Samara – Nicoya Peninsula Region of Costa Rica
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The beautiful coastal hamlet of Samara is a paradise on the Nicoya Peninsula's western shore. Known as one of the prettiest and safest beaches in all of Costa Rica, Playa Samara radiates wonderful white sand in contrast to
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the aquamarine water. Tropical plant life and living coral encompass Samara's 3-mile (5 km) coastline, and the beach is a favorite among locals, foreigners, and wealthier Ticos- forming a quintessential beach community
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Samara's laidback vibe allows for rest and relaxation, an almost universal characteristic of the Nicoya Peninsula. Its village offers a number of services: stores, restaurants, hotels, and a small selection of bars. The town's nightlife, however, can be found at one of its discos, which keeps the party trucking through early morning.
Sport fishing is a popular activity off the coast, as is snorkeling and scuba diving around the coral environments. A short one-mile (2 km) walk down the beach brings visitors to the Tico hamlet of Matapalo, a great snorkeling spot. For birdwatchers, Chora Island, which is located just off the coast, is home to swaths of avian fauna that can easily be viewed from a kayak. Finally, swimming conditions in Samara's calm coastal waters are an ideal warm temperature.
Transportation to Samara has dramatically improved with construction of the paved Road 150, which runs south from Nicoya. Air travel is available to a small airstrip just outside of town. From San Jose or Liberia, planes will fly to Nosara and then to Samara. Daily buses also run from Nicoya, Liberia, and San Jose.
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Sport fishing is a popular activity off the coast, as is snorkeling and scuba diving around the coral environments. A short one-mile (2 km) walk down the beach brings visitors to the Tico hamlet of Matapalo, a great snorkeling spot. For birdwatchers, Chora Island, which is located just off the coast, is home to swaths of avian fauna that can easily be viewed from a kayak. Finally, swimming conditions in Samara's calm coastal waters are an ideal warm temperature.
Transportation to Samara has dramatically improved with construction of the paved Road 150, which runs south from Nicoya. Air travel is available to a small airstrip just outside of town. From San Jose or Liberia, planes will fly to Nosara and then to Samara. Daily buses also run from Nicoya, Liberia, and San Jose.
Comments
"We felt very safe in Samara for the three days we were here. I didn't feel that it was too touristy. Beautiful beach, nice surf. Good place to relax and hang out for a while. We did not do any tours only took a surfing lesson."
Mar 2013
"Nice beach location. We had a wonderful time there. Kids got beach time, surfing lessons and we got to kayak. The wild horses at right next to our villa was quite a site."
Mar 2012
"Had a great time in Samara, relaxed and hung around swimming on the beach which was very safe for my two children."
Feb 2012
"Our experience in Samara was excellent also! The locals were great, we never felt unsafe at anytime walking around, the beach was beautiful, we also liked the fact that the area wasn't full of tourists. A local hooked us up with Jose, who took us fishing, and we kept him busy all morning. Our hotel kept our fish for us in the fridge, and we found Esmeralda, that cooked it for us nightly and had our same table reserved for us. "
Feb 2012
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"Fun, beachy, festive, people are freindly - police presence at the main beach boulevard is a little surprising, but keep things quiet I guess. WE were all about exploring the beach by this point. Restaurants were great, friendly staff. "
Mar 2013