Sámara · Hotel
Hotel Giada
Sámara base for boat tours and Isla Chora snorkeling
Hotel Giada is a hotel on the main street of Sámara, about 200 meters from the beach on Guanacaste's Nicoya Peninsula. It doesn't run its own sailboat these days as far as we can tell, but its activities pages point guests to dolphin and whale boat trips, catamaran outings and the paddle-and-snorkel tour to Isla Chora. It suits couples and families who want a walkable town base for a few days on the water.
What they offer
Hotel Giada is a long-running hotel in the beach town of Sámara, on the Pacific side of the Nicoya Peninsula. Years ago it was known for organizing its own sailing trips along the coast. Today the hotel's website doesn't mention a boat of its own, so treat it as a comfortable base for getting on the water rather than a sailing operator.
What it does do well is the basics: rooms set around 2 pools, a garden with loungers, free parking, and an Italian restaurant, Ahora Si!, where the cooking is home-style. Breakfast is available. The beach is a short walk away, and the town's sodas, supermarkets, ATMs, pharmacy and bus stop are all close by.
Getting on the water from Sámara
The hotel's own activities pages describe the trips that most guests book from here:
- Dolphin and whale boat tours along the coast, on small boats or catamarans, with snorkel gear, fruit and cold drinks. Sightings can include dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, seabirds and, in season, humpback whales. Occasional sunset catamaran outings are also offered.
- Isla Chora snorkeling. You paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard about 1.3 km across Sámara Bay to the small island, then snorkel the reef with a guide. The paddle takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and pickup times depend on the tide.
- Mangrove kayaking, sea turtle tours and surf lessons, plus inland trips to Palo Verde and the Tempisque River.
The hotel lists these as activities around Sámara rather than naming the boat operators, so ask at reception who runs each trip, what boat you'll be on and where it leaves from.
Where it is
Sámara sits on a wide, sheltered bay protected by a reef, which is why the water is often calmer here than at the open surf beaches nearby. It's roughly 1 hour from Nicoya town and around 2 hours from Liberia airport by road. The hotel is on the main street, so you can walk to the beach, restaurants and the tour offices in town.
Who it suits
- Couples and families who want to walk everywhere and spend their days on calm water.
- Beginner paddlers and snorkelers. Sámara Bay's protected water is friendlier than most of the Guanacaste coast.
- Travelers on a mid-range budget who'd rather have 2 pools and a good restaurant than a big resort.
Good to know before you book
- Some guests mention noise from the main street on weekend nights. Ask for a pool-view room if you sleep lightly.
- Dry season in Guanacaste runs roughly December to April, when the sea is usually calmest for boat trips. Northern humpbacks are most likely from about December to March, and southern humpbacks from about July to October.
- Check whether breakfast is included in your rate when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hotel Giada still run its own sailing tours?
We couldn't confirm that. The hotel's website lists dolphin boat trips, catamaran outings and snorkeling tours around Sámara but doesn't mention a hotel-owned sailboat.
How far is the hotel from the beach?
About 200 meters, on Sámara's main street.
Can I snorkel from Sámara without a boat?
Yes. The Isla Chora tour reaches the island by kayak or paddleboard, about 15 to 20 minutes of paddling across the bay.
Does the hotel have a pool?
It has 2 pools, plus a garden area with pool beds.
