Samara is a small beach town with a fun mix of ocean and nature activities. Whether you want to unwind on the sand, splash in the sea, or learn about Costa Rica’s local wildlife, there is something for just about everyone. In this post, we’ll share some of our favorite things to do in Samara.  

1. Samara Beach

At the top of everyone’s list is Playa Samara (Samara Beach). Set in a cove with an offshore island and reef protecting it, the water is generally calmer than many beaches in Costa Rica. On the southern end, waves are minimal. In the middle, medium-sized waves at certain tides are fun for surfing and splashing.

Another cool thing about the palm-tree-backed Playa Samara are the several beachside restaurants. These are great for a sandy lunch, sunset cocktails, some beach volleyball, or a lively evening out.  

2. Samara Farmers Market

If you’re visiting Samara over a weekend, be sure to stop by the feria (farmers market). This outdoor market has fresh tropical fruits and veggies, specialty foods, sauces, drinks, artwork, handmade jewelry, and lots of other crafts. It brings out people from the community and is a great place to mingle with the locals. There is often live music as well.

The farmers market is held every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Samara Municipal Park. Here is a map with the location.  

3. Dolphin & Snorkel Tour

To get out on the shimmering sea, try a dolphin watching and snorkel combo. On a small, sturdy catamaran, you’ll head offshore looking for pods of dolphins, sea turtles, and sometimes whales or other sea creatures.

Our family loved this experience. The dolphins were playing right under our boat, and we had a nice time snorkeling closer to shore too. For lots more detail, check out our post, Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling in Samara.

If you’d like to book this tour, we’d be happy to help. Just use the link below and we’ll request the reservation with the tour company we recommend in Samara. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website.

4. Kayak or SUP to Isla Chora

For a paddling adventure, there is the nearby Isla Chora. This is the bigger island you can see from the beach. Kayak and SUP tours leave from the southern end of the cove and it’s just a short 20-minute paddle out.

Once you arrive on the island, you can enjoy the fluffy white sand, see some of the iguanas and thousands of hermit crabs living ashore, or snorkel in the calmer channel with the reef fish.

We had been wondering about this activity for many years and finally did it. It was super fun and easier than we thought. If you’d like to book this experience, just use the link below to fill out your details. We’d be happy to arrange it for you.

5. Horseback Riding

Another popular activity right from town is horseback riding. For a casual ride along the sand, you can approach one of the locals trotting past or find them under the palm trees near the boardwalk. These rides are informal, short, and inexpensive. No previous riding experience is needed. Just be sure the horses look well kept and healthy before signing up.

6. Surf Lessons

Just because Samara’s waves are smaller, doesn’t mean the surfing isn’t good. In fact, the gentle beach break is perfect for beginner-to-intermediate surfers.

Matt and our oldest son, Sam, recently took surf lessons in Samara and really advanced their skills. Sam rode the bubbly white-water waves, while Matt learned how to catch the breaking waves a bit farther out. Their instructors were so fun and enthusiastic.

If you already know how to surf, board rentals are available right on the beach. To book a lesson with the instructors we had, just use the link below. Booking through us costs the same, and we’ll ensure you’re in good hands.

 

7. Guided Hikes

Samara is backed by a beautiful swath of tropical dry forest. This unique habitat has monkeys, lizards, frogs, bats, cool insects, and many tropical birds.

For hiking, there are two main options.

Samara Trails/Werner Sauter Biological Reserve

At this private reserve, you will be guided up a nearby mountain to a viewpoint overlooking the town and beach. Along the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) trail, you’ll learn about some of the cool plants and animals that live there. During our visit, we saw owls, monkeys, and a tropical porcupine!

This hike is a bit harder because of the elevation and it can be very hot, especially in dry season (December through April). The wildlife and view from the top make it totally worth the effort, though.

For much more information, read our post, Samara Trails: Exploring the Tropical Dry Forest, or click on the booking link below for the tour details.

 

Nature Hike to Private Reserve

For a flatter hike, there is another lesser-known option through a local guide. He takes you to his family’s 247-acre (100-hectare) property just a few minutes outside town.

On the 1.5-mile (2.5 km) walk, your guide will lead you alongside a seasonal stream and around the base of trees that are hundreds of years old. This option is perfect with kids or anyone who doesn’t want a strenuous hike.  

We learned so much from our naturalist guide about the local flora and fauna. We were able to see howler monkeys, bats (including rare white ghost bats), interesting insects, and some really strange plants.

To book this experience, fill out your details using the link below and we will reach out to the guide.   

 

8. Playa Carrillo

After some hiking, you’ll no doubt be ready to hit the beach again. A special spot in the area is Playa Carrillo, just south of Samara. Playa Carrillo is in another large cove. It’s a gorgeous light sand beach backed by layers of tall palm trees. There is no development right there so the vibe is relaxing.

Tip: Many locals from the area go to Playa Carrillo on weekends and holidays, so it’s also a fun way to soak up the culture. For more, read our post, Playa Carrillo: A Favorite Locals’ Beach in Guanacaste.   

9. Macaw Parrot Breeding Project

About 40-minutes south of Samara in the town of Punta Islita is a completely unique experience. The Macaw Recovery Network works to breed and reintroduce two species of macaw parrots back into the wild.

On a short tour of their facility, you’ll learn how they have successfully increased Costa Rica’s populations of these threatened birds.

But what’s really special is feeding time. The released parrots are free to come and go, but many return each day for a supplemental snack. On the tour, you’ll see dozens of them swooping through the property, making for some amazing photos.

Tours can be booked directly through the Macaw Recovery Network’s website.

Conclusion

We hope this list of activities in Samara has given you some ideas for your time there. We always find ourselves going back to this special beach town and hope to uncover even more things to do on our next visits. We’ll be sure to update this post whenever we do.

Pin It for Later!

Have a question about one of these activities or want to share your experience? Leave a comment below.

Looking for more information to help you plan? Check out these posts:

Costa Rica Shuttle Transfers – Samara can be a walkable destination, depending on where you stay in town. If you are visiting without a car, use this page to find shuttles to/from the airport.

Family Itinerary for Costa Rica: Rainforest, Beach & Volcano – Ready to go to Samara? Easily modify this itinerary to include Samara as your beach destination.

TWCR Online Tour Bookings – Did you know we book tours all over Costa Rica? Browse other things we have done throughout the country and leave the arrangements up to us.