Samara, Costa Rica
Samara is perfect to soak up sun and beach life an unpretentious, laid-back atmosphere. The small village is located in a large half moon bay with pale sand beach shaded by palms and old fig trees.
Vacation in Samara
The shallow waters of the bay are protected by a coral reef and the easygoing surf makes swimming enjoyable. Low tide produces a vast swathe of sand, providing plenty of playground for kids and grown-ups.
Samara is a traditional weekend and holiday retreat for Costa Ricans and still feels fairly authentic with many businesses and hotels run by local Ticos. It's a perfect family destination and seems especially popular with travelers from Europe.
The beach of Samara is lined with palm trees
Samara's main drag leads directly down to the beach where seaside restaurants and bars feature
sand floors and fancy beach decoration.
Being a vacation spot, there are several good dining options and lounge bars available. For late-night
entertainment you can go to the funky discotheque of Samara, located right on the beach.
Hotels in Samara run the gamut from simple and cheap cabinas, to cozy Bed and Breakfast, to boutique hotels on the beach.
Activities in Samara
A 2 km walk south along the beach brings you to the fishing community of Matapalo. Matapalo means strangler fig in English and indeed there is an immense old strangler fig rooting in the sand. The beach is littered with broken corals which make up the sea bottom of the southern part of the bay. The shallow waters are ideal for snorkeling.
Kayaking in the bay of Samara
The submarine adventure is even more thrilling if you go diving or snorkeling at the offshore coral reef. It is one of the few ones found on the Costa Rican Pacific. Schools or yellow jacks, sardines and manta rays abound.
Next to the reef is Chora Island which is home to colonies of maritime birds. With an ocean kayak you can paddle to the island and enjoy pure escapism on a gorgeous pink sand beach.
The chest-deep water and easy surf in the bay is perfect for beginners learning to surf. More challenging waves for the pros are found 12 km south of Samara, on Playa Camaronal.
Other water sports offered in Samara include windsurfing, sport fishing, or kayaking along the coast or into the river estuary of the Rio Ora.
For activities on land you can ride on horseback to the Tobacco waterfalls with its three cataracts and natural swimming pools. Or go on a Canopy Tour in Santo Domingo, three km inland from Samara.
The tranquil waters are one of the main features of Playa Samara
Getting to Samara:
Samara can be reached quite comfortably on the 35 km paved road from Nicoya. Daily direct busses connect to San José and there are flights to San José from the small airstrip of Carrillo, 7 km south of Samara.