Playa Samara

Just to the south of Nosara is the charming beach town of Playa Samara. It is said that Samara used to be famous for its excellent surfing conditions until an earthquake raised the coastline about one meter high, putting an abrupt end to the great waves. However, what was left is a charming horseshoe-shaped bay bordered by offshore reefs with clear, calm waters perfect for families and more serene water sports like kayaking, SUPping, and swimming.

A town of locals and foreigners

Samara’s second-best feature is its small beachfront town full of colorful restaurants, boutique hotels, souvenir shops, and charming local bars. Its proximity to verdant coastal forests, and neighboring surf mecca, Nosara, make it a great home base to explore the peninsula when not enjoying Samara’s riches.

Samara has a charming Costa Rican-town feel.  Visitors find a more balanced blend of locals and foreigners in Samara over the north’s more upscale and Americanized towns of Nosara and Tamarindo. Activities and adventure tours available in Samara include horseback riding, ATV rentals, sailing, sport fishing, canopy tours, and ziplining, and more.