Samara.
If you are looking for a discreet town to spend a few days in Costa Rica, don't hesitate to stop in the small town of Samara. This discreet little town retains an authentic Costa Rican culture and is only 30 minutes from Nosara, in the province of Guanacaste.
A fascinating blend of natural wonders, aquatic adventures and vibrant culture, Sámara offers an unforgettable Costa Rican experience with its simple “pura vida” ambiance. How to get there, what to do,
where to eat... here's everything you need to know!
Samara is the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy the beach in a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
With its pleasant “Tico” atmosphere, Samara is also a popular vacation spot for Costa Rican tourists. Unlike northern Guanacaste, where towns have been hit by development and commercialization, Samara still retains its rustic seaside town charm, despite its popularity with North American and European expatriates (and honestly, we understand them!).
As the day draws to a close, don't miss the opportunity to witness Samara's breathtaking sunsets, adding a perfect finale to your stay.
Sámara
Beaches, natural pools, surfing: what to do in Samara?
#1
Relax on Samara Beach or surf your first waves.
The small village of Samara is nestled in a large crescent-shaped bay, with a wide sandy beach lined with palm trees that stretches for more than 7 km. Samara Bay is protected by an offshore coral reef, creating calm waters ideal for gentle swimming and beginner surfers.
Indeed, Samara is the ideal beach to try surfing for the first time, but not really if you want to learn to surf. All the waves form a long line and then collapse into the white water, making the waves ideal for learning to stand on the board.
But if you already know how to stand on a board and you want to learn how to ride a wave by turning in the wave and riding it, this is often not possible. By the time you stand up, the wave has crashed straight down and is not breaking to the right or left.
Instead, take the opportunity to relax on your towel or take a leisurely stroll along the beach, embracing the essence of the present moment—a valuable lesson imparted by the tranquil ambiance of Samara.
#2
Visit Playa Carrillo, the “Mirador del Sur”, and watch the sunset.
If you venture outside the city, you will discover beautiful, uncrowded beaches. In the opposite direction, 8 km south of Samara, is Playa Carrillo, a picturesque palm-fringed beach set in a quiet horseshoe-shaped bay. Just after this beach, take the time to stop at an exceptional viewpoint. Meet at “Mirador el Sur” located 15 minutes by car from Samara city center.
We didn't have a car, so we went there by taxi, we met Taxi Lito, a real Tico who was adorable, with whom we discussed many topics about Costa Rica. Do not hesitate to contact him if you wish to travel around Samara (contact him via WhatsApp at +506 6336 8176). The trip cost us a total of 16,000 colones round trip from our Las Mariposas hostel (or around 7$ per person if you are 4). And believe me, it’s worth it!
The place is just sublime, you will access it via a small private path, and barely 3 minutes later you arrive at a breathtaking view over the entire bay. We advise you to go there around 4:30 p.m. to take the opportunity to admire the sunset. A few meters further down, you can access superb natural swimming pools (remember to watch the tides, the place is only accessible at low tide).
#3
The best bars, cafes, and restaurants in Samara, Costa Rica: where to eat or drink?
Sámara is known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed lifestyle, but also for these great places to have lunch or dinner.
You can enjoy the ocean breeze while lounging at a laid-back, sandy-floored beach bar, or explore the village center to find even cooler hangouts and places to dine or party in the evening.
Samara has a wide choice of very nice restaurants and bars, along the beach and on the main street. Another great thing about Samara’s food scene is that you can find a mix of almost everything! Local Tico places, fresh vegetarian options, Italian, American… The village center is also home to a few art galleries and cafes where you can find unique artwork to take home, reminding you of the Pura Vida style from Costa Rica.
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Restaurant Gusto Beach
Gusto Beach is the best beachfront restaurant in Samara. This restaurant makes you feel like you've been transported to Italy! It has a long list of Aperol Spritz and very good pizzas (the burratina was not available during our visit, so we opted for a margarita and a vegetarian, delicious!). If you don't like Italian food (are you okay?), there are plenty of food choices on the menu.
Writer tips :
This place is perfect during the day for breakfast or lunch with your feet in the sand. In the evening, go there for dinner, see the sunset and enjoy a little live concert, very nice.
Restaurant infos:
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Location: VFJF+C86, Guanacaste Province, Sámara
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Phone: (506) 2656 0252
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Hours: Everyday from 8 am to 10 pm
Falafel Cafe
This small café offers fresh, quick, and healthy dishes for those who want to eat quickly or who want something light, vegetarian or not.
The menu is quite simple: salads, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and dishes prepared with a homemade pita tortilla and hummus. They also offer fresh fruit juices and homemade sauces: tzatziki and spicy sauce perfect to spice up your dish.
Prices range from 4,500 to 6,000 colones ($8 - 11). If you want a sandwich combo, you can add the drink of the day for 5,000 colones ($9), including juice or coffee. It does not accept credit cards, just cash or SINPE.
Writer tips :
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Choose the falafel wrap, it's tasty and light, and what's more, without coriander! Yes, those who hate coriander like me, go for it, the owner doesn't like coriander and therefore doesn't put it in her dishes, Hallelujah!
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Taste their fresh mango-based fruit juice or the one with pineapple juice and ginger, so refreshing!
Restaurant Info:
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On-site or take-away
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Location: C. Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205
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Phone: (506) 2777-2272
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Hours: From Monday to Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, close on Tuesday.
Casa Maxou
In this small snack bar located in the Natural Center, you can simply enjoy burgers, burritos, salads, home fries, savory or sweet pancakes... You will find quite a few options for vegetarians. Good juices, smoothies, homemade ice creams made from local fruits, vegan or not, to enjoy on one of the small tables at the Natural Center or to take away.
Writer tips :
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Enjoy the vegetarian burrito which has very good value for money and is perfectly filling.
Restaurant Info:
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On-site or take-away
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Location: Natural center, Provincia de Guanacaste, Playa samara, 50205
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Phone: (506) 8469 2485
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Hours: From Monday to Saturday 10:30 am to 8:30 pm, closed on Sunday.
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Website: https://www.facebook.com/Casamaxou/paipv=0&eav=AfbNijeLS2NG5Yzw4DSZFS_PN42s647dUJn5t_3wFz3ECbBTJ7XuxB9dB16T5rjH6c0&_rdr
Malehu coffee
Malehu Coffee offers delicious coffee in a modern and chic setting. You can taste their sweet or savory specialty, on site or to take away. They also offer a wide range of fine pastries and sell Italian and European coffee or Costa Rican coffee.
Writer tips :
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Have an iced latte in the morning when you wake up and enjoy it on the beach when the sun isn't too strong yet.
Cafe Info:
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On-site or take-away
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Location: The 2 shops are located in the city center just off the main street.
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Phone: (506) 8301 5184
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Hours: Every day from 7 am to 4:30 pm
Zilu's coffee
On February 5, 2024, Zilu's coffee opened its doors on the main street of Samara. Yahir Aguilar, its owner, chose his hometown to make his dream come true: opening a simple coffee shop, accompanied by his two dogs, Zihla and Lune (Zihla + Lune = Zilu).
It offers a selection of pastries, coffees, and gourmet latés to enjoy on-site or to take away.
Cafe Info:
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On-site or take-away
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Location: Playa, 150mts Norte de la Delegación Policial, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205
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Phone: (506) 8623 9903
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Hours: From Monday to Saturday 6 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 8:30 am to 5 pm
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Website : https://www.instagram.com/ziluscoffee/
#4
Hotel and hostels: where to stay in Samara?
Samara hotels offer many options for medium-quality and economical accommodation. We stayed at the “Mariposas hostel" located near the city center and a few meters from the beach. This is the kind of hostel where you can relax in the shaded hammock areas and meet people from all 4 corners of the world. Volunteers always strive to create free activities that everyone can participate in each evening.
Be aware that it is a youth hostel, it is quite noisy (a bar with a DJ is located right opposite), not too intimate and the comfort is quite rustic. But if you're looking for a place to stay for 2 or 3 nights without pretension, with a great location and around 20 euros a night, this is ideal.
If you're looking for hotels instead, read our article about the best places to stay and find the best hotels in Samara based on each price point.
How to get to Samara?
The small city is easily accessible by an asphalt road from Nicoya. A daily bus connects it to San José and other major cities in Costa Rica. The city center is very compact, it is not necessary to have a car to visit it. Hotels, supermarkets, shops, and the beach are all within easy walking distance.
To get to Sámara, Costa Rica, you have a few options depending on where you're coming from and your preferred mode of transportation.
How to get to Samara from the South of Costa Rica?
If you're traveling to Sámara from the southern regions of Costa Rica, such as San José or areas closer to the Pacific coast, you have a couple of options:
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By car :
If you have access to a vehicle or rent a car, driving is often the most convenient way to reach Sámara from the south. You can take Route 27 from San José to Puntarenas, then catch the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera. From Paquera, drive to Nicoya and then to Sámara. Alternatively, you can drive along the coastal Route 34 (Costanera Sur) from the south until you reach the intersection with Route 150, which leads to Nicoya and eventually to Sámara.
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By bus public transport :
If you're on a budget, you can take a public bus from Liberia to Nicoya and then transfer to another bus to Sámara. The journey may take longer compared to a shuttle or private transfer, but it's a more economical option. There is a unique bus from San José to Samara every day at 11:59 a.m. The journey takes approximately 5-7 hours, passing through Liberia with the transport company Transport Inteligente Guanacaste. For going back to San José from Samara there is a direct bus at 4 a.m every morning.
NB: Since April 1, 2024, the passage of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians on the “El puente La Amistad” bridge located on National Road 18, between the cantons of Cañas and Nicoya, has been impossible. The bridge was closed to traffic to carry out maintenance work. The closure will extend until July 25, 2024, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), which makes the routes to get to the Samara area a little complicated, and necessarily, much longer. So remember to do your research before hitting the road.
How to get to Samara from the North of Costa Rica?
If you're traveling to Sámara from the northern regions of Costa Rica, such as Liberia or the Nicoya Peninsula, you have several transportation options:
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By car :
If you have access to a vehicle or rent a car, driving is often the most convenient way to reach Sámara from the north. From Liberia, you can take Route 21 south towards Nicoya. In Nicoya, you'll then take Route 150 to Sámara. If you're already on the Nicoya Peninsula, you can simply take Route 150 directly to Sámara.
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By bus public transport :
Public buses operate between Liberia and Nicoya, as well as between other towns on the Nicoya Peninsula and Nicoya itself. Once in Nicoya, you can catch another bus to Sámara. While this option may take longer and involve transfers, it's a more budget-friendly choice.
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By plane :
If you're coming from other parts of Costa Rica or nearby countries, you may consider flying into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle/taxi to Sámara, which is about a 2-3 hour drive away.
Get to Samara by group or private shuttle?
You can also book a private or shared shuttle to go to Samara. We hilghy recommend you opt with the shared shuttle service if your budget allows. Many shuttle services operate between Liberia Airport and Sámara, offering convenient and comfortable transportation. You can book these in advance through our private transfer service.
Our private transfer service can be customized to fit whatever your travel needs may be and also allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery. All our vehicles are driven by reliable and punctual professionals, who are there to help you move safely around the country. Indeed, many travelers make the mistake of underestimating driving distances, driving conditions, and the amount of patience required to navigate between destinations. Our private or shared shuttle service removes the hassle and stress, while still being flexible with your travel schedule.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to plan your transportation in advance, especially if you're relying on public transportation or you're traveling during peak tourist seasons when services may be in high demand. Additionally, keep in mind factors like weather and road conditions, especially if you're driving.