Playa Matapalo- Sardinal, Sardinal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Contact: +1 (888) 605-1350
Activities
vibe & play
Splash. Play. Celebrate.
Discover a world of authentic Sardinal adventure and laid-back luxury, set beside the famous Sardinal Beach—known for its crystal-clear waters and sea turtle snorkeling. Enjoy everything from live music and themed nights to poolside games, dance lessons, and nightly shows in an elegant setting. Spend your days kayaking, yoga sessions, or exploring nearby cenotes, then unwind with romantic evening entertainment designed for couples seeking both excitement and relaxation.
INCLUDED
Beach Volleyball
Join a lively game on the sand with the Pacific coast as your backdrop. The resort offers beach volleyball on site, making it an easy daytime activity for friends, families and new teammates.
INCLUDED
Fitness Classes
Keep your routine going with organised fitness classes at the resort. Sessions are a simple way to add movement, music and group motivation to an all-inclusive day.
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Gym Training
Work out in the resort’s fully equipped fitness centre. Use is reserved for guests aged 18 and over, and sports shoes are mandatory for gym access.
INCLUDED
Pool Swimming
Spend the day swimming, cooling off and relaxing around the resort’s large outdoor pools. It is an easy, included way to enjoy Guanacaste’s warm year-round climate.
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Swim-Up Refreshing
Swim over to the wet bar area and enjoy the classic holiday moment of ordering a drink without leaving the water. Alcoholic beverages are for guests of legal drinking age.
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Adult Relaxation Pools
Unwind in the complimentary relaxation pools by the spa and gym area. These quieter pools are reserved for adults aged 18 and over.
ADDITIONAL FEE
Ocean-View Ziplining
Fly above the landscape on a mile-long ocean-view zipline at a nearby eco-adventure park just by Matapalo Beach.
ADDITIONAL FEE
Volcanic Hot Springs
Join a full-day Rincón de la Vieja area tour that includes hot springs and sulfur mud baths, often paired with rainforest walking and waterfalls.
INCLUDED
Sauna Session
Ease into a warm sauna session after the beach or gym. The sauna is part of the resort’s wellness facilities and is reserved for adults over 18.
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Kids Club Activities
Children can enjoy supervised activities through the resort’s family-friendly kids’ club programme, giving younger guests their own organised holiday fun.
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Water Slide Riding
Race down slides and try the water park’s splash attractions, including fast rides and children’s slide areas. Guests receive free access to this shared water park area.
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Snorkeling Matapalo
Pick up complimentary snorkeling equipment and explore the water off Playa Matapalo right in front of the resort’s beach setting.
INCLUDED
Kayaking Matapalo
Paddle along Playa Matapalo using the resort’s complimentary non-motorised kayaks. It is a relaxed way to see the coastline from the water.
INCLUDED
Windsurfing Matapalo
Catch the breeze with complimentary windsurfing equipment offered on the beach. It is one of the included non-motorised water sports available to guests.
ADDITIONAL FEE
Pacific Whale Watching
Head out along the Guanacaste Pacific coast during the right season, with humpback whales often visible around December.
INCLUDED
RIU Party Events
Join the resort’s all-ages RIU Party entertainment events for music, dancing and a high-energy atmosphere during scheduled programme dates.
ADDITIONAL FEE
Guanacaste Surfing
Travel to regional surf breaks for a lesson or guided surf session. Guanacaste’s surf is especially popular from May to August.
INCLUDED
Casino Gaming
Try your luck at the on-property casino for a different kind of evening entertainment after dinner or dancing.
ADDITIONAL FEE
Spa Massage
Book a massage at Renova Spa, the resort’s wellness centre. Massages and most spa treatments are available at extra cost and can be reserved during your stay.
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Questions? Contact Us!
- Agents Available 24/7
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- Complimentary Perks & Upgrades
- Agents Available 24/7
- Lowest Price Guaranteed​
- Complimentary Perks & Upgrades​
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT FAQs
What on-site activities and entertainment can guests enjoy at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica keeps guests entertained with four outdoor swimming pools, including one with a swim-up bar, plus beach volleyball, fitness classes, and free access to a water park with slides. The resort also provides complimentary snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing equipment right on the beach in front of the hotel, along with a tours and ticket assistance desk to help plan excursions.
Does Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica welcome families with children?
Yes, Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica welcomes children of all ages and is marketed as a family-friendly all-inclusive resort. Younger guests can enjoy the RIU Land kids’ club and free supervised childcare and activities, while the whole family can join in RIU Party entertainment events designed for all ages.
Is there a water park at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
Guests at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica enjoy free access to Splash Water World, a slide-filled water park featuring a children’s pool, Aquaracer, Body Bowl, Aquatube and Kamikaze slides, making it a popular stop for families staying at the resort.
What water sports can guests try at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica sits directly on Playa Matapalo and offers complimentary non-motorized water sports, including windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddling and snorkeling gear, all available right on the beach in front of the hotel at no extra charge.
Does Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica have a fitness center, and are there age restrictions?
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica features a fully equipped fitness center along with a sauna, steam bath and whirlpool/jacuzzi, all reserved for guests 18 and older, with sports shoes required in the gym. The resort also offers fitness classes as part of its activities program.
What spa treatments are available at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
The onsite Renova Spa at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica is exclusive to hotel guests and features eight treatment rooms, five designed for couples, plus a garden gazebo overlooking the ocean and a beauty salon for manicures, pedicures and haircuts. Signature offerings such as massages, facials and body scrubs are available at an additional cost, and advance booking is recommended.
What nightlife and evening entertainment does Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica offer?
After dark, Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica comes alive with its onsite Pacha discotheque, which offers free entry, plus an onsite casino. Guests can also unwind at the swim-up poolside bar or one of the resort’s lounge bars for cocktails and live entertainment throughout the evening.
What outdoor adventures are available near Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
Just a short walk from Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, guests can experience a mile-long ocean-view zipline, a 30-foot free-fall drop attraction, and an animal sanctuary where sloths, jaguars and toucans can be viewed up close, all at an adjacent eco-adventure park just minutes from the hotel.
What day trips and excursions can be booked from Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
From Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, guests frequently book day trips to Rincón de la Vieja National Park for a bubbling mud pots hike, the longer Catarata La Cangreja waterfall trail, and volcanic hot springs with sulfur mud baths. Other popular options include a day trip to Liberia city, a beach day at Playas del Coco, and a round of golf at a nearby golf course.
When is the best time to enjoy outdoor activities at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica?
The dry season from December to April is the best time for outdoor adventures at Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, with sunny skies ideal for ziplining, water sports and hiking. Humpback whale sightings often begin around December, while surfing conditions in the region are best from May to August.