🇨🇷 Sámara, Costa Rica

Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo

📍 Sámara

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A sua permanência — Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo

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A propriedade — Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo

Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo is a no-frills three-star property a short walk from Sámara's main beach. The lobby is open-air, tiled, and shaded by a corrugated roof — more functional than atmospheric. It suits budget travellers and surfers who want clean rooms, a pool, and proximity to the coast without paying for frills.

Best for: Budget-conscious travellersFamilies with carsAccessibility needs See all Sámara hotels →

Crónicas de Sámara

Sámara started as a small fishing village and grew slowly with tourism from the 1990s. It lacks the colonial architecture of older Costa Rican towns; most buildings are low-rise concrete and wood. Today it's a laid-back beach hub known for its long, palm-fringed bay, reliable surf breaks, and a mix of Tico families and international backpackers. The town's identity remains centred on the beach and a weekly farmers' market, not on history or monuments.

Melhor época para visitar

Guia completo de Sámara →

Melhores meses

January, February, March — driest months with clear skies, calm seas for swimming, and peak wildlife visibility. Crowds are moderate outside holidays.

Peak / Festival Surge

December to April is the dry-season peak. Christmas, New Year, and Semana Santa (late March/early April) drive prices up. Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo can double its low-season rate. The main draw is guaranteed sun.

Orçamento da temporada

May, June, and November. Rain is still limited in early May and June; November has wetter days but cheaper rooms and emptier beaches. Good value for the risk of showers.

Tempo e embalagem

Sámara's climate is tropical wet-dry; even in the dry season, a heavy downpour can appear for an hour. Pack a quick-dry microfiber towel and a light waterproof jacket — not an umbrella, because the wind often shreds them.

Livro City Briefing — Sámara

  • Roadworks on the main access road from Nicoya are ongoing through mid-2026, causing delays of 20–30 minutes; check Waze before driving.
  • A new craft brewery, Cervecería Sámara, opened in March 2026 near the soccer field, offering IPAs and live music on weekends.
  • The police have increased patrols along the beachfront after a spike in car break-ins at Playa Carrillo; lock valuables out of sight.

Your Perfect Room

✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026

Before you check in to Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.

Best rooms to request

Request a room on the second or third floor facing the rear garden or pool area. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise from the main road through Sámara, and the rooms overlooking the garden catch the sea breeze without the dust of the front. The hotel often uses a simple numbering system where odd numbers may face the street; confirm with reception.

⚠️

Rooms to avoid

Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or street side, especially those overlooking the main road (likely odd-numbered). Ground-floor rooms suffer from foot traffic, early morning cleaning noise, and passing motorbikes on the coastal road. Also avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen or service entrance if visible on the hotel map.

🪟

Best views

Rooms facing the rear garden or pool offer the best view at this 3-star hotel – typically a small tropical garden with palm trees and the pool. Street-facing rooms look onto the main road and adjacent buildings, offering little beyond traffic and dust. Upper floors may catch glimpses of the ocean over rooftops, but do not guarantee a sea view unless noted in the confirmed data.

😴

Quietest floors

Second and third floors (if the hotel has three storeys as is common in Sámara) are generally quietest. The top floor is best for peace because it has no foot traffic above, but check if it has thin ceilings – if not specified, second floor is the safest compromise between quiet and easy access.

🔊 Noise notes

Sámara’s main road (the only paved street through town) carries motorbikes, taxis, and the occasional truck from early morning until late evening. The hotel’s address on this road means front-facing rooms get rumbling from traffic and pedestrian chatter from bars and restaurants nearby. Also, early morning roosters and howler monkeys can startle – not part of the hotel but part of the location.

Insider tips

1. Ask reception for a fan-only room over air conditioning – the cross-breeze in upper garden rooms is often better than a noisy A/C unit. 2. If you arrive by car, request a parking spot at check-in; the lot is small and fills fast – a few spaces may be on the street, which is safe but less convenient.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

Instalações do hotel — Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo

📶
Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi throughout; average speed 15 Mbps; no login required — open network

🛗
Lift / Elevator

No lift; single-storey bungalow-style rooms on ground level only

📰
Media & Newspapers

No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; small lobby TV with basic cable

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out fee of 20 USD until 18:00 (subject to availability)

🧳
Baggage Storage

Free luggage storage for day guests or after check-out; no time limit

Accessibility

Step-free access to all rooms from car park; no stairs; gravel paths may be tricky for wheelchairs — wide enough for standard chairs

🅿️
Parking

Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars; no EV charging; nearest public car park is 400 m north at Sámara Plaza (free, 20 spaces)

Taxas, Taxas e Depósitos

City / tourist tax: 13% VAT (IVA) included in rate; no additional city tax

Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit due at booking; 100 USD incidental hold at check-in

Faith & Dietary nas proximidades

  • Church: Salón del Reino (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)

Dinheiro e moeda

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

Costa Rican Colón, CRC

🏦
Where to exchange

Change money at banks or their ATMs in Sámara for the best rate; avoid airport and hotel exchange bureaus as they give poor rates.

💳
Cards & contactless

Major credit cards accepted in most hotels, sit-down restaurants, and supermarkets; cash needed for small shops, sodas, and taxis. Contactless is common but mobile pay less so.

🪙
Tipping etiquette

Restaurants often include 10% service — check bill; if not, 10% is standard. Taxis don’t expect tips. Hotel maids: ~1000-2000 CRC per night.

Comer, Comprar e Viajar em um Orçamento

Cheap car hire →
Cheap coffee

Black coffee from a local soda or bakery — about 500-800 CRC (USD 1-1.50).

🥪
Best-value lunch

Casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) at a soda — around 3500-5000 CRC (USD 6-9).

🍝
Affordable dinner

Typical main course at a basic restaurant — about 5000-7000 CRC (USD 9-12).

🌮
Street food & cheap eats

Small food stalls and sodas along the main beach road in Sámara offer cheap tacos, empanadas, and fresh fruit; look for lunchtime 'casado' specials.

🛒
Budget groceries

Super Sámara (near the central square) and Maxi Pali (on the edge of town) are the main budget supermarkets.

👕
Affordable clothes

No real high-street clothes shopping in Sámara; head to the feria (weekly market) on Saturday mornings for basics and souvenirs.

🎫
Cheapest way around

Walking is free and best for most of Sámara; for longer trips, shared taxi colectivos run to nearby beaches for about 1000-1500 CRC per person. From Liberia airport, take a shared shuttle (about USD 30-40) or rent a car to save on taxis.

💡
Money-saving tips

Eat at sodas (local diners) not beachfront tourist places; use ATMs in town to avoid high fees at airport; book accommodation with a kitchen to cook some meals using the supermarket.

Emergency Contacts

Sámara

+506 2690-1111 (Tourist Police) or +506 2690-2290 (Samará Hospital)

💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.

Where to Eat

1
Jardín Marino seafood
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
Pizza Paraíso pizza
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
3
Bar & Restaurante Pablito's Local
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
4
El Cafecito american
££
🚶 12 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
5
Pizzeria El Dorado pizza
££
🚶 15 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
6
Bar / Restaurante Meli Local
££
🚶 18 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
7
Bar Pollo Rico Local
££
🚶 21 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
8
Restaurant Locanda regional
££
🚶 24 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sámara, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.

Your arrival at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo

🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

Vindo ao redor

🚗
Sámara Shuttle $10-$15

Tamarindo → Casitas Laz Divaz, Sámara

💡 Check the schedule in advance to plan your trip

🚌
Interbus $15-$25

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Sámara

💡 Buy tickets online or at the airport to secure a seat

🚗
Sámara Taxi Service $40-$60

Other towns in Guanacaste → Casitas Laz Divaz, Sámara

💡 Book in advance for a flat rate

🚕
Alamo Rent a Car and Taxi $60-$80

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Casitas Laz Divaz, Sámara

💡 Book in advance to ensure availability

🚗 Need a car for your trip? Compare 500+ suppliers — free cancellation, instant confirmation Compare →

Perguntas frequentes

What are the best rooms at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

Request a room on the second or third floor facing the rear garden or pool area. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise from the main road through Sámara, and the rooms overlooking the garden catch the sea breeze without the dust of the front. The hotel often uses a simple numbering system where odd numbers may face the street; confirm with reception.

Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or street side, especially those overlooking the main road (likely odd-numbered). Ground-floor rooms suffer from foot traffic, early morning cleaning noise, and passing motorbikes on the coastal road. Also avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen or service entrance if visible on the hotel map.

Is Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo noisy?

Sámara’s main road (the only paved street through town) carries motorbikes, taxis, and the occasional truck from early morning until late evening. The hotel’s address on this road means front-facing rooms get rumbling from traffic and pedestrian chatter from bars and restaurants nearby. Also, early morning roosters and howler monkeys can startle – not part of the hotel but part of the location.

Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

Rooms facing the rear garden or pool offer the best view at this 3-star hotel – typically a small tropical garden with palm trees and the pool. Street-facing rooms look onto the main road and adjacent buildings, offering little beyond traffic and dust. Upper floors may catch glimpses of the ocean over rooftops, but do not guarantee a sea view unless noted in the confirmed data.

What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

1. Ask reception for a fan-only room over air conditioning – the cross-breeze in upper garden rooms is often better than a noisy A/C unit. 2. If you arrive by car, request a parking spot at check-in; the lot is small and fills fast – a few spaces may be on the street, which is safe but less convenient.

What time is check-in at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

Check-in at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo is from null. Check-out is by null.

Does Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo have Wi-Fi?

Free Wi-Fi throughout; average speed 15 Mbps; no login required — open network

Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

13% VAT (IVA) included in rate; no additional city tax

Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

Casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) at a soda — around 3500-5000 CRC (USD 6-9).

What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Paraíso del Cocodrilo?

Walking is free and best for most of Sámara; for longer trips, shared taxi colectivos run to nearby beaches for about 1000-1500 CRC per person. From Liberia airport, take a shared shuttle (about USD 30-40) or rent a car to save on taxis.

When is the best time to visit Sámara?

January, February, March — driest months with clear skies, calm seas for swimming, and peak wildlife visibility. Crowds are moderate outside holidays.

Principais atrações em Sámara

Playa Guiones Free

💡 Take a short walk north of Sámara Beach to find this hidden gem.

Sámara Wildlife Refuge Free

💡 Take a guided tour to spot monkeys and birds in their natural habitat.

Sámara Farmers' Market Free

💡 Try some local fruits and snacks, and practice your Spanish with the vendors.

Sámara Beach Free

💡 Watch the sunset over the ocean for a truly unforgettable experience.

Iguana Surf School

💡 Book a lesson with a local instructor to learn the best techniques and safety tips.

ℹ️ Aviso de dados: A informação é obtida a partir de dados públicos, análises de IA e fontes da Internet. Detalhes, incluindo configurações de quartos, preços, horários de funcionamento e listas de eventos, podem ser imprecisos ou desatualizados.
How we built this briefing
  • Room intel — AI synthesis of verified guest reviews (Google Place Details)
  • Ratings — Google guest score, sourced live via Google Places API
  • Address, phone, coordinates — OpenStreetMap + hotel's official website
  • Weather — Open-Meteo 14-day forecast (open-source, no API key)
  • Transport & dining — OpenStreetMap Overpass API + AI editorial
  • Facilities dossier — AI analysis of public hotel data, updated on each visit

Room intel, local dining, transport and destination guides on this page are AI-generated from verified data sources (OpenStreetMap, Google Places, Open-Meteo). Facts that can't be sourced are omitted, never invented. How we create this content →