All-inclusives and tourist towns have popped up along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, but Sámara retains a local feel, offering a departure from the over-curated vacation. This chilled-out beach town stretches out along Sámara Beach (Playa Sámara), where the waves are calm thanks to the protective reef that wraps around the bay. In Sámara, things to do include spending long days at the beach, hiking through the tropical dry forest that surrounds the village, and checking out some of the boutiques and restaurants in the small downtown.
The dry season from December to April is an ideal time to visit—you’ll get sunny, warm weather, perfect for time spent on the beach with a book. It also means that the hiking trails of the nearby Werner-Sauter Biological Reserve will have dried out, so you can take a tour and try to spot the abundant monkeys, porcupines, and tropical birds that call the region home.
With a downtown located right off the beach, Sámara is small, compact, and easily walkable. For checking out nearby beaches or other towns, you may choose to rent a car, take a taxi, or hop on a bus. Carillo Beach (Playa Carillo) is a popular stretch of sand that’s 15 minutes away by bus, which runs every hour. Other options include renting bikes or all-terrain vehicles to explore the beaches dotting the coastline.
The small island of Isla Chora is located just off Sámara Beach, and it’s an ideal distance to kayak to, with tour operators in town offering visits to the island to learn about its ecosystem. As a national wildlife refuge, Isla Chora offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling and exploring Costa Rican nature. Be sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen, and treat the fragile environment with care.
