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Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica

4.3(2,079 reviews)

FamilyMargaritaville

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo is a beach resort playing a different game than most all-inclusives in this guide. Playa Flamingo in northern Guanacaste is a genuinely beautiful, relatively uncrowded stretch of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, and the resort earns most of its praise for putting guests in exactly the right spot to enjoy it. With 120 rooms and suites, it's squarely mid-tier: comfortable, functional and centered on the beach and the water rather than on culinary excellence or spa polish. It traded as Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa until Margaritaville took it over in August 2017.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+Playa Flamingo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste, a Blue Flag beach that's calm, clean and not yet overrun with the mega-resort crowds that have transformed Tamarindo and Papagayo
+The huge outdoor pool with its swim-up bar is the social hub of the resort, and families get a separate covered children's pool and playground
+Water sports are strong for a property this size: kayaks and paddleboards, scuba diving through the water sports center, and boogie boards included in the all-inclusive plan along with one free bike rental
+The resort runs its own 39-foot yacht, the Endeavour, out of Marina Flamingo for up to 10 guests: a 3-hour morning cruise and a 4-hour sunset cruise with snorkeling, plus half-day and full-day fishing trips, with transport to the marina included
+Wildlife access is exceptional for the region: monkeys around the area, dolphins from the yacht, and leatherback nesting beaches at Las Baulas a short drive away in season
+Playa Flamingo's location in northern Guanacaste gives easy access to Witch's Rock surfing, Conchal beach, Tamarindo nightlife and several national parks without long drives

Cons

−This is not a luxury all-inclusive: dining is three restaurants (Banana Wind Cafe, Capriccios Pizza Bistro & Cafe and 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill), and the rotation becomes repetitive by mid-week
−The all-inclusive plan leaves out room service, the minibar and takeout, and some premium drinks carry an upcharge, so read the inclusions before you assume
−Most of the standout extras cost money: the Endeavour cruises run $69 to $75 per adult, and the OnZen Spa and babysitting are paid
−Room quality is inconsistent: some guests report updated, comfortable rooms while others encounter dated furnishings, water pressure issues and small maintenance problems
−Service enthusiasm is uneven: restaurant and pool staff tend to be warm and helpful, while check-in and some housekeeping interactions draw complaints about slow or indifferent service
−Beach chairs and shade run short at peak occupancy, and latecomers end up renting umbrellas or timing their beach hours around the sun
−The Margaritaville branding here sits on an older building: the property was Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa until it was reflagged in August 2017, and some of the infrastructure still shows it

The standout feature travelers keep coming back to is the resort's own yacht. Most all-inclusives point you to third-party tour operators; this one runs the 39-foot Endeavour from Marina Flamingo, with a morning cruise, a sunset cruise that stops to snorkel, and half-day and full-day fishing trips (all paid, and no children under 6). Day to day, the all-inclusive plan covers meals and snacks at Banana Wind Cafe, Capriccios and 5 O'Clock Somewhere, the License to Chill pool bar, house drinks, gratuities, boogie boards, one bike rental and popcorn in the movie theater. Room service isn't included. There's a rooftop bar, a lighted tennis court and a pickleball court, the OnZen Spa, and a family center with movies and games rather than a full kids club.

This resort is for travelers who want a genuine Costa Rica experience built around the ocean and wildlife, not an all-inclusive cocoon that could be anywhere. Families who want a beachfront base for exploring Guanacaste will find it works well, and dogs up to 35 kg can come along, though the rules are strict. Couples who prioritize room quality, dining variety or nightlife should look at Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo or the Four Seasons for a premium stay, or Westin Reserva Conchal for a bigger all-inclusive nearby. At its best, Margaritaville Flamingo is a relaxed, friendly beach resort on one of the prettiest strips of sand in Central America, which for the right traveler is all they need.

Common Questions

Is Playa Flamingo a good beach for swimming and water activities?

Yes. Playa Flamingo is one of the calmer, cleaner beaches in Guanacaste and holds Blue Flag status, so it's genuinely good for swimming. Kayaks and paddleboards are available, boogie boards are included in the all-inclusive plan, and scuba diving runs through the resort's water sports center. Surfers can reach the famous Witch's Rock break by boat day trip.

What is the Endeavour yacht and how do you book it?

The Endeavour is a 39-foot yacht docked at Marina Flamingo that carries up to 10 people. The 3-hour morning cruise leaves the resort at 7:45am ($69 adult, $55 child) and the 4-hour sunset cruise at 1:45pm ($75 adult, $55 child); both include snorkeling gear, snacks, soft drinks, wine and beer, and transport to the marina. Half-day and full-day fishing trips leave at 7am. Children under 6 can't board, and it's worth booking early in your stay because capacity is small.

Is room service included in the all-inclusive?

No. The resort states that room service, the in-room minibar and takeout are all excluded from the all-inclusive plan, and some premium items carry a moderate upcharge. What is included: three daily meals and snacks at the three restaurants and the License to Chill pool bar, restaurant and bar gratuities, unlimited house beverages and spirits, boogie boards, one bike rental, and popcorn and drinks in the movie theater.

Can you see wildlife like monkeys and sea turtles?

Wildlife is a genuine draw here. Monkeys are common around the Flamingo area, and dolphins are often spotted from the yacht. Leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande in Las Baulas National Park, a short drive south, during the nesting season, which traditionally runs through the late fall and winter months; book a guided night tour through the resort's tour concierge. You don't get that kind of experience at a Cancun hotel zone all-inclusive.

Is this a good base for exploring Guanacaste or should you stay on property?

Both work. Playa Conchal is roughly 15 minutes away, Tamarindo's nightlife and surf scene about 30, and Rincon de la Vieja National Park's volcano hikes and hot springs around 90 minutes. The resort has a tour concierge and car rental desk, and you'll want one or the other, because there's no meaningful walkable town right next to the resort.

How pet-friendly is it in practice?

Pets are welcome, but with firm rules: one pet per room, up to 35 kg, and a $25 nightly fee. Pets must be leashed and supervised whenever they're outside the room, and they're not allowed in the bars, restaurants, pool or back lawn; the designated relief area is beside the front desk. So it's a workable option if you're bringing a dog to Costa Rica, but don't picture your dog roaming the grounds or the beach with you during the day.

Restaurants (2)

Type	Restaurants
Italian	Capriccios Pizza Bistro & Cafe
International & fusion	Banana Wind Cafe

From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown.

What's nearby

Playa Conchal
45 min drive · 13 mi
Playa Grande
45 min drive · 13 mi

More things to do (28)

Tamarindo estuary mangrove boat tour · excursion45 min drive · 15 mi
Playas del Coco · beach50 min drive · 19 mi
Playa Hermosa · beach55 min drive · 20 mi
Playa Flamingo · beach5 min walk · 0.2 mi
Sunset catamaran sail from Playa Flamingo · excursion5 min walk · 0.2 mi
Marina Flamingo · marina4 min drive · 0.7 mi
Catalina Islands dive trip · excursion4 min drive · 0.7 mi
Sportfishing charter from Marina Flamingo · excursion4 min drive · 0.7 mi
Playa Potrero · beach9 min drive · 3.1 mi
Playa Brasilito · beach10 min drive · 3.7 mi
Playa Penca · beach12 min drive · 3.9 mi
Playa Pan de Azúcar · beach20 min drive · 5.4 mi
Playa Danta · beach20 min drive · 6.0 mi
Monkey Park Wildlife Center · wildlife30 min drive · 11 mi
Apami Wildlife Rescue Center · wildlife30 min drive · 11 mi
Las Baulas National Marine Park · nature35 min drive · 12 mi
Leatherback turtle night tour at Playa Grande (October to March) · excursion35 min drive · 12 mi
Playa Real · beach45 min drive · 13 mi
Diamante Eco Adventure Park · adventure park45 min drive · 12 mi
Playa Tamarindo · beach45 min drive · 15 mi
Sunset catamaran sail from Tamarindo · excursion45 min drive · 15 mi
Playa Langosta · beach50 min drive · 16 mi
Gulf of Papagayo catamaran and snorkel trip · excursion50 min drive · 19 mi
Bat Islands bull shark dive (May to November) · excursion50 min drive · 19 mi
Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point surf boat trip · excursion50 min drive · 19 mi
Pinilla Canopy Tour · adventure park50 min drive · 16 mi
Playa Panamá · beach55 min drive · 21 mi
Playa Calzón de Pobre · beach55 min drive · 20 mi

Amenities

Pets Allowed

Hiking

Bicycle Rentals

Fishing

Babysitting

Diving

Tennis

Swim-Up Bar

Show 8 more amenities

Snorkeling

Room Service

Water Sports Rentals

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

QuietFamily

Seaweed & sargassum

Costa Rica gets sargassum, typically worst March through August on the Caribbean coast only; the Pacific coast is clear every month.See the month-by-month guide →

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Google Reviews★ 4.3 · 2,079 reviews

Kacper k.

a month ago

“Perfect location, just 50m from the beach (you just need to cross a small gravel road). The beach is really amazing - large, quiet, no buildings next to it (muuuuuch better than tamarindo!). The hotel itself is nice but we didn’t try the pool or rest...”

Dee R.

a month ago

“Stayed here for my 40th birthday in August, 2025. We were greeted by Heather who was beyond pleasant to deal with. She went out of our way to make our stay something we simply will never forget. Upon arrival they gave us a complimentary drink, some s...”

Megan S.

2 months ago

“My husband and I stayed for two nights at the tail end of a three-week trip through Costa Rica. After exploring several towns and staying at different Airbnbs, we wanted to finish our journey with a few days of relaxation — good food, drinks, and a b...”