Samara Costa Rica

Samara is perfect for soaking up sun and beach life in an unpretentious, laid-back atmosphere. The little village is set in a large half moon bay with pale sand beach shaded by palms and big old fig trees.

Beach in Samara Costa Rica

The bay of Samara is protected by a coral reef and shallow waters and gentle surf makes swimming enjoyable even for timid bathers and families with kids.

Samara is also an affordable, traditional weekend and vacation retreat for Costa Ricans. The little town feels fairly authentic, with many businesses and hotels run by local Ticos. Accommodations and hotels in Samara offer a choice of budget rooms, homely B&Bs, to boutique hotels and vacation rentals.

Street vendor in Samara

Samara's main drag leads directly to the beach where seaside restaurants, lounges and bars feature sand floors, beach artworks, and relaxed vibes.
In Samara you find all ingredients for a beach vacation: restaurants with local fare or gourmet cuisine, supermarkets and small boutiques, car rentals, tour operators, surf schools, and bars with night entertainment right on the beach!

Activities in Samara

Kayaking in the bay of Samara

The best spot for snorkeling is in Cangrejal, at the far northern end of Samara, where the reef closes up to the beach. The reef is one of the few ones found on the Costa Rican Pacific side and in dry season you enjoy crystal clear waters with schools of yellow jacks, pork fish, manta rays, and star fish, among many others.

Next to the reef is Chora Island which is home to colonies of maritime birds. With a kayak you can paddle to the island and enjoy escapism on a pink sand beach. Other kayak tours can be made into the river estuary of the Rio Ora or Rio Buenavista. Another great new sport in Samara is SUP, where you paddle through the ocean while standing on a surf board.

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.

Professional Sport fishing tours are offered from the nearby port of Carillo.

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. Hotels in Samara can book a tour for you.

If you rent a bicycle you can easily reach the neighboring beaches of Samara: to the north is the pristine beach of Playa Buenavista. Drive through the community of Cangrejal and continue around 2 km through the forest until you reach the estuary of the Rio Buenavista.
From Samara to the south you get to the picturesque Carrillo bay with its turquoise clear water.

The calm waters of the bay are a main feature of Playa Samara

Samara Nightlife:

Following a selection of night venues in Samara:

Early Evening	Lo Q Hay Pub is a beach lounge with oversized sofas to lounge on while eating your lunch or sipping a cocktail, beer or a fruit shake. Nice for sunset and later with the colored lights on the trees and mellow music playing. La Vela Latina on the beach is a relaxed hangout for sipping a cocktail at sunset and after. Lively bartenders, snacks and American football when it's the season.
Night	Tabanuco is a beach restaurant with bar that often has reggae nights, ladies night and other music events. It's a stylish yet unpretentious place with a big tree growing in the middle of the dance floor. Las Olas on the north end of the beach of Samara has Mexican food, pool tables and a bar, favoured by locals. Sometimes there is dancing until 1:30 am when it's time to head to Tutti Fruttis just down the beach. Don't walk alone on the beach at night.
Late Night	Bar Arriba on the main street of Samara is a fun bar with an Italian feel. It usually fills after 11 pm. There is a pool and ping pong table as well as a dart board The Tutti Frutti disco on the beach is Samara's late night venue, open on Saturdays until 4 am or later. Not the most luxurious place, with a fairly mixed crowd, it's good for dancing to reggaeton, salsa, and reggae until the early morning hours.

Getting to Samara:

Samara can be reached quite comfortably on the 35 km paved road from Nicoya, or, if coming from the Tempisque bridge via Hojancha and Carrillo on a newly paved road. 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.

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