Playa Samara, Costa Rica
Playa Samara is a thriving fishing and farming community with a pleasant mix of European and Tico residents. Tree-lined Samara beach offers miles of shades for reading and sea-gazing. 5-km long in all, this white sand beach is one of the best swimming beaches in the country; its gentle waters offer a safe playground for families on vacation with kids.
Samara is easily accessed via the city of Nicoya, the cultural capital of Guanacaste, which is 35 km inland from the coast on a paved road. It is a 2-hour drive from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, and 4 hours from the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Sansa Air flies from San Jose to the regional Samara/Carrillo airport daily.
Although the village of Samara is growing fast, it has managed to retain its regular way of life and a relaxed atmosphere. There are dozens of sodas and good restaurants. Bars and nightclubs and a disco make up the night entertainment scene. A number of shops sell clothing, crafts and souvenirs, but the bargain is found along the beachfront at street side stalls. The supermarket is well stocked and fresh bakeries are available. Within a block or two from the beach, there are numerous choices of accommodation including bed and breakfasts, cabinas and private homes. Samara features a long list of small hotels, some in the village center and some located right on the beach a few kilometers south of the village.
Playa Samara and the beaches to the north and south provide miles of sandy bottom beach breaks; whether you are into surf lessons or excursions, the Samara Surf School will put you on the right track. One of the most enjoyable activities for families on vacation in Samara is to visit the picturesque and deserted island of Chora, where they can snorkel or dive, or kayak out to the coral reefs, where the marine life is abundant. Another activity that the whole family can enjoy is a canopy experience that takes them flying from one platform to another, high up in the middle of the forest. The waters around Samara offer some of the country’s most fascinating whale and dolphins sighting opportunities. Sea turtles are also commonly sighted. At sunset, a leisurely horseback ride on the beach is a nice way to wind down the day.