gzidd

I'm looking for a nice hotel on Samara Beach. Does anyone know of one? Also I am using Sansa airlines to fly back to San Jose. Is this a reputable airlines, and am I to understand that all you need to do is show them ticket you print out from your printer online? I'm also going from La Fortuna (Tabacon Hotel) to Samara by bus. How's the drive. Any advice????

Thanks,
George

shillmac

Haven't stayed there, but from what I hear on this board, the (new, I think) Villas Kalimbas (?) is a great place. We stayed at Villas Playa Samara and weren't too crazy about it. I thought it quite overpriced and the service not so hot. Also we looked at the rooms at Las Brisas del Pacifico (had actually planned to stay there), but there was construction going on, and I thought it, too, was overpriced for what we saw. We really aren't that picky about price, but we've stayed all over the country and have a basis for comparison.

The drive from Arenal to Samara will be lengthy (6 hours, but you can expect longer in a bus). It's a nice drive around the lake and through the Guanacaste countryside!

shillmac

http://www.worldisround.com/home/trevorjoyc/index.html

You might take a look at this site. These Fodorites stayed at Villas Kalimba recently and have spoken highly of it. They have excellent photos of this hotel and its owners posted on the above site.

Bobo

Hi George,
we stayed in Samara for two weeks and we loved to stay at Villas Kalimba,simply the perfect place!
I think that we were there when Trevor wos there, see his report.
The web of Villas Kalimba is www.villaskalimba.com

karenf

Hi, Just anothe good word fro Villas Kalimba. We stayed there this month. The only downside was there was still construction going on, but it was supposed to be finished soon. It is clean secure and just lovely. There is a gate when you drive in so the car is safe. We loved it and plan to return there next year. The only thing we did not like about Samara is we could not find many restuarants. It might be different when it is not the rainy season. Take a ride to Carillo because it is a beautiful beach. We flew Sansa and used a piece of paper, no ticket.

trevorjoyce

Yes, we did like Villas Kalimba! Also, it is a good location..next to supermarket, across from beach and walking distance to town. We liked a restaurant around the corner, Cafe Paraiso, I think..and I think construction will be done, too, those guys were working long hrs when we were there to hurry to finish and owner, Roberto, must have apologized a hundred times to us (and it wasn't really bad)! Joyce

trevorjoyce

I just got an e-mail from Roberto, and the construction is finished and he is still apologizing and it never even bothered us! A really nice guy!

gzidd

Thank you for all your advice. I tried to book Villas Kalimbas and it was full near Christmas, when I was trying to go. Any other suggestions?

AquaGirl

We are going around the same time and had to book at Hotel Giada. We are staying only 2 nights and most places have a 4 night minumum. I have read good and bad about the place, but we just need a place to rest our heads.

CRMike

I stayed at Hotel Las Brisas del Pacifico and was disappointed. The access to rooms above are isolated from public view and there were 4 burglaries in two days on 2-17 and 2-18. It was so sad because the beach is lovely and you can walk right out onto it. There is a good breakfast that comes with the price but the facility seems to be declining in maintenance and the value is not what you pay for. It's a ten minute walk from town and the climb to the rooms with a view you only want to make once or twice a day because of the steepness. The website is not accurately reflecting what is happening there and the unsympathetic owner of victims of crime walks around growling at the employees. English is extremely limited and you will receive varying answers on using travellers cheques or credit cards. You have to pay extra for a security box. There is a rooster that likes to go off as soon as there's a hint of light. It has a lot of potential that I believe is being squandered.