There are some locations in Costa Rica which are simple to determine. You flip off the freeway, and inside minutes you sense the vibe of the vacation spot. You are feeling its spirit throughout you. Samara, Costa Rica isn’t a type of locations.
“Ah, we beloved Sámara,” gushed Max’s grandma after spending every week in Samara, following our marriage ceremony. “It’s very quiet and beautiful. However I don’t assume it’s a spot for younger individuals,” she famous to us as we had been researching Samara Seaside for our upcoming journey.
“Ah, sure, I keep in mind partying in Sámara within the 90s,” Max’s Mother reminisced within the meantime. “Enjoyable little city”.
We had been perplexed. So is it a celebration city? A sleepy village? Or one thing in between?
Road in Sámara
Planning a Go to to Sámara, Costa Rica
Sámara isn’t a city that always graces the pages of shiny magazines and journey websites. And it isn’t one often featured in typical Costa Rican journey itineraries. It’s considerably off-the-beaten-path, and as we quickly came upon, one that gives a laid-back vibe and delightful seashore setting interesting to simply about anybody.
For us, Sámara was an ideal backdrop for an idyllic getaway. It wasn’t crowded, it wasn’t loud, it wasn’t in your face, but it surely had all of the comforts that one would possibly get pleasure from whereas on holidays.
There was a wide variety of eating places (albeit considerably overpriced even for Costa Rica), cute boutiques, yoga retreats, and no scarcity of excursions and actions. Regardless of its compact measurement and lack of huge resort chains, the realm of Playa Samara has been welcoming vacationers and locals for what appeared like many years.
Sundown on Playa Sámara
Bohemia Cafe check in Playa Sámara, Costa Rica
Ticos Surf College on Sámara Seaside
Outlets alongside the road in Sámara Costa Rica
Important Journey Data for Sámara Seaside Costa Rica
Getting There
Playa Sámara is situated on the Nicoya Peninsula, in Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. Sámara is situated about 2-2.5 hours by automobile from Liberia Airport, which is the closest airport. Samara is situated about 3.5 hours from the capital of San Jose by automobile.
Taxi
A taxi from Liberia Airport to Sámara will price a minimum of $115 and may take roughly 2-2.5 hours.
Shuttle
A twice-daily shuttle bus leaves Liberia Airport to Sámara day by day at 8:30 am and three pm, which prices $45/pp. A personal shuttle bus will price $145 USD in whole.
Public Bus
These travelling on a finances can get to Playa Sámara Costa Rica by bus from Liberia through Nicoya (3-hr journey). Buses depart Liberia at 8:30 am and a pair of pm. Bus schedules may be discovered right here.
Getting Round
Samara Seaside, Costa Rica is a small seashore city, so the easiest way to get round is on foot. ATV leases and taxi providers are additionally obtainable on the town.
Wall artwork in Sámara
Greatest Time to Go to Samara, Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, there are two seasons somewhat than 4. There’s the wet season and the dry season. Contemplating that, one of the best time to go to Samara Seaside relies on what you’re on the lookout for.
The wet season, from Could to November, could be very moist, because it rains far more typically and is extra humid, although Guanacaste does are usually drier than different provinces. Runoff, flooding, and dust could be a bit unpredictable throughout this season, however it is going to even be a lot much less crowded.
The dry season, from December to April, doesn’t have practically as a lot rain and the climate is extra predictable, however components of the nation start struggling for water because the dry season progresses. It will likely be far more crowded, and costs shall be increased. The dry season is the excessive season in terms of vacationers.
Issues to do in Sámara, Costa Rica
Regardless of the abundance of exercise choices to fill our days, we actually didn’t do a lot in Sámara. For as soon as, we actually took the time to chill out and unwind, spending our waking hours absorbing the solar, lazing within the palm tree shades, and splashing within the waves on Playa Sámara, Playa Buena Vista, and Playa Carrillo.
The proper place to chill out in Sámara
Benefit from the Lovely Seashores in Sámara
Playa Sámara
This lovely, sandy seashore is the city’s predominant draw. Swaying coconut bushes line the horseshoe-shaped bay, and the water is light and shallow which makes it appropriate for swimmers or beginner surfers. Make a while to observe the sundown at Playa Samara with an ice-cold beer in hand.
Playa Buena Vista
Head to Playa Buena Vista for its reasonable surf or for a picturesque stroll alongside the seashore. It’s situated a brief 5 minutes drive or 30-minute stroll from Samara. There are 3 surf retailers on the town that supply board leases, and classes.
Playa Carrillo
This beautiful, empty seashore is situated 8 km (5 miles) south of Sámara. It makes for an incredible day of sunbathing and swimming. It has been awarded one of many cleanest seashores in Costa Rica, and it’s our absolute favorite, however convey drinks, snacks, and a hammock as there’s not a lot infrastructure across the seashore.
Playa Barrigona
Playa Barrigona is a small, crescent-shaped seashore near Samara, with giant rock formations on both finish. It’s a comparatively non-public space. Compared to Samara, there have a tendency to not be many individuals in it. Getting there may be difficult, because the street resulting in the seashore is unpaved and extremely bumpy, and it’s not one of the best seashore for swimming. Nevertheless, when you’re seeking to surf or simply to flee from the crowds, it’s an incredible place to be.
Playa Sámara
Playa Sámara
Little woman taking part in within the water on Playa Sámara
Secluded seashore at Playa Buena Vista
Playa Carillo, Sámara
Go to the Werner-Sauter Organic Reserve
The Werner-Sauter Organic Reserve is one of many nation’s few non-public reserves and is blanketed in a uncommon, dry, tropical forest.
The world was used as a farm till the Nineties when the household who owned the farm determined to revert it again to its pure state. Their inspiration is from the governmental safety of different valuable ecosystems just like the cloud forest throughout this time. At the moment, the pure terrain has rebounded impressively and grow to be a refuge for wildlife.
The grandson of the founding father of the reserve created Sámara Trails. He takes teams on informative excursions to the Werner-Sauter Bio Reserve twice every day. The tour begins on the farm’s former cattle pasture, weaves by an lively mango plantation after which onto the reserve.
Morning excursions begin at 6:30 am, and the afternoon tour begins at 2:30 pm every day. Each excursions are 2.5 hours and value $39 USD/pp.
Take Half in a Turtle Tour
Playa Camaronal and Playa Ostional are each widespread websites for turtle hatching and nesting excursions a few half hour from Samara.
At Camaronal Seaside, endangered turtles may be seen nesting all yr spherical with elevated numbers from June- January. Whereas at Ostional, you is likely to be fortunate sufficient to be on the town for an “Arribada”- a uncommon event when tons of of turtles come to nest from July to December.
If you would like one of the best probability of seeing turtles, then a guided turtle tour will improve these odds. A educated information will know what to search for. Samara Adventures presents one such tour.
Turtle on Playa
Ostional
Snorkel round Isla Chora
Positioned a hop, skip, and soar from Samara Seaside, this secluded island is nice for snorkelling, and exploring. Vibrant fish, octopus, eels and extra teem under the water’s floor.
Snorkelling on Isla Chora is a well-liked stop-off for a lot of ocean kayaking excursions and dolphin-watching excursions provided on the town.
Samara Adventures presents a half-day mixture dolphin-watching and snorkelling journey. You’ll get the possibility to see noticed and bottlenose dolphins, and probably even humpback whales, relying on the time of yr.
Can you notice Isla Chora from our desk?
Take Surf Classes
Playa Samara is a good seashore for brand spanking new surfers, because the waves have a tendency to remain fairly gentle, and a number of the close by seashores are nice for extra skilled surfers, like Carrillo and Barrigona. Whether or not you’re utterly new to browsing or simply hoping to bone up in your expertise, a surf lesson might be a great way to spend a day.
C & C Surf College presents classes for a wide range of ability ranges, together with leases, excursions, and different choices. You’ll be able to take a solo lesson or a gaggle lesson, relying in your choice, from newbie all the best way as much as superior.
Go Horseback Driving
Whereas appreciating the great thing about the seashore and the native surroundings on foot is superb, nothing fairly compares to seeing all of it from the saddle. Even when you’ve by no means been on a horse earlier than, a horseback journey might be an ideal approach to begin, as path horses typically are affected person, docile, and susceptible to sticking along with the remainder of the group. With horse and a information who is aware of what they’re doing, you’ll be able to see the crops and the wildlife in a method you received’t be capable to in another method.
Horse Jungle focuses on horseback-riding journeys in and round Samara, whether or not you’re a professional at using or have by no means even seen a horse earlier than. Their horses are effectively cared for, areas for rides are rigorously picked, and their guides are effectively skilled. Even young children are welcome.
Go on a Kayaking Tour
Whereas the seashores are an apparent draw to the Samara space, there’s additionally the River Ora and the mangrove forests, and there’s Chora Island. In each circumstances, the easiest way to understand them is by kayak. You may get an up-close have a look at the mangroves and the wildlife from the river, and there are components of Chora Island which are in any other case very troublesome to achieve.
Carrillo Excursions presents a kayak tour of the River Ora and mangroves, with all tools included. E book With Maria presents a mixture kayak and snorkelling journey to Chora Island, open to superior kayakers and newcomers alike.
Different issues to do in Samara, Costa Rica
The place to Eat in Sámara, Costa Rica
We loved scrumptious smoothies from Sámara’s pop-up natural farmer’s market, which takes place each Tuesday morning and Friday afternoon. We stuffed ourselves with falafel wraps from the Falafel Cafe, and yummy natural burgers alongside a scrumptious yogi bowl from Luv Burger.
Ahori Si was Sámara’s first all-vegetarian restaurant and has numerous yummy vegan choices. So we suggest you give it a attempt too.
However the spotlight of our meals escapades in Sámara was the dinners we had at Lo Que Hay, a Mexican-inspired beach-side restaurant with killer cocktails (ask them for his or her Guaro particular), nice meals, and an incredible environment. We beloved it there a lot and we ate there greater than as soon as.
Vegetarian burger and yogi superfoods bowl at Luv Burger
Yummy lunch on the Falafel Cafe
Romantic setting at Lo Que Hay on Playa Sámara
On our final night time in Sámara, as an alternative of going out and having yet one more meal at Lo Que Hay (as a result of, let’s be critical, we couldn’t get sufficient of the scrumptious meals there), we determined to remain in and spend a night with our Airbnb hosts at Villa Mariola. We had been handled to a scrumptious home-cooked meal and nice firm of fellow Canadian travellers and our beautiful French hosts, Michele and Carine.
In the event you’re within the temper for an Italian restaurant, Gusto Seaside is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and so they even have a cocktail bar. They’re moderately priced, and whereas they’re recognized primarily for seafood and pizza, additionally they have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices obtainable. Positioned proper on the seashore, it is a great place for a romantic dinner.
Or, when you’re simply on the lookout for one thing fast and engaging, then Bohemia Cafe will in all probability hit the spot, open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The costs are low, the workers is pleasant, and the menu is wholesome and has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.
Coco, a pleasant pizote that visited our hosts at Villa Mariola throughout our keep
Nightlife in Sámara
Nightlife in Sámara is a hit or miss. Sámara was by no means bumping at night time once we had been there, however between night-time leisure at Lo Que Hay, just a few different bars alongside the seashore, and Microbar Samara, there was sufficient to maintain us entertained.
In the event you’re eager to hit the dance ground, take a look at Membership Arriba on weekends.
FAQ About Playa Samara, Costa Rica
What’s Samara, Costa Rica recognized for?
Samara is known as a browsing vacation spot, however as you’ll be able to see there’s far more to do if browsing isn’t your factor!
Is Samara Seaside good for swimming?
Sure, because of a coral reef simply off the shore, the waters of Samara Seaside are calm, with no rip present to fret about. The waves are light, so it’s protected for the entire household.
How lengthy ought to I keep in Sámara, Costa Rica?
We deliberate on spending simply 2 days in Sámara, however after getting a really feel for the vibe of this laid-back city, we determined to increase our keep for an additional few days. And we had been so joyful that we did!
Keep so long as you are feeling like stress-free and soaking within the laid-back Tico way of life.
How do I get round Samara, Costa Rica?
Since Samara is a small seashore city, you’ll be able to simply get round on foot. In the event you’d somewhat not stroll, there are retailers that hire e-bikes and golf carts.
Issues to do in Samara, Costa Rica
Browsing, snorkelling, ecotours, or simply stress-free on the gorgeous seashores and embracing the Pura Vida!
The way to get to Samara, Costa Rica
When you have extra locations in your itinerary, it’s in all probability best to hire a automobile and drive to Samara. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from San Jose and about 2 – 2.5 hours from Liberia Airport. Or, when you’re on a finances and would somewhat maintain issues easy, each San Jose and Liberia have bus routes operating to Samara.
The place to Keep in Sámara, Costa Rica
There’s not a ton of lodging choices on the town, so guide upfront if you’re travelling in excessive season.
Eco Resorts in Samara, Costa Rica
Lodge Giada is a reasonably priced, totally carbon-neutral resort. They’re situated simply 200 meters from the Samara seashore.
Room at Lodge Gaida. Picture by Lodge Gaida.
Lodge Punta Islita’s beautiful, luxurious beachfront lodging is situated simply down the street from Sámara. It’s their dedication to grow to be one of the vital eco-friendly beachfront resorts in Costa Rica.
Tico Journey Lodge is an efficient, reasonably priced possibility for anybody travelling alone, as single rooms begin as little as $20. It’s particularly possibility if you’d like quick access to the water. Playa Samara is only a brief stroll from the lodge, and there’s an out of doors swimming pool that’s open year-round.
Between rooms and visitor homes, there are 14 choices, and even the most costly visitor home is pretty cheap. Outlets and eating places are simple to get to, and the lodge strives for sustainability and luxury.
Seaside Entrance Bahia is a comparatively new resort, having solely opened in late 2021. It’s nice for company who’re feeling adventurous, because the workers can set up outside adventures and excursions for the company.
They’ve just a few rooms, and each has a patio. It’s the workers’s dedication to supply one of the best service they will whereas concurrently taking as many sustainable steps as attainable. There’s a restaurant on-site, primarily serving American, Belgian, and French meals, and the resort is only a few steps from Samara Seaside.
Internal Gentle Yoga Lodge, because the identify would possibly indicate, is extra of a resort than a resort. They’ve 4 lodges, every with a toilet, kitchen, and patio, and so they supply free newbie yoga classes to company. There are massages and reiki periods obtainable, and there’s a store on-site the place they promote pure cleaning soap and hand-made equipment. The resort is plastic-free and really well being aware.
Personal room at Punta Islita. Picture by Punta Islita Lodge.