slippery when we walked into the room open no privacy to shower no hot water but one day Hydro and wifi went out touler ran on i'm guessing the bug was a cockroach and then these little things that crawled around that. Looked like ants, but they were also in our bed. Which was disgusting constantly wiping it out and make sure you wipe your feet off before you got into bed. That probably was what brought him in there. Air conditioning was good ceiling fan. The blinds were broke hubby fixed those he fixed the toilet. The little shelf underneath the sink was coming out of the wall, probably didn't even bother with that. Because he had no tools to fix that no screen on the patio. Door but in little cheap, little chairs to sit on outside which we're uncomfortable. A lot of iguanas, squirrels, nice to see the oats birds housekeeping, got late in the day, we had AI think, a couple times in the morning and they just make your bed. They don't change your sheets. We did get clean towels when we needed lots of toilet paper. After all, you hover over the toilet bowl all the time. Because whatever's in the water or food or is not nice to your system, even if you are vaccinated and have all the necessary things needed. Now, our biggest thing, when the long ride to the resort was 2 and a 1 hours plus the congestion time over in Liberia. And then when you get to the gate, they didn't have your name, did anything good thing I had in my paperwork. Another couple we spoke to, they had to sit for a while. Because they didn't have a name or they had their paperwork. But they had no listing for them. Whatsoever, then when we got there, we had to stand for 20 minutes or so I don't get checked in no communication. As to where you go, cause, you gotta go over to the other hotel. That's attached to the resort. As soon I guess to check-in. But what the purpose they had your paperwork at the other desk? When you first got there and then the guy was rude to you. It's like that there just when you first got there. After having a long flight and then another long ride and to be treated like that. When you get there, our driver from the resort. From 2 the resort did not really speak any English. So quiet ride didn't see anything as it was dark. Anyway. Uh, U. I've met a few people same thing. A lot of complaints about their rooms as well. Thank you so much. Overall, I would not go back that's the resort ask for the agency that booked. They jacked up the prices for a 3 star hotel or resort. Whatever you wanna call it very disappointed for what it costs. And then I hear what other people's paying, that's even worse.

Riu Guanacaste: Beautiful resort

We haven't visited Riu Guanacaste since 2020 so there were a lot of changes. The hotel is located in a lovely location, on a beautiful beach, which we love to walk every morning before breakfast. The food is great and the pools are very nice. The new expansions have included some great water slides and special pools for children, unfortunately many of the adults prefer to sit around the older pools with their children and so it has gotten much noisier than it used to be. The hotel stall also enc [... read more]ourage games in the other pools so one has to duck around various games as one tries to swim in the pool.

Riu Guanacaste: Beautiful resort

We haven't visited Riu Guanacaste since 2020 so there were a lot of changes. The hotel is located in a lovely location, on a beautiful beach, which we love to walk every morning before breakfast. The food is great and the pools are very nice. The new expansions have included some great water slides and special pools for children, unfortunately many of the adults prefer to sit around the older pools with their children and so it has gotten much noisier than it used to be. The hotel stall also enc [... read more]ourage games in the other pools so one has to duck around various games as one tries to swim in the pool.

Riu Guanacaste: Great resort, would return!

Just came back from a week vacation with my husband and three kids- one is a teenager and the other two are toddlers. This resort was amazing, it had something for everyone to do, lots of great outing options, including an animal sanctuary just next door to resort which was very quick and easy to access with the two young kids. They had quite a few cool animals there and my kids loved it. There isn’t a 24hr snack bar so my toddlers would get hungry for a snack by about 10am and there would be [... read more] no where to get food until 12. I had packed containers for snacks on the plane so we ended up using those to pack snacks for the kids from the morning buffet (fruits, croissants, PB and J sandwiches etc) so I’d highly recommend bringing containers to any other toddler parents! That being said, the food was amazing, lots of great options for the kids at the buffet and the smaller restaurants. On Friday nights they have a neon party at the entertainment centre and there are family suites right above it so it was VERY loud on the Friday night. If you’re a light sleeper and they try to put you in a room above the entertainment centre, ask to have your room switched right away before you get settled in or make sure to bring earplugs/sound machines. The water slide park was amazing, the kids and adults all had a blast there. It is quite a walk to it if you’re going from the beach to the slides so if you have younger kids, I’d recommend bringing a stroller or wagon. Staff were great, resort was very clean etc. Would highly recommend!

Riu Guanacaste: Riu Guanacaste

The hotel was newly renovated; very well decorated and exceptionally clean ! The only draw back was the beaches are dark sand and very hot to walk on therefore you must wear footwear. The other factor is the hotel is not close to anything so transportation to tours, other beaches and towns is a minimum of one hours drive one way

Riu Guanacaste: Beautifully Redone!

We had a wonderful stay at Riu Guanacaste, Costa Rica! We would definitely return! This resort has be totally redone and it looks amazing!! We found everything to be spotless except for the pool deck at the adults only swim-up bar pool. I don't think it was washed down once during our stay which was disappointing since every other part of the hotel was very clean. The only other thing that was a little disappointing was there wasn't staff cleaning up food/drinks or serving drinks at the adults [... read more] only pool. Not a big deal but we've had it at other Riu's. The staff was friendly. The food was delicious and plentiful. The beach was nice but be prepared for the black sand. It's HOT!! I would definitely recommend this resort!

Riu Guanacaste: another great stay

The RIU Guanacaste has been extensively renovated since our stay in January 2025. The reception area is lovely, the decor is light and clean throughout. The food was fine, the staff friendly and the overall experience was great.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Amazing resort

The resort was huge but amazing. After one day you could get around faster. The rooms are a bit out of date, but apparently Reno’s are happening soon. The food and pools are great. I will definitely return!!!!

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Amazing resort

The resort was huge but amazing. After one day you could get around faster. The rooms are a bit out of date, but apparently Reno’s are happening soon. The food and pools are great. I will definitely return!!!!

Occidental Papagayo: Beautiful resort

The grounds were beautiful with lemon and avocado trees, a lot of iguanas and we saw the howler monkeys a couple of times in two weeks. The upper pool was lovely for swimming and the lower pool bar was the busiest, both were well maintained. Nice view of resort and ocean from the lobby. Buffet food was good but the Asian and especially Italian food was fantastic. The risotto was the best I've ever had. Kudos to the chef. Our room seemed small at first but was enough for two weeks and just need [... read more]ed a little refresh. Housekeeping kept the room clean. Note: make sure to bring Imodium as some people were having some stomach issues.

Occidental Tamarindo: Some good,some not so good

This is a bit of a tough review to write,as I prefer to be a positive person and give my reviews that way too. However, honesty is very important too. The positives: our room was amazing, we upgraded and booked a suite, the view of the ocean was a little compromised by palm trees,but the room itself was all we wanted. Very firm mattress,which I love,and my wife who can sleep anywhere on anything had no complaints either. We couldn't see monkeys from our room,but we certainly could hear t [... read more]hem. The staff are very friendly,but I feel in some departments overworked ( will elaborate further down) however one bartender was a real grump every day and this could have been due to the overworked part that I will get to. JP,Rubi and all the bartending staff at the pool bar are great. Too bad there wasn't a swim up bar,as you have to make sure you're dry so the tiles don't get too slippery. The not so positives: the lobby bar where the grumpy bartender worked,only has one person on duty, and this person has to get their own ice bags,clear glasses,make drinks etc. and when there is a crowd it can become overwhelming. Support staff should be added. Bar hours are from 10am until 130 am but you have to travel the resort to get to the earliest and the lastest. The buffet has some good and some underwhelming products. We were all hoping for a bit more seafood options,but the fish dishes were very good. The cooking stations prepared omelettes to order as well as tacos etc.,and we liked them,but again,with only one person working,the line could get long. The two a la carte meals were good and enjoyable. We did get down to the ocean daily,and the sunsets are beautiful. I would go back to Costa Rica most definitely,but I think in all honesty,our group is thinking of trying a different resort next time.

Riu Guanacaste: fabulous resort

grounds are clean and well kept. There are lots of places for shade and sun. Pools are divided well so that no one crowds another and everyone can access the water. Every afternoon there was some fun and games around the pools. Evening entertainment was various. We were at the family resort so usually between 8 & 9pm there was children activities but afterwards was music, live local bands, trivia and the bar opened. 5 restaurants give varied food choices. 3 of them had outside as well as  [... read more]inside seating. Lots of places to sit and gather. Excursions were also available.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Amazing Resort!

I thought the resort was great but the staff made it amazing. They were always so happy and polite and always asking if there are any issues. Friendliest staff I have ever experienced in my travels. Especially Angela who made sure we were taken care of at the pool with our drinks and her infections smile!

Secrets Papagayo Resort: Not so good experience

Hotel is outdated and tired: abundance of Mosquitos and bugs in a room. Located on multilevel ground, so you need a transportation to go to the beach or pool, restaurants. SMT waiting for shuttle takes 15-20 min. Stuff: some good, some do not care at all. Asking for something and they just ignore you Private events on a daily basis, they may block the pool area, so you suppose to go someplace else. Weddings and parties are frequent events. So, they may block restaurants/ buffets and we had to [... read more] chose where to go to eat from very limited options. Felt like unwanted quests overall. On several occasions they just do installations for event with construction noise 2-3 feet from your chair, so you kind of forced to leave. Food is average and variety is limited Beach: murky water with black/ volcanic sand and tons of jelly fish. Not mentioning gators (rare, but still...) ocean overall is 2 out of 10 experience. Compare to other Caribbean destinations (Cuba/ Aruba) I do not believe I spend $$$$ for that. For the same price I could have a week in Bora Bora 4 seasons.

Occidental Papagayo: Enjoyed Occidental Papagayo

This property is 25 yrs old which results in lovely mature tropical gardens~palm trees, flowered shrubs, birds, butterflies.Being built into a hill there are lots of stairs. Numberous carts can take you places. 3 buffets a day with lots of choice + 3 specialty restaurants. 2 pools + lovely large beach area with view to Pacific Ocean. Numberous activities, bocci, ping pong,billards, gym, horseshoes,target practices, musical entertainment most nights. English at front desk was 80 percent, other [... read more] employees 40-50 percent. People were lovely and friendly. Being 25 yrs old there are areas that need some TLC. Met numberous people that have come to this resort for years and still enjoy it.

Riu Guanacaste: Excellent holiday

The RIU Guanacaste was everything we had looked for when booking to go to Costa Rica. The restaurants are exceptionally good, with great variety including Italian, Japanese and Mexican cuisine. Most are buffet style with lots of choices. The resort is very large which means lots of walking but that is a good thing. There is plenty of shade at the pools and at the beach and always chairs available. There was nightly entertainment but often not what we were looking for. The staff were invaria [... read more]bly friendly and efficient.

Riu Guanacaste: Wonderful Resort but...

We had a wonderful family vacation at the Riu Guanacaste but I wish we knew a few things... Pros: - fully renovated resort so everything was clean, nice and new - beautiful beach - lots of beach and pool beds and towels Things to consider / to know: - Absolutely horrible ala carte reservation system, guests have to line up to get seated which meant, standing outside the restaurant as early at 3-4pm! Majority of the hotels have moved to mobile / app or signing up during the day so g [... read more]uests can enjoy their vacation - Except for the Steak House (which we didn't even get into), its all buffet and not true ala carte - Buffet has no Smoothie bar, Omelet or Pasta Station - 24/7 restaurant stops serving food after 10pm, at which point they have cold hot dogs and microwave or nachos - No room service - No cafe for pastries, coffee/tea or other items - Staff Service at buffet was not good, staff were not motivated to serve or clean-up quickly - We were in a group and I had emailed Riu re. arrangements for room - I needed one accessibility room and 1 room with 2 beds: - our group was not together - we had to change 2 rooms to meet the requirement, they clearly didn't care or manage pre-travel requests - they did not accommodate for vegetarian diet even when I asked, they did one item with a horrible service/face.. Lastly be aware of the Nexus tour agents onsite - they are not honest! We were sold a waterfall trip and agent did not disclose that we could only go halfway dur to broken step. This issue was there for weeks and we learnt about it as soon as we took off on the tour, by the guide. I approach the Agent the next day and he did not even apologize - Horrible People Nexus! I would have selected a different option if we knew!!