The Margaritaville Beach Resort is a tropical paradise on the shores of Guanacaste. Staying there can be pricey—more than $200 per night—but there’s a fantastic deal—the day pass ticket—that allows you to enjoy the resort’s many amenities for just a day.
When my husband and I flew to Playa Flamingo for the first time, we didn’t know it was the busiest time, so we booked a cheaper hotel in the Guanacaste area.
As we searched for the best place to spend the day, we opted for a day pass at Margaritaville. In this article, I’ll tell you all about this one-day pass. It lets you enjoy many of the resort’s cool things to do, but not everything. Keep reading to learn more.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of all we’ll touch on in depth in this post, but I encourage you to read on so you don’t get half-baked information:
- The Margaritaville resort in Playa Flamingo offers different day passes, including all-inclusive, spa passes, and day rooms.
- The price for a day pass at the resort starts at $110.
- A day pass gives you access to the outdoor pool, which includes a swim-up bar, lounge chairs, beach access, towel service, poolside food and drink service, unlimited food and drinks from onsite restaurants and bars, and complimentary resort activities.
- It lasts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they are very strict with the timeline.
- Day passes are available all year. However, March through April are the busiest, and you may not enjoy it during these times.
Margaritaville Resort Details
| Location | Guanacaste Province, Playa Flamingo, 50308, Costa Rica |
| Ideal for | Families |
| Opening Hours | Opened 24 hours |
| Contact | +506 2654 4444 |
| Website | Website |
| Social Media | Facebook, X |
| Budget per night | Above $200 |
| Rating | 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor. |
Types of Day Passes at Margaritaville Resort
There are various types of day passes available at Margaritaville Resort.
If you want a ticket for a day pass at Margaritaville, first know that the all-inclusive resort offers different day passes for different activities. They are:
- All-inclusive Day Pass
- All-inclusive Spa Pass
- Day Room
1. An all-inclusive day pass
This is the usual day pass that many resorts offer. At Margaritaville, this all-inclusive day pass gives you access to their outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, lounge chairs, beach access, and towel service from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You will also be able to enjoy poolside food and drink service, unlimited food and drinks from onsite restaurants and bars, complimentary resort activities, complimentary wifi, and complimentary self-parking.
PRO TIP:
- The lounge and beach chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. All-Inclusive Spa Pass
You can buy the spa day pass, which gives you access to everything available in the all-inclusive day pass but also includes access to the resort’s famous OnZen Spa.
The exciting part is indoor jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, fitness centers, and locker rooms.
Keep in mind that the day pass does not include spa treatments. To book an appointment, contact the spa section of Rean Sort.
Additionally, only adults 18 and older may use the Spa Pass.
3. Day Room
Unlike other day pass offers, the Day Room pass allows you access to a private guest room for up to four people from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additionally, the all-inclusive pass includes all access.
In the guest room, there’s a cable TV, a coffeemaker, and a work desk.
You can add up to three additional all-inclusive passes during totally optional checkout.
How can I obtain day pass tickets for Margaritaville Resort, Playa Flamingo?
The easiest way to purchase a day pass ticket for Margaritaville Resort in Playa Flamingo is at the front desk. But you’ll have to bring a valid photo ID to check in.
Meanwhile, you can also purchase it online. Different platforms, such as ResortPass, can be used for day-pass seekers.
On these platforms, all you have to do is:
- Select an available day in the calendar with the number of guests and complete the booking.
- Receive a booking confirmation with details and instructions.
- Bring a valid photo ID and check in at the front desk.
- Enjoy your day at the resort.
The prices for day passes at Margaritaville Resort (at the time of writing) are as follows:
| Day Passes | Adults price | Children price |
| All-inclusive Day Pass | It starts at $110. | Starts at $65 |
| Spa Pass | It starts at $150. | |
| Day Room | $210 (4 people max.) |
UPDATE:
I reached out to Margaritaville Resort again to inquire about their updated day pass pricing and received the following response:
So please remember that this is the current cost for day pass tickets.
What I Found Disappointing About the Margaritaville Day Pass
Of course, Margaritaville is an absolutely family-friendly resort, so there are many things to do. But some things could make your experience here turn sour.
- There’s no hot tub, which was a letdown, but it didn’t ruin our stay.
- The times for the restaurants and poolside bar didn’t match what they told us at the front desk. The poolside bar said it closed at 6:00 (according to the front desk, but it was more like 5:30), although you could still get drinks at the other bar until midnight.
- The activity schedule was not adhered to, and the children’s activities were not engaging. Also, it was high tide when we were there, so it was tricky to enjoy the beach and ocean.
- Occasionally, locals and tour groups might approach you as you walk between the resort and the ocean along the small dirt road, but it wasn’t too bothersome and didn’t seem unsafe.
SPECIAL TIPS:
- Lola’s is a fantastic spot down the beach, about an hour’s walk away. They serve great food, and it’s a perfect place to surf or just watch surfers.
- If you’re interested in a tour, I highly recommend Native’s Way. If Paul is still with them, ask for him—he made our two tours awesome!
- Don’t forget to bring swimsuits and towels for Gracias; their infinity pool is fantastic!
- You can rent a golf cart just outside Margaritaville for around 50 bucks a day and cruise into Portrero!
- For a lovely local dinner spot with breathtaking sunsets, head to The Beachhouse in Potrero.
- Portrero has lots of restaurants and even a brewery with good food.
- The Dunama casino is pretty small, but the hotel lobby bar is excellent. You can grab drinks and enjoy them in the open-air restaurant with stunning views!
I’ve also made a post about the Westin Costa Rica day pass, as it’s about 15 minutes from this property and a little more upscale.
Is the Margaritaville Day Pass worth it?
Unlike in Mexico and the Caribbean, all-inclusive resorts aren’t uncommon in Costa Rica.
Going all-inclusive is the least exciting way to experience Costa Rica. The pre-packaged vacation you receive aims to encourage you to spend more money at the resort, and it’s not the most adventurous way to explore such a beautiful country.
So, having a resort that lets you use its amenities for a day while also giving you the opportunity to check out other parts of town without breaking the bank is like eating your cake and having it, too.
The day pass at Margaritaville was worth the price—a little over $100. I had breakfast, lounged by the pool with drinks, and then headed across the street to the beach. Later, I returned to the pool for more drinks. Around 4 p.m., I went to the restaurant for more food and drinks. It was a really relaxing day.
Spending a day at Margaritaville isn’t the best thing to do in Playa Flamingo, but it’s worth considering.
If you’d like to have more day pass experience, check out our guide on W Resort Costa Rica Day Pass.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
