Samara Beach (Playa Samara)
Samara, Costa Rica
Powdery sand and turquoise water lend Samara Beach its laid-back charm, and make this Nicoya Peninsula shore town a favorite for locals and in-the-know visitors alike. Gentle waves and sparse crowds offer a low-key contrast with buzzy surf beaches up the coast, instead offering a family-friendly shoreline ideal for swimming, body surfing, and relaxing in the shade of a palm tree.
The basics
While it’s easy to spend the day under the beach umbrellas available for rent here, Samara Beach has plenty to do when you’re done sunbathing. Popular activities include snorkeling near-to-shore coral reefs, dolphin cruises, and kayaking trips from the beach to nearby Chora Island. Relatively calm water makes this a great beach for beginning surfers, with both private sessions and group classes available. There are on-shore activities, too, including horseback riding on the beach and hiking tours of nearby Werner Sauter Biological Reserve.
Things to know before you go
Samara Beach is great for families with younger kids, who love the calm water and tide pools.
There are no public restrooms at the beach, so bring some cash so you can purchase something (and use the facilities) at nearby restaurants.
Bring sandals to protect your feet, as the dark-colored sand can get very hot.
How to get there
Samara Beach is on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Nicoya and about 145 miles (233 kilometers) from the capital city of San Jose. Street parking is plentiful, free, and generally secure in the compact, walkable town. Buses make regular departures from Nicoya to Samara Beach, a roughly 1-hour trip; Nicoya is a transit hub with ongoing departures to San Jose, Liberia, and other cities.
When to get there
Dry, sunny weather draws crowds to the Nicoya Peninsula from December through April, though “high season” remains comparatively mellow on Samara Beach. The rest of the year is considered wet season, peaking with downpours in September. Wildlife lovers may want to brave the rain to see sea turtles nesting on the beach, an annual spectacle best seen in September and October.
How to enjoy Samara Beach nightlife
While this isn’t a big party town, Samara Beach has a surprisingly lively scene for such a small place—and it usually kicks off with sunset happy-hour drinks at Las Olas Beach Bar. Other hangouts are scattered through town, including clusters on Arriba Pathway and Via Arriba, whose Dos Gringos Artisan Brewing has a long list of locally crafted beers.
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