Samara in Costa Rica is this city in the province of Guanacaste and more precisely on the Nicoya peninsula that seduces every time. Samara is a large sandy beach that requires relaxation, a perfect sea for snorkeling and a charming city for walks.
Here are the activities to do in Samara.
1. Visit the town of Samara in costa rica
Samara in Costa Rica is located in the province of Guanacaste on the northern Pacific coast. The Liberia International Airport (LIR) is about two hours away. The trip from the airport is on paved roads, making it an easily accessible destination.
One of the main attractions of Samara is the urban area. The city center is located next to the beach and is full of restaurants, fashion stores, travel agencies and a few small hotels.
In Samara to Costa Rica, another attraction is the surrounding forest and nature. Unlike the northern regions, Samara is a dense dry tropical forest. Even in the area of the hotel you can find animals such as monkeys, iguanas and many birds.
The town of Samara in Costa Rica borders the beach that bears his name. But be patient, before you run and jump into the sea, take the time to walk around the town. It is very nice to walk there and wander among the different stores. You can also go book a table in one of the many restaurants for your lunch or dinner. You might see some animals in the city. In fact, Samara in Costa Rica is bordered by a tropical forest and some monkeys, iguanas and birds escape and find themselves in the middle of the town. Little shy, you can observe them but keep your distance so you do not scare them.
2. Enjoy the Beaches of Samara in Costa Rica
Of course, Samara in Costa Rica is mainly famous for its pretty beaches lined with coconut trees. Playa Samara in Costa Rica is the most famous and frequented. It is for sure one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Its great advantage is that it is protected by a coral reef. Therefore, the sea is very calm there.
Playa Samara in Costa Rica has all the qualities that a beach could have. First of all, it has a postcard landscape. Coconut and palm trees stand all over the fine sands of the beach giving it a beautiful air and shade. With its moderate waves, it is very accessible to children. You will have a great time with your family. You will discover many restaurants and hotels. Take part in the activities organized on the beach to brighten up your day even more. You will be very happy to discover Playa Samara. Don't waste any more time!
You will understand that the place is ideal to spend time with your children, especially because you will find everything you need to spend a good day: bathrooms, restaurants, etc.Children can swim there in complete safety and can learn to snorkel. You will be fascinated by the many multicolored fish that move in shoals before your amazed eyes in Samara.
Finally, the beach faces the West. We highly recommend that you have a cocktail or coconut water while you admire the spectacle of the sunset.
Otherwise you can also go to the other beaches in the area:
Playa Carrillo south of Playa Samara. Here too the waves are calm and the beach is lined with palm trees. It is more isolated than its neighbor, which gives it another charm.
Only 5 km away, on your left when you are in Samara, facing the sea, you will discover a postcard beach, with a sublime landscape.
The road, always very beautiful, takes you directly to the beach of Carrillo from Samara. A preserved beach, much quieter than Samara, with a long stretch of white sand and especially coconut trees on the whole length. It also has the advantage of being bordered all along by the road, so it is easy to park where you want and keep an eye on the car.
Barrigona Beach in Samara - Costa Rica: It is only accessible if you have a rental car. Why is it famous? Mel Gibson's house overlooks this beach. Although its access is quite difficult (better to have a 4x4), the beach is of great beauty and above all, wild and isolated from the world. A pure happiness!
The beach has soft white sand and brilliant blue waters, surrounded by mountains covered with forests from one end to the other. During the dry season, the mountains are more yellow and sparse, but during the rainy season they become lush green.
3. Scuba Diving in Samara - Costa Rica
We told you before, diving in the crystal clear waters of Samara is a pleasure. If you are a fan of scuba diving, you will not be left out. Some shipwrecks have sunk in the area. As everyone knows, wrecks are a breeding ground for corals and the hundreds of fish that take refuge there. You are also likely to be lucky enough to see white tip sharks, snappers, and maybe even hammerhead sharks and bulldogs. A fabulous show!
Costa Rica's seabed is home to a great biodiversity ranging from sharks, manta rays, turtles, seahorses to tropical fish and coral. Scuba diving will allow you to discover this diversity of marine life during unforgettable long minutes. In fact, the location of this country allows diving in the Caribbean Sea as well as in the Pacific Ocean and near islands more or less distant from the continent. Moreover, you will dive in water around 25 degrees, which makes wearing a wetsuit optional!
Scuba Diving in Costa Rica is best from May to November, during the rainiest season. Clubs generally offer 2 tanks dive for 120 USD.
This dive site is located off Samara, near the island of Chora. It is easy to reach by boat or kayak. Moreover, all types of public can visit this dive site. The white sand of this island offers a magnificent contrast with the color of the fish! A nice diving session is waiting for you in Samara!
Globally in Costa Rica, you can dive at any season, the flamboyant fauna and flora will always be present. However, during a few months in some regions, they become even richer.
4. Horse Riding in Samara – Costa Rica
Several companies offer horse riding. You will see it quickly, this activity is a must do in Costa Rica and we love it! For $50, you can go deep into the jungle and observe the local flora and fauna. The animals and birds are innumerable, not to mention the different varieties of tropical plants.
Discover the wonderful beaches of Costa Rica with our horseback rides for all levels and live an unforgettable moment through the tropical jungle.
Animals, vegetation, landscapes, we cross beautiful places to make you discover the fauna and the flora of Costa Rica while enjoying the happiness of being on horseback.
But the best thing to do is jog or gallop along the beach with your hooves in the water and better yet, at sunset. A bit cliché, sure, but do you dare tell us that you are not dreaming it either? That's what we thought.
5. Take a Surf Lesson in Samara – Costa Rica
The sea in Samara is very calm. However, some waves can challenge the coral reef. Also beginners in surfing can practice in the small and soft waves stopped by the barrier. Some clubs offer lessons, you should definitely try !
If you are a more experienced surfer, you will love the beaches of Nosara, in particular Guiones. They are internationally famous, their waves will never disappoint you, trust us.
In Playa Samara in Costa Rica, surfing is one of the most popular activities. Samara in Costa Rica is the place where the discovery of this sport and the practice at a very good level of the impassioned ones are combined to perfection.
At the beach of the village in Samara in Costa Rica, the waves are small, the board rentals are affordable (longboards, paddles...) and the instructors are very good. Lessons usually last 1 hour, for 40$, and you have the possibility to keep the board for a few more hours or days.
In the surroundings of Samara in Costa Rica there are some well known spots:
Playa Buenavista in Costa Rica : wild and deserted with multiple peaks on a sandy bottom. Only warning: beware of crocodiles in the estuary. It's not just a rumor!
Playa Barigona in Costa Rica: paradisiacal with powerful left and right handers, which require a lot of speed.
Playa Guiones in Costa Rica: very touristy but can send! Its big advantage is that it can work at all tides.
Better exposed to the north swells than the rest of the peninsula.
6. Take a Yoga Class in Samara – Costa Rica
While in Nosara, stay there for a bit. What better than a little Yoga class to relax after a great surf session ? Yoga is a very popular sport in Costa Rica and you will find it in all its forms. If you book a surf break in Nosara, yoga is generally included in the program. Surf in the morning, yoga in the afternoon, stroll along the beach to watch the sunset in the evening. Isn’t it perfect ?
Costa Rica is the place where yoga lovers have the opportunity to enjoy Pura Vida in the purest and most authentic way: connecting with nature, breathing clean air and listening to beautiful natural sounds. Feeling the need to be part of this destination in Costa Rica where nature, biodiversity, but also happiness and peace reign, is innate in every yogi, whatever his level.
Thus, the "Land of Pure Life" has an infinite number of places all over the country where you can practice yoga, meditate and connect with yourself, whether in the middle of the jungle, on a Pacific beach, at the foot of a volcano or in waterfalls lost in lush forests.
But one of the most notable destinations for this practice is Nosara, a city famous for its tropical smoothies and a white-sand paradise located on the Nicoya Peninsula, characterized by being one of the blue zones of the planet, that is, one of the most vibrant areas of the world and which, according to experts, gives off a special energy for yogis.
Two of the most popular beaches in this city are Playa Nosara, which is 3 kilometers long and has a beautiful mangrove formed on the Rio Nosara, and Playa Guiones, characterized by its 7 kilometers of bright white sand. Both beaches have a beautiful landscape that attracts people from all over the world, since they are an outdoor sanctuary and the home of yoga and spiritual tourism where the visitor finds tranquility, peace and beauty.
7. Hiking in the Werner-Sauter Natural Reserve
The Werner Sauter Biological Reserve's winding walkways can be found close to Playa Sámara on Costa Rica's renowned Nicoya Peninsula. The reserve is still mostly unknown, despite being situated in a well-known area and featuring routes that take you on spectacular jungle trekking adventures.
Samara is mostly famous because of its beaches. But if you like hiking and cannot spendmore than 24 hours without having your dose of trails to go, the Werner-Sauter Biological Reserve is for you. 140 hectares to cover in this private location on the outskirts of town. The dry forest is best to visit with a guide who will show you all the wildlife he knows by heart. You will especially see monkeys, owls, hedgehogs and other animals more adorable than the others. Landscapes from up there are breathtaking ! The reserve is located on the heights, so you will have several times an impressive view of Samara and its bay.
The Werner Sauter Biological Nature Reserve is prodigious. What makes it even more of a gem is the fact that it is part of one of only five blue zones in the world: places of health, happiness and long life expectancy. And this 2-3 hour hike through the rich biodiversity of the Guanacaste dry forest will tell you why. First of all, the Samara region means waking up to breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific, singing howler monkeys and iguanas basking in the early morning munching on hibiscus flowers and mangoes.
The inherent lack of water in this forest refuge has allowed wildlife to adapt and flourish in a setting with less nutrients than other tropical forests, which is the foundation for such a distinctive ecosystem. A knowledgeable guide will bring you through the reserve while sharing amusing tales, information, and anecdotes about the region's biodiversity and other wonders.
8. Go to see the Belen Waterfall in Samara – Costa Rica
It is only 20 minutes away from the commercial city of Samara in Costa Rica and is definitely worth visiting, so check it out. The Belén Waterfall in Costa Rica is a small waterfall that feeds several pools where it is good to swim.
The access is not signposted but all the locals know it, ask them! Therefore, it is still preserved from tourists, so shhh!
Good to know: it is better to go to the Belén waterfall in the dry season (December to April) where there is less flow in the waterfall and therefore less current. During the rainy season in Costa Rica, you may dive deep. Be very careful. Nothing to worry about in the dry season in Costa Rica. Note though that no facility has been set up, the place is really little known. That's why we love it!
9. Go Fishing With the locals in Samara – Costa Rica
On the side of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica and therefore in Samara, deep-sea fishing is a very popular sport. Leaving Playa Samara you will find several companies offering day fishing excursions. In Costa Rica, "catch and release" is widely practiced. That is, the animals are released after being captured in Costa Rica.. You will have the opportunity to see many species of fish, including:
- Roosterfish
- Red carp
- The marlin
- Yellowfin tuna
- etc.
As one of the most famous countries for sport fishing, Costa Rica invites you to fish at sea, both in the Caribbean and in the Pacific. From comfortable boats, inflatable boats or simple canoes, the fishing possibilities are extremely varied. Sport fishing in Costa Rica is always a fruitful adventure, as the waters are full of fish and the scenery is heavenly.
The Pacific region is made up of internationally renowned spots such as Samara, Golfito and Bahía Drake. So, if you are interested in this experience, you know what you have to do...
Our team will be happy to help you discover in the best conditions these world famous fishing spots, whether you are an apprentice sailor or a seasoned captain!
- From May to November, during the wet season, the best catches are made around the Gulf of Papagayo.
- From December to April, during the dry season, it is better to go to the south of the country: Bahía Drake and Golfito are our favorite places.
Of course, each species has its own spots and its own season: you can fish all year round, but you will never find the same fish. It even seems that Costa Rica is one of the only places in the world where it is possible to catch 3 different types of marlin in one day (black, blue and striped), and sailfish up to 2 meters long... A fisherman's paradise, we told you!
10. Take a Tour at the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge -in Samara – Costa Rica
Credit : @the-cloud-travaler
Last but not least, you will see the turtles at the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica. This refuge in Costa Rica was created in order to preserve the Lora Tortoise species. Unlike other species that lay between October and February, Tora Tortoises come by thousands to lay their eggs on the beach between September and November. This is called Arribada. If you come to Samara during this period, do not miss this fabulous show that nature offers in Costa Rica.
The Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional has become one of the most beautiful and impressive places in Guanacaste, as its steep vegetation has formed around a set of beaches that annually witness one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the world, the nesting process of sea turtles.
All along its more than 320 hectares, you will find countless animal species, which are based in the dense mangroves. Among the different species that you can find it is necessary to highlight: monkeys, wild birds and countless reptiles, which climb in the tropical trees of the region.
But, without a doubt, the main mark of the refuge are its beaches, which stretch from Punta Indias to Guiones Beach. The beaches have become an ecological reference, since they are the place chosen by the marine turtles for the nesting process. Here, the spawning of the Kemp's ridley turtle occurs, which has become the refuge in the largest nesting place of this species.
Because of this, the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge has become one of the centers of study and research, since this event attracts the attention of the biology community in Costa Rica.
Practical Information to go in Samara – Costa Rica
How to get to Samara in Costa Rica?
Samara in Costa Rica is on the Nicoya Peninsula, although the maps could show you other roads that seem easier to you, we do not recommend going there. They are generally in poor condition and you may have to cross some streams. From San José in Costa Rica, you will have to drive for 4h30. You can make a stop in the town of Nicoya, it's worth it. You will feel like you are in the heart of the Wild West in the middle of a cowboy town. Nicoya is a blue zone. It means that 10% of the population is over 100 years old because of the way they live, eat and work. If you go there in February, you might even see Rodeo shows. In short, we love it!
Where to stay in Samara- Costa Rica?
There is no shortage of hotels in Samara, there is something for all tastes and all budgets. We fell in love with the Pacific Lodge, this French hotel with very good value for money. It is located in a green environment and above all its restaurant offers exceptional dishes that combine French and Costa Rican cuisine. A pure pleasure.
If you don't want to go to a hotel, you will easily find guest rooms or Airbnbs. This option is also very useful if you want to live with the locals and at your own pace. Either way, it is best to spend at least one night there to do all the activities. Then you will leave for Santa Teresa. Make no mistake, Santa Teresa is on the Nicoya peninsula, yes, but a 4 hour drive from Samara. you won't do both in one day.