Pura Vida in Samara, Costa Rica

Currency: Costa Rican Cólon	Languages: Predominantly Spanish with some people speaking English
Dry Season: December – April Rainy Season: May – November	Samara is easily walkable. There are taxis available from a small taxi service. Alternatively, you can rent ATVs.

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For years, my Grandpa talked about taking a family vacation to Costa Rica. Imagine his shock when my family surprised him with the trip he always dreamed of! There was only one problem: Costa Rica has so many wonderful things to see and do, we had a hard time deciding which area to visit. But then, I discovered Samara, Costa Rica – a tiny coastal town with gorgeous beaches that has not yet been scarred by an abundance of tourism.

Samara, Costa Rica is a village on the Pacific Coast, in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. It is approximately 2.5 hours from Liberia airport. You will not find massive resorts, hotels, restaurant chains, or hordes of tourists there. Instead, you will discover a close-knit friendly community, white sand beaches, unobstructed views of Isla Chora, and a peace like you’ve never experienced. Samara encompasses the Costa Rican motto “pura vida”. It is a hidden gem. A secret that I’m hesitant to share, because I want to selfishly keep it for myself. But sharing is caring. So without further ado, here is everything you should know about Samara, Costa Rica.

Reach out to the Samara Information Center for assistance planning your trip. A huge shoutout to them for aiding in our planning process and for tracking down my cell phone when it fell out of my pocket in a taxi. They are so kind and obliging!

Where to Stay

There are several locally owned beachfront lodgings that have great reviews and are cheaply priced. For my trip though, I wanted something that could fit a large group of people, was easily accessible, and had breathtaking views. My expectations were far exceeded with Villa Costa del Sol. I am not exaggerating when I say that this place is literally perfect in every way possible.

The house is modernized with rainfall showers, king sized beds, an infinity pool, and air conditioning. There was an enormous balcony on the 2nd floor and a spacious terrace by the pool that overlooked the ocean and Isla Chora. We awoke every morning to howler monkeys and birds chattering in the trees around the villa and had breakfast on the terrace.

It is only a 10 minute walk to the beach or a 15 minute walk to town. One of the best parts was that the amiable owner and concierge helped arrange tours for our group and provided transportation to our excursions. But with a view as beautiful as the one we had, it was nearly impossible to find the willpower to leave the villa! Our chefs, Karen and Marian, were amazing. Their food was delicious, and they are such good people. I highly recommend that you stay here if possible. All of the experiences listed below can be organized through the property staff prior to arriving, which was incredibly convenient. I am not compensated for bragging about this place. I just loved it that much.

Food

We ate a lot of traditional Costa Rican cuisine at our villa, because it was delicious and cheaper than eating out every meal. If you want to cook your own meals, there is a grocery store suitably located in town that has an ATM. If you want to eat out, there are several open-air restaurants along the beach that offer good food and ocean views. Our favorite seaside restaurant was Gusto Beach. They had excellent guacamole, good pizza, and I loved their shrimp fried rice. For tacos served on freshly made corn tortillas, go to The Flying Taco.

There is one place in Samara that you absolutely cannot miss out on though: Roots Bakery and Cafe – located across from Outback Quads ATV Rentals in town. This is a high quality bakery serving mouthwatering pastries, both savory and sweet. After I discovered Roots Bakery, I went there every day for the rest of my trip. For a traditional Costa Rican dessert, get the torta chilena and pair it with a frozen cappucino. Yum. I miss it.

Getting Around

If you stay in town, you can get to the beach, locally owned shops, grocery marts, and the pharmacy on foot. There is also an area where you can catch a taxi if you are wanting to go somewhere further away. A lot of the taxi drivers only speak Spanish, but are very accommodating if you don’t. Just tell or show them the place you want to go, and they should have no problem finding it. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also rent an ATV. This is a convenient and safe option, as roadways tend to be pretty calm and without much traffic in Samara. Outback Quads has good rates for ATV rentals.

Things To Do in Samara

Kayak to Isla Chora and Snorkel

Isla Chora is a picturesque island just off the coast of Samara. It takes around 30-45 minutes to kayak each way. There are several tour groups to facilitate your trip, and they generally include kayaks, a guide that leads you to and from the island, fresh fruit and beverages, a short tour of the island showcasing its wildlife, and snorkel equipment. While at Isla Chora, you are likely to see iguanas and birds. The beach is a little rocky near the shore of Isla Chora, so just be aware of that if you don’t have water shoes. These tours generally leave at low tide, which is the optimal time for water clarity when snorkeling.

I had a great experience with Samara Adventure Company. My tour lasted approximately 3.5 hours, and my group thought it was a wonderful start to the day! Our guide was friendly and informative. When I flipped, he kindly helped me back into my kayak. When I flopped around like a dying fish on the rocky beach and cut my leg, he produced freshly cut watermelon and made me quickly forget about what a klutzy mess I am 🙂

Charter A Fishing Boat

Samara is a top notch fishing destination. Several companies offer inshore or offshore fishing options, and you can choose to do a half day or full day. We did a half day tour through Samara Adventure Company and caught a wide variety of fish, including the famed Rooster Fish (pictured below). The fisherman on board would see if a spot was getting any bites and let us know when he had something on the line. Then we got to reel in the catch. So the crew did all the boring stuff, and we got to sit around and enjoy the view until the excitement happened – which was nice. When we got back to Villa Costa Del Sol, our chefs cleaned and cooked our catch! It doesn’t get fresher than that! When boarding the boat, mind your step so that you don’t back flop into the sea like my mother.

If you aren’t into fishing, but still want to get out on the water, you can schedule a tour to go dolphin or whale watching.

Gyrocopter Flight

It’s a little pricey, but for an unforgettable experience you can take a gyrocopter flight over Samara. Soar high above the coast with a licensed pilot in an open sided 2 seater aircraft. Unfortunately, I did not get to experience the gyrocopter, but it’s on my list for my next visit!

Tour A Coffee Plantation

I hired a van to transport us to and from Diriá Coffee Plantation, located about an hour north of Samara. Upon arrival, we were treated to a sample of coffee brewed at the plant. Our guide, Dennis, then explained to us the process by which coffee is made, from the seed until it reaches your cup. We saw the coffee plants up close, how the beans are harvested, the drying process, and the roasting and grounding areas. I thoroughly enjoyed this informative tour. Diriá Plantation takes great pride in their work. Their love for the coffee making process shows throughout the tour. At the very end, we were given a delicious drink made of coffee, ice cream, and chocolate shavings. It was the perfect refreshment for such a hot day.

Surf Lessons

You probably won’t catch big waves in Samara, but the coastal village is the perfect spot to learn how to surf or for novice surfers to practice. There are a few surf schools set up along the shore of Playa Samara, with a crowd favorite being Ticos Surf School. More experienced surfers should head to Playa Carrillo, which offers bigger waves during high tide.

Macaw Reserve

To protect endangered parrot populations, the Macaw Recovery Network has been diligently working on conservation strategies. The Punta Islita Macaw Reserve is home to the breeding center of the nonprofit conservation organization and is also where Scarlet and Great Green Macaws are rescued and rehabilitated until they are able to healthily return to the wild. The refuge is one of the biggest Macaw rescue missions in the world. Twice a day, visitors can learn more about these efforts and see these majestic birds up close as they are fed snacks. Schedule your tour in advance as spaces are limited each day. The reserve is about a 40 minute drive from Samara and the tour lasts about an hour. It is very easy to schedule transport to and from the reserve.

Shop

In town, there are several shops selling everything from harem pants to jewelry to handcrafted pipes. You will have no problem finding souvenirs for your friends and family. I especially enjoyed one outdoor shop that sold beautiful tapestries. We bought one to shade my niece from the sun when she was in her stroller. I wish I would have bought another for myself!

Relax

Really, the absolute best thing you can do in Samara, is just relax. There are a lot of fun outdoor activities, but don’t schedule so much that you forget to enjoy the peacefulness of the area. Some of my favorite moments in Samara were spent being lazy at the beach or the pool. It was so nice to unplug and relax!

Samara is a beautiful town filled with tons of fun activities for all ages. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!