Occidental Tamarindo: Go to this special place and enjoy

The physical beauty of this location was exceptional. We made a point of checking out when low tide was and walking the beach either to the right to Tamarindo or walking to the left through kilometres of almost empty coastline to sit in the tidal pools and watch the pelicans fish. Our room was spacious and airy. The people who worked in the resort were kind, competent and professional. The food ranged from very good to delicious. We went on several excursions to Paulo Verde and then to Rio C [... read more]eleste. Seeing capuchin monkeys, sloths and crocodiles was very worthwhile. Costa Rica is a democracy and has excellent healthcare and educational systems. I loved this country and this experience and recommend travelling there.

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: Great resort with great staff!

Awesome rooms and restaurants some of the best food I’ve had at an all inclusive. Easy to get chairs at pool and very friendly staff. Could use a mimosa cart by pool in morning till bars open but that’s just being picky. Would definitely return

Azura Beach Resort Samara: Amazing resort

Exceptional service Very friendly staff Topnotch food and availability Long drive from airport Beautiful huge sandy beach Lovely small village a short taxi ride from resort Small intimate resort Would visit again

Occidental Papagayo: Nice resort

After reading so many negative reviews on this resort, we were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as some people had described!! Yes, its dated and needs some updates but it is clean, the staff are friendly and acommodating and try their best. Some people reported the food to be "inedible". If you couldn't find something to eat, the problem lies with YOU and not the resort. There was plenty of selection at the buffet, with many entrees of local cuisine. The 3 ala cartes were fantast [... read more]ic. Lunch at the snack bar was great - particularly if you like chicken wings! They struggled somewhat with maintaining hot temperatures of the food at times but for us, that wasn't a huge issue. Also noted in many reviews was the fact that the drinks, especially at the pool bar, were watered down. This was not our experience in the least! The rooms are clean, and the housekeeping staff are diligent in ensuring so. They do not provide washcloths - it took 5 days for me to get one when I requested it. Again, not a big deal. Each room has a balcony/patio - make sure you keep your patio door locked or you will have raccoons coming in. There are also skunks on the property which don't bother you if you don't bother them! We are typically beach people but the beach was one of the disappointing things about our trip. There are about 20 stairs down to the beach and the sand is partially volcanic so its not the nicest looking beach. There are 2 pools - one with a swim-up bar. The resort is full of hills and stairs - we were unaware of this when we booked. Luckily they have shuttles that run constantly so you can jump on one of those and get around. Also, we found the resort extremely difficult to find our way around due to the location of the buildings - the buildings are not laid out in a sequential manner. It would be most helpful if a GOOD QUALITY map was given out on check-in. There is a map in the main building but it is confusing as well, AND it is in the main building. This would have greatly assisted us in the first few days to find our way around and ease frustration at getting lost! Also, if you are a smoker, there are only 3 designated smoking areas on the resort. You cannot smoke on your balcony/patio. Directions to the smoking areas was vague when we asked.

Riu Guanacaste: Gorgeous and lush grounds

The grounds are unbelievable - lush and full of life. From birds to iguanas to monkeys - you’ll see it all. The food is great considering it’s all buffet. Checkin was exhausting - hotel staff did not guide us to our room and when we finally found our room, the sheets were not to our standards. They were washed but had some stains on them. Housekeeping stepped it up for the remainder of our stay (thank goodness!) All in all, we would recommend based on the price and the overall experience. [... read more] One major thing to note - the music is loud! If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, not the place, but if you want a party, you’ll love it.

Riu Guanacaste: Pro's and Con's of Rui Guanacaste

Pro's- the common families were great. They cleaned the floors all.the time, the a la.carte.restaurants were nice, and plenty of lounge chairs to which you didn't need to reserve any. The entertainment staff were great. Lots of activities during the day, including a.foam party, and the evening activities were pretty good. Con's- the rooms were a little outdated. In our room our safe didn't work and our toilet needed repairs. Overall, I would recommend this hotel to others, especial [... read more]ly if they like wild life. Monkeys on trees, iguanas everywhere, and we were lucky to see the release of the baby turtles.

CC Beach Front Papagayo: Very comfortable and relaxing resort

We stayed here in January 2024. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. The food was very good with many options daily. We stayed in the Master Suite which was very spacious and comfortable with a huge wrap around deck overlooking the ocean and salt water pool. There is public access to the beach right next to the resort, so you will see many locals on the beach, especially on weekends. We would definitely return.

Riu Guanacaste: Jan.3-Jan. 17

My wife Paula and I enjoyed our stay. The grounds were beautiful, the food was great, the ocean was incredible. Helpful, friendly staff. Costa Rica, what a beautiful country. Palo Verde, Rincon de la Vieja, catamaran outing... . Doug and Paula J. ( Canada )

Azura Beach Resort Samara: Beautiful resort

We stayed at the Azura Beach Resort in early December, 2023. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The resort is small but has everything we wanted in a winter getaway spot. Well laid out rooms, delicious food , beautiful pool, scenery and outstanding customer service.

Riu Guanacaste: Updating badly needed, hotel servers not terribly friendly or helpful

We did not receive room service to make our beds 2nd night before we left, had asked if we could extend our check out by an hour or two but the answer was a flat NO due to overbooking the manager Joseph told me. I had asked for a mask as I might have caught a cold from the flight coming down to CR due to a woman sitting right behind me at 7C who was hacking all the time so I had asked the air hostess to offer her a mask and she declined to wear it. I think ppl who are coughing or potentially car [... read more]rying cold virus should be wearing a mask on the plane, not by choice. The hotel told me that they haven’t had masks for the past 2 years. But I found out a family was flown home as they had caught COVID while staying at Riu. When I got home on Sunday morning I tested my self with the rapid antigen test for Covid - guess what?! I tested positive! I tested again, it was positive again!! So I’ve been testing at home and I was wearing a mask when I flew home as well as moved myself to the back of the bus from 6C seat. I definitely would have enjoyed my vacation more if I didn’t come down with the Covid symptoms on the 5th after an arrived in Guanacaste. The bathroom had no venting so the only way to dry the bath area was through keeping the door open. Shower head was weak and outdated. Food was quite greasy but the fresh fruits were amazingly delicious.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Good

Our thoughts on the hotel Riu Palace: the grounds were well kept that being the grass trees flower beds etc etc. As for the pools they needed to be cleaned more often. Daily debris leaves bugs and often sand & rocks. The washrooms at Papago/Steak House was kept clean (but it better be given its the only washroom around the pool area outside of the one back in the lobby or your individual rooms). Dining areas clean prompt service. However, we feel the individuals handling the food should be wea [... read more]ring gloves, often we saw them touching the food with there bare hands. One time my husband ordered pasta and the cook took the plain pasta with her hands and placed it in the pan to be served. Entertainment by the pool was good. Entertainment in the evening was good.

Riu Guanacaste: Very good

The hotel and grounds very well kept. Wish I was given a map of the resort or given instructions in my room to book the resort on line. The property was very big. I had the resort on line but not sure how to find things. Maybe the Sunwing rep should have help a class. Had to call the desk to help me set up my safe in room. No instructions. The food in the restaurants either didn’t have labels or some were wrong especially the salad dressing. No labels at all. The beef in buffet so tough I could [... read more]n’t even cut it. The restaurant tables were always clean immediately. Service at bars was excellent.

Occidental Papagayo: very good

We had a nice stay at this resort . Rooms were clean, but be advised make sure to lock all doors as the racoons will get in and destroy the room looking for food. Pools were great swim up bar was the best. Food well its pretty good but a bit on the the ricey side. Steaks at the italian were awsome. The snack bar was my favorite. The beach is fun, rent a ski jet from Roberto or go on the tour for 2 hours was a blast. Tours are cheaper and better if you get of of Roberto or Norice down at the be [... read more]ach, yellow shits great guys and Morice is the best tour guide you will get. Lets not forget about Gladys she does a great massage . All in all a great place for a holiday.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Nice resort

The grounds and area are beautiful, the rooms are very dated, have a smell and aren’t cleaned very well. The first level suites with outdoor hot tubs were nicer than the suites and standard rooms. There was a horrible sewer smell every evening between 2-5am, so keep your patio door closed. It’s very isolated from everything except the zip line park, which is fun. All the other tours to waterfalls and volcanoes are up to 3 hours away. Snorkelling and catamaran tours were fun.

Riu Guanacaste: Pura Vida Amigo’s

Many of the reviews out there are generally accurate about this place. So I will keep mine short and sweet. The resort was simply wonderful. What a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a big urban centre. This resort is set within a carefully preserved natural environment. Large/old trees, wildlife (land and sea) and friendly locals whose motto is “pura vida” truly enhance the serenity of this beautiful property. The Costa Rican’s may have figured things out better tha [... read more]n most. Go here, you will not regret it.

Riu Guanacaste: Costa Rica vacation

Riu Guanacaste is a great all inclusive vacation resort Positives: Great food selection and varied choices, drink selection and portions are more than generous. Waiters and service staff are courteous and accommodating. Negatives: Pool is not big enough to accommodate the number of guests in the facility. Beach area could use a bit more TLC.

Occidental Tamarindo: Not as advertised

Food was okay and room was decent. Beach was more rock than sand. No dive shop on site. Beach had lots of chairs but used more by locals than guest. Great place for surfers. 2nd trip to CR. First time was to Rio Guanacaste. If I ever go back I'll go there.

Occidental Tamarindo: Beautiful property but***

I love that this was a beach front property and you can catch the sunrise/sunset. Most of the staff were friendly, I find some of them to be either very shy or afraid of people. My room had it's challenges from a leaking sink to a shower glass that covers nothing, so I had to stand very close to the wall not to flood the room. There was entertainment but I was too tired at the end of the day to stay up for that, yes I am an early riser. The food was alright, I didn't starve thanks to all the fre [... read more]sh fruits but otherwise the buffet was average. Same thing was served at dinner with a different sauce. I am a a moderate picky eater, but I always found something to eat. It was impossible to get a napkin even after going over to ask, they would continue to put napkins on the table where no one was sitting. Made no sense to me. The A la carte is impossible to book, you have to be at the restaurant between 3-6 to make a reservation. Went 3 times and just gave up as there was no one ever at the restaurant. Alejandro made a great omelette in the mornings so I was fed at least one good meal a day. Drinks were good, I am not a big drinker. Gustavo made a great mojito. This is definitely not a 4 star resort, I met others who have been there before and they were very disappointed with this trip. There seems to be no proper system in place to manage the guests. The only way I would recommend this place is if they price is cheap, otherwise go somewhere else. One last note, please have your room key when you check out. I had left mine in the room and had to go back to get it cause they wanted to charge me for a stupid key card. Yes, the know how to ruin the end of your trip. :(

Riu Guanacaste: Costa Rica all-inclusive

Resort: Had a great time with my adult family. Weather was superb, resort is very clean inside, safe, staff with one exception were very friendly and responsive. Plenty of amenities, good food & drink offerings. The Gourmet ala carte was excellent, and our Waiter Daniel was superb in all aspects. The Italian ala carte not so much (average food and unfriendly Hostess). Room fridge was restocked with ample bottles of water daily. 2 of the 3 room toilets had to be repaired several times as the tank [... read more] flushing system was old and not reliable. Room decor was dated but the beds were comfortable. High energy around the central pool. Area washrooms were cleaned constantly and impeccable. Pool deck and deck lounge chairs were not cleaned daily and this was disappointing. Overall resort rating is a "B / B+". Sunwing: Both flights were delayed. We booked with Sunwing vacations which used a Swoop plane with WestJet crews. The extra leg room my son paid more for was not provided on the flight to Costa Rica. The duty free service on the Sunwing website was not offered by the WestJet crew on the return flight, with no explanation as to why, thus no duty free alcohol was purchased as intended by all 5 in our party (the airport duty free did not sell the products that the Sunwing website said would be available). The WestJet flight crew were friendly. The Sunwing staff in Costa Rica were excellent. The tripcentral travel agent Kevin D. was also excellent. Overall rating is a "C+".

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Beautiful Resort

This was our first family vacation to Costa Rica and we can't wait to go back! Everything was 5 star from the food, grounds, staff, and entertainment. We had a small room issue when we arrived but the front desk people fixed it first thing in the morning (as we arrived late at night and we were exhausted). Our rooms were adjoining as we requested but in our kids room there was a king bed and a cot instead of 2 double beds. (Our 13yr old son is 5ft9 and 180lbs so a cot for the week was not go [... read more]ing to work). The front desk took us to check out 2 different sets of adjoining rooms and we were able to choose which worked better for us. We did a full day tour with Frank The Tank-Cr on Christmas Day and it was Amazing! We also visited Coco Beach on another day and it was fun too! Our only complaint is that we really missed the beach part of our vacation. We always love to spend time at the beach but because it wasn't our usual white sandy beach we only swam in it twice. The resort provides may great pools to choose from!