One thing I appreciate greatly when I stay at Playa Tambor, the Barcelo resort in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, is the independence I have. No need to carry cash or credit cards in this all-inclusive resort. Meals are buffet style and the food is excellently prepared and abundant. Service at the table is prompt, polite, and efficient. Nothing is too much trouble. Hungry between meals? Snack bars are open and the variety of snacks is amazing.
Live entertainment every evening, and while you are watching stewards are circulating to bring you the beverage of your choice.
Guest rooms are well-equipped, air conditioning is efficient, and cable TV offers most wanted channels in several languages. Each room has its own patio or balcony.
The best improvement would be free internet or wifi access.
I often take out of country guests to Tambor, and they always enjoy it.

As we mentioned in our review (12/25/2011, Not as bad as people say), we are reviewing the hotel again from the 2 weeks we spent in Feb. 2012. This was our 8th year at the hotel and not much has changed, the hotel is aging gracefully, as we said in the old review the rooms need to be upgraded, the casino needs new slot machines, their has to be some minor upgrades here and there, but the people who work at the hotel make up for all the faults of a older hotel. We had a problem when we arrived with the room we usually stay in, because they were working on sections of the building we stay in, that was quickly resolved by Rauol (the new manager) and Gonzalo who books the trips for us. The hotel is fine during the week, a little busy on the weekends, as the Costa Ricans have vacations too,(we have met many nice people on the weekends too). We say this is not a 5 star hotel, but a very comfortable and well groomed 3-4 star hotel. The food always seems to be fine with many choices, great waitresses and Victor and Luis are are very competant managers, who help you in many aspects of the restaurants. Minor and Marcos (the bellhops) are always there for you, with help around the hotel, and advice for travelling locally, and of course Gonzalo is there for all your trip needs. The hotel has a great nature preserve near the 600 building with views of the ocean, lots of monkeys and birds, sometimes a stray crocodile, the monkeys travel all over the areas of that part of the resort. Tortuga Island is near the hotel for scuba and snorkelers, Montezuma, Mal Pais, Cobano(the Bull Riding Arena in February) and Paquera with the ferry to Puntarenas are all towns we have gone to many times for lunch or dinner or to some of the national parks. Try flying to save time with Nature Air or Sansa, or drive from San Jose to Puntarenas Via ferry, nice relaxing trip 5 hours. The fishing in the area can be very good, with Mahi-Mahi, Red Snapper, Snook(if you can find them) and of course Sailfish, Tuna and Marlin offshore if you want big game stuff. We are re-turning in Feb. 2013 for a few weeks, and I hope all our friends
at the hotel are well and healthy, and we will see you soon.

we have been going to this hotel since 1997, it has certainly become more popular and therefore more commercial but still a great lace for a quiet and relaxing holiday. Never any problems with the food, pool is great, warm and clean. Dark sand but you can walk a great distance and you don't have to worry about undertows. Wifi is expensive, $25 .00 first day and $5 or $10 each day thereafter. I usually just buy time and use their computers. Over the years it has lost some of it's charm but I still look forward to going. The Costa Ricans are wonderful people, very warm.
Have taken the bus/ferry and it is good for one trip, otherwise take the small lane, it basically saves a day. Not many side trips close by but Tortuga Isle is worth the time.

Nice size resort, clean, well kept and friendly staff! Beach was very rocky so I stayed at the pool. The pool is large with lots of chairs. Lots and lots of locals with their families. Food was pretty good, long lines for buffet but steak resturant was excellent. It took a half hour to get the water running in the evening. I just assumed it was because everyone was showering at the same time. This resort is a LONG way from the airport. I wish we had taken the plane to Tambor rather than the car, ferry and car which equaled 4 hours versus the 30 min. via plane! The entertainment was not that great and if you are not a spanish speaker...please note nothing is in english and few people spoke english and all entertainment was in spanish. The message by the pool was great!