Samara is a hidden gem on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and eco-tourism opportunities. In this post, we’ll explore what makes Samara so special and why it should be on your travel bucket list.
Discovering the Charm and Beauty of Samara, Costa Rica
Located on the west coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Samara is a hidden gem that offers visitors a taste of authentic Costa Rican culture, stunning beaches, and eco-tourism opportunities.
This small beach town has become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting travelers seeking a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere than some of the more well-known tourist destinations in the country.
In this post, we’ll explore what makes Samara so special and why it should be on your travel bucket list.
The Beaches of Samara
One of the main attractions of Samara is its stunning beaches. With over 4 miles of white sand and clear turquoise waters, Playa Samara is the main beach in town and a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports.
Playa Carrillo, just a few miles south of Samara, is another beautiful beach known for its calm waters and palm trees lining the shore. The beaches of Samara are also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea turtles, dolphins, and monkeys.
Eco-Tourism Opportunities
Samara is located in the midst of a protected area known as the Guanacaste Conservation Area, which is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life. Visitors can explore the area’s natural beauty through a variety of eco-tourism activities.
There is a lot of activity including horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching, and kayaking.
The nearby Ostional Wildlife Refuge is also home to one of the world’s largest olive ridley sea turtle nesting sites, and visitors can witness the incredible sight of thousands of turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.
Local Culture
One of the highlights of visiting Samara is experiencing the local culture.
The town has a vibrant and friendly atmosphere, with plenty of local restaurants, bars, and shops. Visitors can also explore the town’s history and culture through its museums, including the Samara Municipal Museum and the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve.
For a truly authentic experience, visitors can attend a local fiesta or festival, where they can enjoy traditional food, music, and dancing.
Surfing
Samara is also known as a great destination for surfing, with a variety of breaks for all levels of experience. Playa Samara is a popular spot for beginners, with gentle waves and plenty of surf schools offering lessons.
For more experienced surfers, nearby beaches like Playa Carrillo and Camaronal offer bigger and more challenging waves.
Accommodations
Samara offers a variety of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. Visitors can choose to stay in town, just steps away from the beach and local restaurants and shops, or in more secluded areas just outside of town.
Many of the accommodations in Samara also offer eco-friendly and sustainable options, allowing visitors to minimize their environmental impact while still enjoying all that the town has to offer.
Conclusion
Samara is a hidden gem, offering visitors a taste of authentic Costa Rican culture, stunning beaches, and eco-tourism opportunities.
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore the natural beauty of the area, or immerse yourself in the local culture, Samara has something for everyone. Add this charming town to your travel bucket list and experience all that Costa Rica has to offer.
Sámara is much more than just a small town with a lovely beach. Here you’ll find the perfect balance between the Costa Rican’s relaxing and quiet lifestyle and plenty of opportunities for tourists.
The beach is ideal for swimming as it does not have as big waves as many of the nearby beaches, and is close to being free of stones! However, it should be said that the beach is well wide and relatively long. If you want more privacy, there is also a smaller beach. In order to find the smaller beach, you go from the city down to the beach. Here you can see a few restaurants, but walk past them, and down to where the beach ends. At the end of the beach there is a smaller stone barrier, where on the other side, you can find the smaller beach.
What to do in Sámara?
Along the beach there are also a lot of local souvenir shops, which are far more laid back than those found elsewhere in the country. If you go past the many temptations, you come to some of the places that rent kayaks and surfboards for beginners. The waves are relatively small, and therefore good for the inexperienced surfer. Along the beach you’ll also find some of the places that are clearly recommended to dine on and enjoy a delicious drink on the beach.
Where to stay in Sámara?
Hostel
Some of the best accommodations are also found near the beach. This cheap place, is actually located on the beach – does it get any better than that? 🙂 The price for staying at this cozy and relaxing hostel is only $22. Book your stay at Sámara beach HERE!
HOTEL
When the right hotel is to be found, there are plenty of options as always, but in fact only one that has it all. A delicious restaurant, good drinks, yoga every morning and then the traditional swimming pool is replaced with one of the best beaches in the Pacific. If you are up to sharing a bathroom, you can stay at the hotel for a surprisingly modest price of around $40 for two persons. However, if you prefer to pay a little more, and then your own bathroom, the price is around $60 for a room for two persons, which must be said to be quite excellent, considering the above. Breakfast is included in both options. It’s really the best place to stay! Make your booking HERE!
What else to try in Sámara?
Food and delicious smoothies
Now that I just mentioned the city, there are a couple of different places that I would definitely recommend. The first place is a smaller place that has roughly the same selection as we know from Joe and the Juice. They have extremely delicious and cold smoothies that may be needed after an eventful day. It’s a smaller place right next to Hostel Sámara.
A nice place to eat that is incredibly good (especially if you have grown tired of rice and beans) is a place called Coco’s Mexican Restaurant and Taproom. They offer the most delicious Mexican food that I personally have ever had in Costa Rica. They also have a cozy backyard in natural surroundings.
