Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

The restaurant staff were great, and the Costa Rican people we met were among the nicest I’ve ever met. Everyone had a relaxed attitude. The food portions were generous, and the local dishes tasted very good. Still, staying a week meant repeating meals because there aren’t many restaurants. This is a small resort, around 130 rooms, built in 1985 and recently renovated and rebranded. I usually like smaller places, but this didn’t match the level of other all-inclusive resorts I’ve experienced. The room fridge wasn’t stocked with drinks, and there was no pool or beach butler service, so getting a beverage often meant waiting in line. Just something to factor into expectations. Our stay also got off to a rough start: the room we booked wasn’t available, and the desk clerk first tried to put us in a room with two double beds, presenting it as an upgrade. They suggested the travel agency might be at fault. When I pushed, they acknowledged they had the correct reservation and said they’d move us the next day. That left a bad impression.

Randall at CAPRICCIOS PIZZA BISTRO & CAFE made my birthday feel special when I was feeling a bit down. He remembered it was my birthday, made me a custom frozen virgin drink, and brought out a personalized dessert. He also got the whole restaurant singing happy birthday, which was a lot of fun. Both times we ate at his restaurants, Randall gave us outstanding service. He’s funny, warm, engaging, and knows a lot about the food, the resort, and Costa Rica. I’d recommend the restaurant, and having Randall serve you would be a real treat. My husband and I took this birthday trip to Costa Rica earlier in the year. We stayed at the resort and, with help from the concierge, went horseback riding on the beach, took ATVs around the city, and joined a sunset cruise.

The clean, beautiful beach and the easygoing atmosphere suited our group perfectly. Five other women and I spent a week here, and the resort felt small and cozy enough for us to feel safe and comfortable. Staff around the property always greeted us. The photo team would stop to chat, and when we booked a session, there was no pressure. We loved the pictures we picked. I liked ordering from the menu, and I still crave the chicken ceaser salad. We miss Elias at the bar, too. He was always cheerful, singing to us, and waving whenever he saw us. Sebastian was a very friendly waiter. It’s not a big, loud party resort, which was just right for us. Thanks to everyone, from the beach chair staff to housekeeping. We might book again.

The beach was a highlight, and it was handy being able to rent things like paddle boards and bikes. We went over New Year’s and found the staff friendly. It’s a smaller resort, so the all-inclusive buffet has fewer choices than at a big hotel, though there were always a few dishes we really liked. The restaurant food was good too, better than at other large all-inclusive places I’ve visited. The bar stayed open until 11:30 p.m., so it was nice to relax later in the evening. The family room and the tennis and pickleball courts were fun. It’s a bit far if you plan to leave often for excursions, but manageable. A good spot for families, and we had a great stay.