Guidebook for Sámara
Food Scene
Always delicious, fusion/tico/Italian... don’t miss it!, now in the hotel giada and has a great Sunday pool brunch
29 locals recommend
Mama Gui
Always delicious, fusion/tico/Italian... don’t miss it!, now in the hotel giada and has a great Sunday pool brunch
Gusto Beach Restaurant Pizzeria Bar
Coco’s Mexican restaurant is now also an artesanal brewery, right across from dr. Freddy in the corner in center of town
14 locals recommend
Coco's
Coco’s Mexican restaurant is now also an artesanal brewery, right across from dr. Freddy in the corner in center of town
Great food with Caribbean flavors, tropical fruit sauces used in dishes, fresh fish, right on the beach and locally owned
Cabinas El Ancla
Calle de la PlayaGreat food with Caribbean flavors, tropical fruit sauces used in dishes, fresh fish, right on the beach and locally owned
Villas Kalimba
Their restaurant is amazing, fusion, top quality ingredients, chef and service
Great local eatery, cheap, great food cooked by the owner Narcisa, you’ll always meet locals here!
23 locals recommend
Soda La Perla
Great local eatery, cheap, great food cooked by the owner Narcisa, you’ll always meet locals here!
Samara Sushi
Everything Else
Great organic market and café, subway-style sándwiches, pizza, ice-cream, falafel, good tour and transport information, gym, spa with massages, haircuts, pedicures, and Patxi the best physical therapist!
10 locals recommend
Natural Center Gym-Spa
Great organic market and café, subway-style sándwiches, pizza, ice-cream, falafel, good tour and transport information, gym, spa with massages, haircuts, pedicures, and Patxi the best physical therapist!
Beautiful beachfront facilities; Immersion group and private Spanish classes, Yoga, zumba, dance, cooking, movies etc ... (cultural clases are free of charge for all Spanish students).
6 locals recommend
Intercultura Costa Rica - Playa Sámara & Heredia
Beautiful beachfront facilities; Immersion group and private Spanish classes, Yoga, zumba, dance, cooking, movies etc ... (cultural clases are free of charge for all Spanish students).
Patio Colonial
160Small shopping center with the amazing Roots bakery, with great iced coffee!
If you're looking to explore the área, this place has public yoga clases (check online) and from there you can explore Nosara and its many different restaurants and cafes. Very organic/surf friendly!
8 locals recommend
Nosara Yoga Institute Administrative Headquarters
If you're looking to explore the área, this place has public yoga clases (check online) and from there you can explore Nosara and its many different restaurants and cafes. Very organic/surf friendly!
Great teachers who are also the owners, Samurio is a national champion and an amazing teacher who is always encouraging, patient and knows exactly what you need. Teaches all ages, his oldest was an 82 year old lady... and she stood up on the board!
C & C Surf School
Great teachers who are also the owners, Samurio is a national champion and an amazing teacher who is always encouraging, patient and knows exactly what you need. Teaches all ages, his oldest was an 82 year old lady... and she stood up on the board!
Drinks & Nightlife
Good spot to go out at night, great bar food (bocas/tapas), fun, young atmosphere and good music.
14 locals recommend
Sports Bar Arriba
Via ArribaGood spot to go out at night, great bar food (bocas/tapas), fun, young atmosphere and good music.
Laid back, fun atmosphere, all ages, right on the beach, best place for a sunset beer!
17 locals recommend
Las Olas Beach Bar & Rooms
Laid back, fun atmosphere, all ages, right on the beach, best place for a sunset beer!
Entertainment & Activities
SUPping, kayak, catamaran, coffee plantation and indigenous reserve, horse-riding, snorkeling, surf lessons, canopy tour, sámara trails hike, can be organized with Sámara Adventures, Natural Center Tours, or Intercultura
Great tour company with all legal permits and reliable, well-trained guides
22 locals recommend
Samara Organics
Great tour company with all legal permits and reliable, well-trained guides
Organic foods, artisanal products of all kinds, supports local farmers and many women-led initiatives. Takes place in a beautiful shady park with playground for kids. Great place to meet people.
Feria Sámara
Calle de la PlayaOrganic foods, artisanal products of all kinds, supports local farmers and many women-led initiatives. Takes place in a beautiful shady park with playground for kids. Great place to meet people.
Parks & Nature
Easy bike ride from samara on road or down beach at low tide and about 200 meters on the road... palm trees, white sand, great place to spend an afternoon
54 locals recommend
Playa Carrillo
Easy bike ride from samara on road or down beach at low tide and about 200 meters on the road... palm trees, white sand, great place to spend an afternoon
Gorgeous beach: shade trees, white sand, no houses. Very out of the way but worth it if you have a car or mountainbike and like to explore. Take a hammock, refreshments and enjoy a day there!
27 locals recommend
Playa Barrigona
Gorgeous beach: shade trees, white sand, no houses. Very out of the way but worth it if you have a car or mountainbike and like to explore. Take a hammock, refreshments and enjoy a day there!
There is a turtle rescue and hatchery here, the people are super nice and you can volunteer and stay in their rustic lodge if you want. Only go around low tide to buena vista as you have to cross the river to get there
9 locals recommend
Playa Buenavista
There is a turtle rescue and hatchery here, the people are super nice and you can volunteer and stay in their rustic lodge if you want. Only go around low tide to buena vista as you have to cross the river to get there
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Sámara Life
Sámara is a very safe town in general, but follow any normal precautions as you would other places. Eg. don’t take phones and wallets to the beach and leave them unattended; if you are out late at night, don’t go walking alone on the beach, especially if you are a woman; be respectful of locals- don’t assume they speak English, ask first; remember you are the visitor here so ask first before doing things that may be culturally sensitive issues (topless sunbathing is frowned upon in Sámara); avoid buying or using anything illegal - you definitely don’t want to spend the night in a cell here!