A Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica destination wedding unfolds on the shores of Playa Matapalo — one of Guanacaste’s most secluded stretches of dark-sand Pacific beach — where lush tropical gardens meet the ocean at the edge of a 57,000 sq m property. The setting is genuinely distinctive: dense coastal vegetation, warm Pacific light, and a resort that’s been welcoming wedding couples since 2012.
The Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica runs on a true 24-hour all-inclusive model, which means your guests aren’t counting drinks or budgeting for meals from check-in to checkout. Two dedicated outdoor wedding venues — Matapalo Beach and the Garden — accommodate ceremonies and receptions for up to 200 guests, with the resort’s wedding coordinator managing every detail from setup through celebration.
Guests staying at the RIU Palace also have exchange privileges at the neighboring RIU Guanacaste, which adds a water park, wellness centre, and sports bar to what’s already a strong property-level roster: five pools, five restaurants, seven bars, a RIU Land kids’ club, and the Pacha discotheque. For couples planning a true destination celebration, the infrastructure is there for every guest to be fully occupied from arrival to departure.
Two outdoor venues set against Guanacaste’s Pacific coastline — click any photo to view the full gallery for each space.
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 200 |
| Cocktail | 200 |
| Reception | 140 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 200 |
| Cocktail | 200 |
| Reception | 140 |
Scroll right on mobile to see all columns
| Venue | Ceremony | Cocktail | Reception | Venue Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matapalo Beach | 200 | 200 | 140 | Included |
| Garden | 200 | 200 | 140 | Included |
Capacities are per the resort’s wedding planning guide and may vary based on setup style and décor. Confirm all details with the resort wedding coordinator or your 10kWedding specialist prior to booking.
The Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica offers the Indulgence Wedding Collection, designed to cover every element of your ceremony and private reception in one structured package.
Additional guests: $60 USD per person over the 40-guest package limit. Package upgradeable to 200 guests. 13% Costa Rica taxes apply. DJ music selection must be submitted 10 days in advance.
Get a QuoteThe Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica sits directly on Playa Matapalo in Sardinal, Guanacaste — Costa Rica’s sunniest province and the primary gateway for international visitors. Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia handles direct flights from major North American hubs.
The property is surrounded by dense tropical vegetation on a stretch of Pacific coastline where dark volcanic sand meets the ocean. Playas del Coco — the area’s main beach town with shops, restaurants, and dive operators — is about 35 minutes away. The nearest city, Liberia, is just over an hour.
Direct international flights from major US, Canadian, and European cities. The primary arrival point for most couples and guests.
The main beach town in the area — dining, diving, shopping, and nightlife for guests who want to explore.
The regional city with banks, pharmacies, and the main commercial infrastructure of Guanacaste.
Active volcanic national park with hot springs, zip-lining, and wildlife — a popular day trip for adventurous guests.
One of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting sites — an unforgettable excursion during nesting season.
The closest town to the resort, just minutes away — handy for last-minute essentials during your stay.
Guanacaste is Costa Rica’s driest and sunniest province, which makes it one of the most reliable settings for outdoor ceremonies. The dry season (December through April) consistently delivers clear skies and low humidity — and even in the green season, afternoons typically clear in time for golden-hour events on the Pacific coast.
The region sits within a coastline of volcanic dark-sand beaches, dry tropical forest, and one of Costa Rica’s most accessible wildlife corridors. Guests who stay an extra day or two can access Rincón de la Vieja National Park, boat tours out of Playas del Coco, zip-lining, or a half-day trip to see sea turtles nesting at Ostional.
For couples who want a destination that feels genuinely different from the Caribbean resort model, Guanacaste delivers a landscape, light, and atmosphere that can’t be replicated elsewhere in the region.
Four outdoor pools — including one with a swim-up bar (18+) — plus a children’s pool. Sun loungers, parasols, pool towels, and drinks service are all included.
The resort sits directly on 1.3 km of Matapalo beach. Fine, naturally dark sand surrounded by tropical vegetation gives it a character that’s unmistakably Costa Rican.
SUP boards, kayaks, windsurfing equipment, bodyboards, and snorkel gear are included. A complimentary pool scuba tryout is available, with open-water diving 50 m from the resort.
The Renova Spa operates at the neighboring RIU Resort and is accessible to RIU Palace guests. Massages, beauty salon, steam bath, and whirlpool available — many at an additional charge.
Full daytime entertainment program seven days a week, live music and shows every evening, and the Pacha discotheque at the RIU Resort six nights a week — free entry and drinks included.
Supervised programming for children aged 4–7 and 8–12, seven days a week at no extra charge. The Splash Water World water park at the RIU Resort is open six times per week.
24-hour gym access with group fitness sessions in the RIU Fit area six times weekly. Beach volleyball court and multipurpose sports pitch at the RIU Resort also available.
The RIU Art atelier opens six days a week — a creative space open to all guests, with a supplement for materials. A distinctive option for guests looking for something beyond the pool.
All 538 rooms at the Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica are configured as junior suites or larger — every category includes a bathtub with separate shower, liquor dispenser, minibar, in-room safe, and a balcony or terrace.
The standard room category. King or two queens. Available in standard, courtyard view, and connecting configurations. Balcony or terrace included.
King or two queens. Pacific ocean views from the balcony. Also available in a connecting configuration for larger groups.
Significantly larger suite with a private jacuzzi. Available in ocean view and standard orientations. A natural choice for the couple’s room or a special-occasion upgrade.
Two-bedroom, two-bathroom configuration with ocean view. Ideal for parents or family members attending with children who need extra space.
Two connecting junior suites sharing an interior door — the right choice for families or friend groups who want proximity without sharing a room.
Every meal, snack, and drink is covered under the 24-hour all-inclusive program — including international top-brand spirits, à la carte dinners, and room service around the clock.
The resort’s main dining room opens for breakfast (7–10:30 AM) and dinner (6–9:30 PM), with live cooking stations, assorted desserts, vegetarian options, and themed evenings three times weekly. Air-conditioned with a terrace.
Fusion cuisine served à la carte from 6:30 PM. The restaurant draws on global culinary influences in a sleek, air-conditioned setting. Reservations recommended.
Japanese à la carte from 6:30 PM in an air-conditioned dining room. Sushi, sashimi, and traditional Japanese plates make this a natural fit for wedding group dinners.
Lunch buffet from 12:30–3 PM and afternoon snacks through 7 PM, followed by à la carte Italian dinner from 6:30 PM. Starters buffet included. Air-conditioned dining.
A poolside steakhouse with a terrace setting, serving lunch buffet from noon–3 PM, afternoon snacks until 5 PM, and à la carte steakhouse dinner from 6:30 PM.
7 Bars — All Included: Daiquiri (lobby bar), Capuchino (patisserie & ice cream parlor), Stars (entertainment bar with stage), Melody (plaza bar with stage), Lounge Bar 24 (open 24 hours), Coconut (poolside swim-up bar, 18+), and the Sports Bar at RIU Guanacaste. International top-brand spirits included throughout all bar service.
Booking your Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica destination wedding through 10kWedding means you’re working with destination wedding specialists who do this exclusively — not a general travel agency adding destination weddings as a side service. We have direct relationships with the resort’s wedding and group sales teams, which means we can advocate for your group in ways a direct booking simply can’t.
From negotiating your room block contract to managing guest bookings and coordinating with your vendor team on the ground, we handle the complexity so your planning experience stays manageable. Our fee is paid by the resort — which means your planning support costs you nothing.
We combine the technology of a modern booking platform with the expertise and personal care of a dedicated travel specialist who has been inside these resorts, met the coordinators, and knows what matters on wedding day.
Our planning services are 100% free to couples.
Simple, transparent room rates. Easy payment terms. That’s the 10kWedding commitment.
GET STARTED TODAY →10kWedding are destination wedding specialists who know this resort inside and out. We handle the room block negotiations, advocate for your group, and coordinate everything — while you focus on celebrating. Our service is always free to couples.
Also popular in Costa Rica
