Great place to learn to surf
- ROBERT L, MAY 2018
Samara
The beautiful coastal hamlet of Samara is a paradise on the Nicoya Peninsula's western shore. Known as one of the prettiest and safest beaches in all of Costa Rica, Playa Samara radiates wonderful white sand in contrast to the aquamarine water. Tropical plant life and living coral encompass Samara's 3-mile (5 km) coastline, and the beach is a favorite among locals, foreigners, and wealthier Ticos- forming a quintessential beach community.
Samara's laidback vibe allows for rest and relaxation, an almost universal characteristic of the Nicoya Peninsula. Its village offers a number of services: stores, restaurants, hotels, and a small selection of bars. The town's nightlife, however, can be found at one of its discos, which keeps the party trucking through early morning.
Sport fishing is a popular activity off the coast, as is snorkeling and scuba diving around the coral environments. A short one-mile (2 km) walk down the beach brings visitors to the Tico hamlet of Matapalo, a great snorkeling spot. For birdwatchers, Chora Island, which is located just off the coast, is home to swaths of avian fauna that can easily be viewed from a kayak. Finally, swimming conditions in Samara's calm coastal waters are an ideal warm temperature.
Transportation to Samara has dramatically improved with construction of the paved Road 150, which runs south from Nicoya. Air travel is available to a small airstrip just outside of town. From San Jose or Liberia, planes will fly to Nosara and then to Samara. Daily buses also run from Nicoya, Liberia, and San Jose.
Traveler Feedback
Traveler Feedback
It was relaxing and invigorating! Swimming and body surfing great fun! Gorgeous beach walks and sunsets! Loved the dolphin tour and snorkeling in a nearby town.
- JANE M, MAR 2018
Lovely country; clean, beautiful with uniformly friendly people. We will be back.
- RICHARD M, NOV 2017
We loved Samara, very quiet during this time of year which was very nice.
- SANDRA D, SEP 2017
Samara has got to be the most beautiful place on earth! We cannot wait to go back and spend a long time here!
- MANDY M, FEB 2016
Both Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo are beautiful. Playa Carrillo extra special because there is no development.
- LORI A, JAN 2016
One of our favorite places in the world!
- VALERIE , DEC 2015
Cute place for young people and families
- CHRISTINE R, DEC 2015
We're not beach people, and it was very hot, but we really ended up liking this area, and the Samara Pacific Lodge. Everybody was very friendly and laid back.
- STEVE A, MAR 2015
Favorite restaurants: La Locanda and La Vela Latina by far!
- ANGELA C, FEB 2015
This a very laid back area. Could not see spending more then a couple of days here. Surfing if you are into it..looked good. Beach was fine. Seeing the horses in town..was fun.
- MICHAEL L, FEB 2015
Try a frozen mojitos at the Ariba bar - mmm delicious! Go to Gusto Beach for sunset drinks, a chilled vibe and good music. The mixed meat grill we had at El Lagarto was one of the best meals I have ever had! We liked El Lagarto so much we ate there both nights we were in Samara.
- ALISON M, NOV 2014
Villas Kalimbas was a great recommendation for accommodation. Anyone staying there absolutely, positively must take advantage if the owner Roberto is cooking. He prepares dinners a couple of times per week. It was a gourmet meal at a very fair price considering the amazing food.
- GEORGE P, NOV 2014
Loved Samara, but the snorkeling should never be a focus here; there's no good place for it here. The dolphin tour was good, zip-lining was fun and the surfing was good.
- SEAN W, APR 2014
Nice and quiet with a 'small-town' feel. We were glad to go to a beach without any big resorts and development. There were dogs and horses loose on the beach which was interesting and homey. We were comfortable and at ease. The sandy beach is wide and long. Good for swimming. We rented bikes and rode on the beach to Playa Carrillo. It is also very beautiful and worthwhile seeing. It was very hot, but we were glad we went. We had two very nice dinners at restaurants right on the beach. Groceries were available and handy.
- HELEN H, MAR 2014
The beach is nice and very good for swimming. Carillo Beach nearby is also lovely and great for swimming. Lots of locals go here on the weekend and spend the day with their families.
- VALERIE , JAN 2014
Loved the great sand beach. Nice restaurants on the beach. Been to the area before, liked it and came back to start the trip with a familiar location. Princess Bakery has good empanadas.
- STEVE H, JAN 2014
Stayed at Playa Samara Villas....family oriented & undergoing remodeling. Right on the beach which was spectacular. Walked to the the town from the hotel along the beach. There were lots of restaurants to choose from (e. g. Go Go Pizza). Walked to Playa Carrillo...around the corner from Samara and spent the day there exploring. Saw lots of wildlife along the walk.
- FEDERICO R, JUN 2013
Fun, beachy, festive, people are freindly - police presence at the main beach boulevard is a little surprising, but keep things quiet I guess. WE were all about exploring the beach by this point. Restaurants were great, friendly staff.
- MICHEL Z, MAR 2013
We felt very safe in Samara for the three days we were here. I didn't feel that it was too touristy. Beautiful beach, nice surf. Good place to relax and hang out for a while. We did not do any tours only took a surfing lesson.
- DENISE A, MAR 2013
Beautiful area, quiet and secluded which is what we wanted.
- BRENDA W, APR 2012
Nice beach location. We had a wonderful time there. Kids got beach time, surfing lessons and we got to kayak. The wild horses at right next to our villa was quite a site.
- PRI S, MAR 2012
Loved this destination. Just enough tourist infrastructure, but not overwhelmed by outsiders.
- ALBERT P, FEB 2012
Our experience in Samara was excellent also! The locals were great, we never felt unsafe at anytime walking around, the beach was beautiful, we also liked the fact that the area wasn't full of tourists. A local hooked us up with Jose, who took us fishing, and we kept him busy all morning. Our hotel kept our fish for us in the fridge, and we found Esmeralda, that cooked it for us nightly and had our same table reserved for us.
- STACIA K, FEB 2012
Had a great time in Samara, relaxed and hung around swimming on the beach which was very safe for my two children.
- PADDY D, FEB 2012
Really great town. Nice and clean and just the right size. Very friendly. Great restaurants.
- GINE S, JAN 2012
Samara was beautiful. When we return we will stay longer.
- TRACY M, FEB 2011
samara was the best place. So authentic. A must see
- BRIANA S, JAN 2011
Loved Samara - was the first place we saw any animals. Finally saw the howler monkeys - first glimpse of wild life we had seen anywhere. Loved the beach area and just the very relaxed atmosphere. Will go back
- LAI J, JAN 2011
We loved our hotel, Belvedere, and the Bar Vela Latina, which served really great fruit shakes. We must have had one every day for the 2 weeks we were there. Five stars also to the grill/bar El Lagarto.
I highly recommend a lesson and weekly rental of surfboards at C&C Surf School.
Overall, Samara is a perfect place for young people who want to learn how to surf, families who like a beach with lots of shallow water for children, and couples who'd like to enjoy a romantic half-moon bay of white sand with gorgeous sunsets.
- CORINNA B, DEC 2010
Fantastic beach
- CATHERINE P, NOV 2010
I love samara, i lived there for 4 months, then recently went back for a few weeks. Very relaxed small town. Nice beach for safe swimming and learning to surf or just lay out and tan.
- ANGELA S, NOV 2010
Samara
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