Thank you for the very thorough review. Very informative. We are heading to the Riu in a few weeks and you said if we had any questions so here goes...do you know if they have dairy alternatives for those terrific cappuccinos you mentioned from the lobby bar? I'm allergic to cow's milk. Thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Sorry, I am not aware if they have any milk alternatives available at the hotel. If they don't, you can probably get almond or soya milk from the grocery store (Super 99) in the strip mall on the highway near the hotel (about 3km / 2 miles from the hotel). If you haven't already, make sure to hit that big red button and the notification bell - I have more Panama videos on the way :-)
Riu Playa Blanca Hotel with luxury facilities. The beauty of the view overlooking the beach, the buffet food service and the evening entertainment. I like your great review which is what it is, the language is one of the considerations but everything is quite satisfying. Excellent video as usual 👍
Glad I could help. I wish you some great times while at the resort. Don’t forget to check out El Valle de Anton while you are there! If you haven’t already, it would be awesome if you could throw your support behind our channel by hitting the subscribe button. 😀
That really is the most glorious and wonderful resort to spend a vacation in! Especially with all that wonderful food too, an awesome place to spend a vacation!
It was indeed a nice resort (except for the beach) yet I much prefer adventures where the amenities are more modest and more aligned with the local culture.
Hi, the Riu hotels are great. There you always enjoy a great relaxing stay. I've never seen one that big though. Thank you for taking me. I wish you a nice rest of the week. Greetings Alex
It was my first stay at a Riu - I wasn't "overly" impressed (considering it is billed as a 5 star hotel) but, overall, it was a nice place to stay. Thanks, Alex, for stopping by.
huge lobby wow cappuccino our favorite here awesome camera and beautiful view good service in buffet thats nice at 4:40 you captured at the garden? a lot of swimming pools yeah,,, night show fire works .. love everything here breathtaking sunrise indeed .. oh yes I really enjoyed great complete review like 8 from ITALY
@@TaintedMango I will visit Panama. You are welcome to take look at Hemsedal, Norway on my channel. Hemsedal is very beautiful town and municipality in Norway.
Hey there! Thanks for sharing your experience at Rio Playa Blanca. The lobby and room look fantastic, with stunning views of the ocean, pool, and gardens. It's great to hear that the check-in process was smooth and the staff were friendly. The beach party and nightly entertainment sound like a lot of fun. Thanks for the honest feedback on the buffet and food options. Warm greetings!
Do you know if they have a salt or fresh water pool for those allergic to chlorine also does their all inclusives includ air and taxes and transfers thank it seems l8ke a very honest review, which we appreciate
Hi Judy. Thanks for watching. Great questions! I am not aware if the pool systems are chlorine or salt based as we are not "pool people" (when traveling near an ocean). As a matter of fact, I did not even put one toe in any of those pools. 😊 When we booked our trip, our package included only the all-inclusive stay at the Riu. We booked our flight separately since we were staying in Panama for four weeks. In the past, I have seen complete flight/hotel/transfer packages available online (departure from Montreal). If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! I also have some other Panama content which I recommend you check out. 😊
The beach chairs are only for hotel guests - it is the "sand" part of the beach (without chairs) that is public (like all beaches in Panama, from what I have been told). That being said, we did not notice/see many "non hotel guests" stay on this beach except for the multiple horse "renters" and a few vendors on each side of the beach. Make sure to hit the subscribe button - I have more Panama "goodies" on the way.
It is only a 10 minute drive. The resort is approximately 4.5 miles (7km) from the airport. Thanks for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! 😊👍
Hi Tenesha! Indeed, the resort is expansive. There is no dedicated transportation service available for guests to conveniently travel between their rooms, the pool, and the dining areas. This may pose a challenge for individuals who have difficulty walking longer distances. To enhance your experience, I would suggest requesting a ground level room situated in close proximity to the beach. These particular rooms are strategically located towards the center of the resort, making them easily accessible. While opting for a ground level room provides convenience, it does come with a trade-off: the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views from the higher floors of the resort. By taking advantage of a ground level room near the beach, you can make the most of your stay while ensuring ease of movement. Although you may miss out on the spectacular vistas available from higher vantage points, the overall convenience and accessibility offered by these rooms will undoubtedly enhance your overall experience at the resort. Thanks for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe. :-)
You could go to "monkey island", Panama Canal, Panama City (all three around 2 hours away) and/or check out "El Valle Anton" (around 1 hour away). I do not know if there were "organized" excursions per se since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. Have you subscribed to my channel yet? What are you waiting for? ;-)
Absolutely LOVE YOUR VIDEO.. question planning on going with my kids probably in April and I know capacity varies from day to day but did the resort seem crowded? Also how’s the Wi-Fi? available everywhere like on the beach and the rooms? I went to the riu palace in Aruba and Wi-Fi was amazing.
Thanks for watching and for your great comment!! Capacity - Hard to say. We were there for New Year's eve and, for a few days it was jam packed (many locals came to celebrate) and for a few days it was somewhat "slower". Wifi was great - it worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue. The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. Have fun! Have you subscribed to my channel yet? ;-)
Great question! The staff does not “expect” a tip every time they serve you albeit they are grateful when you do recognize their good service with a gratuity. If you haven’t already, it would be awesome if you could throw your support behind our channel by hitting the subscribe button. 😀
Hi M.S. ! Vacation was awesome! Not sure if the pools were heated or not but the water temperature was comfortable (possibly due to the sun keeping it warm). Thanks for watching - I would be grateful if you could support us by hitting that subscribe button :-)
Hello -thanks for the video as it gives us a better picture of what to expect. My family will be going in February - adults, children and infants. Does it matter where we stay in the hotel for access to the amenities? How many elevators are there and do they work as we will have strollers at times? Thank you very much
Thanks! I am glad that my video helps you out :-) The elevators are located only in the "central" part of the hotel (imagine that the hotel is this "U", the elevators are at the bottom curved section and the pools/ocean are at the tips on top) - we had no issues with them - they worked well during our entire stay. Since you will have small children with you, to minimize "walking", I highly recommend that you choose rooms near the elevators - which are - incidentally, located near most of the services. The caveat is that when you are near the elevators, you will be in rooms furthest from the ocean. If you haven't already, I would love if you could support our channel by hitting the subscribe button and sharing our videos with your friends!!
Thanks for the video! Do you know if they offer any Tours to the islands with the beautiful beaches? (Like Casaya, Viveros and so on?) Since the Beach doesnt look too appealing we wanted to enjoy some carribean-like beaches at least once or twice 🙈
Hi Luisa. I do not know if there were "organized" island/beach excursions per se (in the area) since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. The hotel itself didn't have any of those options when we were there (back in December 2021). Do keep in mind that this was when tourism was only restarting at that point and offerings may have changed since then. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe to our channel ;-)
You could go to "monkey island", Panama Canal, Panama City (all three around 2 hours away) and/or check out "El Valle Anton" (around 1 hour away). I do not know if there were "organized" excursions per se since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. Have you subscribed to my channel yet? What are you waiting for? ;-)
Reservations are not required - it is "first come, first served". You do, however, have to wait in line if/when the restaurant you are looking at going is full. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe. :-)
I believe that there a few nightclubs in the area, one of which at the hotel, but I do not know if they have reopened. (They were closed during our stay)
There were pretty much always relatively long lineups at the "à la carte" restaurants (you can see it in the video). The buffet was pretty much always very busy but they were always very efficient. Keep in mind that we were there during the holidays and it may be different depending on when you go.
Nice to have a concise, but detailed review. Really appreciate the positives and negatives. Small question,, do they have iced coffees? How is the alcohol and beer available? Thank you.
Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. I am not sure if they have iced coffee (I never asked since I don't drink those). As for the alcohol, they had a decent selection of "local" stuff - I particularly enjoyed the "Ron Abuelo" (rum). They had "draft" beer, either "Balboa" or 'Panama" (can't remember which one) both of which are similar to "Corona". Have you subscribed yet? I am working on some more Panama videos that I am sure you will enjoy. :-)
Sorry - I forgot to mention we had landed in Rio Hato airport and it takes 15 mins from there - If you land in Panama City, it may just be around 2 hours.
Hi Daniel. Wifi was great - it worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue (I, however, did not use it for video conferencing). The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. Have fun! Have you subscribed to my channel yet? ;-)
Hi Samantha! Unfortunately, we did not travel to the city. We went to El Valle de Anton and the surrounding area to hike and see waterfalls. We did meet some people at the hotel who told us they had a great time in the city. If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell to not miss any of our upcoming content !
Is this the same hotel that has that HUGE pool? If so, is there a reason why you didn't include it in the video? Or if not, is it close by to this hotel?
Hi Ashley. All the pools at the Riu hotel are shown in this video. The "huge pool" that you are talking about (that looks like a lake with beaches) is on a neighboring compound that is within walking distance. It is located further from the beach. We could see it from the upper levels of the Riu. Did you subscribe yet? I have more Panama videos on the way.
I do not know if they are allowed in the adult pool per se, but I did see a few during our stay there. Stick around, I have more Panama videos on the way. :-)
Wifi was great - it worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue. The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. Have you subscribed to my channel yet? ;-)
You could go to "monkey island", Panama Canal, Panama City (all three around 2 hours away) and/or check out "El Valle Anton" (around 1 hour away). I do not know if there were "organized" excursions per se since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. At the dive shop (on the hotel's the beach), they do offer a snorkeling tour that takes you near the "sandal" shaped island that you see in my video. I wish you a great time there !!
Hi! Wifi worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue. The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe ;-)
Thanks for your kind words and for subscribing. Have a great time while you're there. While you are in Rio Hato, I recommend going to El Valle de Anton (about 1 hour drive from the Riu). The town is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano and the views in and around the valley are insane! PS: I am not getting paid (by Riu). I am just doing my part and giving my two cents :-)
Great question. The "lobby bar" was open 24 hours (where they have a few snacks available as well). There is a night club on site (which was closed when we were there due to Covid restrictions). If you are planning to go during the holidays, they do hold a (new year's eve) beach party and also have nightly (mostly dance) shows (which you can both see in the video). If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe! :-)
From what I remember, it was mostly "local" liquor. They had Ron Abuelo (Rum) which was, in my opinion, quite good. Keep in mind that we don't drink much and did not pay particular attention to the offerings. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe!
Sure thing! I just remembered : At the dive shop (on the hotel's the beach), they also offer a snorkeling tour that takes you near the "sandal" shaped island that you see in my video. I am not sure but I presume that they also offer diving tours. I have more Panama content coming up - make sure to hit the big red button :-)
You mentioned they had 3 restaurants and a buffet do you know what type of cuisine they serve? Is there a food option when the main restaurants are closed.
The buffet cuisine varies but has a huge selection every day. The other restaurants are Asian, Italian and a grill/steakhouse. Make sure to hit the subscribe button as I have more Panama content on the way :-)
I just noticed that I missed one of your questions. When all the restaurants are closed, they had a snack option at the lobby bar (which is open 24/7): quesadillas and/or nachos with cheese.
If you are coming through Panama City or planning on going to visit the Panama Canal, I heard that the "Monkey Island" tour is awesome. We went to El Valle de Anton, which I highly recommend if you are into hiking
We were there (in December 2021) when they had pretty much just begun reopening. At that time, there weren't many tours available "on site" and we had rented a vehicle so we could explore around by ourselves. I would anticipate that there must (now) be excursions available, especially ones going to the Panama Canal.
I saw a few "strip malls" within 10 minutes drive from the hotel. If you are looking for a "North American" style mall, I do not know. My best guess is that there may be one in Coronado (45 minute drive) and/or Panama City (2 hour drive). If you haven't already, make sure to hit the subscribe button as I have more Panama content on the way :-)
We don't smoke so we didn't really pay attention to smoking areas but we did see people smoke near the pool bar (in the video = where the funny looking seats are) and (everywhere) on the beach. Thanks for watching!
There were quite a few employees that did speak English but also many that didn't (depending on their respective responsibilities - For example: Chefs = less speak English. Waiters and bartenders = more speak some English). If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe!
Oftentimes, we tend to do the same when we explore our hotel's surrounding area. Thanks for watching! If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! 😊
From other reviews/comments I have seen, it seems that many people would rate it a 3 stars. Thanks for watching! If you haven't already, we hope that you consider supporting our channel by clicking on subscribe!
Thanks for watching and commenting. Which one was your preferred Riu (so far)? PS: If you haven't already, we hope that you consider subscribing in order to help support our channel. 😊
I tell it like it is. :-) Thanks for stopping by. If the beach is your main priority, there is another (smaller) hotel nearby. The beach there is much nicer and longer too. See for yourself. ua-cam.com/video/ryhZIezbw0w/v-deo.html
Sorry Judith, we did not inquire for the horse rides during our stay. Do keep in mind that, although they are/were on the hotel's beach, they are/were not "part" of the activities accredited by the hotel. I am currently working on more Panama content - make sure to subscribe and hit the bell in order to receive notifications when I put them online!
It probably depends on the time of year that you go. In high season, there are probably many more Panamanians offering horse rides on the hotel's beach and they stay there longer periods of time compared to low season. This, of course, increases the amount of horse "droppings" left on the beach. If you walk further down the beach (off the hotel premises), there aren't as many horse droppings. You can see for yourself here: ua-cam.com/video/dU1uT0Ia4B0/v-deo.html
Do you know if they have a salt or fresh water pool for those allergic to chlorine also does their all inclusives includ air and taxes and transfers thank it seems l8ke a very honest review, which we appreciate
Hi Judy. Thanks for watching. Great questions! I am not aware if the pool systems are chlorine or salt based as we are not "pool people" (when traveling near an ocean). As a matter of fact, I did not even put one toe in any of those pools. 😊 When we booked our trip, our package included only the all-inclusive stay at the Riu. We booked our flight separately since we were staying in Panama for four weeks. In the past, I have seen complete flight/hotel/transfer packages available online (departure from Montreal). If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! I also have some other Panama content which I recommend you check out. 😊
Thank you for the very thorough review. Very informative. We are heading to the Riu in a few weeks and you said if we had any questions so here goes...do you know if they have dairy alternatives for those terrific cappuccinos you mentioned from the lobby bar? I'm allergic to cow's milk. Thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Sorry, I am not aware if they have any milk alternatives available at the hotel. If they don't, you can probably get almond or soya milk from the grocery store (Super 99) in the strip mall on the highway near the hotel (about 3km / 2 miles from the hotel). If you haven't already, make sure to hit that big red button and the notification bell - I have more Panama videos on the way :-)
Looks like a fun place to vacation
It was a nice place to stay in - especially with the big New Year's eve party that we were treated to!
Stunning place definitely enjoyed it my friend, full view and thumbs up,,👍
Thanks for the visit !!
Very nice hotel and resort dear food's looks so delicious too Thankyou for sharing dear i really enjoyed watching beautiful sunset
Thanks for checking it out! It was a beautiful place.
Lovely! I’d love to stay in a resort hotel like this! Buffet looks great! Enjoyed the tour✨😊
Thanks so much! 😊 The food was rather salty (for our tastes) but the resort itself was wonderful
Riu Playa Blanca Hotel with luxury facilities. The beauty of the view overlooking the beach, the buffet food service and the evening entertainment. I like your great review which is what it is, the language is one of the considerations but everything is quite satisfying. Excellent video as usual 👍
Thanks for your continued support. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for review, wife and i will be there in February 2024.. looking forward it
Glad I could help. I wish you some great times while at the resort. Don’t forget to check out El Valle de Anton while you are there! If you haven’t already, it would be awesome if you could throw your support behind our channel by hitting the subscribe button. 😀
That really is the most glorious and wonderful resort to spend a vacation in! Especially with all that wonderful food too, an awesome place to spend a vacation!
It was indeed a nice resort (except for the beach) yet I much prefer adventures where the amenities are more modest and more aligned with the local culture.
La blanc in Cabo is way better.
I have always wanted to visit Cabo San Lucas. I checked out Le Blanc (online) and it does, indeed, look like an incredible resort!
I went there last sunday
Did you like the resort? If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe!
Great info view. Like it. Take care & seeU. 늘 행복하세요.^^
Thanks for watching!!
Hi, the Riu hotels are great. There you always enjoy a great relaxing stay. I've never seen one that big though. Thank you for taking me. I wish you a nice rest of the week. Greetings Alex
It was my first stay at a Riu - I wasn't "overly" impressed (considering it is billed as a 5 star hotel) but, overall, it was a nice place to stay. Thanks, Alex, for stopping by.
Beach party is off the hook
It really was.
Hello, my friend!! Looks like a perfect place for a great vacation! Thanks for your review! Warm wishes and see you soon! Renata
We had a great time there. Thanks for coming over :-)
@@TaintedMango I can imagine it!😉
Cheers!
😀
Beautiful images my friend.
Greetings.
Thank you! Cheers!
That is a nice hotel
It had it's issues, but, overall it was a nice place
Beautiful hotel❤
Yes it was!
huge lobby wow cappuccino our favorite here awesome camera and beautiful view
good service in buffet thats nice at 4:40 you captured at the garden?
a lot of swimming pools yeah,,, night show fire works .. love everything here
breathtaking sunrise indeed .. oh yes I really enjoyed great complete review
like 8 from ITALY
Thank you for your nice comment 🤗 I think that the iguana was "headbanging" to Metallica. lol
Wow, thats such a huge choice !!!💥💯🤝🤙👏
Thanks for stopping by!
Very beautiful Panama ❤
Panama is a great place to visit
@@TaintedMango I will visit Panama. You are welcome to take look at Hemsedal, Norway on my channel. Hemsedal is very beautiful town and municipality in Norway.
Thanks for stopping by!!
@@TaintedMango it was a pleasure
😊
Greet video and review!
Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. If you haven't already, make sure to hit that big red button!!
Hey there! Thanks for sharing your experience at Rio Playa Blanca. The lobby and room look fantastic, with stunning views of the ocean, pool, and gardens. It's great to hear that the check-in process was smooth and the staff were friendly. The beach party and nightly entertainment sound like a lot of fun. Thanks for the honest feedback on the buffet and food options. Warm greetings!
The lobby was HUGE! It was quite the party, indeed. Thanks for commenting and for watching!
Noviembre 2023 estaremos por ahi
Gracias por vernos. Les deseo los mejores momentos allí. Si aún no lo has hecho, ¡no olvides suscribirte!
Do you know if they have a salt or fresh water pool for those allergic to chlorine also does their all inclusives includ air and taxes and transfers thank it seems l8ke a very honest review, which we appreciate
Hi Judy. Thanks for watching. Great questions!
I am not aware if the pool systems are chlorine or salt based as we are not "pool people" (when traveling near an ocean). As a matter of fact, I did not even put one toe in any of those pools. 😊
When we booked our trip, our package included only the all-inclusive stay at the Riu. We booked our flight separately since we were staying in Panama for four weeks. In the past, I have seen complete flight/hotel/transfer packages available online (departure from Montreal).
If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! I also have some other Panama content which I recommend you check out. 😊
surprisingly for a 5 star hotel. the beach is open to the public. kinda ruins it TBH seeing all the debris etc showing in the video
The beach chairs are only for hotel guests - it is the "sand" part of the beach (without chairs) that is public (like all beaches in Panama, from what I have been told). That being said, we did not notice/see many "non hotel guests" stay on this beach except for the multiple horse "renters" and a few vendors on each side of the beach. Make sure to hit the subscribe button - I have more Panama "goodies" on the way.
Are there other things to do near the resort?
I recommend visiting El Valle de Anton (approximately one hour drive). Thanks for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! 😊👍
How far is this resort from the airport
It is only a 10 minute drive. The resort is approximately 4.5 miles (7km) from the airport. Thanks for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! 😊👍
Alot of walking do they offer transportation to and from the rooms to pool/dinning
Hi Tenesha!
Indeed, the resort is expansive. There is no dedicated transportation service available for guests to conveniently travel between their rooms, the pool, and the dining areas. This may pose a challenge for individuals who have difficulty walking longer distances.
To enhance your experience, I would suggest requesting a ground level room situated in close proximity to the beach. These particular rooms are strategically located towards the center of the resort, making them easily accessible. While opting for a ground level room provides convenience, it does come with a trade-off: the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views from the higher floors of the resort.
By taking advantage of a ground level room near the beach, you can make the most of your stay while ensuring ease of movement. Although you may miss out on the spectacular vistas available from higher vantage points, the overall convenience and accessibility offered by these rooms will undoubtedly enhance your overall experience at the resort.
Thanks for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe. :-)
Thanks for the great video. Does the hotel offer trips to Panama City, or other jungle/forest tours and such?
You could go to "monkey island", Panama Canal, Panama City (all three around 2 hours away) and/or check out "El Valle Anton" (around 1 hour away). I do not know if there were "organized" excursions per se since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. Have you subscribed to my channel yet? What are you waiting for? ;-)
Absolutely LOVE YOUR VIDEO.. question planning on going with my kids probably in April and I know capacity varies from day to day but did the resort seem crowded? Also how’s the Wi-Fi? available everywhere like on the beach and the rooms? I went to the riu palace in Aruba and Wi-Fi was amazing.
Thanks for watching and for your great comment!!
Capacity - Hard to say. We were there for New Year's eve and, for a few days it was jam packed (many locals came to celebrate) and for a few days it was somewhat "slower".
Wifi was great - it worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue. The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. Have fun! Have you subscribed to my channel yet? ;-)
@@TaintedMango thanks for getting back to me so fast! 2 devices lol I better choose wisely 😂. And yes I certainly did subscribe! 😀
No worries!! Enjoy your time there and, thanks for your support
What is the tipping protocol at resort? Does staff such as bartenders, wait staff expect a tip?
Great question! The staff does not “expect” a tip every time they serve you albeit they are grateful when you do recognize their good service with a gratuity. If you haven’t already, it would be awesome if you could throw your support behind our channel by hitting the subscribe button. 😀
Hi, in winter, how's your vacation? Heated swimming pool?
Hi M.S. ! Vacation was awesome! Not sure if the pools were heated or not but the water temperature was comfortable (possibly due to the sun keeping it warm). Thanks for watching - I would be grateful if you could support us by hitting that subscribe button :-)
Hello -thanks for the video as it gives us a better picture of what to expect. My family will be going in February - adults, children and infants. Does it matter where we stay in the hotel for access to the amenities? How many elevators are there and do they work as we will have strollers at times? Thank you very much
Thanks! I am glad that my video helps you out :-) The elevators are located only in the "central" part of the hotel (imagine that the hotel is this "U", the elevators are at the bottom curved section and the pools/ocean are at the tips on top) - we had no issues with them - they worked well during our entire stay. Since you will have small children with you, to minimize "walking", I highly recommend that you choose rooms near the elevators - which are - incidentally, located near most of the services. The caveat is that when you are near the elevators, you will be in rooms furthest from the ocean. If you haven't already, I would love if you could support our channel by hitting the subscribe button and sharing our videos with your friends!!
Thanks for the video! Do you know if they offer any Tours to the islands with the beautiful beaches? (Like Casaya, Viveros and so on?) Since the Beach doesnt look too appealing we wanted to enjoy some carribean-like beaches at least once or twice 🙈
Hi Luisa. I do not know if there were "organized" island/beach excursions per se (in the area) since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. The hotel itself didn't have any of those options when we were there (back in December 2021). Do keep in mind that this was when tourism was only restarting at that point and offerings may have changed since then. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe to our channel ;-)
We’re there any excursions to do ?
You could go to "monkey island", Panama Canal, Panama City (all three around 2 hours away) and/or check out "El Valle Anton" (around 1 hour away). I do not know if there were "organized" excursions per se since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. Have you subscribed to my channel yet? What are you waiting for? ;-)
Do you have to make reservations for the restaurants?
Reservations are not required - it is "first come, first served". You do, however, have to wait in line if/when the restaurant you are looking at going is full. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe. :-)
Love the video, is there any nightlife spots like clubs/bars nearby?
I believe that there a few nightclubs in the area, one of which at the hotel, but I do not know if they have reopened. (They were closed during our stay)
Where the wait for the restaurants long?
There were pretty much always relatively long lineups at the "à la carte" restaurants (you can see it in the video). The buffet was pretty much always very busy but they were always very efficient. Keep in mind that we were there during the holidays and it may be different depending on when you go.
Nice to have a concise, but detailed review. Really appreciate the positives and negatives. Small question,, do they have iced coffees? How is the alcohol and beer available? Thank you.
Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. I am not sure if they have iced coffee (I never asked since I don't drink those). As for the alcohol, they had a decent selection of "local" stuff - I particularly enjoyed the "Ron Abuelo" (rum). They had "draft" beer, either "Balboa" or 'Panama" (can't remember which one) both of which are similar to "Corona". Have you subscribed yet? I am working on some more Panama videos that I am sure you will enjoy. :-)
How far is it from the airport?
The taxi ride from Rio Hato Airport to the RIU took around 10-15 minutes. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to subscribe! Thanks for watching.
I seen that it's about 2 hours🤔
Sorry - I forgot to mention we had landed in Rio Hato airport and it takes 15 mins from there - If you land in Panama City, it may just be around 2 hours.
Hi, how was the wifi connection?
I'm planning to be there for a week, but I'll need to work (video calls) during my stay.
Thank you.
Hi Daniel.
Wifi was great - it worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue (I, however, did not use it for video conferencing). The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. Have fun! Have you subscribed to my channel yet? ;-)
Hi how do recommend traveling from the hotel to the city?
Hi Samantha! Unfortunately, we did not travel to the city. We went to El Valle de Anton and the surrounding area to hike and see waterfalls. We did meet some people at the hotel who told us they had a great time in the city.
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Is this the same hotel that has that HUGE pool? If so, is there a reason why you didn't include it in the video? Or if not, is it close by to this hotel?
Hi Ashley. All the pools at the Riu hotel are shown in this video. The "huge pool" that you are talking about (that looks like a lake with beaches) is on a neighboring compound that is within walking distance. It is located further from the beach. We could see it from the upper levels of the Riu. Did you subscribe yet? I have more Panama videos on the way.
Can you tell me if kids 15 years of age are allowed in the adult only pool?
I do not know if they are allowed in the adult pool per se, but I did see a few during our stay there. Stick around, I have more Panama videos on the way. :-)
How is the Wifi? In the rooms, and around the hotel
Wifi was great - it worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue. The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. Have you subscribed to my channel yet? ;-)
Be there in 15 days can we get excursion from the hotel
You could go to "monkey island", Panama Canal, Panama City (all three around 2 hours away) and/or check out "El Valle Anton" (around 1 hour away). I do not know if there were "organized" excursions per se since we had rented a car and checked things out by ourselves. At the dive shop (on the hotel's the beach), they do offer a snorkeling tour that takes you near the "sandal" shaped island that you see in my video. I wish you a great time there !!
Hello do you know if they provide wifi throughout the resort for free?
Hi! Wifi worked pretty much everywhere (room and at least part of the beach included) without issue. The only possible caveat is that the hotel provides (free) wifi for only 2 devices. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe ;-)
@@TaintedMango thank you I subscribed and your amazing I hope you get paid cause I'm going there now based on your recommendation
Thanks for your kind words and for subscribing.
Have a great time while you're there. While you are in Rio Hato, I recommend going to El Valle de Anton (about 1 hour drive from the Riu). The town is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano and the views in and around the valley are insane!
PS: I am not getting paid (by Riu). I am just doing my part and giving my two cents :-)
Was there any night life on the resort? I mean like was there any 24hr bars, night clubs, or any night activity at all?
Great question. The "lobby bar" was open 24 hours (where they have a few snacks available as well). There is a night club on site (which was closed when we were there due to Covid restrictions). If you are planning to go during the holidays, they do hold a (new year's eve) beach party and also have nightly (mostly dance) shows (which you can both see in the video). If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe! :-)
Thanks.
Any time! If ever you decide to go, have fun!!
@@TaintedMango I'll be there in April.
Sweet. Time enough to build anticipation!!
Do you remember if there were quality premium liquor, or was it poor quality?
From what I remember, it was mostly "local" liquor. They had Ron Abuelo (Rum) which was, in my opinion, quite good. Keep in mind that we don't drink much and did not pay particular attention to the offerings. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe!
great video and you showed a little of everything, my question is for the beach is there excursions a catamaran or can you rent jet skis ?
Thanks!! Yes - There are kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis available right at the beach. There were no cat tours when were there though
@@TaintedMango thanks
Sure thing!
I just remembered : At the dive shop (on the hotel's the beach), they also offer a snorkeling tour that takes you near the "sandal" shaped island that you see in my video. I am not sure but I presume that they also offer diving tours. I have more Panama content coming up - make sure to hit the big red button :-)
@@TaintedMango thanks for the info
Glad I could help :-)
You mentioned they had 3 restaurants and a buffet do you know what type of cuisine they serve? Is there a food option when the main restaurants are closed.
The buffet cuisine varies but has a huge selection every day. The other restaurants are Asian, Italian and a grill/steakhouse. Make sure to hit the subscribe button as I have more Panama content on the way :-)
@@TaintedMango thank you for your reply. Did you do any excursions how were they… any recommendations.
I just noticed that I missed one of your questions. When all the restaurants are closed, they had a snack option at the lobby bar (which is open 24/7): quesadillas and/or nachos with cheese.
@@TaintedMango thank you
If you are coming through Panama City or planning on going to visit the Panama Canal, I heard that the "Monkey Island" tour is awesome. We went to El Valle de Anton, which I highly recommend if you are into hiking
Are there taxis available outside of the Rio Hato (Scarlett Martinez ) Airport to go to Riu Playa Blanca Resort?
Yes, there are taxis at Rio Hato - Scarlett Martinez (RIH) airport. The taxi ride to the RIU took around 10-15 minutes.
Thank you...one last question...do you know if there are day excursions offered at the resort to visit the Panama canal?
We were there (in December 2021) when they had pretty much just begun reopening. At that time, there weren't many tours available "on site" and we had rented a vehicle so we could explore around by ourselves. I would anticipate that there must (now) be excursions available, especially ones going to the Panama Canal.
Thank you !
Have fun there!
Really annoying when the music goes 3 or 4 times louder than the verbal when you stop talking. Had to check out early.
Thanks - I appreciate your comment - I will pay special attention to that on my next posts!
How far is this hotel from the shopping mall?
I saw a few "strip malls" within 10 minutes drive from the hotel. If you are looking for a "North American" style mall, I do not know. My best guess is that there may be one in Coronado (45 minute drive) and/or Panama City (2 hour drive). If you haven't already, make sure to hit the subscribe button as I have more Panama content on the way :-)
@@TaintedMango thank you
Sure thing!!
where is there smoking areas ..we have 3 smokers coming with us
We don't smoke so we didn't really pay attention to smoking areas but we did see people smoke near the pool bar (in the video = where the funny looking seats are) and (everywhere) on the beach. Thanks for watching!
Rather over cooked than under cooked 😊
Indeed - Good point! Thanks for watching.
Will people be speaking English frequently to persons who don’t know Spanish?
There were quite a few employees that did speak English but also many that didn't (depending on their respective responsibilities - For example: Chefs = less speak English. Waiters and bartenders = more speak some English). If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe!
I pay for a all inclusive an i only get breakfast
Oftentimes, we tend to do the same when we explore our hotel's surrounding area. Thanks for watching! If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! 😊
It looks like a 3 starts hotel in Mexico.
From other reviews/comments I have seen, it seems that many people would rate it a 3 stars. Thanks for watching! If you haven't already, we hope that you consider supporting our channel by clicking on subscribe!
Horrible hotel,the worst Riu where I ever been,rude customer service and horrible food,DO NOT COME HERE!!
Thanks for watching and commenting. Which one was your preferred Riu (so far)?
PS: If you haven't already, we hope that you consider subscribing in order to help support our channel. 😊
Horse manure...on the beach...yuck
I know. There were locals "offering" horse rides on that beach. We saw up to 8 horses just waiting, and pooping on the beach in front of the hotel.
Seem nice until I see the beach.....you really got me at the beach, I dont think so ill go there🤮
I tell it like it is. :-) Thanks for stopping by. If the beach is your main priority, there is another (smaller) hotel nearby. The beach there is much nicer and longer too. See for yourself. ua-cam.com/video/ryhZIezbw0w/v-deo.html
@@TaintedMango Do you know how much they charge for the horse rides?
Sorry Judith, we did not inquire for the horse rides during our stay. Do keep in mind that, although they are/were on the hotel's beach, they are/were not "part" of the activities accredited by the hotel.
I am currently working on more Panama content - make sure to subscribe and hit the bell in order to receive notifications when I put them online!
The beach isn’t disgusting at all! I’ve been there and it’s very nice, isn’t the best looking beach but way better than any beach in the USA
It probably depends on the time of year that you go. In high season, there are probably many more Panamanians offering horse rides on the hotel's beach and they stay there longer periods of time compared to low season. This, of course, increases the amount of horse "droppings" left on the beach. If you walk further down the beach (off the hotel premises), there aren't as many horse droppings. You can see for yourself here: ua-cam.com/video/dU1uT0Ia4B0/v-deo.html
Looks like a fun place to vacation
We had a good time indeed
Do you know if they have a salt or fresh water pool for those allergic to chlorine also does their all inclusives includ air and taxes and transfers thank it seems l8ke a very honest review, which we appreciate
Hi Judy. Thanks for watching. Great questions!
I am not aware if the pool systems are chlorine or salt based as we are not "pool people" (when traveling near an ocean). As a matter of fact, I did not even put one toe in any of those pools. 😊
When we booked our trip, our package included only the all-inclusive stay at the Riu. We booked our flight separately since we were staying in Panama for four weeks. In the past, I have seen complete flight/hotel/transfer packages available online (departure from Montreal).
If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe! I also have some other Panama content which I recommend you check out. 😊