Occidental Tamarindo
Family-friendly resort in Playa Langosta.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(87 discussions)
Occidental Tamarindo is a property that works best when travelers understand exactly what they're booking and why. This is the only all-inclusive resort in the Tamarindo area, which means the convenience format exists here and nowhere nearby - that geographic monopoly explains its continued operation despite reviews that are more mixed than typical all-inclusive alternatives in Mexico or the Dominican Republic. The setting is legitimately special: the property sits adjacent to Las Baulas National Marine Park, a protected leatherback sea turtle nesting zone, and the grounds host iguanas, howler monkeys, and diverse bird species that appear without excursion fees or tour bookings. For travelers whose Costa Rica trip is motivated by wildlife, nature, and Pacific coast scenery, this context matters more than buffet breadth comparisons.
The honest accounting of the property's operational experience requires flagging two real issues. First, the beach directly in front of the resort is rocky and not swimmer-friendly - guests planning a traditional beach vacation where they walk off their balcony into swimmable surf will be frustrated. The swimmable beach requires a 20-30 minute walk toward Tamarindo proper, which is doable but changes the daily beach calculus significantly. Second, the food is the most consistently cited disappointment - the buffet is described as bland and limited, the a la carte access is rationed to one dinner per three nights, and some guests report buffet service ending earlier than posted hours. For a property format where eating is a central daily activity, these are meaningful gaps.
Occidental Tamarindo makes most sense for surfers who want a resort base near excellent Pacific breaks, nature travelers who value turtle and wildlife access over food quality, and guests who specifically want the all-inclusive format in this corner of Costa Rica without options for direct comparison. It is not a competitive choice against similarly priced Mexico or Dominican Republic all-inclusives on a pure food-beach-service matrix. The PCO sunset views, the national park adjacency, and the Tamarindo proximity for evening independence give it a niche identity that a specific type of traveler finds genuinely valuable.
Pros
- +Only all-inclusive resort in the Tamarindo area - for travelers who specifically want all-inclusive convenience while exploring this part of Costa Rica, there is no direct competition on this format
- +Adjacent to Las Baulas National Marine Park, a designated leatherback sea turtle nesting area - guests have reported turtle sightings on the beach at night during nesting season (October through March), an experience unavailable at most Caribbean all-inclusives
- +Wildlife on property grounds is genuinely abundant - iguanas, howler monkeys, and diverse bird species are regularly observed from the resort itself, giving the property a nature-forward character that sets it apart from standard beach resort design
- +Playa Langosta itself is excellent for surfing and attracts intermediate and experienced surfers specifically - staying here gives surf travelers a resort base that is incompatible with most Caribbean all-inclusive alternatives
- +2km from Tamarindo town center allows guests to access local restaurants, nightlife, surf schools, and shops on independent evenings off the all-inclusive format for variety
- +Spa, gym, tennis court, and hot tub supplement the main pool, giving active travelers a broader activity menu than most budget all-inclusives in this region
- +Pacific coast sunset timing is outstanding - the property faces west and the Playa Langosta sunsets generate the most enthusiastic traveler photography of any property amenity
- +Calmer and less crowded atmosphere than Tamarindo's main beach hotels - Playa Langosta attracts a lower tourist density than the town-center stretch, which suits travelers who prefer less development around their beach days
Cons
- −The beach directly in front of the resort is rocky and not safe for swimming in many conditions - guests expecting to walk off the resort onto a swimmable beach are frequently surprised and disappointed by this
- −Food quality is a consistent low point - the buffet receives recurring criticism for limited variety, underwhelming preparation, and early closing times that don't match posted hours, which is a material issue for an all-inclusive where eating is central to the experience
- −Room quality is dated and the mold smell issue appears in enough reviews to be a real concern rather than an isolated complaint - some guests have requested room changes on arrival for this reason
- −Value assessment from experienced all-inclusive travelers is harsh - guests who have stayed at comparable all-inclusives in Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, or Dominican Republic consistently rate Occidental Tamarindo as delivering less for the same or higher price
- −A la carte dining access is rationed at one dinner per three nights of stay rather than being fully open - this is a more restrictive policy than competing all-inclusives and forces guests into the buffet for most dinners
- −The walk to Tamarindo's swimming beach is 20-30 minutes in heat and dust or requires transportation, which is a real inconvenience for guests who planned on a swim-accessible beach vacation
- −Internet connectivity and room technology are reportedly below expectations for the property category, creating frustrations for guests who need reliable connectivity
- −Service inconsistency particularly in dining areas is a recurring theme, with guests describing friendly individual staff members but erratic service standards across the property
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“The hotel and staff where very accommodating, the food was okay I suggest the omelet for breakfast. Natalia Catalceta works in the gift shop in the hotel she is amazing, so friendly and speaks good English also the young guy that works the gift shop...”
“Service and food were top notch in our opinion. Staff was extremely attentive with any of our needs. Cleaning staff was awesome as well and super friendly. The buffet food was amazing with a ton of different options. Plenty of desserts to choose from...”