Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido, a Michelin Two-Keys property nestled in the heart of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, offers a truly unique and immersive luxury eco-adventure. Praised for its seamless integration with nature and exceptional service, the resort stands out as an "exceptional stay" for those seeking both relaxation and adventure in a pristine wilderness setting.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Rio Perdido is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "magical," "outstanding," and an "amazing and unique place." It masterfully blends a lush, eco-friendly environment with the luxury of a five-star hotel. Many reviewers express a strong desire to return, highlighting its ability to provide a deeply rejuvenating and memorable experience.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Rio Perdido for several standout features:

• Thermal River & Pools: The mile-long thermal river, fed by natural hot springs, is often cited as the "star of the show" and a "unique location in the world." Guests enjoy soaking in its multiple hot pools, applying volcanic mud, and simply relaxing in the secluded, crystal-clear waters. The property also features three additional thermo-mineral pools near the main building, each offering different temperatures.
• Nature Immersion: The resort is set within a 1,500-acre private reserve, offering a profound connection to nature. Wildlife sightings, including howler and capuchin monkeys, are frequent.
• On-Site Activities: Rio Perdido provides a wide array of complimentary and paid activities, ensuring guests don't need to leave the property. These include extensive hiking and biking trails (over 20 miles), canyon adventure (ziplining, Tarzan swing, bridges), white-water tubing on the Rio Blanco, cliffside yoga, guided nature walks, and birdwatching tours.
• Exceptional Service: The staff is consistently described as "incredible, super friendly and attentive," often remembering guests by name. Their warmth, helpfulness, and pride in working at the resort contribute significantly to the positive guest experience.
• Design: The facilities boast a beautiful, sustainable design, with stilted bungalows elegantly integrated into the landscape, making a minimal environmental impact.

Room Quality

Rio Perdido offers various bungalow types (East, Center, and newly introduced West Bungalows), all designed to blend with the natural surroundings.

• East Bungalows: These are the standard rooms, cozy and elegantly designed with pale hues, painted wood, and polished concrete floors. They include a reading corner sofa and a private balcony with hammock chairs. They also typically feature covered patios, which guests appreciate, especially during rainy seasons.
• Center Bungalows: These have a larger footprint, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with forest views and a more elemental, dark-hued aesthetic using black concrete, volcanic-rock flooring, and steel. They boast spacious private terraces and side-by-side outdoor showers, with some offering an HD projector instead of a TV.
• West Bungalows: Introduced in August 2024, these are the flagship bungalows, nearly 950 sq ft with a 170 sq ft open-air entrance terrace and a 140 sq ft covered terrace featuring a double outdoor shower and an oversized tub with mineral hot spring water. They offer a stylish bedroom, lounge, coffee station, and modern bathroom, complete with a hidden 65-inch UHD TV and local, eco-friendly bath products.

All rooms generally include air conditioning, a safety box, coffee maker, minibar, and free Wi-Fi. Many guests particularly love the outdoor showers. However, some Center Bungalows have been noted for being "quite dark due to poor lighting" and having minimalist furniture, which can sometimes lead to a lack of counter space in bathrooms.

Dining Experience

The dining at Rio Perdido is a significant highlight, with the resort being the sole dining option in its remote location.

• Restaurant Quality: The main open-air restaurant specializes in international and Costa Rican cuisine, with a strong emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced, and often organic ingredients. Dishes are praised for being delicious, fresh, and creatively spiced. The culinary team, many of whom are San Bernardo locals, infuse traditional flavors with innovative accents.
• Breakfast: A superb complimentary breakfast is served daily, offering a choice of entrées (like omelets, French toast, waffles), pastries, juice, and coffee. It comes with captivating views of the jungle and frequently includes monkey sightings.
• Other Options: The Canyon Bar offers snacks and light bites during the day. Guests can also arrange private dining experiences, such as on a floating platform 50 meters above the river or alfresco, and riverside picnics. Room service is also available during kitchen hours.

Service & Staff

The service at Rio Perdido is consistently rated as "exceptional" and a major reason for guest satisfaction. Staff members are described as warm, helpful, attentive, and eager to assist. Many guests noted personalized touches, like staff remembering their names or going "above and beyond" to fulfill requests, such as retrieving forgotten reading glasses and neatly arranging belongings in the room. The high percentage of local staff (90% from the neighboring town) contributes to an authentic and welcoming atmosphere.

Location & Accessibility

Rio Perdido is situated in the remote San Bernardo Lowlands of Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, offering a truly "tucked away" experience in a 1,500-acre private canyon reserve.

• Proximity to Airport: It is approximately a 45-minute to just over an hour's drive from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia.
• Surrounding Area: While remote, it's about an hour from Liberia. Other attractions like Llanos de Cortez waterfall are also accessible. The hotel is within a unique tropical dry forest ecosystem.
• Transportation: The resort can arrange airport shuttles (for a surcharge) and private transfers. Once on the property, it's a car-free resort, but chauffeured golf carts are available for transport, especially helpful for those with mobility issues, as there are many steps and trails.
• Restrictions: It's important to note that Rio Perdido has a minimum guest age of 8, and a two-night minimum stay.

Value & Pricing

Pricing for Rio Perdido can vary, with recent rates for a 1-night stay for two adults ranging from approximately $319 to $845, excluding taxes and fees.

• Worth the Cost: Many guests feel it's an "incredible place to stay" and worth the cost due to the unique experience, stunning location, exceptional service, and wide array of on-site activities.
• Points Redemption: The property is bookable through Hilton points or Hilton free-night awards (as an SLH property), with standard award nights costing around 90,000 Hilton points per night. It was also previously bookable via Hyatt points. Some guests found it a decent value when redeeming points, especially for larger groups or during the low season.
• Potential for High Costs: Some guests have noted that food and activities can be a "little bit overpriced" or raised concerns about the overall value for money, particularly if considering the cost of food and activities separately. However, complimentary breakfast and some activities (like guided hikes and yoga) are included in the stay.

Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring issues or criticisms have been mentioned by guests:

• Room Lighting and Design in Center Bungalows: Some guests found the Center Bungalows to be "quite dark due to poor lighting" even during the day, and criticized the minimalist design for a lack of practical counter space in bathrooms.
• Menu Repetition: A few guests noted that while the food was excellent, the menu remained largely the same each day, except for one or two specials.
• Lack of Amenities: Occasionally, guests have mentioned missing basic amenities like slippers or cotton pads, or finding the minibar unplugged in their room upon arrival.
• TVs in Public Areas: The presence of TVs in the restaurant and lounge areas was sometimes seen as disruptive to the natural, serene atmosphere.
• Accessibility for Mobility Issues: While golf cart assistance is available, the property involves a good amount of walking and steps, which might be challenging for those with significant mobility issues.

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