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4-Day Playa Samara Itinerary
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedAug 20, 2025
Updated • updatedAug 20, 2025
Playa Samara in 4 days
If you only have 4 days to spend in Playa Samara, we’ve narrowed down the top places you should check out to get the best experience of your time here.
With favorites like Limey's Bar & Restaurant, Casa Maxou, and Hotel Giada, we’ll make sure you don’t miss out on all the must sees. We even included some of our favorite food spots around the area, like Lo Que Hay and Casa Lagun so you can get the best taste of Playa Samara while you’re here. To see our full list of food recommendations, check out our best restaurants post. If you're traveling on a budget, you can check out our cheap eats post.
Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Playa Samara?
Visiting Playa Samara? See our Playa Samara Trip Planner.
Feel free to follow our itinerary exactly or tailor it to your own needs — happy wandering!
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Table of contents
- Playa Samara in 4 days
- Most popular attractions
- Center of town
- Off the beaten path
- Proximity is everything
Day 1
Most popular attractions
For day 1, we strategically grouped the most popular attraction, Sámara, with surrounding point of interests to start your trip off with a bang. Combining the average time spent at each location and traveling time in between, it should fill up about 7 hours of your day.
1
•Alison T — Google reviewSage P — Google reviewMelanie R — Google reviewJenny H — Google reviewColter K — Google reviewMay E — Google reviewAaron P — Google review
Gusto Beach Restaurant Pizzeria
4.3
(1181)
4.2
(1640)
affordable
Restaurant
Bar
Event planner
Pizza restaurant
Gusto Beach Restaurant Pizzeria, founded in 2010 by Stefano and Stefania from Rome, offers a cozy and romantic beachfront dining experience. The restaurant is annually redesigned to enhance its ambiance. It features a multi-ethnic menu with options for vegans and those with gluten allergies. Guests can enjoy live music, a full bar, and a decent selection of wines. While the food is generally good, some find it overpriced compared to other local spots.
My wife and I vacationed in Samara for a week and visited Gusto twice.
Our first visit was for drinks and an appetizer. The fresh ceviche was the best we've ever had and was a very generous portion. The drinks were good, although quite pricey but you seriously can't beat the view so we thought it was worth it. This was also one of very few places with prices listed in US dollars.
We had breakfast here our last day. Again, the view is spectacular you are literally on the beach. We both got the eggs Benedict with bacon and it did not disappoint. The addition of avocado and just a hint of dill was out-of-this-world good.
W. S — Google review
Gusto's is an excellent Italian restaurant that sits on a beautiful white sand beach. The atmosphere is welcoming and well styled. It is family oriented if traveling with young ones , there is a small play area for the kids. The food is absolutely delicious!!
I came here with a group of students from a college for an outdoor adventure trip. We ate here one night and it was amazing! I definitely recommend for a large group, we made a reservation earlier that day and they had an amazing table for us outside near the water that evening. The students absolutely loved the whole experience. The food was good, the students mostly split pizzas and some other dishes as well. There was a fire show at the end of our meal which was truly the perfect touch. We all really enjoyed our meal here. I definitely recommend!!!
This beach club restaurant was our favorite in Samara! We spent our days relaxing on their comfortable and clean beach furniture, chairs, couches, umbrellas, having drinks, snacks and meals (lunch and dinner). The price was worth it for us. We experienced excellent service, fresh and delicious food and drinks. Since we spent so much time there, we especially loved the variety of food options, music, vibe, everything! Thank you!!
Love the Gusto in Lindora, thought to try it out!
The servers are really friendly to help is ge through the crazy thunderstorm...!
The decor is always beautiful and stunning!
The food kind of depends. We ordered the ceviche, tuna tartar, and a pizza the waitress recommended.
The ceviche was so so so so so so so so ultra sour, that we felt like the soul was leaving our body with every bite...🤣 But yes, it was very fresh for sure!
Tuna tartar was also super fresh and delicious!
The pizza was baked well and tasty, just hoping that the ingredients was a little better in quality.
Great food, great service, and great atmosphere! 10/10 for us ! We went many times and tried something new each time.
It was on our list of restaurants to try. We went for breakfast at Gusto Beach one fine morning. You can’t go wrong with pancakes on the beach…the view & the atmosphere made the food tastier. Our server was attentive. The bartender was nice to make me a frozen cappuccino that wasn’t even on their menu. They also gave us ice for our water bottle a couple of times when we were walking the beach. I read reviews of people complaining about high prices but the menu is displayed so eyes wide open. It is a little more expensive than other restaurants in town but the view is part of the bill…it’s a million dollar view. Don’t forget to check out their gift store!
Went out fishing with Gladiator Sport Fishing earlier in the day (affiliated with Gusto Beach), caught a ton of tuna and was encouraged to bring it back to the restaurant for them to prepare for us - and boy did they! What a meal! Simone and staff were absolutely phonemical! Tuna Tartare, Carpaccio Tuna, Crusted Tuna and Wasabi Tuna. Couldn't make up our minds which we liked best. AND - we came back again the next night too! Jason was our server for both meals - he was amazing! Thank you to the whole team!
100 metros Este de la policía, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
< 1 min · 0 ft
2Dustin S — Google reviewChad G — Google reviewKari S — Google reviewKatie R — Google reviewScott R — Google reviewAnnie R — Google reviewBianca M — Google review
Tico's Surf School Playa Sámara
4.9
(380)
Surf school
Sámara Ticos Surf School, also known as Chocos Surf School, is a popular choice for surfing lessons in Sámara. Located conveniently at the main beach entrance, it offers specific children's classes and top-notch customer service. The instructors are highly praised for their patience and clear instructions, making sure everyone has a great time while learning to surf.
Can’t recommend enough. Having had multiple lessons in the past the team at Ticos are literally the best - and very aware of how to teach different folks, with different strengths and learning styles.
Pablo was incredibly accommodating getting us in for a semi-private lesson day of which also provided us an additional 3 hours of board time for the duration of our trip.
Our instructor, Javier, took his time to see and understand what we already knew and made wise corrections and explained why he suggested a slightly different style to what we had been taught in the past.
Fantastic day on the waves making more progress with a single lesson then we had in past with multiple - and we’ll be back tomorrow!
Taylor C — Google review
Amazing first surfing experience with our boys and niece! Jafet was very patient and kind with them and they picked up everything very quickly. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn!
Ticos Surf School is fantastic. Ideally located in Samara, upon arrival we were greeted with big smiles by Pablo, Lisa, and Kris. They set us up with an instructor for a private lesson for our two sons (ages 12 & 14). Our instructor, also named Pablo, was fantastic. He took the time to make sure the boys knew what to do to have a good time and stay safe with some instruction before getting in the water. Once out there, both of the boys were up on the first try, and loved the entire lesson. The owner, Pablo, takes incredible photos with a high definition camera - they are legit professional photos of your time on the water! I asked the boys if they wanted another lesson with the same instructor the following day, and they both immediately said yes.
Day two, my wife and I also took a lesson… and we both got up on the first try! The instructors are patient, fun, and focused on your safety. We had a blast. And Pablo’s photos made even us look like pros! The boys got a more advanced lesson, and we’re turning on bigger waves on day two.
Highly recommend Ticos Surf School - we’ll be back and already hoping to bring friends back next summer.
Thanks to the great staff here! Pura Vida!
My 4.5 year old had a wonderful experience at Tico's Surf School this morning!! This was her first surfing experience and her teacher, Emerson, was attentive and patient and got her standing in only a few minutes.
She's not a great swimmer yet, but the waves were gentle and the water was shallow enough that she felt safe without a life jacket. 1000% recommend!!!
Taking lessons from them was awesome. Our family of 4 did a lesson this morning and we all had a great time. Pablo is super friendly and welcoming. The instructors we had Javier and Slaton were great with us adults and our 2 kids. We all got up and did many runs . Highly recommend!
Our experience with Tico’s Surf School was awesome! Pablo was extremely knowledgeable and helped us get set up with lessons. Our instructor Javier was great! He was very attentive and helpful. Each of us were able to learn the basics and soon we were riding waves into shore. Would highly recommend!
We had so much fun riding the waves for the very first time with our kids, aged 10, 11, and 15. We will remember this amazing experience for a long time ! A big thank you to Pablo for the warm welcome, and to Dani and Yemerson for their expert tips that made us feel confident right away !
COME HERE!!! Javier is one of the best teachers I have ever met, surfing or otherwise! My whole group had an amazing time, and after an hour and a half felt confident surfing on our own (which we did do the next day, there were 3 hours of board rentals included in the lesson cost!). I truly could not imagine a better instructor with the way he taught and then slowly allowed us to become more independent, identifying our own waves and the timing. He even saw my partner and I in town the next day and listed our whole groups names because he remembered! You will not regret coming here. Learn something new, feel safe and capable with an amazing instructor, and have a great time doing it! 100000/10 I would give Javier unlimited stars if I could!
Playa Samara, Guanacaste Province, Nicoya, 50205, Costa Rica•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
4 min · 0.19 mi
3•Jason F — Google reviewLaura R — Google reviewRachel G — Google reviewSara T — Google reviewBella S — Google reviewMay E — Google reviewLucas P — Google review
Coco's Mexican Restaurant
4.1
(339)
4.1
(810)
affordable
Mexican restaurant
Beer distributor
Beer garden
Coco's Mexican Restaurant in Samara has been a local favorite for years, and it's easy to see why. The open-air, modern rustic atmosphere provides a welcoming setting for enjoying their extensive menu and full bar. The friendly wait staff ensures a pleasant dining experience, while the highlight of the visit is often the house-brewed beer with great variety. The food is reliably good, with standout dishes like the chicken nachos that are so massive they're perfect for sharing.
We always enjoy the Pura Vida atmosphere at Coco’s whether it’s the live music scene, Friday night karaoke or Happy Hour for drinks (best margaritas in town and one of the top Chiliguaros around). The menu is filled with delicious fresh ingredients as well as Tom’s (owner’s) hot sauces. Every meal can be paired with their refreshing on-tap in-house brewery for any palate (they have a beer-sampler platter!). Hands down, my favorite top three dishes are the sweet pork chimichanga, if you’re looking for an explosion of flavours in your mouth, the nachos (whichever kind) for that crunchy flavourful Mexican style craving, or if you’re looking for something lighter, I recommend the portobello quesadilla. Honorable mentions for the tacos, burritos, burgers, wings, fajitas, and chili con carne.
Monique H — Google review
Food and drinks are great. Zombie dust IPA is very good. Fajitas were tasty, so is the homemade hot sauce. Margaritas good as well. Live music was enjoyable too. Only negative is the double tipping request. 10% added to the bill automatically then server asks to tip more on top of that saying the 10% is for others. Come on, stop this double tipping nonsense, it's kind of insulting.
The salad I had was amazing, great combo of flavors. The nachos are a bit to be desired. The size is enough for two but the chips got super mushy under the mass amounts of other ingredients. Service was great! Understood English when my Spanish wouldn't cut it. Great location.
This place is delicious! My husband and I stopped by for a quick lunch and had the Gorgonzola and steak quesadilla which was amazing! Then, the following day we decided to stop in again and got steak & chicken combo nachos which were also amazing. Also, good beer and great service. Highly recommend!
While we were in Samara, for 6 days, we went and ate at COCOS for 4 dinners! The food was SO GOOD! The nachos are to die for. The food is so tasty, the only thing that could use improving was their waitresses weren't very friendly but the waiters were super nice and chatty!
Yummy food and good service. I got the nachos and the portion was huge. definitely could have shared it. .
Dined in twice. It’s an open air restaurant right on the main road. Restaurant tables at the back and a bar area wIth a street view at the front. We sat in the bar area with multiple T.V.’s around. The bartenders were friendly but our server was not. Tacos and chicken fajitas were good. The bartender made me a good frozen margarita. We wanted to go back for the Super Bowl but the place was packed. Big menu with big prices. If you go try out their sun-brewed ice tea.
DONT EAT HERE!!
When we got here we were the only ones in the restaurant… and we should have taken that as a sign.
They served my wife an entirely raw chicken sandwich and we didn’t notice until she had eaten half it. Still made us pay for our drinks and other dishes. They never apologized and said “well you probably didn’t eat too much that was raw since it was the center so you’re probably fine.” Which was not true. Only the edges were good but 60% of the inside was raw… don’t come here. The margaritas were large but bitter and not a lot of alcohol. The fajitas were small and it all was way too expensive. DON’T GO HERE
frente Centro Medico Dr. Freddy Soto, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
1 min · 300 ft
4•LaPaila L — Google reviewHeather C — Google reviewMitch M — Google reviewJo J — Google reviewSamantha C — Google reviewD C — Google reviewJason — Google review
Limey's Bar & Restaurant
4.5
(347)
4.0
(165)
affordable
Bar & grill
Limey's Bar & Restaurant, located on Main St. in Playa Samara, is a popular spot open daily from 9am to 11pm, offering a variety of experiences throughout the day. From breakfast to dinner and evening snacking, this place has something for everyone. Guests can enjoy daily specials, live music nights, and locally brewed craft beers.
We stopped in and had breakfast while in town. The English breakfast was just a traditional breakfast not anything special but filling. The Eggs Benedict had great flavor. The eggs were not dippy that was the only disappointment. They topped with mushrooms for me. The service was slower and with only two other tables. They did apologize but overall I would go back again when on vacation.
Ashlee F — Google review
The “eggs Benedict” is fake from top to bottom. No English muffin: a piece of whole wheat bread cut into a circle! No canadian bacon: a thin slice of deli ham! The sauce was bland and tasteless and obviously out of a jar. Very disappointing. Pineapple juice and potato piccadillo were delicious. Too bad about the main entree.
This place is exactly what you'd expect, which isn't bad, but just like you'd expect if you were looking for a familiar sports bar experience. Had the ceviche with an added avacado and it was good, server was very friendly, felt like a comfortable place to stop in if that's what you were after.
We were in Samara for 4 nights. I think we stopped in at least once every day for a drink. We had food one night which we enjoyed. The staff were always very friendly and accommodating They did have live music there two of the nights.
Pretty good! The food is good and drinks are reasonable price, it always seems to be fairly busy. They show live sports and football. The staff are all really nice.
But it is definitely geared towards tourists rather than locals so it depends what you're looking for.
Came here everyday that we were in Samara. The small ceviche is the perfect portion for a quick snack and absolutely delicious. Some of the best we’ve ever had. The beers are cold and well priced. There was live music during the evenings. Servers were all friendly and efficient. Overall really great place to grab a drink and snack
I stopped in Samara for 2 weeks in Xmas 2021 and I went to many bars and Limeys was the best. The staff were cool , the Canadian guy that owned the bar was cool and there was a good pool table upstairs too...A great spot 💯
Chicken and rice, papas and futbol all in one place.
200 Main Street, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, Costa Rica•
2 min · 0.13 mi
5•Jonna E — Google reviewEvelynn M — Google reviewLepelletier C — Google reviewGenevieve L — Google reviewDaniel T — Google reviewJames — Google reviewDo M — Google review
La Dolce Vita
3.7
(859)
3.4
(393)
affordable
Restaurant
La Dolce Vita in Playas del Coco is a charming pizza spot with an Italian expat owner. The restaurant has a Mediterranean villa ambiance, complete with tiled courtyard tables next to a sparkling pool. The menu features handmade pasta, thin-crust pizza, grilled seafood, and various salads and vegetarian options. It's located in El Pueblito Sur alongside another popular eatery called Soda Mediterranea.
Incredibly friendly staff. Really impressed. I didn’t find the food to be more expensive than most of the other places to eat in the area. They actually give you 20% off if you pay cash which made it an even better deal. Brought my one year old a couple times and both times they brought out popsicles for her. Too thoughtful. I had the pizza and it was tasty.
Kirk C — Google review
I had two very tasty drinks there, sat on the sofa on the beach and watched the sunset. The staff is very friendly and helpful and check in on you. They also provide you with small free snacks. The drinks were very nice but a bit pricey, I payed 16000 colones and sure I could have asked for the price before I ordered, but maybe what you can expect from a nice place right on the beach. Later on they played live music. Good vibes, great cocktails and great staff!
Thos place is a must!
The most exquisite tuna we ever had! My sons had pizza and were also very happy and my daughter had a delicious escalope Milanese.
The location is great and the staff is super friendly.
A Hidden Treasure in Sámara – La Dolce Vita is Everything
Jul 2025 • Family
🌴 A Hidden Treasure in Sámara – La Dolce Vita is Everything. If you’re looking for a place to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself, your kids, and the essence of travel then La Dolce Vita in Sámara is your must-stop destination. We’ve been traveling through Costa Rica as a family, and our two nights here felt like time stood still in the best way possible. 🏡 The Hotel The rooms are literally right on the sea you step out and your feet are in the sand. Simple, super clean, cozy, and above all, a deep sense of safety and peace, especially with young children. We felt at home within minutes. 🍝 The Restaurant – La Dolce Vita This little beachfront restaurant is a true gem. Mornings with coffee and bare feet in the sand, evenings with dishes that are generous, full of heart, and served with sincere warmth. Nothing pretentious just good food, good energy, and people who care. 💛 The People This is where La Dolce Vita becomes unforgettable. Jen and Marco, the owners, are rare hosts. They care deeply. They notice everything. And they take immense pride in every single detail of your experience. You feel their passion not just for hospitality, but for creating joy. And Gregory what a legend. A maître d’ with charm, kindness, a sharp eye and real warmth. He made us laugh, feel welcome, and taken care of — every moment. The attention to detail from all Bree, Marguerite, Carla and ….. 🏄♂️ For Families. Couples singles, you’ll never feel alone unless you choose too • Surfboards? Steps away. • Kids playing on the beach? Completely safe. • Prices? Very fair for the level of care and quality. 💬 In short? La Dolce Vita is not just a place you visit — it’s a place that stays with you. Jenny, Marco,Gregory, et everyone thank you. You are the living spirit of “la dolce vita.” We carry this stop in our hearts.
Nice folks but fusorgsnized service. Extra drinks on bill that weren’t ordered than tried to get us to pay only by US - said machine only takes US - but exchange rate was poor. Told them to remove all extras and that we would pay in colonnes. Husband just walked to the bank and got some colonnes. Just be careful they do try to milk!
There are all sorts of ways to run a restaurant on the beach. You can do it in a way that feels stingy and overpriced, or you can do it in a way that feels spontaneous, generous, and giving. This particular place is firmly in the latter category.
We sat here for hours on loungers on the beach without anybody asking us for anything. On the contrary, they gave us water and some frozen fruit to try. They allowed us to use their facilities when we needed to, and they were just super kind.
We then ordered pizza, which was delicious, as well as a pineapple drink. The food is great, the location is amazing, and the staff is genuinely kind and generous, leaving you wanting to come back again.
If you’re ever on this Samara beach, just come by early in the morning, grab a seat looking at the waves, and let the day take you away. Highly recommended.
I left there with a bad taste in my mouth. Beautiful setting and i left angry. It's not even the way overpriced food, i felt belittled by the owner, i got poor service, and i feel like i was scammed for extra tips there was already a service fee taken out but they said that was Costs Rican tax. Don't fall for this, i ended up tipping extra for service i didn't enjoy. They didn't want to sit me at the table, so I ended up sitting next to the owner who was smoking and being a loud jerk in general The guy i got as a waiter brought a bill for an extra drink i never ordered. I got snubbed by another wait staff when i asked for some water, that my first waiter didn't bring (she never brought it). I would avoid, they are money hungry and it just feels like a tourist cash grab; instead of doing it right and pleasing the customer. I ordered an appetizer which was two small pieces of bread and tomato for 10 dollars. And a small pasta dish for 15 dollars. My drink was way over priced, etc etc. avoid avoid avoid.
The happy hour was with an additional snack and not a second drink. The cocktail didn't have alcohol, it was more like a lemon juice.
When we asked for a clarification and a little bit more alcohol, the manager was very rude. We talked calm but she went crazy and told us we are arrogant. I have never experienced a reaction like this from a manager before.
The prices are a lot higher than communicated and they add taxes and a service fee additional on the check, which is not usual in Costa Rica.
A very bad experience.
Unfortunately we read the reviews too late, which are telling exactly the same stories, like we experienced.
Playa Samara centro - frente al mar Nicoya Guanacaste 100 m oeste de la policía, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
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Where to eat
Even the most seasoned adventurers need a break to chow down some food. Close to Tico's Surf School Playa Sámara, these restaurants are about a 1-minute walk away.
Lo Que Hay
4.1
(441)
4.0
(1247)
Permanently Closed
affordable
Restaurant
Lo Que Hay is a beachfront restaurant located in Samara Beach, just a 90-minute drive from the vacation rental ShortsNFlipFlops.com. The restaurant offers a beautiful setting with lounges and tables right on the sand, providing an ideal spot to enjoy the breathtaking views. Visitors can also enjoy live music during lunchtime, adding to the overall ambiance of the place.
One of my favorite beach restaurants/spots in the whole world. Absolutely awesome vibes, amazing food and extraordinary view of the beach. Extremely cozy and beautiful place. Fast service, Great and friendly staff. 300% recommended! Pura Vida.
Kickboxer 2 — Google review
I must say I was fooled by the reviews. We thought we would have a amazing breakfast but it was quite the opposite.
First off we ordered fresh juice and when my kids drank from the glass they made this weird face which is kind of odd. When I tasted it , it was like watered down pineapple juice, I know it was low season and business is slow.
We did mention it to the server and they added coconut juice to it, made a world of a difference to the taste. But now the kids were turned off and didn't even finish their juices, what a waste of money.
I ordered the tico breakfast , It clearly states that it comes with plantain and they only served it with gallo pinto, eggs and 1 round tortilla bread cut in half. The same thing with the wife as well.
I really didn't want to ask for the missing plantain after we complained about the juice. It wasn't a complaint but the honest truth.
The wife ordered coffee and it was average , another punch to gut.
We originally ordered pancakes from the kids menu and they said they didn't have them and suggested French toast. When it came , it had maple syrup and chocolate. Super stingy on the maple syrup and the chocolate was a dark chocolate that didn't really have sweetness to it and maybe suitable for an adult but not kids. Clearly it shouldn't have been on the kids menu.
I'm not one to ever leave a bad review , but this whole experience turned me off Samara and we left he town shortly after.
Wphen you pay premium price for a meal , you expect a high quality tasteful meal and drinks , not something that is sub par and doesn't honour the what is exactly on their menu.
We love Samara beach which is a 90 mins drive from our vacation rental ShortsNFlipFlops.com and usually trek down during our visit. Lo Que Hay has a beautiful position on the beach with nice lounges and tables in the sand. They even had live music during lunch the other day which we enjoyed very much. The good is just average but the beach is worth the trip.
Well made White Russians, good food, and great view. Samara is touristy so expect higher prices. Food didn’t blow my mind, but it was fusion and refreshing from the normal fare.
My girlfriend and I had visited here last year on a day trip to Samara and enjoyed the food. So on our first morning back in Samara this year we again stopped by, but this time it was for breakfast.
The service was excellent and the two gentlemen that were serving us ensured we had everything we needed. We both ordered the Desayino LQH and enjoyed all but the bacon. The bacon was overcooked, dry, and near flavourless. The eggs were decent but also a bit overcooked and dry. The "rosemary" potatoes didn't taste anything like rosemary. The Gallo pinto was really good.
The scenery was perfect and the outdoor tables are all shaded from the sun.
Great soft tacos. Shrimp, chicken or steak fajita meat with pico de Gallo. Banana split for dessert was delicious. Margarita was at par. Price was about what you'd expect for being served a beach side meal. Breezy air with a beautiful sunset was a nice way to top off our day.
Nice restaurant in front of the Samara Beach. The staffs are nice and attentionate. The environment is very relaxing.
Delicious daily food specials ranging from $5-10. As well you get to enjoy your meal while sitting directly on the beach under the shade of trees. The staff are competent and can speak multiple languages. We are there for lunch and dinner everyday we stayed in Samara.
Casa Lagun
4.9
(111)
4.6
(14)
Permanently Closed
Fast food restaurant
Casa Lagun is a charming spot where Dona Ana Maria serves up delicious mixed tacos, including veggie, shredded meat, and battered fish options. The homemade tortillas and fresh salad with avocado make for a delightful meal. The place also offers great customer service and refreshing mango juice at reasonable prices. This hidden gem can accommodate large groups with quick service and mouthwatering dishes made in-house. It's part of a collective of small restaurants under the same roof, creating a community dining experience.
The quesadillas meat were the best I ever had, the meat (pulled beef) was so tender! I liked it so much that we ate here two nights in a row. :) also a very good price.
Merel K — Google review
Came in for a hamburger. Did not disappoint. Very good, fresh ingredients, very good patty, and the bread was excellent. Decent prices for the area.
The food is great and the service from the owners is great as well. We ate here and after we ordered our food it arrived really fast. The owners were really friendly and after we paid they were really grateful with our tip. All together is this a great place to order your food if you want to have a great dinner for only a little bit of money.
Amazing gem! We brought a group of 18 here, and were absolutely blown away. We ordered about an hour ahead, but expected there to be a little wait for our big group. Not true! All 18 meals were out within ten minutes of each other- incredible since there were only 2 people working! Everything was fresh, hot, and absolutely delicious. All the breads and dishes are made in-house (best club sandwich I've ever had!). The owner and chef were extremely kind, accommodating, and energetic. And, there is a delightful variety of food at a great price- something for everyone!
Delicieux! This place is a gem in Samara. The owners love their craft, and it shows. Burgers for the kids, Quesadeas, and typical rice and beans. All plates, including buns and breads, are all made from scratch with fresh ingredients. Banana, mango, and Pinapple smoothies all so delicious and refreshing. I would strongly recommend Casa Lagun!
Great service and great food. I would go back anytime just for the bread. Burgers, fries, wraps. Fast service with a great attitude. The chef is French so the food is made with dedication and attention to detail.
Also the best value we found in Sámara!
The food is just OK. We had two dishes: a burger and the rice with calamari. The burger was mediocre, and the calamari were rubbery as if they were cooked a few days earlier. I do not understand how this place has 5 starts reviews at this time.
Doña Ana María prepared a delicious meal of three mixed tacos: veggies, shredded meat, and battered fish served with homemade tortillas with a small salad. The presentation of the dish was beautiful, each taco came with avocado, and the salad included lettuce, carrot and red onion with a light salad dressing. Her customer service was great. Also, I ordered mango juice. All in the price was 6000 colones. This place is totally recommended, great food, delightful service and a good atmosphere. I hope you can meet doña María in your visit.
VFJF+G84, C. Central, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
Restaurante Maná
4.4
(316)
4.6
(111)
Permanently Closed
affordable
Restaurant
Restaurante Maná is conveniently located at the intersection of routa 150 & 160, offering a simple yet clean and spacious setting with plastic chairs and wooden tables. The menu goes beyond typical Tico cuisine, featuring a wide range from rice plates and seafood to casados, pasta, and pizza. In addition to cocktails and fresh juices, the restaurant also has an attached ice cream shop for takeout or dining in.
Food was great, and the prices were low. I had a whole pizza for the price of one meal at other restaurants. The pizza was good, and they had many other options as well.
Jada J — Google review
We decided to take a break and grab a pizza while we waited for the rental car replacement to be arranged. It’s a place we had passed by several times but had never actually stopped to eat.
Once we finally stepped inside, we were pleasantly surprised. The pizza was outstanding—flavorful and satisfying, with a perfect blend of fresh toppings and a crispy crust. It was definitely a great value for the quality we received.
I love this place for lunch or dinner, and they also have some of the best ice cream in town! The menu is huge, so there is something for everyone. Their seafood pasta and the appetizer with shrimp and avocado patacones are SO good, I have come back many times to eat them. The blended fruit drinks are affordable and a great way to accent your meal. Their vanilla ice cream is divine, and I have never ever been a vanilla ice cream person.
Love the place. Nice amount of food at a really reasonably price. We were all happy with what we got. Staff is super friendly.
Great food loved my cheesy pizza and icy cold natural fruit drink. Sweet staff, with very good service. Fantasic colorful restaurant. Loved it all. And it is part of the hotel/hostel Samara. Very reasonably priced
Excellent place to eat at any time of the day, varied dishes and great pizza. Excellent service and prices.
We ate here twice on our vacation. What a great place to eat! They are very welcoming and friendly, and the food is delicious!!!! The tuna I ordered was incredible!!
Local restaurant with Costa Rican food. Good option to escape from the Italian cuisine that you see everywhere. Low key, nice service. Inexpensive.
000, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, Costa Rica•
Teca Beach
4.6
(126)
4.6
(52)
Restaurant
Teca Beach is a French-inspired restaurant located in Samara, offering upscale cuisine and a unique ambiance. The cozy atmosphere features Costa Rican coffee bags adorning the ceiling and soft lighting that creates an intimate feel. Visitors can enjoy live music on certain nights, adding to the overall experience. The menu offers a variety of dishes, including fish fingers, fish burger, grilled fish, Gaspacho, grilled MahiMahi with seasonal veggies, and Teca burger.
Teca Beach is centrally located in Samara, away from the beach a couple hundred meters.
The location is easy to find on a dirt street, near the central futbol field. The environment is cozy although nights with music can be loud, making conversation difficult.
The service is relaxed and not rushed. The menu isn't huge but has a good amount of choices. The wine and cocktail list was surprisingly complete. The food is fresh and well prepared. I was especially glad the whole sea bass was cooked perfectly, as were the accompanying vegetables.
We have visited Teca Beach many times over the last year and I assert that returning to a restaurant is the best recommendation I can give.
Gary S — Google review
This is a pretty typical restaurant. Food took a long time and we didn't get everything we ordered, however we were eating very late after arriving. Food was decent, but nothing stood out. They had live music, so the atmosphere was fun.
this is the type of food that when you taste all the flavors, you can’t help but smile and/ or do a happy dance. Everything I had here from the gazpacho to the tuna steak to the passion fruit & chocolate desserts were absolutely incredible. We literally couldn’t get enough and ate here back to back nights. The ingredients are sourced fresh and locally, and you can feel it! I am typically not one to leave a review, but I felt the need to share my tasteful experience here. The ambiance attracts regulars and is place of union over delicious food & drink. I highly recommend doing your taste buds and belly a flavor and seeing for yourself!
Absolutely amazing ambience! Specialty cocktails were beautiful and delicious. Owners were so welcoming and sweet. Server was so friendly. For the first night, hit the heart and had me dancing with every bite!!! Came back for a second experience and pasta was so fresh and hit the spot with with every bite!
Cool looking restaurant. Food was absolutely horrible. The worst we have ever eaten!! 10.00 for one small slice of bread caked with butter, the quesadillas were dry and chewy, blown away by how bad it was!! Way over priced! Pick ANYWHERE else to eat
Overall, our experience was positive. We visited on a Monday afternoon in late October. The restaurant is very cozy and had live music on that night starting at 8pm. Although the restaurant had only a few guests, so most of the tables were empty. The service was friendly.
Food: We ate fish fingers, a fish burger and a grilled fish. The food quality was good, but not outstanding. Compared to other restaurants in Samara it seems in the upper range. Our two cocktails were ok, the Pina Colada was not my favourite. For food and two drinks + two cocktails we paid 80$ in total.
Resume: As the whole experience had some minor points to criticize and as the prices were rather high, I rate 4 stars.
This place does everything right: friendly staff, great quality food, and a chill atmosphere. I’m only in town for a short time so want to try other places, but seriously considering going back here instead.
blown away by every detail of this dining experience. phenomenal food! the burger was actually prepared exactly as I prefer, the guacamole was so fresh as were the homemade fresh plantain and potato chips that go with it. this place far exceeded my expectations for dining, and so appropriately priced, too. unique, delicious and refreshing cocktails. very good wine menu. kind and friendly staff.
costado norte del campo de fútbol contiguo al Banco BCR, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
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Day 2
Center of town
For day 2, we recommend exploring the center side of town. Start the day off with Samara Beach, then wind down and take it easy by the time you get to Sweeties by Celia. All together, your day would be filled with about 7 hours of non-stop fun.
1•Raquel S — Google reviewMark L — Google reviewJason T — Google reviewCee D — Google reviewMay E — Google reviewGarthigga Y — Google reviewAshlee J — Google review
Samara Beach
4.6
(1002)
4.5
(1708)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Samara Beach, located on the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is a horseshoe-shaped paradise offering a variety of activities for tourists and travelers. The beach town has preserved its authentic Costa Rican charm with a strong farming and fishing community. The crescent-shaped beach is lined with coconut palm trees where aquamarine waters meet the white sandy shoreline.
Lovely beach. Lots of families and kids learning to surf. Safe waves. If you want to walk the length of the beach check that the tide is medium to low, otherwise prepare to get wet. I mean, it is the beach though.
Marc W — Google review
Will always have a love for this town. Lived there for 4 months and it was a beautiful experience. Definitely don’t enjoy how expensive it is because of all the gringos. I encourage you to shop from the local markets please instead of the foreign businesses. Beautiful views of the stars at night (when the clouds aren’t in the way). I love the sunshine that’s still radiant even while it’s raining. Pretty great food with good varieties. If you’re visiting definitely try: mar y fuego, ahora si, burger window (best smash burgers I’ve ever had), carrera 18, roots bakery, vino sin vergüenza, kiwi, tika frutika, and corner shot! My favorite part is the market every Saturday! Ugh the best yogurt I’ve ever had with every flavor fruit! And the home made jams. With the best empanadas in town! Always looked forward to seeing all the jewelry vendors. Also, the homemade gelato van down the block if you ever catch it open. Absolutely love the yellow boutique next to limeys with hand sown clothes. Really really small town, days feel repetitive since there’s not much land to explore here but the environment is calm and lovely with nice locals. Not sure if I’d come back again tho, there’s much more of Costa Rica to explore.
Very nice sand beach, great waves for surfing during right tides. Enough spots for drinks and food.
Great beach with several placards to learn to surf. Some great affordable food options right on the beach as well with some great food.
Beautiful beach! Such a large beach that you will have no problem finding a spot away from people. So many little restaurants along the beach. Small park next to the police station has freshwater showers. If you need to escape the sun or heat there are quite a few trees that line the beach to set up under. Saw surfers and horses.
It’s in the top 3 best beaches of our trip in Guanacaste region. Playa Samara is a wide & long crescent beach that stretches for several kms. Fine sandy bottom beach & the waves are gentle most of the time…great for swimming for all ages. It’s perfect for surfing lessons or boogie-boarding. There are small villages along the beach with the town of Samara being the largest. Lots of beachfront restaurants, places for surf lessons, equipment rentals & souvenir stalls. There’s a good snorkeling spot in the tidal pools at the north end of the beach. During our stay we found Playa Samara fairly empty but it gets quite busy on weekends and holidays. It would be ideal if you can stay in Samara for a night or two. We stayed for a month and aside from our ventures outside of Samara, we fully enjoyed the town and its surroundings. It has complete amenities but still has a laid back atmosphere. At no time did we ever feel unsafe while exploring the area.
The water is really nice and you are able to swim . The water is warm . But there should be more sitting areas .bring a towel to sit on the floor . There are couple of stores and restaurants around the area .we stayed the resort near we tried to walk but it was unsafe the roads are to narrow and grass is on slant. Will recommend ask the resort to book a taxi for your travel there . It cost us $10 to get there .
Cute little town and a beautiful beach. Came across a great Italian restaurant “Ahora Si”. Nice area to get away to.
16 min · 0.85 mi
2•Caitlin — Google reviewMichelle — Google reviewChris B — Google reviewNikki — Google reviewSt L — Google reviewTimur E — Google reviewXavier S — Google review
Falafel Cafe
4.9
(225)
4.8
(138)
Fast food restaurant
Falafel restaurant
Falafel Cafe is a charming spot known for its delicious Middle Eastern cuisine and friendly staff. The food is prepared using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, making it a hit with both locals and visitors. Customers appreciate the fresh and tasty falafel, hummus, and mixed plates. The casual atmosphere makes it perfect for a quick, affordable bite to eat. Visitors also enjoy watching the owner prepare their food as they order.
If you want something filling but fresh this is the place to go. I ordered the Falafel plate and it was DELICIOUS. They even give you some pita bread with 3 different sauces to try. Awesome place, small but busy! Get there early to grab a table. Don’t sleep on this place. They have other options that aren’t vegetarian. 100% would recommend going here.
Heather L — Google review
Delicious and very fresh food!! We say hi to the resident dog regularly when we pass here, so we finally decided to stop in for lunch today. Everyone there was so friendly and kind, service was prompt and we left very satisfied.
Gus/goose is such a good girl! We’ll be back ♥️
We were so hunger for some fresh veggies and a change of pace from our typico Casado— this hit the spot! A special with fresh juice, and a wrap (one of us had the chicken wrap and the other the falafel & chicken wrap) - both full of flavor!!! Loved the sides! Note: Cash only. The service was good and the fans on the porch really cool you down from the hot weather.
This place is awesome. The food is very fresh and delicious. You can watch the owner make your food as you order it. The lunch combo (falafel wrap and fresh fruit juice) is a screaming deal. My wife always gets the mixed plate and it’s enough to share with others. It’s a very laid back and casual atmosphere. Great place for a quick, cheap, and fresh bite.
Big wow on this place. So fresh and affordable. I went based on reviews and they did not disappoint. If your in the area I highly recommend this place, such a blessing 🙌🏻 I will be back..... like again tomorrow haha
One of my favorite restaurant in Samara. Great vegetarian options! Hummus, falafel and salad were amazing!! Cash only
Must go! The best falafel I’ve ever had. Delicious and fresh ingredients with pleasant staff.
It was delicious so fresh and tasty! I went several times on my trip and cant wait to eat there again when I return to Costa Rica! Must go when visiting Samara beach!
C. Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
1 min · 400 ft
3•Brenda C — Google reviewNancy C — Google reviewSB N — Google reviewBrandi D — Google reviewCharlie S — Google reviewApril — Google reviewGary S — Google review
Bohemia Cafe
4.7
(227)
5.0
(215)
Temporarily Closed
affordable
Coffee shop
Bakery
Doner kebab restaurant
Bohemia Cafe, situated on Center St. near Casa del Mar in Samara, offers a bright and tropical ambiance that invites guests to savor a delightful cup of coffee alongside their morning meal. The cafe's charming decor and comfortable seating, complemented by soothing background music, create an ideal setting for leisurely activities such as reading or browsing the internet. Patrons praise the generous portions and reasonable prices of the menu items, including favorites like avocado toast with goat cheese, honey, and almonds.
The food here was AMAZING. The best food on the trip so far and the best service, all from the Israeli owner. Shukshuka was amazing, and I had a Turkish pastry filled with spinach and local cheese.
Amazing experience all around, 10/10 recommend hitting this location if you are in Samara.
David S — Google review
We have brunch at Bohemia nearly every day while we’re in Samara. We love it! Everything is so fresh, healthy and delicious! When we heard it was under new management in 2024 - we were concerned it might change. Luckily, it’s the same wonderful Bohemia - only better! The usual Bohemia menu (breakfast, lunch, brunch) is available, and now there are fabulous, inventive specials added. Today I had the Turkish burak - a fabulous pastry filled with spinach and cheese. The portions are always plentiful, and I crave the delicious fresh fruit smoothies for only about $3. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Meat too, if you’re so inclined. But with vegetables and fruits this delicious - we always go for those! And the service is warm and efficient. If you’re in Samara - try Bohemia for breakfast, brunch or lunch (no dinner as of February 2024).
I had to try this place while visiting Samara. It is close to the beach on a pretty quiet street and is quite charming. I ordered avocado toast, which was served with fresh fruit and salad. The servings are large, service is good, and prices are reasonable. My toast had goat cheese, honey, and almonds. Yum! Would definitely go back when in town. Great experience!
In Samara for 2 weeks and we came here for breakfast 5 times because it was that good. All the food, including breads and pastries made on-site. Absolutely fantastic! But what makes it even better is the owner. Uvall is a wonderful host and a real pleasure to chat with. You won’t be disappointed. Scott & Lynn, Sudbury Ontario Canada
This was my absolute favorite breakfast spot in Samara! It’s right off the beach and has such a great vibe! Staff is very friendly and also gave us a lot of recommendations on things to do Samara! If you go you must try the Shakshouka and the croissants! They are amazing! We tried all the flavors! This place is worth the stop!
Great soundtrack, hip dangly plant vibes. Slow kitchen, broody ?owner/manager smoking cigarettes in the corner and 3 out of 4 plates at our table did not match the menu description. Food was good. Service attention was mediocre. Excellent smoothies and fresh squeezed juices.
We loved this place. Our kids said the crepes were AMAZING! No wonder it is french owned. The omelette was melt in your mouth good. I haven't had an omelette in the states that compared to this one. They serve fresh bread with certain dishes and the bread was (in our son's words) 'the best thing I have ever tasted'. Our family wants to eat breakfast there everyday!
Bohemia cafe impressed me as a French style cafe focused on natural foods snd fruit juices. They offer both a breakfast and lunch menu, with an emphasis on breakfast foods.
The sandwich and avocado toast we had were excellent and surprisingly gracious portions. I am over 6 feet tall and 210 pounds and I found the baguette chicken sandwich very satisfying.
The service was friendly and reasonably quick. Our waitress checked in on us to make sure everything was good and ask about more drinks.
The environment is cozy, clean and well maintained. The building appears to be expanding by including more businesses, an already open tourist store and another street food cafe to be opening soon.
Frente Natural Center, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
3 min · 0.17 mi
4•Sage P — Google reviewKatie L — Google reviewKimberly M — Google reviewClaudio K — Google reviewDelAlViEcho — Google reviewSuzanne Q — Google reviewDarrin Q — Google review
El Lagarto Steak House & Seafood
4.3
(327)
4.4
(971)
Restaurant
Grill
Bar
Pizza restaurant
El Lagarto Steak House & Sea Food, established in 1998, is a renowned restaurant in Samara known for its high-quality BBQ meats and seafood. The menu offers a variety of dishes beyond just meat options. The restaurant's beachfront setting provides a relaxed atmosphere, although some feel it could use more ambiance compared to other beachside eateries. Customers praise the delicious grilled food and fantastic service.
Loved the food at this place, ended up going twice for dinner. The atmosphere is really nice, and the food is really good. Ordered the whole grilled squid, mixed seafood platter and beef tenderloin
Sandra T — Google review
I had a really disappointing experience here. The prices were outrageously high, and the food did not live up to expectations. I came with a college group of 12, and unfortunately, we felt completely overcharged.
For example, one student asked for cheese on her potato and was given a single slice—only to be charged $3 for it. I ordered a Pellegrino, which ended up costing over $7. The food itself was just as underwhelming. We started with a salad with chicken. It had no dressing, and the chicken was extremely dry—all for $18. I ordered the tuna special, but they never asked how I wanted it cooked, and it arrived completely well-done, with no pink center at all. My coworker’s meat dish was also dry and barely edible. One student ordered a mushroom entrée that took an hour and a half to arrive—only to come out completely burnt. He could barely eat it, said it was one of the worst meals he ever had. Despite the long wait and poor quality, nothing was comped.
I attached a picture of my receipt for reference!
To make matters worse, the service at checkout was just as frustrating. The waitress/manager with a septum piercing was incredibly rude, both to our group and to the waitress who served us. She made an unnecessary comment about one of my students being in a rush—when, in reality, he had been waiting at the counter for 10 minutes just to pay. While I was still standing there, she even started berating our waitress, Sadie, in front of customers, which was completely unprofessional. She clearly was having a bad night and everyone could tell.
The only positive aspect of this experience was our server, Sadie, who was kind, accommodating, and truly did her best. She deserves a raise. Unfortunately, the overall experience was so poor that I cannot recommend this restaurant. Was the most expensive, and worst meal we had in Costa Rica!
El Lagarto was recommended to us by our house manager, and it ended up being our favorite meal in Sámara. We both ordered the ribeye steak and it was cooked perfectly- tender, flavorful, and seasoned just right. The sides (potato, tomato and zucchini) were just as delicious as the steak, which is saying a lot!
The service made the experience even better..Stephanie and Nadia were so sweet and friendly, making us feel completely at home.
Highly recommend El Lagarto for anyone visiting Sámara. We can’t wait to come back!
Food great, service great, drinks great, ambiance great. On the beach, but set back a bit, just all wood everywhere. Could use a little more something for the ambiance compared to other restaurants on the beach for a high end steak house. Everything grilled and gives all the food a great taste. The grilled veggies ( bakes potato& tomato) were fantastic. We shared beef tenderloin and stuffed chicken. Went off the beach in swimsuits with a shirt on and was fine. Don’t have to dress up.
I had a very disappointing experience at El Lagarto, which is located on the beach in Sámara. The food had an unpleasant lighter fluid flavor, suggesting the wood used might have been impregnated with some fuel. The calamari and shrimp were undercooked and inedible, and the meat and vegetables had an off taste. Additionally, the napkins smelled like bathroom disinfectant, and the grilled pineapple dessert tasted chemical. This was one of the worst meals I’ve had in Costa Rica, and it was around $80 per person, totaling a bit under $160 for two, which is noticeably pricey for the area. The only redeeming factor was the kind and pleasant waiter named Steven. Unfortunately, this poor experience seems to be a common theme in other reviews.
Great food and fantastic, quick and friendly service from Stephanie. From the moment we entered from the beach Stephen engaged us in conversation, introduced himself and we felt welcome, Stephanie followed up with her great presence. My wife and I highly recommend.
Stephanie (server) made my experience memorable. Ocean side, listening to (and seeing) the breaking ocean waves didnt hurt either! I came here with my son a month ago & we had a similar experience. Highly recommend if you want great food & Samara ambiance.
The service and food were excellent, but was definitely U.S. prices for the food. The portions were filling and the drinks were decent. The restaurant was quieter than the surrounding ones, which was nice.
sobre la playa, 100m NO de la delegación policial de Sámara, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, Costa Rica•
4 min · 0.21 mi
5Don C — Google reviewJenny H — Google reviewAsgeir S — Google reviewDiane M — Google reviewDiego D — Google reviewShabi ב — Google reviewNicci K — Google review
Hotel Giada
4.3
(574)
Hotel
Hotel Giada is a charming and sustainable hotel located on the main street leading to the beach in Samara. The venue offers down-to-earth rooms with tropical decor set around two outdoor pools. The 24 spacious rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with amenities such as a mini-fridge, TV, safety box, and wardrobe. While some guests found breakfast slow and not particularly tasty, others praised the fantastic hospitality of the staff and the excellent facilities.
Hotel Giada was a wonderful place to stay during our time in Sámara. It has that cozy, welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated with a tropical touch, and the air conditioning was a lifesaver after a day in the sun!
The location is ideal—right in the heart of town, just a short walk to the beach, restaurants, shops, and surf spots. The two small pools surrounded by lush greenery were perfect for relaxing in the afternoon.
The staff were friendly and helpful, always happy to answer questions or offer local tips. The included breakfast was a great bonus—simple but tasty, with fresh fruit and good coffee.
If you're looking for a peaceful, well-priced hotel that gives you great access to everything Sámara has to offer, Hotel Giada is a fantastic choice.
Hliana B — Google review
I stayed here for 2 days in June. Good looking hotel with 2 nice pools. Clean spacious rooms with working AC. Town is so small easy to get everywhere. The attached Italian restaurant was solid and you get a discount as a hotel guest. Staff was friendly and helpful. Only critique is the shower didn't get hot but I was sunburned so I didn't care.
For the price, this place is quite awesome!
There are 2 pools, ac, hot water, and blankets!! Which normally in Costa Rica, you dont get hot water in most hotel... Also not all of them have AC nor blankets.
Just so glad and blessed that this place has all the necessary essentials!
Our room was really cozy and felt quite nice to relax and just chill.
The owner ana the maintenance guy do constant checks to keep the pools clean and operational. Really appreciate that!
There are also little thoughtful details in the whole place. Like handles in the shower in case it gets slippery, there is something to hold onto.
I enjoyed the place for it's super value! As most of the other nicer ones are probably 3 times the price of this place per night!
Nice hotel with 2 swimming pools (1 small and 1 with space for sun beds). There are in fact no view, but a short walk to the beach. The restaurant connected to the hotel serves very nice diners, and the best Bakery in town is a 1 minute walk away. Rooms are clean, staff very friendly and service minded.
A foul stench over the area occured which brings the rating down.
The location of the hotel was perfect for us as close to the beach. The staff are fabulous and so very warm and friendly- we felt like we were visiting family! The breakfast was exactly what we needed to start a perfect day at the beach and the staff who operated the breakfast area are superb. We want to come back again and revisit this lovely hotel and beach!
We drove in to Samara and we were 3 hours early. We were able to use all amenities until our room was ready. 1 hour before we were notifies that our room was ready. Amazing service highly recommended this Hotel. Location is even better. Grounds and room very clean and comfortable. Keep up the great work!!
Lovely nice hotel with 2 pools, great service. We had prob. with the hot water and they did all they could to help us. When it didnt work they offered another room in order to stay or sleep there *in addition to our initial room*. Perfect service. They have italian restaurant in the hotel that is delicious and totally recommended. The location is super. 5 minutes to the beach on walk and in the small city center
My friend and I had a great time staying at Hotel Giada this last week. The reception was very friendly and helpful. They even made us up a to go bag for breakfast when we needed to leave early for the airport.
VFMF+52R, 50205 200 metros norte de la guardia rural, en la calle principal de Sámara, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
< 1 min · 0 ft
6•Sam T — Google reviewTara — Google reviewJill Z — Google reviewJackson — Google reviewBen L — Google reviewMichael J — Google reviewRylee C — Google review
Samara Adventures
4.8
(208)
4.8
(75)
Outdoor activity organiser
Nature & Parks
Shipping service
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Samara Adventures is a popular choice for those seeking a perfect mix of natural beauty, relaxation, and adventure on the Pacific Coast. The sunset cruise offers swimming, snorkeling, and even a second-story slide for thrill-seekers. Although snacks were promised but not provided, the crew's excellent service made up for it. Another exciting option is the River Tour with an amazing guide who speaks fluent English and a skilled captain who ensures plenty of wildlife sightings.
We had an amazing time on the sunset cruise with Samara Adventures! The guides were absolutely wonderful—so cute, friendly, and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed to enjoy the trip. Seeing Pacific spotted dolphins was such a magical highlight, and the sunset was absolutely breathtaking.
The boat was fantastic, relaxing and fun with a great slide that I thoroughly enjoyed! The vibe was perfect with some dance music adding a fun energy while still keeping things laid-back. It was three hours of pure joy, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Thank you, Samara Adventures, for an unforgettable evening!
Katie W — Google review
We had an incredible sunset tour experience with Steven, Cris, and Jorge! They were very friendly and helpful and kept the drinks flowing and the vibes positive for the whole group! After a bit of boating around, we stopped and swam for a couple hours and ate delicious tacos. The food was way better than we were expecting! Then, we headed back out and watched the sunset. We even saw dolphins and a frigate bird and since Cris is a tour guide he had lots of great facts to share about the wildlife. It’s super convenient that they pick you up wherever you are and make it very accessible. The crew is experienced and overall just a fun group to be with. Definitely felt like we got our money’s worth.
Fantastic tours we had the privilege of enjoying the Morning Dolphin Tour the Afternoon Sunset Tour and Nighttime Turtle Tour For each tour we were picked up at our hotel and safely dropped off after the tour I found the tour guides on each tour were knowledgeable and very attentive to ensure we had the best experience possible The tours were great fun and a great experience from beautiful night swim to evening adventures looking out for turtles . I look forward to booking with them when we return!
I highly recommend Samara Adventures for your next excursion(s)! This company is very professional, starting with the Isaac, to my drivers and my tour guide! I went on two excursions while staying in Samara for 4 weeks and they both were AMAZING! I highly recommend this place and you’ll see for yourself why it’s the best around! Gracias! Pura Vida!
We went on a tour to watch sea turtles laying eggs. The trip was well organized and the employees knew what they were doing. Of course, this is nature, which may or may not result in the intended outcomes. Fortunately for us, we were able to see an Olive Ridley turtle laying her eggs.
Booked 2 separate tours with Sámara Adventures during our week stay. We had a great time during the night tour to view the turtles nesting! We also took the boat tour and saw humpback whales, spotted dolphins, and turtles. The guides were all very knowledgeable and friendly.
Got to join an existing group to see baby turtles last minute. I think was glad because I'm traveling solo and most activities require min of 4 to book. Email them and ask if there are any current tours scheduled if traveling solo. Staff was very informative, driver handled bumpy roads with skill. Great experience.
We did the safari tour. Really great experience saw whales, dolphins and turtles. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and kind. We got pineapple and watermelon as well. Thank you so much! We went Feb 7, 2024
Samara Beach, Centro de Sámara, frente a Hotel Giada, Frente a Restaurante Mamagui, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
2 min · 500 ft
7•Paige P — Google reviewKenn L — Google reviewFaustina M — Google reviewOphelie C — Google reviewZachary S — Google reviewBrandy L — Google reviewHash K — Google review
Sweeties by Celia
4.9
(363)
5.0
(218)
Temporarily Closed
Restaurant
Bakery
Cafe
Fruit parlor
Sweeties by Celia is a delightful spot offering a variety of sweet treats and savory dishes. The vegan cakes are particularly praised for their delicious flavors and perfect texture, while the gluten-free options are also highly recommended. Customers appreciate the friendly service and the accommodating nature of the staff, making it an ideal place to find dairy-free or vegan treats for special occasions.
In a cute food court. Desserts were delicious and Celia was delightful. We tried five different desserts, all fantastic.
Megan K — Google review
We ordered the Double Trouble chocolate cake for my mom’s birthday and it was the BEST cake I have ever had. No exaggeration. Do yourself a favour and try her amazing desserts. I cannot recommend it enough! Plus, Celia is just such a wonderful lady. Such positive happy energy! A business owner you want to support.
Lots of good looking cakes. Tried the tropical cake. Had a nice rich and moist texture. A bit expensive. Tried going back another day to try something else, but hours on Google are incorrect as it was closed.
Celia is amazing!!! The best service and most amazing food. Highly recommend the iced tea or strawberry juice. The desserts were also delicious and even had vegan options! Celia is a gem and her bright personality lights up the space.
What a great place to treat yourself healthily.
They have many options, from vegan cakes to regular ones.
We tried the carrot cake, and the holly crumble. We strongly relished both of them, and highly appreciated the moderate sugar content. The lady working there is adorable and welcoming.
Celia is an absolute treasure! What a friendly, wonderful person. I just felt great after ordering. Ok, so the food. I tried all three vegan cakes that were out that day, and they were all delicious. Not overly sweet and with a great texture. The gluten free cake also had a great texture, which I consider somewhat of an achievement. Definitely a good option for sweet treats. I did not try any of the savory dishes, but I did have a refreshing fresh cas juice.
Loved meeting Celia! She is so friendly and there to answer all your questions. We were there the day she had thai beef. It was amazing! I am gluten free and she had many options. The tropical cake is to die for. Went back the second day for more. A great addition to cute Samara.
Celia's burritos are awesome. So are the cakes & coffee, and when available, the cookies too. Fresh strawberry watermelon juice is available and perfect for a hot afternoon. Delicious fresh baked breads and you'll always get service with a smile be it from Celia or Philip. Sometimes there's live music onsite in the evenings so give em a follow on FB to find out about specials and stay up to date on live events. Would absolutely recommend.
Next to Pali Supermarket, facing the church, a, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
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Where to eat
Under a 1-minute walk from Hotel Giada, here are a few close by recommendations for when you get hungry exploring around.
Ahora Sí!
4.9
(280)
5.0
(10)
Italian restaurant
Ahora Sí! is a delightful vegetarian restaurant that brings together the culinary talents of Sabina, an Italian expat. This charming eatery offers a unique blend of Italian vegetarian dishes and Asian-inspired rice meals, including soy burgers and refreshing fruit shakes. Committed to sustainability, Ahora Sí! prides itself on using organic ingredients sourced from local farms. During my visit, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon their menu late at night after enjoying some live music downtown.
I keep adding to this review I just can’t get enough of this place!!!!!! Ok let me start out with WOW ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! We had the best food and service that we ended up enjoying another evening of great food and great service while we were on vacation for a 2 night stay. Silvia the owner is a delightful and social person. So easy to talk to and she is Italian so I knew the food was going to be good but it turned out to be amazing! Her son does the cooking and kudos to him! The presentation of every dish makes me know he loves what he does. The flavor of the food is breathtaking, I cannot stop saying how amazing Ahora Si is! Small place and it was full inside so we decided to sit out at a two top table on the sidewalk. Please do not let the size deter you away, it is well worth the wait. This is a MUST stop for anyone in town or passing through. We are 3 hours away and I plan on making a trip in multiple times a year.
Kudos to this little touch of Italy in Samara Costa Rica. We definitely appreciate you being here!
Ashlee F — Google review
We can’t express how amazing this place was. This was by far our favorite restaurant of our entire trip and we visited several other locations all over Costa Rica. Not only was the lasagna one of the best I ever had, the owner and son were so hospitable. They are from Italy so this is a true authentic Italian menu with all freshly made daily pastas.
What an amazing dinner we had! The food was incredible! It was the best Italian food we ever had, seriously! We also stayed in the hotel, and we truly felt so welcomed and appreciated by everyone. Laura was such an amazing host, she made our honeymoon extra special by being so attentive. Thank you so much Laura for all your kind words and help. Thank you to the whole team of the Giada hotel! See you (hopefully) soon! Xxx
Yuuuuum!! We've been here over 2 weeks, all over the country, and this is by far the best meal we've had! True, authentic Italian food. Great portions for the price. I had the carbonara and my husband had the lasagna. I do wish we were here another night to try the ravioli and gnocchi, as both are homemade! Definitely come here!!
Fantastic Italian food in the heart of Samara. We didn't have reservations but got a table outside right away. It wasn't annoying being near the road, it actually made you feel like you were part of the energy of this city. The food was phenomenal, and the waitress was amazing. My partner had the carbonara and I had the lasagna. Both were high class dishes!
We had been to La Princessa restaurant for fries earlier n was looking who has good lasagna. The owner suggested Ahora Si in town. We went to Limeys to watch the band. After that we walked around downtown n just so happened to look at Ahora Si menu. The owner says we are just closing but let me see if the cook has any left.
So here we are at 10pm at night eating the BEST lasagna EVER( n i make a great one).
Sat with the owner n a young couple. They shared their wine with us strangers. What an amazing atmosphere. Go check this place out 10/10
Delicious Italian food! I never would’ve expected it to be this good. The owner is Italian and the pastas and lasagna are homemade.
We ate here twice during our stay in Sámara because it was so good.
I highly recommend the lasagna, carbonara, the gnocchis were delicious, and really we loved everything we ordered!
The staff were kind and very endearing. The restaurant is small and demand is high so call and make reservations.
Our favourite restaurant in Samara! It was so good we went four times. Kudos to Chef Rudy, Silvia & the whole team. The place is small but quaint, owned by a local family. The air conditioning was what drew us in but the authentic Italian food, presentation and great service are the reasons we kept going back. We’d been to many restaurants in Samara but Ahora Si was the only one with air conditioning. Good menu selection & reasonably priced. We only dined in for lunch but saw tables set up on the sidewalk for the evening…looked romantic. We also loved the beautiful quotes written on the menu and the walls.
Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
A Mozzarella Pizza
4.4
(134)
4.4
(67)
Pizza restaurant
A'' Mozzarella is a popular pizza place known for its wood-fired oven pizzas and friendly service. While some customers have noted that the standard pizza size may be too big for one person, others have praised the delicious toppings and crispy thin crust. The restaurant's rustic ambiance and quick service have also been highlighted by patrons.
It was so nice getting to enjoy the cool fans and the clean tables! Most restaurants are very hot and full of mosquitoes but we didn’t get bit here at all. The staff were friendly and the pizza was delicious :) wonderful experience! Plus friendly kitties for my kids to pet
Jess W — Google review
Really really good pizza! We knew we wanted pizza for dinner and this place did not disappoint. It’s a little hole in the wall with a group of other restaurants. Lots of seating and good menu choice. We went simple with spicy pepperoni but my wife and I polished that pizza. Fresh ingredients and a crispy yet chewy crust. I gave this pizza a 9.2 on my rigorous grading scale.
Excellent place to eat really good pizza. I liked it very much. I ordered rustica, I loved it, especially with homemade olive oil wih chilli seeds. The size was nice, good value for money. The dough was thin but crispy and the toppings were very tasty both cheese and sausage. The service was warm and quick. Everything felt clean and surrounding with other small restaurants is cute. Would recomme nd it anytime.
Nice vegan pie in roughly 25 mins. Not bad since the friendly staff told me 20. Enough time to socialize in the open food court environment. Got it to go because we wanted to head up the mountain and it held up for part of the ride and ate good cold too. On par with NY slices. Priced on par with Samara. Enjoy!
Great pizza served by a friendly, helpful staff.although the standard pizza is too big for one person so took leftovers to my hotel and gave it to the front desk staff. I had the pepperoni pizza with a little chili oil on the side. As a former New Yorker I was impressed! To the owner … My only recommendation would be to offer a personal size pizza … half of the standard :)
My wife’s and my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren ate dinner at Pizzeria A'Mozzarella one evening, and their report to us was so enthusiastic that, several days later, my wife and I decided to try it. Our meal at this casual, indoor, food court vendor was our least expensive Samara dinner, but we enjoyed it very much. The staff members were friendly and provided good service, and our mushroom pizza was delicious - the crust, cheese, sauce, and toppings were perfect. In addition, my wife was very pleased by the cocktail that she ordered, as I was, with my beer.
Really liked this place. Pretty reasonably priced for Samara for a giant pizza dinner for 4 people. Pizza was good quality. Cool location. Service was good. Recommended.
Fantastic pizza! A big sized pizza was perfectly fine for three hungry adults. Fresh ingredients, great dough, very tasty. The staff is super friendly.
C. Central, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
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Restaurante Sheriff Rustic
4.3
(716)
4.2
(236)
affordable
Restaurant
Restaurante Sheriff Rustic is a beachfront restaurant with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The gourmet food is served quickly, making it convenient for families with young children who can play on the safe, shaded beach while waiting for their meal. The menu offers delicious options such as seared tuna and ceviche, and breakfast at this spot comes highly recommended. While the atmosphere includes lively nightlife with music, some visitors found the lighting too bright in the evening.
Great food at a great price (for Samara at least). Their ceviche is one of my favorite things I ate all trip. We ate there twice on our one week trip because of that ceviche.
Our favorite things were: Fish ceviche, the Casado with the whole Snapper, the fish fillet and shrimp in white sauce (soooo good) and the camarones al ajillo.
Also, the spot has a perfect view of the beach. Great location for lunch or dinner after playing in the water.
Austin M — Google review
Beachfront dining is a treat for my wife and me, when we visit Samara, and, among the various available options, we have decided that this casual, moderately-priced restaurant is one of our favorites. Our food and beverages every visit (beer, cocktails, fish fillets, and spaghetti with shrimp during two visits during late March and early April) have excellent and ample, and we have enjoyed good service. Also: we have perceived during each of our visits that some of our fellow diners have been local people - not tourists only - which we judge to be a commendation.
We stayed in Samara Beach for about 3 days and we visited Restaurante Sheriff Rustic every day. We loved the food and the staff were incredibly friendly, they were joyful and made us feel so welcome! The view was the cherry on top.
Good food, good prices, good service, great location and view! Located right in the beach by the pier. Tico breakfast. Would come here again. Food is basic but good. Very casual. Pay at the register, not with the server. We sat quite a while not realizing this.
You can't beat this location however felt the menu was a real disappointment. Not much to choose from and very basic. Went for breaky and it tasted fine, server was fine, location excellent. Quick glance at lunch menu just showed various forms of hamburgers...maybe I missed something. I would go back however based on the location alone.
Good beachside place with a standard assortment of Tico food that is well prepared. This is basically a soda with somewhat higher prices because of great location. The main downside of this place is that the staff are “stiff”. As has been mentioned by others, none of the servers or managers seem to enjoy being here or working with the customers. Not a smile anywhere.
We had asked the owner of the hotel we were staying at if she had a recommendation for diner close by. She suggested the Sheriff Rustic and said the food was phenomenal.
We walked over and our first thought was that it looked a bit run down. But the second the food touched our tongue we were hooked! The beefsteak Casado is the best one we've had in our 2 weeks of traveling around Costa Rica! The papaya water smoothies are sweet and thirst quenching. The beer is... Well, beer.
We've been eating dinner here for the past three days and have no regrets!
The food was not that great. Burger and fries was so bad my daughter who loves burgers and fries did not even eat half of it. The fried fish was better but not that good. The view and the vibe of sitting outside by the water as the only good thing.
Contiguo a la delegación Policial, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
BM Burger Samara
4.6
(175)
Hamburger restaurant
BM Burger Samara offers a decent dining experience with fast service and affordable prices. The burgers are described as juicy and tasty, making them a satisfying choice after a day at the beach. While some suggest adding fans for comfort, others appreciate the quick service and quality of the chicken burgers and wraps. Overall, it seems to be a popular spot for those seeking a fulfilling burger in Samara.
Hefty and juicy burgers. Quite affordable and a lot of locals seem to eat here.
Anthony L — Google review
Chicken sandwich was not great, but the fries were good.
Got the guacamole burger...yes was very sloppy but tasted good and hit the spot. Wouldn't make a special trip but was craving a simple burger that was close to the hotel.
We got the guacamole burger, hot chicken, Hawaiian burger, crispy wrap, and kids queso burger. I'm quite picky with burgers and they were surprisingly good, and better price than average for the area. It looks unassuming, but I highly recommend.
Not bad and not great. Just good enough. It’s fast service and relatively cheap compared to everything else in Samara. I had the jalapeno burger with fries and mozzarella sticks.
Nothing against the staff but that was literally the worst burger I have eaten in my entire life. It’s like they take frozen, pre cooked burgers, put them on a bun and then throw it all in the microwave. The bun was spongy and the lettuce actually stretched when I’d try to bite it. I’d say if you’re in samara and want a burger go to limeys or if you want something fast go to pollolandia even though it’s not a burger.
We thought the mushroom burger was vegetarian but they are all meat burgers with different add ons. Picture with updated prices. Average fast-food type place.
Great Staff and best Hamburger in Costa Rica!
160, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, Costa Rica•
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Day 3
Off the beaten path
For day 3, if you don’t mind the extra trek, today covers more off the beaten path places like Playa Barrigona. Not quite as popular as Sámara, but still highly rated among many travelers. Accounting for getting around and average time spent, today’s activities could take about 7 hours.
1•Daniel V — Google reviewUwe O — Google reviewKrista S — Google reviewBrian B — Google reviewAlejandro C — Google reviewDevin R — Google reviewVictor B — Google review
Playa Barrigona
4.7
(378)
4.7
(205)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Playa Barrigona is a rugged and undeveloped coastal stretch with clear blue waters that provide excellent opportunities for surfing and snorkeling. The beach boasts of beautiful white sand, shady areas, and big powerful waves that are perfect for swimming and surfing. It's home to iguanas and marine mammals which add to its beauty. Although the access road has greatly improved over time leading to an increase in crowds, it remains a fantastic spot for fishing enthusiasts.
Big and beautiful beach. There is a vendor that sells ceviche at the parking lot. I highly recommend it.
Jason E — Google review
We had a great time. Dry season now so no waterfall but still amazing.
Best wild beach of the area. Nice white sand. Still heavy surf. Swimming if you want, experts only. Please tip Kose who keeps the place nice
Magical beach. Powdered sand! Active wildlife. Clear water. Amazing! No services. Must access with 4x4 from Sámara (river crossing).
Great beach. The kids loved all the hermit crabs and the waterfall is a very short walk to the left!
Beautiful beach but water is a little dirty. Plastic caps, broken glasses, and some other stuff is showing up within the waves.
I really hope this gets better soon since it's a wonderful place to visit except for that.
Best part was hanging with Jorge, Jose and Kevin. Jorge’s mom’s empanada was delicious
Beautiful, secluded, very strong surf and rip tide. Highly recommend a 4x4 as you must
cross a stream to get to this beach (see
video). There are some locals selling beverages and snacks in the parking lot but otherwise it is without services. There is shade near the parking area and a beautiful shady grove about 1/4 mile walk to the right as you face the ocean. There is a private road that comes into this grove, which I believe leads to Mel Gibson's 500 acre compound. We LOVED this beach. Just be very careful as the surf is very strong and there are submerged rocks at both ends of the beach. Also tide pools at both ends of the beach to explore but you will need water shoes. Absolutely stunning beach.
18 min · 6.1 mi
2Silvia P — Google reviewDarquise C — Google reviewAlina A — Google reviewLivia M — Google reviewA — Google reviewMalte W — Google reviewMarion C — Google review
Hostel Mariposas
4.5
(176)
Hostel
Hostel Mariposas, located near Intercultura on the east end of Samara, is a popular choice for younger travelers. The hostel offers a communal kitchen and a leafy garden with hammocks. Despite being slightly more expensive, it is well-maintained, colorful, and clean. Guests appreciate the welcoming atmosphere that makes them feel at home and facilitates socializing. While some private rooms may have minor issues like tricky door locks or ineffective fans, the overall experience is positive.
I really enjoyed staying at Hostel Las Mariposas. Wonderful staff at this hostel.
I've stayed in many different hostels but it's rare to have someone like staff Joshua. He made sure all the guests were comfortable and literally made it feel like home. He invited us to see the sunset at the beach and made sure nobody felt left out. He really cares about everyone, not just because it's his job, but because he thinks we are all good friends gathering at this hostel. He also has lots of tips and advices traveling around this area. I ended up staying an extra night because it was so comfortable. The location is also perfect, just 100 meters from a beautiful beach. Overall, it was such a nice stay here and I would definitely come back when I have the chance!
Tetsugoro M — Google review
Worst place we stayed in Costa Rica, not worth the money for the private room. Terrible mattress, dirty room. Sink and shower had hairs, cobwebs everywhere, broken and filthy curtains, never been cleaned under the bed or the light switches. Only two plugs in the room work. You can't close the bathroom door. None of the staff checked on us the whole three nights we were there, even though it's a tiny place. Strange way to run a business.
It's next to a very loud bar that's open until 2am, so bear that in mind.
The good thing is the location. Really near the beach and shops.
I rented 1private room with private bathroom
Once Checked in I realized that my room had no A/C , a double bed stacked on bricks to make it seem higher, a bad matress where you can feel the springs and the wood base, a fan which only worked on 1 plug out of 4 in the entire room. The bathroom was dirty and crusty and the toilet is straight in front of the door so your legs stop you from closing the door to do your business.
Even if I complained all the rooms seemed like that and so a change of room wouldn't fix my problem. I asked if they could refund at least one night out of two. The owner did not want to refund anything and didn't care. He said that because I had already checked in and my stay was for 2 days I wasn't respecting the 48h delay and that’s just how the system works! No help at all.
His hostel services and quality is not like shown on the pictures.
Cute spot and environment
Bad service
Dirty room and bathroom
Bad beds
No A/C
I Would not recommend.
I went to another hostel straight away and lost my money.
Such a TERRIBLE experience in this beach style hostel!!!
1. Very noisy environment : the single room is in front of the hang out area and next to the kitchen!
2. There is a party bar right in front playing average music until more than 2 am, fancy crowd around…
3. The single room is very poorly furnished (no bed side lamp, dusty everywhere, electricity is from another age in the shared bathroom - extremely small and aged + shared with dorms!!!)
Conclusion: POOR VALUE, doesn’t worth the price at all!
My stay at the Marisposa Hostel was incredible. I met so many nice people. The vibe is perfect, a real travelers hostel. It‘s good micture betweed calm and realaxed anthmosphere and lots of social activities (watch out for Hatman 😛). Roman and Julia were the perfect managers. Well done guys 👏🏼. I stayed for in the end for 4 weeks, can totally recommend.
Loved the vibes & the location.
The private room had a few issues (door lock tricky, fan ineffective, mosquito net broken, shower with mosquitos in dry season & only worked sometimes). The view and the size of the room was great.
Staff was friendly & the common area is really nice. You have a nice short walk to the beach, and awesome ("western") food options just across the property run by friendly people, if you stay longer and need a change from the nice local food.
It can get quite loud in the evening as the place across the way has the people from the language school partying, but I enjoyed those vibes, too.
I would come back, maybe using the dorm next time.
After coming back to the Mariposas several times in the last years I feel like it's finally time to leave a review. The location is obviously great, the hostel is clean and with a beautiful ambience, but most importantly I feel like the atmosphere of that place just makes you feel home (sometimes to much so people get stuck ;) ). Even though the general structure kinda changed in the years, every time I got back there was always the vibe of connecting to people and socialising. Ten out of ten, can highly recommend!
Mariposas has the best vibes of all the hostels i visited in CR. Even though the rooms could need a deep clean, it is a absolute reccomendation. The staff is very friendly and the location is really close to the ocean. Loved it, especially all the art!
100 metros de Intercultura, Playa Samara, Costa Rica•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
6 min · 0.32 mi
3Bridgett ( — Google reviewMeg S — Google reviewK R — Google reviewVal C — Google reviewAsmiley1 — Google reviewJanis Z — Google reviewNicole M — Google review
Villas Kalimba
4.8
(112)
Hotel
Villas Kalimba offers a serene retreat with six individual units surrounded by lush gardens and a tranquil pool. The property is conveniently located across from the beach and near stores and restaurants, yet it maintains a quiet atmosphere. Each villa is equipped with a kitchen, and guests can also enjoy the option of having meals prepared by the owner/chef. The staff provides excellent service, and guests have praised the friendly and professional team.
I knew this place would be nice based off of the photos and reviews but we were blown away once we got there in person. This is a boutique hotel steps away from the beach (you're across the street but we could hear the waves from our villa), located right in the middle of downtown Samara. The grounds are full of lush greenery, the pool and hot tub were great, and our villa was so comfortable and spacious. We really enjoyed the outdoor sitting area (especially at night when we were able to enjoy the live music from the restaurant). I'm also convinced that they employ the nicest people in Costa Rica - every employee was an absolute delight. We can't wait to go back!
Amanda B — Google review
Great place to stay while in Playa Samara! We really enjoyed ourselves.
The villas are spotless and stocked with all the basic essentials so you can cook if you want and stay in. There is a private outdoor covered patio with fan and table to sit and enjoy the surroundings, and the beach is just steps away. Literally right across the street is beach access and several restaurants/ bars.
Great location and walking distance to the Main St. and down town.
Spent an entire day on the beach just relaxing and it was very convenient to quickly go back to the villa afterwards
The staff were all very friendly and helpful, and they greet you with genuine kindness.
I would highly recommend staying here even though it is not beach-front - it is the next best thing.
Dec 24: Comfortable villa with plenty of room for three adults (2 BR, 2 bathrooms.) Quiet, safe, room to park and easy three minute walk to the beach. We used the grocery store up the street and prepared breakfast in the full kitchen - though you can have breakfast in the restaurant. We enjoyed lounging in the hammock on the large patio surrounded by green. Christmas Eve dinner was delicious, our drinks were masterful and the musical entertainment was perfect.
Villas Kalimba is absolutely perfect! From the moment I arrived, I felt right at home. The staff are so kind and welcoming—they truly go above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need.
The location couldn’t be better. It’s right in the middle of everything, with all the restaurants and bars just steps away. And the beach? It’s literally across the street! The convenience of it all made my stay so easy and enjoyable.
The property itself is quaint and cozy, with such a peaceful vibe. It’s beautifully maintained and felt like my own little oasis in the heart of Samara.
If you’re looking for a spot that has it all—amazing staff, the best location, and a cozy, relaxed atmosphere—this is the place. I had such an incredible time and can’t wait to come back!
We found this gem of a hotel in the Fodor's guidebook and we felt like we had won the lottery when they had a vacancy.
Carolina and Mateo are true professionals- absolutely outstanding hoteliers! They were incredibly welcoming, personable and helpful.We felt like they really cared about us, even though we were a last minute booking.Every detail of their guest service and interactions with us was impeccable.I kept thinking, "Wow - how refreshing. These people really know how to make people feel happy, rather than being treated like another 'tourist'!" The rooms, grounds and restaurant are beautifully designed, appointed and cared for - a treat for the senses.
Javier, at the restaurant bar was equally professional and warm. We enjoyed all our meals very much- such a great dining atmosphere and I loved the gorgeous photographs.
I think you get the picture- highly recommended!.
Diego is just the sweetest, but all the staff are fantastic! They made me feel welcome, in the warmest way! They love their town and their guests. I hope to visit again one day!
Thank you Villas Kalimba for another fabulous vacation our 9th stay they say location is everything but the we loved our comfortable 1 bedroom villa soo spacious clean beautifully renovated bathroom was amazing we look forward to next year. We love our daily ocean walk/swim so close you can hear the waves. Delicious breakfast lunch and dinner at Kalimba Restaurant beautifully located poolside so much so visitors say Kalimba is a place to return. 1st rate staff service non can compare...Thank you all
My family and I absolutely adored this place. Diego goes above and beyond and then some to make your stay perfect. Javier also is incredibly kind and helpful. The villas were beautiful and comfortable; the grounds were gorgeous and lush like a tropical oasis. The location was perfect - close to the center of town (<5 min walk) but far enough away that it was quiet and peaceful and right across the street from C&C Surfing school where my son had his first lesson and he was up on the board surfing within an hour.
The food and drinks were delicious, the pool was beautiful, the A/C was cold, the showers were hot with impressive water pressure, and Ginger the cat who occasionally visited us outside was an extra bonus.
The wonderful beach is literally just a few steps away. Tons of excellent restaurants to choose from too if you want to explore outside of the grounds.
VFJF+MQW, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
5 min · 0.27 mi
4•Glenn B — Google reviewNancy C — Google reviewMax S — Google reviewKaty S — Google reviewKimberley A — Google reviewChantelle W — Google reviewAndres S — Google review
Kijongo Pub
4.2
(156)
3.5
(8)
Latin American restaurant
Kijongo Pub in Samara is a family favorite with a pirate ship decor that adds to its charm. The food, especially the chicken in white sauce and Caribbean chicken and rice, is delicious and comes in generous portions. The restaurant welcomes children with open arms, offering swing chairs for them to enjoy. The staff is friendly, the music lively but not too loud. Visitors highly recommend stopping by for a visit. Guests love the huge and filling portions at Kijongo Pub.
Great Food, Ambiance & Service!
and reasonably priced. It’s up the stairs, had Cute swings overlook the street, a nice breeze and fans. I had fresh pineapple juice and typical Costa Rican dish. I wish I found it sooner than paying triple, crazy prices at beach restaurants which are just ok. Service was fantastic. It’s located across street from medical center( bright green ambulance)
Sheila N — Google review
Great atmosphere with swinging chairs. Went here for empanadas and Collective Arts Brewing Beer. They were out of empanadas and only had a sour and light beer left. Disappointed. Food was average and service was not great. Waited an additional 15minutes to pay bill as they cashed out at 3:00 pm. With all the great restaurants in Samara I don't recommend Kijongo.
I ordered a mojito, which was yummy and the fish tacos. There were 3 huge tacos with a sauce on top that made them very messy to eat. I would have enjoyed them more without it. The tables and swinging chairs add a fun and unusual ambiance. I would go back again to try another dish.
The service was no good because there was only one girl and she was not experienced. So we had to wait a long time for our drinks and we picked up our food because she was talking long time by another table. I think the need more experienced people here not just one girl. The food was ok but not so good that i would come back for it. So once but no more...
Almost everything was perfect at this place! The food was excellent. The classic margarita was yummy and the fruit smoothies. The fries could have been cooked longer to get that crispness-but they were still good. They did forget 2 things we ordered, but it was no big deal. We had plenty to eat! Pura Vida!
Love the decor. Feels like you are on a pirate ship. Very clever! This restaurant is a family favourite in Samara. The food is delicious. Especially the chicken in a white sauce.
The children were welcomed with open arms. We all loved the swing chairs but did move when our food came - only because we had a toddler. Staff were very friendly. Music was lively and not too loud. Highly recommend a visit
We loved this place! Stopped in for lunch and we’re not disappointed. The portions were huge and very filling! I had a build your own bowl with shrimp and it was amazing! Hubby has the Caribbean chicken and rice which blew us away. It was massive and tasted so good! I loved the swing seats as well, a fun little added bonus to an already great restaurant.
Great food and great price for the food. The smoothies that they make are delicious. I had ceviche and it is Peruvian style which I love. If you are used to Costa Rican ceviche, know that it will taste differently but it will be really good. It is a long wait for the food, just bring something to do and you’ll be fine. The portions are generous.
50205, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
1 min · 200 ft
5Shawn W — Google reviewLily B — Google reviewJill T — Google reviewBrianna L — Google reviewJulia D — Google reviewAnthony L — Google reviewNicola H — Google review
Outback ATV Tours and Rentals, Nature and Adventure Tours, Samara Beach
4.7
(180)
Tour agency
Outback ATV Tours and Rentals in Samara offers ATV rentals for around $118 USD per day, with prices varying based on demand. Visitors have raved about the amazing experience of touring the Macaw Reserve with knowledgeable guide Andrey, who led them to various beautiful beaches and sightings of howler monkeys. The tour also included a visit to the Macaw Reserve, where visitors witnessed 12 macaws enjoying their "snack" and even spotted a coati stealing food.
My family and I had a wonderful time with Outback Tours! Our guide was very informative, provided appropriate education on use of the ATVs. We traveled through the more rural areas of Samara, went through water with the ATV, got to see some baby howler monkeys and stopped at Barrigona Beach. It was a pleasant time and I would highly recommend them!
Teresa J — Google review
My wife and myself did the Jungle beach lunch combo tour with our guide Andre this morning in Sámara . We had an absolute blast and were covered from head to toe in mud. Andre took excellent care of us and made an amazing bbq lunch on a secluded beach for us, along with beverages. While in Sámara make sure to book this tour, you will not be disappointed.
If I could give 6 stars I would. We had the best time on this ATV tour. Our guide was Andrey. And he was super personable and even taught us some Spanish words. We did the 4 hour tour so he cooked for us and it was 🧑🍳😘(chefs kiss). Be warned, at one point you go through water and a LOT of mud but thats what makes it so fun. So glad we were able to go do this tour. Best part of our trip so far!
This was SO much fun! We went to multiple beaches and the guides bbq’ed steak, chicken, chorizo and veggies. It was extremely tasty. We even saw a seal which was very rare! We loved getting muddy and our team had a blast! This tour group was wonderful to work with and communicated extremely well. We will be booking with them again in the future! Thank you!
I’m obsessed with this experience. We got to see the mountains and 3 different beaches. Our tour guide Andrey was awesome as well sliced pineapple up for us and stopped so we could see monkeys. You will get dirty but it is awesome!!
We stayed in Samara for about a week and this was one of the best excursions we booked. On our tour we went through the neighboring towns and back roads, visited three different beaches, crossed rivers on the ATV, saw macaws, white-faced monkeys, and howler monkeys. we even cracked open a coconut we found on one of the secluded beaches (Nandayure). We ended up on the top of one of the hills and had some refreshing fruit. 10/10 experience would definitely book again! Booking was simple (we used TripAdvisor), tours can be done in English or Spanish, and incredibly affordable.
Andrew was an amazing tour guide made sure we were safe at all times on the trails and in the woods he cooked us an amazing lunch at the beach and we could have not asked for a better tour thank you!!
Awesome quad bike trip! Dirt tracks, river crossings and extreme mud as well as stops to swim at a beautiful waterfall and also time on the stunning Barrigona beach. Lucky to just be our family of 4 and we covered a lot of distance. So much fun and without doubt the best trip of our Costa Rica adventure. We could not stop smiling. Best guide and best trip ever!
On the main street of Playa Samara, 10 meters north of Hotel Giada, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
36 min · 12.5 mi
6•Kyle T — Google reviewRichard D — Google reviewLissa B — Google reviewWilliam K — Google reviewBrian L — Google reviewBella F — Google reviewJennifer N — Google review
Belen Waterfall
4.4
(114)
4.4
(51)
Nature & Parks
Waterfalls
Belen Waterfall is a hidden gem located just 20 minutes from downtown Samara. It's a small cascade with swimming holes that are popular among locals but often overlooked by tourists. The entrance, although unmarked, is situated in the middle of the countryside and offers a serene escape. Accessible via a short side road trip off route 150, Belen Waterfall provides a refreshing spot for a dip in the stream and even offers sightings of howling monkeys in the surrounding trees.
Off the beaten path…22 km from Samara off route 150. Easy to find using GPS. Keep an eye out for the dirt road turn off. There’s a fruit stand and grocery store at the corner. From the turn it’s 5 minutes of scenic countryside to the entrance that leads to the parking lot. 1,000 colones pp entrance fee, below 7yo are free. Short hike to the waterfall…big rocks to hop around on. We went during dry season in Feb, the water was clear & waterfall wasn’t overwhelmingly gushing but enough to enjoy and swim safely. People were diving/jumping off the cliffs. We went twice, early to beat the crowds, stayed for half a day and had a picnic. There are no restaurants or public facilities there. Please take your trash with you, there’s a big garbage can in the parking lot.
May E — Google review
This is a really pretty waterfall, and it would be even prettier after a big rain. I’m giving 3 stars because it wasn’t as clean of an area as the pictures suggest. The water is dirty and there is litter in the area. Also, paying $4 for parking seems strange after driving down a super bumpy dirt road for 2km. They could at least use the money to keep the area clean. There are pictures of people swimming here, I would not swim here lol. Again, it was nice to stop and hang out for a few minutes, but I wouldn’t plan my day around this.
This is a waterfall in area you want to visit during the dry season as it can be quite dangerous during the rainy season due to high current. We went in late April 2025 the water was low we had the entire place to ourselves for 3 hours. There is an attendant there who will watch your car for you for 3 dollars US. No food no nothing available very rural use four-wheel drive to get to it but fairly easy to find
Had so much fun here. Be aware that the rocks are slippery if you are diving. Water shoes may help. Donation required to enter.
Best Falls & swimming hole near Nosara/ Samara. Parking is plenty, 1 mil colonies to get in, easy path to falls. Not the biggest, but great for a day trip!
Visited late Dec 2023 (beginning of dry season), the water was clear. $2 or 1000 colones per person entrance fee. It was not crowded, at most there were 10-15 people enjoying the falls.
Great place to explore! If going during rainy season the water can get high and a bit scary but we were still able to swim in mid-June. Be careful the water is deep and you can’t touch the bottom but you should be fine if you’re a decent swimmer. Bring water proof sandals like chacos to explore the river as it’s super rocky. Also the road can get pretty muddy during rainy season but we made it just fine with a 2WD compact SUV. Definitely worth visiting if you are staying in Samara or near Nicoya!
Follow the road and when you see the sign, go to the right. You pay a guy 1000 crc per person over the age of 7. The path down is a bit slippery and muddy. The rocks are slippery so we only went up more and not down since we were with our two kids. Beautiful and not busy. We came in Nov 2023, at the end of rainy season and it was gorgeous. Not busy at all!
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Where to eat
When you need a food break from visiting all the attractions today, these fan favorite restaurants are about a 1-minute walk away from Outback ATV Tours and Rentals, Nature and Adventure Tours, Samara Beach.
MamaGui
4.7
(387)
4.6
(805)
Temporarily Closed
affordable
Restaurant
MamaGui is a charming Italian restaurant in Costa Rica that has garnered high praise from visitors. The owner, Pierto, takes great pride in the food and ensures that guests have a delightful dining experience. The open-air eatery offers a fantastic atmosphere with intriguing wallpaper and skillful mixologists who craft creative and delicious cocktails. Guests have raved about the fantastic food, including homemade vegetable ravioli and the best pizza in Samara.
We loved MamaGui! My favorite dishes were the Bufalo Burrata appetizer and the pizzas.
Their pizza is definitely the best in all of Samara, which surprisingly is a really big deal since there’s 100 plus pizza places in Samara. We’ve had at least 6-8 different pizzas on our trip and their’s was the best!
Best service we had in town as well too. Is a little expensive though
Austin M — Google review
Delicious! They have to menu, one for breakfast and one for lunch/dinner. Both are really good. If you have a change try one of the pastas, most of them are homemade. I love the bucatini (kind of very thick and doughy spaghetti). And depending on your hunger I recommend to ask for the dish sizes of your choice because some are smaller some are bigger. Much recommended! :)
We had no idea what what to expect. We needed a spot to eat and this was well rated. The food was wonderful and unique. Portion sizes were nice. Our 5 year old tore up the pizza and she’s got refined taste, prefers artisanal pizzas (lol). We’d never had anything like the snapper prosciutto (eat it with the various garnishes). The home made pasta was on point and the rib sauce was yummy. The sword fish was fine but the fennel salad was what made the dish pop. Our only issue was they could have had better wine choices for the prices.
First off, this place has moved locations. I have submitted the correct edits to Google, but if you are reading this know that Mama Gui is located where Hotel Giada is right off 150 below, towards the beach, of Outback ATV Tours.
Okay, let's get to the food. It was superb. I know our server was actually from Italy and moved to Costa Rica, but I have feeling there are some more Italians involved in this business. The menu selection is excellent and the food is scrumptious. We brought a bottle of wine from Central California and they were very accommodating, did charge a modest corkage fee, but didn't bat an eye about it. I am not one to normally eat at other "cultural" food restaurants when traveling abroad. I like to eat what is native to the country normally. However, this is an exception. Excellent food and excellent service!
Had lovely date night here. We came quite early and got a nice table (the place filled up fast later).
We eat a dairy- and gluten-free diet and the waiter was super accommodating, knowledgeable and great. Just the service created an awesome dinner experience already. Our starter and gf pasta was tasty, so was the cocktail and the wine we had. We also loved to see organic and grass fed meats on the menu.
Fabulous dinner experience!
Fantastic atmosphere in this open air Italian eatery. The wallpaper is very intriguing!
The bartender/mixologist was skillful, the cocktails creative and delicious.
The food was fantastic, the best pizza I've tasted in Sámara, presentation very nice as well. We got in on a live music night and the show was delightful.
The only thing that slightly tarnished the occasion, were the motorcycles and cars racing loudly by the front door, which is by no means the restaurants fault!
Hands down best dinner you’re going to have in Samara!
The owner gave us a special free appetizer and was so welcoming. We liked it so much we drove an extra 3hours and came back a second time in 1 week.
The service staff was on point. Super friendly and effective. They have good italian wine bottles worth having
Don’t get me started on the food. We cleaned the plates for them, that’s how good it was. The presentation was to die for. A squared burrata?? We talked about it during half of the diner trying to figure out how they did it.
Each bite was one of a white fluffy cloud. The mix of ingredients, the cuisson is perfect to harmonize everything in your mouth.
I loved the fish starter served at room temperature as it should.
Enrobant would be the word for each plate.
200mt norte de la estacion de policia, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
Samara Sushi
4.4
(332)
Japanese restaurant
Samara Sushi is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, offering a diverse menu with options for everyone. The restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere, with swing seats adding to the fun vibe. The food is delicious and fresh, with generous portions and a wide variety of choices including vegan options. Customers recommend trying the Godzilla roll and the tsunami roll, as well as enjoying the amazing views from the restaurant.
Samara Sushi is a charming spot right off the beach. After climbing the stairs up you get to a great open air spot with the option to sit in some swinging benches overlooking the beach. The sashimi portion sizes are generous and the food is excellent. The marlin ceviche is prepared in a unique way but the portion size is extremely generous and delicious. They also have a two drink happy hour special that is a great deal.
Evan T — Google review
We had such a great dinner at Sámara Sushi! Everything was spot on—the food, the drinks, and the vibe.
We started with the fried tofu appetizer, which was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor. Such a perfect way to kick things off! Their wine selection was also impressive, with great options to pair with the meal.
And the sushi platter? Absolutely amazing. Fresh, beautifully prepared, and every bite was delicious. Even though I’m usually not a big sushi person, I have to say this place really nailed it!
If you’re in Sámara and craving sushi, this is the place to go. Great food, great drinks, and an awesome experience overall!
Fun atmosphere with a bit of an ocean view because of its location above a supermercado. Plenty of versatile seating but we opted for the swing seats. Wonderful staff. Awesome vegan options. We appreciate the team being so accommodating and even whipping up a few rolls for us they don’t usually make. Best sushi for us in Costa Rica so far. Highly recommend.
SO good, the best we’ve ever had. Was drawn here by the (multiple!!) vegetarian roll options. Got the spicy tofu teriyaki and edamame appetizers. The tofu is SO crispy and flavorful, a must try. Got the veggie tempera roll and the mango camaron roll, both were incredible. Paired with the mojito. Everything was incredible.
Delicious food, amazing views, and really good staff. I recommend eating the Godzilla roll and the tsunami roll. Two of my favorite rules. The price was actually good for grand total of nine rolls and six beers with some sake on the side it cost a grand total of 165$ US.
There are a number of vegan options here, and they were all delicious. I went twice with a group, so I was lucky enough to try every vegan roll and the bowl. I’m not positive that the creamy sauce on the side of the sushi is vegan, as I forgot to ask. The vibe of this place is fun, especially if you get one of the swing seats. All of the dishes were colorful and tasted fresh. This is a good pick for sushi lovers.
5 stars for the 1st visit & 1 for the 2nd.
The first time we went for an early dinner. The gentleman at the bar served us. We ordered shrimp tempura & avocado nigiri. He was friendly & courteous, food presentation was beautiful & delish, drinks were refreshing & atmosphere was great. We had an awesome time!
4 days later we went back. A different server seated us, brought the menus and stood waiting…we asked for a few minutes & water to start with. She said “okay” in a snobby manner, brought the water and didn’t come back for a while. We ordered drinks and food including shrimp tempura (same item as our previous visit). When the shrimp arrived, each shrimp was cooked with strip of seaweed in the batter. I told the server it wasn’t what I ordered. She said she’s been working there for 4 years & they always make shrimp tempura that way. I mentioned I had them a few days before, and they weren’t the same. The server was clearly annoyed that I wasn’t going to eat what she brought, grabbed the plate & walked away. 10 minutes later she came back with the correct shrimp tempura, put the plate on the table, didn’t say anything and left. She never came back to check on us. I had to get up and asked the other server for our bill. We just wanted to have a nice evening & repeat dining experience but it turned out to be uncomfortable and unpleasant. I wish we hadn’t gone back.
Don’t waste your time at some other restaurant. Choose this place. This place is the best I have ever had in Costa Rica! The workers are so friendly! The atmosphere is so cute and of course my style. The avocado and juicy roll were so freaking good! 😍
2nd Planta del Super Samara Beach Road, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
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The Flying Taco/El Taco Volador
4.4
(276)
Permanently Closed
affordable
Bar & grill
If you're exploring Samara, make sure to stop by The Flying Taco/El Taco Volador, a hidden gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. This vibrant Mexican restaurant offers a delightful array of dishes, including mouthwatering burritos and tacos with various fillings, catering even to vegetarian preferences. While it may not be right on the beach, its lively atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for lunch or dinner.
Good food and drinks. 5-7pm happy hour. 2 for 1 margaritas. Beers for 1300 C. Great food for the price. Me and my wife had 2 tacos each and a margarita for about 11 MIL colones.
Kurtis F — Google review
Not much can be said for the atmosphere, at night its pretty dark but the food was good. They seem to have decent specials. I ordered a pina margarita and beef nachos. The drink was excellent and the nachos tasted good but there didnt seem to be much beef on them, maybe thats why they were on special.
Our favorite place to eat in Samara!! Despite it not being directly on the beach, the fun and awesome staff along with the best food around make it the place to be for lunch, dinner, and a late night hangout with live music and games to play! The only place you can find a good craft, IPA, or stout beer. Go for the fun, the food, and the new memories; you won’t be disappointed.
We found this place slightly hidden from the main road. Being a Mexican restaurant, choice is between Mexican dishes (but they also serve casado) with different fillings including some vegetarian ones. Among the drinks they also serve some great local brews. Staff is very friendly and welcoming, to the point that me and my friend (who is bald) have been labelled "calvo y hombre" 🤣 funniest moment of the evening, they surely deserve us to visit again! Totally reccomended!
Liked this place a lot. Friendly Staff and nice and simple food. Best Margaritas in town!
Very cool, low key beach dive. They have pool table, foosball, and ping pong. Tucked away from the main drive but still only a one minute walk from the beach.
Nice place to eat Mexican food. Best burritos and tacos around the area. They also offered free pool table that looks perfect. I think they start a new ipad system that cause some trouble with the order. A part of that they are very friendly and the food was excellent. Nice choice of craft beers as well
Awesome ambience. Amazing service and the food is fantastic. Prices were a bit steep but still very reasonable for the quantity of food. Wide choice of sauces and amazing combinations of spices. Will definitely return upon next visit to the area.
C. Intercultura, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
Restaurante El Coyote
4.7
(122)
4.8
(79)
Restaurant
If you're on the lookout for an unforgettable dining experience in Costa Rica, look no further than Restaurante El Coyote. This charming family-owned gem is run by two delightful sisters who truly know how to create magic in the kitchen. Whether you’re part of a large group or just enjoying a meal with loved ones, they make it easy to order ahead and ensure that every dish is nothing short of extraordinary.
Mariana and her ladies were awesome! Our ribeye steak and camarones with rice were incredibly delicious and well worth the drive from Samara.
Mucho Gusto!!
Yael S — Google review
My family and I all ordered the chicken casado for lunch. It was fantastic.
Despite the simple appearance of the building on the outside, the food and service were excellent.
The ladies were so sweet. Definitely worth a trip from Samara.
We love Mariana and Janet! This place is incredible. We travel the world and this was some of the best ceviche mixto we’ve ever had—the shrimp were perfect! We also had the fresh tuna and it was incredible. We will be back every time we’re in the area.
We had a Valentine’s Day dinner here. The staff is very friendly and the food and drinks were amazing. We ordered the filet minion and had a margarita.
I usually don’t take the time to write reviews, but PEOPLE. You have to try this restaurant. We are a large party of 15, so I dropped by and made a reservation for the following day. These two sisters who run the restaurant gave me a menu and suggested I just tell them our order in advance. It worked beautifully. Literally EVERY SINGLE DISH was extraordinary. I’m not using that word lightly. We had picky eaters with chicken fingers and quesadillas who were VERY happy. Some had chicken nachos that were a plate of heaven. My breaded mahi mahi filet with shrimp sauce was a chef quality meal I’d expect to pay $35-40. My son in law had a ribeye that was one of the best he’s had. The sopa de mariscos is a seafood soup with flavors that were just hard to imagine were coming out of these sweet women’s kitchen and not a high class urban restaurant.
Yes, it takes a bit of a wait, because these two women are making it all, but folks, ITS worth it!!! Get a delicious pina colada or margarita and just relax. I wish I could get all their recipes or just pack them up and take them home. Don’t miss this place!
Wonderful fresh ceviche and tuna with some ice cold drinks, two lovely women running the place, and a friendly little dog. Recommended!
I can't say enough about this place and honestly 5 stars is to low as the food, service and value is worth a 10 stars. If you're in the area and you don't eat hrre you're totally missing the best of Costa Rica. My wife and i ate here every night we could! Try the lobster, literally the freshest I've ever had!!
Don’t let its look fool you - Down to earth family owned restaurant with fantastic seafood. Try their fish filet and seafood soup.
VCVP+3CG, 160, Guanacaste Province, Nicoya, Costa Rica•
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Day 4
Proximity is everything
For day 4, we bundled attractions like Casa Maxou and Natural Center Tours and other places within a close range, so that the time it takes to travel between all of them is less than one hour. Combined with the average time people spend there, your day should take about 7 hours.
1•Craig S — Google reviewJenn K — Google reviewBridget C — Google reviewVic — Google reviewMarko S — Google reviewLuke F — Google reviewJackson S — Google review
Casa Maxou
4.4
(107)
5.0
(129)
Fast food restaurant
Coffee shop
Creperie
French restaurant
Casa Maxou is a must-visit spot in Samara, Costa Rica, especially if you're craving a delicious burger. Nestled just steps away from Playa Samara, this eatery offers the best burgers in the area at very reasonable prices. The buns are perfectly textured with soft and fluffy interiors and crunchy exteriors, while the meat is flavorful and cooked to perfection.
This cute little soda was one of my and my sister's favorite stops in Sámara. We went multiple times. Burritos, crepes, homemade French fries, gelado-you can't go wrong!
Jada J — Google review
Great burger, fries and ice cream at very reasonable prices. Great place inside a little food court close to the beach. Nice break from rice and beans, hamburger meat was very good. Service was very good during a busy afternoon.
The. Most. Superb. Gelato maracuja! The smoothie was divine! I had both twice. Also a tasty veggie burrito & salad. Thumbs up!
Went here for ice creams. Sadly the staff short changed us and then lied about it about it being a tax which didn’t add up. The ice cream was nice but clearly a culture of stealing from customers so watch your change.
Officially the worst burger I've had in Costa Rica. Raw beef, soggy bun, expensive and fries tasted like they were made yesterday and microwaved today. Very disappointing. I just don't understand how someone can ruin a burger so bad. It's time to get out of the kitchen! I know it sounds harsh, but come on, you're serving raw burger in the tropic climate it's inexcusable.
Tucked away just steps from Playa Samara (a premiere beach and surfing destination)Casa Maxou has a broad assortment of fresh, house-made, hand-made-daily gelato, perfectly executed, flavourful, texturally flawless in a variety of classic (vanilla, pistachio, caramelo…) and fresh and funky flavours (passion fruit, mango, ginger…). We had combinations of each of the above, and none disappointed. The extensive menu also extends to savoury fare, such as veggie burritos (served with an egg, pinto gallo, and salad - flawless), hamburgers, chicken burgers, casados, etc., with lots of available nearby seating. I honestly can’t think of a better way to cap off a hot day at the beach. An absolute must visit.
Wow. Very, very good vegetarian burrito + side salad + homemade chili sauce for 4,500. Possibly my favourite place to eat in Sámara maybe...!
I’ve lived in Costa Rica for 20 years and this is hands down the BEST burger I’ve had in the land. If passing through samara and you have a hankering for a burger this is your place. The buns are the perfect texture - soft and fluffy interiors with a crunchier exterior. The meat was tasty and perfectly cooked - I asked for medium rare. The veggies were fresh and delicious. The fries were perfectly seasoned and cooked. There are many places that claim to have the best burger, but most of these claims are gross overstatements. Casa Maxou -were they to claim this title - would be falling well within the bounds of truth.
Natural center, Provincia de Guanacaste, Playa samara, 50205, Costa Rica•
< 1 min · 0 ft
2•Adriana L — Google reviewCaroline W — Google reviewThom C — Google reviewKevin H — Google reviewJo J — Google reviewRes L — Google reviewAndrea G — Google review
Natural Center Tours
4.8
(88)
4.9
(180)
Tour operator
Outdoor activity organiser
Tourist information center
Whale watching tour agency
Visitor Centers
Natural Center Tours offers a variety of experiences in Costa Rica, including jungle hikes, mangrove kayaking, dolphin tours, and shuttles to Santa Teresa. Visitors have enjoyed the knowledgeable guides and the opportunity to see wildlife such as monkeys, butterflies, bees, bats, and pelicans. The restaurant Marisqueria Colochos is also recommended for its authentic seafood dishes in the town center.
It was the only place we found that would book kayak tours on that day because of the big swell. Plus they offered a 3pm tour that allows you to paddle back under the sunset!! The tour was amazing and the big waves that day made it super fun while still being safe with our two guides giving clear instructions. We swam with two turtles, saw a few colorful fishes, a manta ray, weird starfishes, an eel... It wasn't the best snorkeling because of the waves and sometimes blurry water, but it was truly in the wild, and our small group was alone there so it was an amazing experience!! Chilling with the turtles was so cool!! Snacks included fresh pineapple. We went directly to the agency, but they picked up people at their hotels. They were efficient and friendly. Highly recommend!
Charlotte V — Google review
We did 2 fun tours with them jungle hike and mangrove kayak.
The hike was uphill in heat but we expected this. We got to see monkeys, butterflies, bees, bats and our guide was very educated. The fruit at the end was a big hit!
The kayak was enjoyed by all 14 of us (almost private tour!). It was told to me and on site as 3-3.5 hrs but we were only about 1.5hrs. Maybe depends on tides? But we saw bats, and pelicans. Guide was knowledgeable. Fruit was available mid way plus water. Sad we didn't see monkeys.
They were all double kayaks. Life preserves available but the 6 year old was not offered one that fit so bring own for small children.
We had an amazing time! Brendan was our guide and was chill and friendly and funny, and he spoke both Spanish and English to accommodate our group. We did the tour with very small kids and we very happy to find that they have a small toilet on board the dolphin tour boats! We ended up seeing a ton of dolphins, a couple whales, and a pair of sea turtles! Very amazing experience and super affordable. Kids under 5 are free which was a nice bonus. Very recommended adventure! They also include drinks on the boat and fresh fruit at the end
We have gone through Natural Center Tours several times for tours and shuttles. The shuttles have gone smoothly and the tours have had great guides. Would suggest!
Our tour was nothing short of amazing. We booked the in-shore fishing tour, but we ended up with so much more. We weren't 5 minutes away from shore when our captain spotted a humpback whale, and we were able to get a great close-up view. We then spotted a pod of dolphins and spent some time with them. Then we saw manta rays! We could have stopped there and we would have been thrilled. But then the fishing was amazing. Our kids pulled in fish after fish and had a great time. And to finish it off, the crew let us go snorkeling while they cleaned the fish. It was an amazing day and the highlight of our stay in Samara. Our guides were super friendly and great with our kids. I can't recommend this tour enough. Thank you!
Wonderful experience! 10/10
Maurizio was our tour guide and he was great and very knowledgeable about the animals.
We saw 4 humpback whales (2 mummas and 2 babys) a huge school of spotted Dolphin and some sea turtles! Including 2 mating.
After the tour we got to snorkel at La chora and saw lots of fish and another sea turtle!
The water is a little cloudy for snorkeling because of the tides and rainy season but still a great experience
Fresh fruit, drinks and water were also provided.
My family of 10 spent 14 days celebrating a 50-year wedding anniversary at la perla Negra in Carrillo, Costa Rica.
The house was incredible, surrounded by howler monkeys and beautiful birds. Chef Erik was incomparable. Each night he spent hours preparing unbelievable meals you would only expect to see in the world’s best restaurants.
Sonia took such amazing care of us throughout our entire stay that it was difficult for us to return to the real world. Sonia made everyone’s trip unforgettable.
The concierge team led by Pierre was always available to fulfill any requests, from scheduling daily massages to arranging transports to and from our daily excursions.
If you’re looking for the vacation of a lifetime for your family, la perla Negra is unmatched.
We had an amazing morning doing that dolphin tour. Everything ran very smoothly, and the staff was kind, courteous, and.attentive. We saw lots of dolphins, and it is a very special trip.
50M despues de la escuela primaria, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50201, Costa Rica•
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< 1 min · 100 ft
3•Raven D — Google reviewPinja S — Google reviewMarc W — Google reviewCaz W — Google reviewTuT — Google reviewSean W — Google reviewJane C — Google review
Samara Organics
4.7
(90)
4.7
(213)
Grocery store
Samara Organics is a charming organic food market located in the heart of town. They offer a variety of products including fresh produce, coffee, juices, breads, locally made snacks, and natural items like insect repellent and essential oils. Additionally, visitors can explore the local farmers market on Saturdays near the market. The store also features imported and domestic organic products such as muesli, granola, nuts, dried fruit and more.
Cute organic market in Samara. Great local food items like coconut oil, honey and chocolate. The coffee was excellent and there was a good selection of smoothies.
Megan K — Google review
This is a sweet little co-op natural food store in the center of Samara. With high quality ingredients comes high prices so expected pay full value for these products, but we needed some apple cider vinegar after getting jellyfish stings at the beach and they had a variety to choose from. They also have nice local products, bags, and gifts. Recommend!
A really nice shop worth a visit if you’re spending time in Samara! I had a kombucha and a pastry, both delicious. The owner is nice too!
Loads of imported and some domestic organic products. Kind and helpful people. Stop by and see for yourself. They make fresh smoothies, and also have vegan protein powders. Sometimes they have fresh fruit. Imported things in Costa Rica are more expensive, so expect to pay a little more for quality and organic. Loads of musli, granola, nuts, dried fruit, etc.
By far the best Banana Bread in Costa Rica! Moist and banana loaded: Pura Vida
Great selection and a great market but I do have to mention that their smoothie did make me sick.
This place has everything! Great brands and delicious food, art, jewelry and more. We visited here a few times throughout our stay and loved sipping on their delicious smoothies! The also had some other great food that we will have to try next time. A great spot that I'd highly recommend!
Great to be able to get organic items, natural skin products and supplements here in Samara.
VFJF+H6G, Natural Center. In front of Gusto Beach Restaurant, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
4 min · 0.19 mi
4•Carrie C — Google reviewJay T — Google reviewDavid H — Google reviewJeff C — Google reviewGladys S — Google reviewBeatriz J — Google reviewLydia C — Google review
Sámara Market
4.9
(42)
4.4
(5)
Market
Nestled in a picturesque, tree-lined setting, Sámara Market is a vibrant outdoor hub that showcases the best of local culture and community spirit. This delightful market features an array of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, specialty foods, artisanal crafts, handmade jewelry, and unique artwork. Visitors can enjoy live music while mingling with friendly locals who come together to celebrate their shared love for good food and creativity. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed; families gather under the shade as children play nearby.
Do not miss Samara market if you are around on Saturday! Abundance of fruits and veggies, friendly atmosphere and some arts and crafts if you are interested in buying some locally made souvenirs.
Ewa T — Google review
This was the perfect place to find local arts and crafts. It also has fresh fruit and things to eat and drink. It has a farmers market vibe.
Awesome little Saturday market with live music and lots of vendors with a huge variety. Tons of fruits and vegetables, plenty of other foods and drinks, and some great local artists. We just bought a few pieces of fruit and some little snacks since we’re only here for a few days but the quality was excellent. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in Samara on a Saturday.
Great market with lots of fruits, veggies, locally prepared foods and hand made products. Nice vibe without being overly touristy and vendors are polite and friendly. Definitely a must-do if you're in Sámara on a Saturday morning.
Excellent little farmers market. Don’t miss it if you’re here on a Saturday!
What a treasure in such a magical tree covered location. The beautiful people who sell and the ones who come to buy. I was taken back, for my heart was so overwhelmed. I sat and cried tears of joy on my big brothers shoulder. Telling him how grateful I am. For he had taken me to this amazing country, the beauty in the world and its people from all around the world living peaceful together while listening to Zoey sing and play the guitar live. I never forget.
Feria Sámara Market happens every Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm. Lots of fresh produce directly from the farmers to your hands. You can also request a tour of the farms.
We went to the Féria today and were positively surprised! It’s a great (not so) little market with organic choices, nice plants and flowers, artisan articles, massage options, fresh and healthy food and much more. Children were playing, it’s in the shade and had a really good vibe. Come and visit!
east of police station, Arriba Pathway 150m, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
4 min · 0.23 mi
5Ashlee F — Google reviewSage P — Google reviewMarc H — Google reviewC V — Google reviewCharles M — Google reviewSusan S — Google reviewB.M. — Google review
2 Gringos Artisan Brewing
3.3
(54)
Brewery
Beer distributor
Beer garden
Beer store
2 Gringos Artisan Brewing is a local brewery in Samara, Costa Rica, offering around 20 unique and creative beer creations. From fruity wheat beers to malty amber-colored ones and heavy, bitter porters and stouts, there's something for every beer enthusiast. The pub also serves good food with generous portions and features friendly staff and good music. It's a recommended spot for enjoying a variety of beers on tap.
Dos Gringos is awesome! Beer brewed on site and a great sense of humor. Delicious fish, tacos, and vegetarian fajitas. Ask for Tom if you wanna get the real dirt.
Bill G — Google review
Beer was not the best I have had but good for the trip. Tacos and chicken sandwich were good.
Ate here three times while in Samara and had a different experience each time.
The first visit, I had the Tropical Salad with tuna, which was pretty good, though the tuna was a bit fishy—I’d probably go with chicken next time. My coworker had the sweet pork tacos and absolutely raved about them.
The second time, I had the chicken tacos, which were really good, but my coworker was disappointed that they didn’t have the sweet pork tacos again. Something to note: each time we visited, they were out of certain items on the menu.
The last visit was the most disappointing. I ordered a chimichanga, which turned out to be a huge mistake—it made me really sick, possibly from the oil it was fried in. My coworker had the enchiladas, which were surprisingly small.
We also got smoothies each time, and they were inconsistent—different every visit. Overall, an okay place, but the lack of consistency makes it hard to recommend.
Went here for some great beer. Enticed by the look of the menu went back the following night. Had a great chat with the owner Tom. Once he left it went rapidly down hill. We ordered food, it took an hour to come and when it did it was not hot. Items then got taken away and then instead of being remade they got reheated in a deep fat fryer. The staff behavior was awful. No apologies just excuses. We then ordered some more drinks. The order took 30 minutes to arrive and when it came it was wrong. The server then walked off rolling her eyes. A real shame as the food looked great. But it needs to be hot when served with half decent service. Worst meal in Costa Rica....real shame
Best nacho’s eveeeer ! And the waitress is so nice and always smiling
With around 20 home-brewed, really unusual and creative beer creations, ranging from fruity wheat beers to malty amber-coloured beers and very heavy, bitter, chocolaty porters and stouts, as well as bottled beers, this appealing pub offers good food with huge portions and good music, and the staff are very friendly and attentive.
A clear recommendation!
Really great vibe here. Delicious drinks. Wonderful staff. Downside - Food took a little long to arrive, and came at different times for our group of 6.
20 beers on tap....top ibu beer at 100! Huge menu....great place. Don't come if Coors light is your jam like other "beer drinkers" reviews. The beers I tried were great....and 20 to choose from....and I love my beer!
frente Centro Medico Dr. Freddy soto Guanacaste playa samara Guanacaste Playa, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica•
< 1 min · 100 ft
6
Sámara
Sámara, a charming village located in the Guanacaste province on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, is famous for its picturesque palm-lined main beach, Playa Sámara. The area offers diverse attractions such as the Cangrejal reef where visitors can observe stingrays and tropical fish. Chora Island's wildlife reserve in Sámara Bay boasts pink sand beaches and provides a sanctuary for marine birds. To the north lies Playa Buena Vista, serving as a nesting site for sea turtles.
1 min · 400 ft
7Jordan H — Google reviewJoshua M — Google reviewHannah B — Google reviewKatie D — Google reviewKait W — Google reviewFlorence G — Google review
Gypsy Boutique Samara
4.7
(10)
Boutique
Gypsy Boutique Samara is a must-visit shop in Samara, offering a wonderful selection of high-quality clothes, jewelry, bags, and art. Visitors have found unique items such as reversible tops, postcards, and non-touristy leather keychains. The boutique also provides amazing fashion recommendations and a great shopping experience. It's known for its beautiful dresses, beach bags, bracelets, and more.
Amazing selection of high-quality clothes and jewelry. Loved Gia's amazing fashion recommendations too. Bought a beach bag, bracelet, and 3 dresses. Great shopping experience!
St L — Google review
Great selection of quality items and very attentive staffing. Very excited to find a fun shop for bathing suits and well made clothing in this town to shop from!
Linen, linen and more natural fibers! I love the selection, my husband not so much. I bought 5 pieces previously and another 6 today!
Thank you
If you wear a size larger than a small, don’t buy the clothes here. The shorts I bought ripped after 2 wears and the owner would not let me exchange them. She told me it was my fault because they were “too small for me” and sat there examining the stitching and looking at my body saying it was my fault her cheap materials ripped after wearing them only 2 times.
Such a cute shop! A must-visit whilst in Samara. I found a wonderful reversible top, postcards to send the girls, and the cutest keychain (I know what you are thinking but not a touristy keychain a legit lovely little piece of leather).
high quality and beautiful clothes, jewellery, bags and art here!
(Translated by Google) Excellent advice and such beautiful creations, jewelry, bags, dresses... everything is pretty!
(Original)
Excellents conseils et que de belles réalisations bijoux , sacs robes … tout est joli !
Across from Pali, by the Catholic Church. Samara. Guanacaste. 50205, Sámara, Costa Rica•
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Where to eat
Even the most seasoned adventurers need a break to chow down some food. Close to Samara Organics, these restaurants are about a 1-minute walk away.
Microbar Samara
4.6
(153)
4.5
(136)
Bar
Microbar Samara is a popular spot in town, offering over 20 taps of artisanal beers from both local and international breweries. The bar also serves delicious cocktails and tapas-style food, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Despite its small size, the staff ensures quick service, and the cocktail list is well executed. Additionally, the bar has a great selection of craft beers available on tap or in bottles.
This is an amazing little bar in downtown Samara. They have great craft beer selection and delicious cocktails. All the beers we tried were really tasty. The craft drinks are well made. I really recommend the Valle Central, a coffee infused delicacy with rum. I highly recommend the Gauro sour on happy hour. They also serve tapas dishes. Great and friendly service. They also have really cool tap handles.
Christopher E — Google review
Great atmosphere, good food, and drink in the (big) small town of Samara. Perfect nightcap after our sunset swim. We had a few different local craft beers, the beer wings (4 whole chicken wings) and the chickpea chorizo. The wings are great but for added spice just drag your wings across the spicy paprika sprinkled around the plate. Though we didn’t order any mixed drinks the happy hour looks like a great deal.
Cool little bar in Samara! The guaro sour was delicious and my husband loved their selection of craft beers. Our bartender (not sure if she's the owner) was so so kind and played with and held our baby while she napped so we could enjoy our drinks. Will definitely be back!
Such a cute drink spot with the best drinks I’ve ever had. Ordered from the cocktail menu and the KIWILEAKS is a must try (on right). Go for happy hour for some great deals. They have games, food and the nicest bartender/owner who wouldn’t give up her drink recipe 🤣
Size isn’t everything! I’m smitten with this place and stop every time I’m in town. Great happy hour and service. The craft tortilla chips were unlike anything I’ve had before…little triangles from heaven! Highly recommend.
Best bar in Samara. Wait staff is amazingly friendly, and the Mojitos are always on point. Always stop by here numerous times during the week when in town
New management is running a soft opening before next week & I’m in love! Great vibe. Good margaritas. Alexis and Manuel were so friendly. Makes me look forward to coming back to Samara!
Was out for a night in samara and was caught by this craft beer place and it was great. I was greeted by Henry the owner and a server which both were excellent. If you are in town for a night at the beach stop by micro bar and get a brew. Beach is like 3 min walk away. Fantastic place and great vibes. Go there if you're in samara Costa rica
Malibú Restaurante
4.5
(259)
4.4
(317)
Restaurant
Malibú Restaurante is a hidden gem in Costa Rica, offering the best ceviche mixto in the country. Located in Samara, it stands out for its reasonably priced dishes and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant serves delicious coastal cuisine with generous portions, including pescado ceviche, pescado casado, and pescado con salsa limon. The family-owned establishment prides itself on preparing food with love and can accommodate dietary restrictions such as gluten-free meals.
We had dinner here. Sangria and seafood were both very good and prices are very fair. While the service is nice, it's definitely not the fastest. So it's not a good place to eat if you are in a hurry.
Phil B — Google review
Nice place, quite and cosy. We ordered Casado con bistek and Patacones - both were tasty and of a good size.
The best ceviche I ate in Samara.
We really enjoyed our dinner here! Delicious Costa Rican coastal cuisine, friendly waitstaff and a family atmosphere next to the farmer's market. We tried the small pescado ceviche (sundae glass size), pescado casado, pescado con salsa limón and kid's pan fried chicken fingers meal. They were able to make our meals gluten friendly. We will likely be back to try more dishes tomorrow!
Ceviche with mahi mahi was good but not the best we've had on this trip. It lacked cilantro, onion and perhaps some fruit. Mahi mahi with shrimp did not work for me as the mahi mahi was not grilled but fried in the batter. I like the fish grilled and it did not occur to me to ask and the menu fish not say fried. French fries were great, hot and crunchy. The salad was good too, no rotten taste. We were there around 2pm and there were some bugs bitting so bring the bug spray.
This place has a bit lower prices.
This place was phenomenal! If you’re looking for a comfortable quiet outdoor restaurant in Samara, this is your spot. Highly recommend the pulpo al ajo (garlic octopus). I LOVE octopus, but I’ve never had it prepared with this much flavor! Cooked to perfection.
Best ceviche in playa Samara! Incredible quality and taste. One if the best I’ve had in Costa Rica..they used a largo fish that day..not over marinated nor too much onion/Chili flavor. Great value as well. Check out the Saturday morning market next door if possible.
Mixt calamari was awesome! Shrimp with rice was OK. Fans were a plus because it is so hot here. They also had imperial beer, yay.
C. Parque, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
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Roots Bakery & Café
4.5
(555)
4.7
(348)
Bakery
Breakfast restaurant
Roots Bakery & Café, situated at the entrance to Samara, is a must-visit spot for delectable pastries and top-notch coffee. The café offers an array of treats including chocolate cake with strawberry compote, fruit tart with crema pastelera, tortas, quiches, and their popular cinnamon buns. Visitors can also enjoy daily meal specials. The café is known for its grab-and-go breakfast options which are perfect after a morning of surfing in Samara.
This place is all around good good good. The cinnamon roll is amazing, the chocolate milkshake (I like to get the vanilla milkshake with chocolate syrup) is so good. You can’t go wrong with anything that you choose here. Everyone is so nice and really embodies the Pura Vida lifestyle. Check this place out and you won’t regret it.
Andres S — Google review
We went here every morning we were in town! Tried lots of different things and loved just about everything! It does get busy and they can run out of things with the person in front of you, but don’t be afraid, your second pick is just as good! Definitely a must if you are in Samara and need a cup of coffee or a morning bite to eat!
Yes, the cinnamon rolls are absolutely delicious. But the star of the show for me was their gallo pinto! The rest of my party ordered American breakfasts and sandwiches and everyone enjoyed their meals. Make sure you ask to have your cinnamon rolls warmed up!
Bakery and large selection of breakfast items. Cinnamon roll was good. Wish the bacon on the eggs Benedict was crispier. Staff was helpful and friendly.
Went a couple times. 5/5 for the cinnamon roll and club sandwich. 4/5 chocolate banana croissant. Wasn't busy, but the club sandwich took 30 minutes to get, but was one of the best I've ever had and would have been enough for 2 people.
For all you Gringo's who are looking for that delicious croissant and coffee that you are so desperately craving...why not head to where all the locals hang out?! The absolute BEST bakery in Samara. Its location is a challenge for parking, being on the main road at an intersection, but what awaits you is worth the effort. Fresh baked goods, breads, burritos, an incredible array of coffee choices... warning you'll have a difficult time choosing. So you'll just have to return back the next morning, problem solved! They have a wonderful (shaded) courtyard just through the driveway to sit and enjoy that warm croissant and espresso...or a Cortado! A must stop during your visit to Samara!
I came here very frequently while I was in Sámara, almost every day. Really loved the coffee and baked goods, and I tried as many as I could. I highly recommend the sausage egg and cheese sandwich. I also got the cheeseburger twice and that was good as well. Loved this place, highly recommend .
The food is delicious, the atmosphere and staff are friendly.
comercial central, patio colonial Local 1 Guanacaste PLAYA SAMARA, 5235, Costa Rica•
L'Ulivo Restaurant
4.2
(106)
4.6
(40)
Italian restaurant
L'Ulivo Restaurant is a charming spot nestled along Route 160, conveniently located next to New Super China. While street parking can be tricky during peak season, it’s generally manageable in quieter months. This cozy eatery boasts a warm ambiance and is always impeccably decorated and clean. Guests rave about the friendly and efficient service, complemented by an impressive selection of wines and an extensive menu featuring high-quality dishes.
My wife and I enjoyed delicious, homemade pasta in this delightful, casual, small restaurant, owned and operated by an Italian family, during our recent visit to Samara. She savored Caramelloni, and I relished my Gnocchi, which is one my favorites: both were superb. Pamela, our server, took such good care of us and was so friendly, and we admired the way that she did the same for all of the other diners that evening.
David F — Google review
Easy to find, located on the routa 160 in town, next to New Super China. Street parking can be challenging during high season but is pretty easy during low season. The restaurant isn't small but is cozy.
The restaurant is always well decorated and clean. The service is good, friendly and fast. Good wine options and a rather extensive menu.
The food is high quality and I recommend both the osso buco and the lasagna although my son claims the gnocchi was fantastic too.
One of the servers was outside as we were walking by…we talked, she was friendly and promoted L’Ulivo as the best Italian restaurant in town so we made a reservation for Valentine’s Day. We were the first to arrive for dinner and sat at one of the tables on the patio. Our server wasn’t the one who we talked to the day before. We noticed that when we said we’re not ordering any alcohol, the level of service changed. It became very slow and impersonal. We had to chase her if we needed anything like Parmesan or our bill. Good menu selection, large portions and reasonably priced. The food was good, pizza and penne arrabbiata…plenty for two. Inside decor was authentic and decorated for Valentines. The outdoor seating was a nice touch…we always enjoy a patio.
Charming little Italian restaurant. For appetizers, we ordered bruschettas, which were incredibly flavorful. However, the portion size was enormous, so we purposely left some to save room for the main course :) For our main dish, we both opted for the lasagna. Unfortunately, we didn't find it enjoyable at all. The pasta and meat had a mushy texture, and there was an odd taste we couldn't quite place. The ambiance was delightful, and the service was very friendly. Nevertheless, there were occasional longer wait times, and when it came time to pay, there was a bit of a delay before someone attended to us, even though we were practically the only ones there.
We ordered the lasagna and pasta special with white sauce and salmon- Unfortunately it was quite inedible. We went on a Sunday and the lasagna tasted about a week old and just reheated in a microwave. We could not eat it. The pasta special was fine but the salmon was quite tough and had little to no flavor. Overall extremely disappointed, as we had heard great reviews of it from those who have visited in the past and it is quite pricey.
Reading reviews and passing by, we were so excited to try this for dinner. Horrible is an understatement. There was only one table dining at the same time as our group but the service was slow and server seemed uninterested. The food was anything and everything but homemade, over priced pizza and gnocchi was still cold in the middle, which was the least of our worries by the time the food actually came.
I have eaten here on previous trips to Samara, but this review is for a visit in early February, 2025.
I was reasonably well attended by a young lady and was the only customer in the restaurant. I am not generally a fan of pizza and was planning to get something else, but was taken aback by the prices. For example, lasagna was 15,000 Colones, or about $30 USD. Just down the street at a well-regarded Italian restaurant, it is 7,000, or less than half. Reluctantly, in the name of economy, I ordered a pizza.
The crust was pretty good, but the tomato sauce was barely present. I had asked onions be added along with the sausage and cheese that came "standard." I'm not sure why, but the middle of the pie was soggy. It tasted fine, though I missed the tomato sauce that I am used to seeing on pizza. I haven't had pizza in Italy or the south of France for some time, so perhaps this is how it's done these days, but it is not how I remember it.
The red wine by the glass was reasonable for the price.
I like the overall feel of the restaurant, and really wanted to love it. I did not have a "bad" experience. But the prices for entrees other than pizza were off-putting given what else is available within a two block radius. That said, my overall rating is 3 or 3-1/2 stars.
Its weird too say that the best italian food i'v eat was here in Samara Costa Rica. The quality and the quantity was on top! Don't hesitate!!!
200 Metros Oeste de la Iglesia Catolica CR 50205, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica•
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Best-of categories in Playa Samara
Restaurants
Attractions
Cafes
Family restaurants
Kid-friendly attractions
Neighborhoods
BuildingsPopular road trips from Playa Samara
What's the weather like in Playa Samara?
It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Playa Samara for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.
- Weather in Playa Samara in January
- Weather in Playa Samara in February
- Weather in Playa Samara in March
- Weather in Playa Samara in April
- Weather in Playa Samara in May
- Weather in Playa Samara in June
- Weather in Playa Samara in July
- Weather in Playa Samara in August
- Weather in Playa Samara in September
- Weather in Playa Samara in October
- Weather in Playa Samara in November
- Weather in Playa Samara in December
All road trips from Playa Samara
- Playa Samara to Arenal Volcano National Park drive
- Playa Samara to Panama City drive
- Playa Samara to San Jose drive
- Playa Samara to Mexico City drive
- Playa Samara to Playa del Carmen drive
- Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio drive
- Playa Samara to Cancun drive
- Playa Samara to Tulum drive
- Playa Samara to La Fortuna de San Carlos drive
- Playa Samara to Granada drive
- Playa Samara to Chichen Itza drive
- Playa Samara to Antigua drive
- Playa Samara to Rincon de La Vieja drive
- Playa Samara to Jaco drive
- Playa Samara to Playa Conchal drive
- Playa Samara to Leon drive
- Playa Samara to Oaxaca drive
- Playa Samara to Tortuguero drive
- Playa Samara to Cahuita drive
- Playa Samara to Merida drive
- Playa Samara to Puebla drive
- Playa Samara to Palenque drive
- Playa Samara to Guanajuato drive
- Playa Samara to Uvita drive
- Playa Samara to San Salvador drive
- Playa Samara to Coba drive
- Playa Samara to San Miguel de Allende drive
- Playa Samara to Poas Volcano National Park drive
- Playa Samara to Huatulco drive
- Playa Samara to Copan Ruinas drive
Explore nearby places
- Playa Samara
- Nosara
- Nicoya
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Teresa
- Playa Avellanas
- Montezuma
- Tamarindo
- Playa Grande
- Playa Conchal
- Artola
- Puntarenas
- Mal Pais
- Corcovado National Park
- Playa Matapalo
- Playa Hermosa
- Liberia
- Santa Elena
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Rincon de La Vieja
- Tarcoles
- Nuevo Arenal
- Jaco
- El Castillo
- Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Carara
- La Fortuna de San Carlos
- Esterillos Este
- La Cruz
All related maps of Playa Samara
- Map of Playa Samara
- Map of Nosara
- Map of Nicoya
- Map of Santa Cruz
- Map of Santa Teresa
- Map of Playa Avellanas
- Map of Montezuma
- Map of Tamarindo
- Map of Playa Grande
- Map of Playa Conchal
- Map of Artola
- Map of Puntarenas
- Map of Mal Pais
- Map of Corcovado National Park
- Map of Playa Matapalo
- Map of Playa Hermosa
- Map of Liberia
- Map of Santa Elena
- Map of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Map of Rincon de La Vieja
- Map of Tarcoles
- Map of Nuevo Arenal
- Map of Jaco
- Map of El Castillo
- Map of Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Map of Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
- Map of Arenal Volcano National Park
- Map of Carara
- Map of La Fortuna de San Carlos
- Map of Esterillos Este
- Map of La Cruz
Playa Samara throughout the year
Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Playa Samara?
Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:
Day itineraries for nearby cities
- 4-Day Tamarindo Itinerary
- 4-Day Arenal Volcano National Park Itinerary
- 4-Day La Fortuna de San Carlos Itinerary
- 4-Day Jaco Itinerary
- 4-Day Liberia Itinerary
- 4-Day Nosara Itinerary
- 4-Day Santa Teresa Itinerary
- 4-Day Puntarenas Itinerary
- 4-Day Montezuma Itinerary
- 4-Day Santa Elena Itinerary
- 4-Day Area de Conservacion Guanacaste Itinerary
- 4-Day Playa Hermosa Itinerary
- 4-Day Playa Conchal Itinerary
- 4-Day Mal Pais Itinerary
- 4-Day Santa Cruz Itinerary
- 4-Day Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Itinerary
- 4-Day Playa Grande Itinerary
- 4-Day Tarcoles Itinerary
- 4-Day Nicoya Itinerary
- 4-Day Rincon de La Vieja Itinerary
- 4-Day Playa Matapalo Itinerary
- 4-Day Corcovado National Park Itinerary
- 4-Day Carara Itinerary
- 4-Day Playa Avellanas Itinerary
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