4/10 Poor
Vandi
Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
5 Feb 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disappointing Stay
Our stay at Barcelo Tambor was a major letdown. The resort is old and in disrepair—our mattress was literally coming apart at the seams, the bed was uncomfortable, and the pillows were lumpy. Housekeeping was nonexistent for three days, and despite asking four times, we never got clean towels. Requests took days to be answered.
The food was disappointing—overcooked, fatty meat, and very limited options. The only decent reservation restaurant was the seafood/steakhouse. Otherwise, I stuck to fruit, salad, and rice and beans. Room service isn’t included, and even basic activities like playing pool cost extra.
The resort was overcrowded with kids, even in bar areas, and personal space was not respected. Almost all guests were locals, and no employees spoke English except at check-in. If you don’t speak Spanish, this is not the place for you.
Getting there was a hassle—we flew into San José, had to rent a car, take a ferry, and drive even more. Shuttles are an option but are longer & expensive. There’s not much nearby, though we did enjoy visiting Montezuma’s waterfall and swimming in the bioluminescence.
Entertainment was subpar, resort was loud/party-club music til 1-3 am each day, drinks were only decent if you paid for premium, and overall, the experience was frustrating. I’ve stayed at many all-inclusive resorts, and this was by far the worst. I loved Costa Rica when we visited Liberia, but after this, I have no desire to return. Would not recommend.
Vandi
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2025