El Pequeño Gecko Verde

Known as a safe and beautiful beach, Samara’s white-sand coast is strewn with coconut trees and pleasant shady spots. Sport fishing is quite popular here, as are kayak trips to Chora Island, a fleck of land nearby that acts as habitat for a wide range of birds. An offshore coral reef calms the water close to shore and also sports some excellent snorkeling and scuba diving sites. The village at Samara is scattered with stores, restaurants, and a few bars. There is also a disco that – although the town is quite small – draws consistently good numbers.

El Pequeño Gecko Verde is under a mile from the town center and only a few steps away from a secret section of beach. Set on a property that enjoys the company of centenarian trees, botanical gardens, and an ever-changing range of tropical critters, El Pequeño Gecko Verde is a true Costa Rican find. On-property afternoons can be spent lounging beside the large pool or taking walks to the nearby cliffs, which overlook the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. Off-property afternoons can be spent on the beach, in the ocean, or through the hills. Hunger and thirst can be sated either in town or at the hotel’s restaurant, which serves meals with a “French touch” and its drinks always cold.

Five freestanding bungalows make up the lodging at El Pequeño Gecko Verde. Integrated naturally into the surrounding land, they are nicely equipped with comfortable amenities, plus local decorations – bright blue paintings and bamboo room dividers – that really brighten the place up. Each has a full kitchen, private hot water bathroom, air conditioning, cable TV, and safety deposit box. Private outdoor terraces are furnished with wooden dining areas and handmade hammocks.