This is a review of our stay at the Occidental Tamarindo Resort in Tamarindo Guanacaste Costa Rica from February 6th to 13th 2026. The resort is located just south of the town of Tamarindo in a mainly residential area between Punta San Francisco and Playa Langosta.
The stay was part of a standard eight day, air and resort package from Air Transat Vacations booked via Trip Central. Cost was about $4,300.00 Canadian for the two of us. In retrospect that may have been a bit high but after a week of watching to see if prices fell and some of our previously chosen resort options selling out, we settled on this one.
We purchased an all-inclusive package, but it was evident on arrival that other options, including some meals, and/or European plan were also available. I believe the two a la Carte restaurants were also open to the outside public as the menus had prices on them.
Occidental Tamarindo is part of the Barcelo group of hotels and resorts. It has 198 rooms in 14 buildings spread out over a very well kept and lush property. Its website lists it as a Five Star property, however the agency we booked with lists it as Four Star and this seems more accurate. The buildings move south and east from the main building paralleling the coast towards the river estuary that marks the northern edge of the National Park.
The main building is three stories and contains the entrance lobby and reception area along with guest services, a small gift shop, and lobby bar on the main floor. Above it on the top floor are offices and the Japanese a la Carte restaurant. The lower level contains the main buffet restaurant. An elevator and both stairs and ramps connect all three levels.
This building overlooks the pool area, which contains the main massive sized pool, as well as a smaller wading pool and jacuzzi. This is a fairly large area with plenty of loungers, many in shaded areas, available.
Between the pool and the entrance to the beach is a smaller building that contains the pool/beach bar and the snack bar as well as washrooms. There is an ample covered seating area here that overlooks both the pool and the nearby beach.
Spreading south and east from the main building and pool area are the ten accommodation block buildings in two lines one of which also contains the spa and gym. With one exception they are all two- or three-story buildings with only stairs. The last building is five stories and does contain the second elevator on site. The larger suites are also located here.
Past this larger building is the last building open to guests, a large theatre where the nightly entertainment shows happen. There is another bar here and a small, enclosed disco for the night owls. Above the disco is the second a la Carte restaurant, an Italian one.
There is another building past this but not usually accessible to guests and it contain various administrative and maintenance functions as well as parking.
Check in was fast and simple, mind there were only eight of us and it was late at night. Throughout the week I noticed larger groups checking in and there were of course line ups. Our Passports were copied and we were given two towel cards, which as we had brought our own remained in the room safe.
Instead of the standard key cards and plastic guest bracelets we received a small plastic disc on threads attached to our wrists with the room number on it. This in addition to being a lot more subtle than the usual “I’m a tourist, overcharge me” bracelet, it also served as a card key opening the electronic lock on the room. We were assured it was waterproof and later visits to the pool, beach and even the shower proved this correct.
Our room was a ground floor one in the third building, room 3106. I had requested a ground or at most second-floor room due to mobility issues via email and apparently this was honoured. The room was clean and spacious.
We had two large double beds, the second of which was used to lay out towels and clothes. There was a small nightstand between them with a phone on it. There were several plugs including convenient bedside ones and the one near the dresser had USB sockets as well as the regular type.
The voltage and plug types were North American and 110 voltages. There was a split ductless air conditioner mounted on the wall, as well as a ceiling fan.
The bathroom was divided into a sink area and a closed off toilet and shower room. There was a walk-in shower and a supply of toiletries in liquid dispensers. Water pressure was good and there was never a shortage of hot water. The bathroom also contained a hair dryer.
There was adequate closet space with the standard size electronic safe and plenty of plastic hangers for both of us as well as extra blankets. There were also laundry bags with instructions on how to leave it as needed and an iron and ironing board.
There was more than adequate drawer space for the two of us both in the closet and a large dresser. The later also contained the mini fridge which came stocked with an assortment of beer, water and pop. This was replenished daily as needed. There was a coffee maker on the dresser with the usual supplies.
Mounted on the wall was a large flat screen TV with several cable channels both US, and local ones including the standard resort staples CNN, Fox News HBO and Cinemax. Remotes for this and the split-level air-conditioning unit were stored in easily accessible holders built into the walls
There was a large lockable patio door that led out to a small terrace with a drying rack for towels and a set of plastic patio chairs and table. It overlooked the resorts gardens and was fairly private.
Maid service was daily and quite thorough. She was also receptive to requests re more water etc. Only once did she forget to replenish the bathroom towels and after a quick call to the front desk this was immediately rectified.
Our only other interaction with staff in this regard was with the safe. Twice during our stay the electronic lock failed and we were unable to open it. Both times after reporting it to reception someone from maintenance appeared with fifteen minutes and fixed it,
As noted, the hotel has one main buffet restaurant located in the main building and we ate most of our meals here. It was divided into two main dining areas, separated by a common serving area. This had a row of steam tables and fruit, salad, desert and bread sections. At the end of the dining sections was the separate omelette station. In addition to omelettes prepare to order for breakfast this also served a variety of dishes for lunch and supper including, pork burritos, skewers, steaks and BBQ chicken.
Waiters roamed offering water, wine and coffee and there were self service stations for beer, juices and soft drinks. There were a couple of theme nights during our stay, including, Mexican and Asian with a sushi station on offer.
Other reviews I’ve seen here complain about the quality of food at the buffet, however, to be honest we never had a really bad meal here. At worst they were average, and some, actually most, were very good. There was always a reasonable selection no matter what time we arrived, either just after opening or close to closing. My only minor complaint was that there was only bacon available of two of the mornings there.
We also ate at both the a la Cartes having booked the first morning there. The resort’s policy is you’re allowed one for stays of three to five nights and both for a week. The guest services desk has menus to help you choose.
The Japanese was our favourite as the food was great as well as the showmanship. The Italian was also a great meal although without the showmanship. It should be noted that timings are strictly enforced in the Japanese restaurant and a couple who were ten minutes late for their assigned meal were declined seating.
The snack bar was probably the only disappointment regarding food. It was self serve and open from 11:00 until 7:00pm. There were a couple of steam trays usually filled with either fruits or various other options including French fries, chicken wings, or similar snacks. There were also pizza slices and cheeseburgers all precooked and in a rotating glass structure which in theory kept them fresh and warm. The only enjoyable snack here was the pop corn.
As I said there were three bars, lobby, pool and theatre/ disco all of which served various cocktails, draft beer and wine. The lobby one was the only one to offer real glasses if one was staying there. The pool bar like the buffet restaurant also had self service juices, water and soft drink dispensers. Both lobby and pool bars also had self service coffee machines.
The pool area was the centre of the resort and where most day time activities seemed to take place. Near it were the kids club and a giant chess set pf the type seen at most resorts. Foosball and ping pong tables under palapas were also available as well as a pool table in the lobby bar.
Off the pool was the short path to the beach. The beach like all beaches in Costa Rica was public and there were other paths leading to it form outside the resort. On the resorts path were showers and a surf board rental area as well as the animation staff’s palapa with the towel exchange. At the end of the path was a lifeguard tower. As it was a public beach, I’ll cover it in more detail in a separate review.
Daytime entertainment was usually by the pool and consisted of the animation staff either organizing games, or leading aerobic exercises in the pool in the mornings or dance lessons in the afternoon. There were also small stages at both the pool and lobby bars and several times during the week local bands entertained here in the afternoon or evenings.
Nightly entertainment was in the theatre and followed what I consider the standard resort type of local music, and dance shows. As Superbowl Sunday fell during our stay there was a viewing party at the lobby bar complete with nachos, pop corn and hotdogs.
There is a small store on the premises, offering souvenirs, drinks, snacks and some clothing items including bathing suits and electronics and toiletries for those who forgot them. The selection is not the best and the prices as to be expected are outrageous. There are several better options either in town or at the small supermarket a few minutes walk away.
Overall, the staff impressed me with their politeness and professionalism especially the wait staff in the buffet and the bartenders. I’ve seen complaints about this in other reviews and feel at least in our experiences they are not warranted. Yes, sometimes either the pool an/or lobby bar were understaffed and this did cause the occasional line ups but this was not a major issue.
Our maid was also very friendly and quite professional as were the maintenance staff. I didn’t have much contact with the animation staff this trip but the couple I did talk to seemed hard working and courteous. Except for the front desk and animation staff, most had little or no English, but we experienced few issues with communication and to be honest who should expect to learn a few words and basic phrases of Spanish before coming here.
I’m not sure if tipping helped with the above, we do tip, and probably over tip, but not all guests do.
The guests were mainly Canadians with a surprising number from Quebec, and a few Americans. In addition, there were a few locals mainly who checked in for the weekend. Age wise was a nice mix, with both younger and older couples, some singles and a few families with small children. There were also several large muti general family groups.
In conclusion I would say that this was overall a good choice for the price we paid and while at present we have no immediate plans to visit Costa Rica again one never knows.
