Palapa Restaurant, Tamarindo — Restaurant in Tamarindo

Alright, buckle up for this review; it's a wild ride!

Last night, I ventured out to what I hoped would be a culinary highlight in Costa Rica, drawn in by the promise of live music, fire shows, and a vibrant atmosphere. Let me tell you, the ambiance did not disappoint. The musicians were fantastic, setting a lively mood, and the fire show was genuinely captivating, adding a unique flair to the evening. The setting was perfect for a memorable night out.

However, that's where the positives abruptly end. We waited an unbelievable hour and a half for our food. Each time we inquired, we were met with vague assurances that it was "coming," but no real explanation for the delay. When the food finally arrived, the chicken was raw—completely unacceptable and a serious health risk. To add insult to injury, my tenderloin was missing the promised blue cheese sauce, leaving it dry and bland. It honestly felt like they were sourcing dishes from a completely different, far-off establishment.

To cap off this disastrous dining experience, even getting the check was an ordeal. After multiple requests and more waiting, it finally arrived. The prices were incredibly steep, especially considering the abysmal quality and service. While the entertainment was top-notch, the kitchen and service were an absolute catastrophe. I cannot recommend this place; save your money and your appetite for somewhere that values both your time and your health. I almost forgot to mention —multiple large piece of the poorly engineered ceiling broke off and fell, nearly knocking out my...

We went for lunch, and my husband ordered a strawberry daiquiri, and we ordered my daughter a virgin daiquiri. She's 3.5. The server came by with both drinks one had a pick in it indicating it was for the child. I double checked with him and he confirmed. My husband had a sip of his and said he thinks they mixed it up. I had a drink of hers and realized they served her the one with booze. I went up to the bartender to ask, and he confirmed right away the drink with the pick had alcohol.

Mistakes happen, but when I asked for them to remove her drink from the bill the server was SOOO RUDE. He said we'll it's your kid, you should check. Like I did, that's why she didn't end up drinking a full daiquiri, but she did have a sip before we caught it. He was clearly mad about removing it from the bill.

Aside, the food was mediocre at best. There a much better restaurants with kinder people...

Very Disappointing and Unsafe – Stay Away!

My girlfriend, who is 6 months pregnant, and I dined at this place and ordered the Grilled Tuna and Mahi Mahi with Shrimp Scampi. Within just 30 minutes, I started experiencing an allergic reaction — headache, nausea, and discomfort. An hour after getting home, both of us developed diarrhea. My girlfriend only had a small piece of the tuna, and she also got sick. It’s unacceptable, especially considering her pregnancy.

The food clearly wasn’t fresh, and we suspect the tuna was spoiled. For a restaurant charging premium prices, the quality and hygiene were shockingly poor.

This place is overpriced, careless, and potentially dangerous. We had a truly awful experience and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I strongly recommend avoiding this restaurant — there are much safer and better places to eat.

.Total waste of money and a...