Comparing Riu Guanacaste vs Riu Palace: Which Resort is Right for You?

by Admin | Sep 2, 2024 | Uncategorised

If you’re planning a getaway to Costa Rica, choosing the right resort can make all the difference in your vacation experience. Two popular options are Hotel Riu Guanacaste and Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica. Both are located on the stunning Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste, and these sister properties offer unique features and amenities that cater to different types of travelers. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly atmosphere or a more luxurious, intimate escape, understanding the differences between these two resorts will help you make the best choice for your stay.

Location and General Information

Both Hotel Riu Guanacaste and Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica share an excellent location, nestled along the scenic Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste, northern Costa Rica. They are conveniently located just 33 km (20.5 miles) from Liberia International Airport, making travel easy for international visitors. These resorts are also 18 km (11.2 miles) from Playas del Coco, known for its shops, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. The nearby village of Nuevo Colón is only 3.5 km away. The lush surroundings and direct beach access at both resorts provide a perfect setting for a tropical vacation. It’s worth noting that the best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which typically runs from December to April, offering the most favorable weather conditions for your stay.

Accommodation Options

Hotel Riu Guanacaste offers 701 guest rooms, offering a variety of options to suit different needs. Guests can choose from double rooms, family rooms, and suites. Standard room amenities include central air conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite TV, minibars, in-room safes, and balconies or terraces. Family rooms often come with interconnecting options, making them perfect for larger groups. Suites at Riu Guanacaste include additional features such as hydromassage bathtubs and integrated lounge areas.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica features 538 rooms, focusing on a more intimate and luxurious setting. The accommodations include junior suites with integrated lounge areas, family suites, and rooms offering ocean views. Rooms come with upscale amenities such as hydromassage bathtubs, unique makeup mirrors, and 24-hour room service. Some suites also offer whirlpool baths on their balconies or terraces, adding a special touch of luxury. Additional features include a coffee maker in every room and turndown service, emphasizing the resort’s focus on comfort and guest satisfaction.

Dining and Culinary Experiences

Hotel Riu Guanacaste provides a variety of dining options that cater to all tastes. The main restaurant, “Liberia,” offers buffet-style meals with live cooking stations. Specialty dining options include “La Toscana” Italian restaurant, “Furama” Asian restaurant, “Ocotal” poolside restaurant/steakhouse, and the “Tucán” gourmet restaurant. For guests looking to relax with a drink, there are several bars, including the “Santa Cruz” poolside bar, “La Plaza” bar, “Pura Vida” lounge bar, and the “Filadelfia” lobby bar.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica elevates the dining experience with additional options and a higher level of service. It features the “Arenal” main restaurant with a buffet and live cooking stations, along with “L’Anfora” Italian restaurant, “Tokio” Japanese restaurant, and “Krystal” fusion restaurant. Unique to the Palace is the availability of 24-hour room service, offering guests the convenience of in-room dining at any time. The resort also features the “Capuchino” pâtisserie and ice cream parlor for those with a sweet tooth. The “Melody” plaza bar, “Stars” lounge bar, “Daiquiri” lobby bar, and “Coconut” pool bar provide numerous options for enjoying drinks and socializing.

Pools and Beach Access

Hotel Riu Guanacaste offers three swimming pools, including a children’s pool with slides and a whirlpool bath. Guests can relax on the sun terrace or use the free sun loungers, towels, and parasols provided at both the pool area and the beach. The resort’s direct beach access ensures that guests are just steps away from the soft sand and crystal-clear waters of Matapalo Beach.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica features four swimming pools, including a children’s pool and a swim-up bar, perfect for enjoying drinks without leaving the water. Like Riu Guanacaste, it provides a sun terrace and easy access to the beach with free sun loungers, towels, and parasols. The additional pool and swim-up bar create a more diverse and luxurious pool experience, catering to guests looking for both relaxation and a lively atmosphere.

Entertainment and Activities

Both Hotels provide guests with access to a wide range of activities. They share access to the “Splash Water World” water park, which features various water slides and is open six times a week. This is ideal for thrill-seekers and families with older children. Both resorts also offer water sports such as windsurfing, stand-up paddle surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Daily entertainment programs are available for adults and children, including live music, evening shows, and the popular “Riu Party” theme parties that are a staple of the Riu experience.
Hotel Riu Guanacaste specifically caters to families with its mini club for children, a playground, and a range of sports facilities, including a gym, tennis courts, and a beach volleyball court. The hotel’s entertainment team organizes daily activities, ensuring there’s always something fun to do for guests of all ages.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica stands out for its “RiuLand” kids’ club, which offers tailored activities for younger guests, and the “RiuArt” atelier, where guests can participate in creative workshops. The resort also offers group fitness activities in the RiuFit area, available six times a week, promoting wellness and active living among its guests.

Wellness and Spa Facilities

Both Hotels feature the “Renova Spa,” which offers a range of relaxing treatments, making it an excellent option for those looking to unwind. They also have gyms, steam baths, and whirlpool baths available. Access to these wellness facilities is restricted to guests over 18 years old, with reservations required for the steam and whirlpool baths. These facilities ensure guests can maintain their fitness routines or indulge in some much-needed relaxation during their stay.

Unique Features

Hotel Riu Guanacaste emphasizes its family-friendly environment with features like interconnecting rooms, dedicated children’s areas, and introductory scuba diving lessons in the pool. This makes it an ideal choice for families and larger groups looking for a lively, inclusive atmosphere.
Hotel Riu Palace, Costa Rica, focuses more on luxury and intimate experiences. It offers 24-hour room service, premium brand drinks, and rooms with private whirlpool baths. Creative art workshops and a broader range of fitness activities add to its appeal for guests seeking a blend of relaxation, creativity, and activity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Hotel Riu Guanacaste and Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica offer beautiful beachfront locations, extensive amenities, and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Your choice between the two depends on your personal preferences and travel needs:

Hotel Riu Guanacaste is perfect for families and groups seeking a vibrant, family-friendly environment with plenty of activities for all ages. Its extensive room options, children’s facilities, and lively entertainment make it an excellent choice for an all-inclusive, fun-filled vacation.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, on the other hand, is better suited for those looking for a touch of luxury and a more intimate setting. With its upscale room amenities, enhanced dining experiences, and additional creative and fitness options, it’s ideal for couples, honeymooners, or travelers who want a more refined and relaxing holiday experience.

Both resorts promise a memorable stay in Costa Rica’s stunning Guanacaste region, making either choice an excellent option for your next tropical escape.

Driving in Costa Rica: Everything You Need To Know

by Admin | Mar 17, 2022 | Uncategorised

Everything You Need To Know

Driving in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to head off the beaten track and explore the many beautiful destinations that this Central American gem has to offer, but is it right for you?

In this complete guide to renting a car and driving in Costa Rica, we’ll explain everything you need to know about hiring a vehicle, obtaining adequate insurance, and adhering to local laws and traffic rules. We will also provide tips on driving from Liberia to San Jose or cross-country from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. So buckle up for your Costa Rica driving adventure, and let us show you how to drive safely across this enchanting country!

Is It Safe Driving In Costa Rica?

First thing, first. Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica? If you are an experienced driver, there is no reason why you shouldn’t self-drive in Costa Rica, but like anywhere in the world, you need to take extra precautions. Here’s why:

Road Conditions Costa Rica: While national highways are comparable to those in the United States and Europe, Costa Rica roads outside the main cities are not. You can expect to navigate plenty of dirt roads during your road-tripping adventure, and potholes are common. Due to the condition of these roads, driving at night can be dangerous and is, therefore, not recommended.

Spanish Road Signs: It is always a good idea to learn a few words of the local Lingo before visiting a new destination. If you are thinking about driving in Costa Rica, you should familiarise yourself with the street signs and rules. All road signs in Costa Rica are in Spanish. Here are a few essentials:

CEDA – means YIELD
ALTO – means STOP
PEAJE – means TOLL STATION
CALLE SIN SALIDA – means ONE-WAY STREET

It is also worth noting that they use the metric system in Costa Rica, so all speed limit signs are in kilometres and gas tanks are in litres. You can read more about Costa Rica road traffic rules here.

Drivers in Costa Rica: Much like the roads in Costa Rica, driving habits vary across the country. In cities such as San Jose and Liberia, drivers tend to drive aggressively, and as such, you need to drive defensively to avoid accidents. In popular tourist areas such as Guanacaste, you’ll find a lot of fellow international drivers on the road, including those not experienced in driving on the right-hand side, so proceed with caution and expect the unexpected. In rural areas of Costa Rica, drivers take things easy. Very easy! It is not uncommon to see whole families on a single motorbike (without helmets) and farming vehicles that like to take things slow.

What You Need To Hire A Car In Costa Rica

It is relatively easy to hire a car in Costa Rica, and they cost as little as $20 per day, but you need to read the small print for additional extras such as mandatory insurance, which is often not included in the rental price. To rent a car in Costa Rica, you need:

Original driver’s license
International driver’s license if your original license is not written in English or Spanish
Original passport
A valid credit card in the lead driver’s name
Proof of insurance

Many credit cards include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance coverage for rental cars, but not all, so check with your provider before collecting. CDW covers the damage costs to other vehicles, but it doesn’t cover your rental car, so as a driver in Costa Rica, you also need liability insurance. You can purchase this through the car rental company or a third-party insurer, and it will cover you for any accidents or damage.

Can You Drive To Costa Rica?

Driving to Costa Rica from the United States and neighbouring countries is possible, but you’ll need patience and plenty of time. You’ll also need to check COVID-19 entry rules in advance to ensure you have all the relevant documentation and meet all testing requirements.

If considering driving to Costa Rica, plan your route well in advance and download the Waze App – a free GPS navigation tool that provides traffic alerts in real-time. We also recommend filling up your vehicle whenever you see a gas station to avoid running out of fuel. These are good rules to follow when driving across Costa Rica, too.

Please remember that driving in Costa Rica license requirements vary from country to country, and you can only drive here with a valid tourist visa.

And, If Driving In Costa Rica Is Not For You

Of course, driving in Costa Rica is not for everyone. If you don’t feel comfortable driving in a foreign company, use a local transfer company such as Guanacaste Viajes. With a professional company to transport you across Costa Rica, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!