Our Short Stay at the RIU Guanacaste: A Review of Costa Rica’s All-Inclusive Resort

In this post, I will review RIU Guanacaste, an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, after a short stay.

My family and I recently stayed at the RIU Guanacaste, an all-inclusive resort located on the stunning Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We were excited to switch up our routines and act as tourists for a day. Still, of course, the blogger in me was taking notes, videos, and pics the whole time to share my thoughts with you.

Please note that my family and I only stayed at the RIU Guanacaste for 24 hours, so my review is based on limited experience. However, even in that short time, we could enjoy the beautiful surroundings, indulge in the all-inclusive amenities, and experience the resort’s highlights and drawbacks. This review aims to help you make a more informed choice when planning your vacation. Is the RIU Guanacaste worth your time and money? Keep reading and find out!

The Pros Of Staying In An All-Inclusive Resort

There are so many lodging options for travelers. Still, all-inclusive resorts remain an excellent choice for travelers seeking a convenient, cost-effective beach vacation place to relax and enjoy your vacation. They are the best choice for traveling to specific destinations or with other families and friends.

So, I want to start with what I find are the standard pros of staying in an all-inclusive resort when traveling:

1. Convenient and cost-effective: All-inclusive resorts typically offer bundled packages that include meals, drinks, and activities, making it easy to budget and plan your trip without worrying about unexpected expenses.
2. Time-saving: With meals, drinks, and entertainment included, you can spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time planning and searching for places to eat or things to do.
3. Variety of amenities: Many all-inclusive resorts offer a wide range of amenities, such as pools, beaches, fitness centers, water sports, and even on-site entertainment, providing endless options for fun and relaxation.
4. Kid-friendly: All-inclusive resorts often cater to families, with kid-friendly amenities such as children’s pools, supervised kids’ clubs, and organized activities and entertainment for children of all ages. This can make traveling with kids more manageable and enjoyable.
5. Safe and secure: All-inclusive resorts are often gated or located in protected areas, providing a safe and secure environment for you and your family to relax and enjoy your vacation.
6. Hassle-free dining: All-inclusive resorts typically offer multiple dining options, including buffet-style restaurants and specialty restaurants, allowing you to indulge in various cuisines without worrying about the cost of each meal.
7. Relaxation and pampering: Many all-inclusive resorts also offer spa and wellness facilities, providing opportunities for relaxation and pampering during your stay.
8. Socializing and meeting new people: All-inclusive resorts often host social events and activities, providing opportunities to meet and interact with other guests worldwide. This makes for a fun and friendly vacation experience.
9. Beautiful locations: All-inclusive resorts are often located in stunning destinations, such as tropical beaches, lush mountains, or vibrant cities, providing a picturesque backdrop for your vacation.
10. Peace of mind: Knowing that most of your expenses are already covered with the all-inclusive package can provide peace of mind and allow you to fully enjoy your vacation without worrying about budgeting or unexpected costs.

Please note: Amenities and offerings may vary by resort, so it’s always recommended to research and choose a resort that best suits your specific needs and preferences.

The Cons of Staying in an All-Inclusive Resort:

Of course, staying in an all-inclusive resort has cons, but I have found that these are the most common.

1. Limited cultural experiences: Staying at an all-inclusive resort can limit your exposure to the local culture, food, and customs since you may spend most of your time on the resort property.
2. Crowded environment: All-inclusive resorts can be busy and crowded, especially during peak travel times, which can detract from the relaxation and peacefulness of a vacation.
3. Lack of flexibility: All-inclusive resorts typically have set meal times and limited options for dining, which can be frustrating for travelers who want more flexibility and variety.
4. Quality of food and drinks: Although all-inclusive resorts typically offer a wide variety of food and drinks, the quality may not always meet your expectations, especially if you are a foodie or have specific dietary needs or preferences.

A Review of Costa Rica’s RIU All-Inclusive Resort

One of the biggest advantages of the RIU Guanacaste is its location. It is close to the Liberia Airport, about a 48 minutes drive to breathtaking ocean views and easy access to the beach.

We arrived around noon, and although our rooms were not ready, we got our bracelets and towel cards and gained access to the grounds. The resort is well-maintained and has a modern, tropical vibe that perfectly fits the surrounding landscape. We made our way into a sports bar to grab some coffee before exploring any further. Of all the “restaurants,” this one was the most run-down, the rug looked dirty, and the whole place smelled muggy. It’s also where we received the worst customer service.

The Pool Area

After that, we grabbed towels and headed to the pool area, which was very crowded and had few lounge chairs. For food options, there was a grill area by the pool serving burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken; next to this setup was a bar.

Alcoholic Options

Now, let’s talk about alcoholic drinks. The RIU Guanacaste is an all-inclusive resort, which means that all your meals and drinks are included in the price of your stay. Unfortunately, alcoholic drinks are not great. They’re definitely on the cheap side, and they don’t taste very good. If you’re a fan of cocktails, you might be disappointed. The bartenders don’t seem to take much pride in their work, and the drinks are often watery and bland. So I decided very quickly that my choice of alcoholic drink would be beer.

More specifically, Costarican Michelada because it’s a refreshing drink that hits all the spots for me. I find that I don’t become bloated and, better yet, drunk or hungover. It’s served in a salted rim cup with ice, lemon juice, and your beer of choice. Mine has been the Imperial Silver.

The Water Park

When we arrived, the kids were thrilled to discover that this resort offered an amazing water park, so we decided to head over there while we waited for our rooms to be ready. After a five-minute walk, we passed shops, a casino, and a nightclub before we walked into the water park.

By the entrance to the water park, there is a small area with non-alcoholic refreshment options, and it was much less crowded than the pool in the main resort, with plenty of lounge chairs under covered areas to hang out while the kids played.

One of the highlights of our trip was the water park, which was a hit with kids and adults alike. The water park featured thrilling slides, splash pads, and interactive water play areas, providing endless fun and excitement. It was the perfect way to beat the tropical heat and create lasting memories with our little ones.

The Rooms

To our surprise, we got our room key, which was a literal key. I don’t think I remember ever seeing this in any resort or hotel. Once in our rooms, we appreciated that they were spacious and comfortable, with amenities like air conditioning, a minibar, and a balcony with garden views. Unfortunately, I have to say that the rooms are quite outdated. The decor is a bit old-fashioned, and some of the furniture looks like it’s seen better days. The beds are comfortable enough, but the pillows could be better. Also, the towels in the bathroom were not as fresh as we would have liked them to be. They seemed a bit dingy and worn out. Overall, the rooms were not terrible, but they could be updated.

Dinner Time

There are several restaurants to choose from, including a buffet-style option and several specialty restaurants serving Italian, Asian, and steakhouse cuisine on a first-come, first-serve setup. We decided on the buffet and were happy with the quality and selection of the foods and drinks, with plenty of options for vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

The highlight was the dessert bar offering fresh churros and other delicious desserts.

Nightly Shows

The resort offers a variety of activities and entertainment options, such as nightly shows. However, on Sunday, we learned they take a break from the shows and instead offer interactive entertainment and games. Funny enough, Geoff was chosen to participate in one of them, and he went up to join in what he thought was a trivia game. Once realizing they wanted him to do this silly dance, he quickly walked off the stage. Still, seeing him on stage was so much fun for the girls and me.

Breakfast

For breakfast, we went to the same restaurant where we had dinner, and again there were many options. My favorite was the fresh juice bar.

The Beach

One of the downsides to our stay at RIU Guanacaste was seeing the rocky beach here. This is why I highly recommend that if you decide to stay at this all-inclusive resort and are a beach-lover, you make it a priority to visit other beaches in the area.

Check out some of my favorites in this post: Discovering the Best of Guanacaste: A 7-Day Family Vacation Itinerary.

Lunch

Here’s where we could see how much or little they mix up the menus from one day to the next. And it doesn’t seem like it does much. They served the same food options from the previous day at the poolside BBQ area. But, in the buffet-style restaurant, also right next to the pool area, there were a lot of food and drink options to choose from.

Check Out

Another downside was the check-out process, which felt chaotic and quickly took you out of the vacation feels. There were long lines and delays, and waiting for the final check-out procedures could be frustrating. This was a minor inconvenience that slightly dampened our overall experience. What’s nice is that they give you a receipt so you can stay on the grounds until 3:00 pm and continue to enjoy the amenities if you want.

The RIU Guanacaste All-Inclusive Resort Review Conclusion

As you can see, there were a few downsides to our stay at the RIU Guanacaste. The main issues were crowds, especially around the pool area. Additionally, some of the staff members could be indifferent or unresponsive, detracting from the overall service experience. Moreover, the rooms and drinks could use some improvement. Overall, with these minor drawbacks, I would still recommend the RIU Guanacaste as a great all-inclusive resort for travelers seeking a tropical beach getaway. With its stunning location, comfortable rooms, and all-inclusive package, this resort offers great value for the price.

I hope you found this review helpful; if you haven’t yet, check out this reel with more clips from this trip!

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