My experience at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
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With volcanic sands kissed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Playa Herradura is one of Costa Rica‘s hidden gems. Nestled in its beautiful and serene bay is the Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, a hotel that attracts visitors from around the globe with its award-winning golf course surrounded by lush rainforest. Beyond combining the infrastructure of a high-end resort with the stunning natural beauty of this region, the hotel stands out as a leader in sustainability within the Marriott network, which invited me to experience their initiatives firsthand.
After spending two nights at the property in May 2025, I am sharing my experience to help you decide if this retreat is the perfect choice for your next vacation on the Costa Rican coast.
Disclaimer: Although I stayed at Los Sueños as a guest of Marriott International, I want to assure you that all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and genuinely reflect my personal experience.
Where is Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort located?
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is located on the coast of Costa Rica, overlooking the peaceful bay of Playa Herradura, surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean in Puntarenas Province. Herradura is one of the most accessible beaches from the capital, San José, close to the bustling Playa Jacó.
Approximate driving distances:
Check out where the Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is located on the map:
Address: 800 meters west of the Herradura entrance, Puntarenas Province, Playa Herradura, 028-4023, Costa Rica.
Transportation
- Airport Transfer: The hotel can arrange your private transfer with the company CTT for US$ 195* (oneway) or US$ 390* (round trip).
- Car Rental: There is a car rental company on the property.
- Parking: Free parking is available. Valet parking is offered at an additional cost of US$6* per day.
- Electric Vehicles: There are no charging stations for electric vehicles at this hotel.
The property
Although they were built in 1999, the rooms were renovated in 2019. There are a total of 201 rooms divided into various categories, including options with enhanced accessibility, ocean views, hammocks on the balcony, and even access to an exclusive adults-only pool. Traveling with family or friends? You can also book a block of rooms.
In addition to the comfort of relaxing accommodations, the property offers a spa, gym and golf course, as well as restaurants with distinctive cuisine, contributing to the overall experience. It’s worth noting that the Marriott Los Sueños is not an all-inclusive resort. Reservations include room service and access to its amenities; however, meals and some activities are charged separately. Dogs are welcome in designated areas.
Upon arrival, we were greeted with warm smiles and a refreshing drink! I also loved noticing that the reception offers flavored water alongside paper cups to reduce plastic usage. The common areas are charming and beautifully decorated.
The room
My husband and I stayed in a room with two double beds and an ocean view balcony, with nightly rates of approximately US$670*. The room was very well equipped, including a TV, coffee maker, minibar, safe, iron and more.
The bathroom was very spacious, and everything was clean and well-organized! The hygiene products were provided in reusable containers to avoid single-use plastics. The trash can had a plastic liner, but according to the staff, this item would be replaced in the coming months by a water-soluble bag.
As we traveled during the rainy season, we would do some activities in the morning and take naps in the afternoon while it rained — such a delight!
Sustainability in the room
When observing the room, it’s evident that they are making efforts to be more sustainable; however, there is still room for improvement. Here are some observations:
Breakfast at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
It’s impossible not to get excited about a hotel breakfast, isn’t it?! The buffet at the Marriott Los Sueños is served at the Hacienda Kitchen restaurant. Get ready to enjoy a variety of breads, fruits, an omelet station and even fresh honey (see the picture below).
The buffet costs US$32* per person, plus taxes and service fees. For children aged 6 to 12, the price is reduced by half, and those aged 5 and under eat for free when accompanied by adults.
Hotel restaurants
In addition to room service, Los Sueños offers seven dining venues. Their menus cater to dietary restrictions and allergies. Below are the restaurants we were able to visit during our stay:
Hacienda Kitchen
In addition to the breakfast buffet, the Hacienda Kitchen restaurant opens for dinner with a menu full of dishes inspired by Costa Rican cuisine. We opted for a special four-course menu called “Raíces de mi tierra“, which costs approximately US$120* per person. Let me tell you — it’s absolutely worth it!
To start, they served tuna ceviche with green apple. Next, I tried a peach palm cream with coconut milk. The main course was salmon with a beet crust and cauliflower purée which, despite the simple ingredients, has a striking flavor! We finished with a soursop dessert.
Everything here is designed to minimize waste. The cooks use leftover rice to decorate the dish and create the menu, as well as repurpose the peel of some products for presentation (check the photos above).
Zoé
Love seafood? Then you should check out Zoé. This restaurant located near the main pool is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and features fresh seafood, unique cocktails, and of course, ice-cold beer!
Matthew and I tried a fish and shrimp ceviche with patacones, a common side dish in the country made from fried green plantains. The portions are generous!
Bar Ocho
With a relaxed atmosphere and TVs for those who want to watch sports games, Bar Ocho is the perfect spot to socialize and grab a quick bite. We had lunch here on the day we left and ordered pork ribs, sweet potato fries and a petit gâteau for dessert.
Things to do
Explore the hotel’s leisure areas and surroundings.
Los Sueños is a full-service resort with several attractions nearby. Find out what you can do during your stay:
1. Enjoy the pools
The resort features three pools perfect for guests of all ages. Those staying in the new Swim-Up rooms have access to an exclusive adults-only pool. Another unique feature of Los Sueños is their pool lift, which provides accessibility for wheelchair users.
2. Visit Playa Herradura
Playa Herradura gives the town its name, due to the horseshoe shape of its bay. With calm waters and dark sand, it’s perfect for those who love spending lots of time in the water.
3. Take care of yourself at Sibö Rainforest Spa & Retreat
To get into the vacation spirit, why not schedule a massage or one of the body therapies offered at Sibö Spa? The experiences here are inspired by the elements of the local rainforest and incorporate natural ingredients, including honey produced on the property. For those who stick to a regular workout routine, there’s also a well-equipped gym.
4. Tours and excursions
Beyond enjoying the resort, take time to explore the surroundings of Herradura. We didn’t have enough time, but we would have loved to visit Playa Jacó and take a boat trip to Isla Tortuga.
5. Connect with nature
As part of the resort fee, you can book activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and biking. Additionally, there’s an ecotour around the La Iguana Golf Course where you can enjoy wildlife observation. We spotted scarlet macaws, iguanas and even a sloth from a distance.
6. Play at La Iguana Golf Course
The La Iguana Golf Course, with 18 holes, par 72, is recognized as the best in the country by the World Golf Awards.
Our time was very limited, but we managed to take part in an express golf lesson alongside some resort employees during their lunch break. I loved learning that they offer this opportunity free of charge for the staff. This is an excellent way to democratize access to the sport.
Hotel staff
In addition to the environmental impact, which is often the most noticeable to visitors, contributions to the community and the local economy are part of the pillars of sustainable tourism. These aspects were what surprised me the most at both the Marriott Los Sueños and Hacienda Belén. In conversations with the staff, I discovered that:
My personal overall review of Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
As expected, the hotel is very beautiful, clean and pleasant. The highlights for me were the opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural habitat (macaws, iguanas, and sloths) and the gastronomic experience of the “Raíces de mi Tierra” menu. Additionally, I met a team that is working hard to create increasingly positive impacts on the environment and the local community, and this effort should be admired and recognized so that it can serve as an example for other businesses in the industry. I hope the good practices observed here will also be implemented by Marriott properties worldwide!
Elaine Villatoro
Extra tips
1) Stay connected
We always need internet access to use maps or even order rides through apps. With Airalo’s international SIM card, you’ll have internet access as soon as you arrive in Costa Rica.
Not familiar with eSIM technology? In this article, we explain what an eSIM is and how it works.
2) Don’t forget to get travel insurance
World Nomads travel insurance is perfect for travelers and digital nomads. It offers excellent coverage, including for adventure sports. Get a quote!
The savvy fox alerts 🦊: Be sure to read the insurance policy thoroughly to prevent any surprises. Tailor your coverage to meet your individual needs for a worry-free journey.
🦊 The sincere fox informs:
* All prices mentioned in this article were collected in December 2025 and may be subject to taxes or changes at any time.
** The photos featured in this post were taken by Elaine Villatoro and Matthew Marcus McDaniel.
