Best Things to Do in Samara Beach, Costa Rica

Samara is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica. It has a beautiful beach, a relaxed small-town feeling, good restaurants, nightlife, and plenty of activities for families, couples, friends, or anyone just looking to enjoy a few days by the ocean.

I first fell in love with Samara around 2006, and during Covid I decided to move here. My logic was pretty simple: if I was going to feel stressed in the city, I would rather be stressed near the beach. And honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Now, whenever I feel tired or burned out, I take a quick walk to the beach or go watch the sunset, and somehow everything feels a little lighter.

I created this list of Best Top things to do in Samara Beach, Guanacaste, to help you plan your trip. You’ll find places to eat, free activities, paid tours, and a few simple ideas to enjoy the area. Hope you enjoy it.

Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

If you’re a morning person, which I am definitely not, waking up early and walking through town toward the beach is a beautiful way to start the day. You can catch the sunrise, enjoy the quiet before everything gets busy, and then grab a good coffee in town after.

If mornings are not your thing, sunset is the way to go. I personally like watching it from the far end of the bay, where you can see the sun coming down and the whole beach starts to change color. It’s one of those small moments that makes Samara feel special.

For a more social sunset, go closer to Olas Beach Bar, near the volleyball and beach soccer area. People usually gather there to have a drink, talk, play, and enjoy the end of the day.

And if you want to check the weather before going, visit our Samara weather page. You’ll be able to see the sunrise and sunset times, plus the forecast for the day.

Try a beginner-friendly surf lesson

Samara is a great place for first-time surfers and families because the waves are often manageable inside the bay. A local instructor can help you choose the right tide window, stay away from rocks or currents, and get more out of your first session than simply renting a board and guessing.

For surf lessons, I recommend Choco Surf School. They’re located in front of Sheriff Rustic Restaurant, near the police station, so they’re easy to find if you’re walking around town.

They offer private and group classes, and it’s a great option for kids, families, or anyone who has never surfed before. The vibe is relaxed, beginner-friendly, and perfect if you just want to try surfing without feeling too much pressure.

Chocos Surf School Logo

Choco enjoying a coconut water 🙂

Kayak to Isla Chora

You can see Isla Chora from almost anywhere along Samara Bay, but somehow it took me two years to finally rent a kayak and go there. I don’t know why I waited that long, because the trip is absolutely worth it.

The kayak ride takes around 20 minutes, and once you arrive, you can relax, snorkel, and enjoy the clear water around the island. When I went, I was lucky enough to see turtles and some colorful fish, which made the experience even better.

I recommend booking the tour with Samara Adventures. They provide the equipment, give you a quick kayak safety lesson, and include hotel pickup and drop-off in Samara and Carrillo. They also bring water, juice, and fresh fruit, which is a nice little bonus after being out in the sun.

Kayak & Sunset

Kayak Group to Isla Chora

Look for dolphins, turtles, and seasonal marine life

Ocean tours are a great way to see a different side of Samara, especially if you want to explore beyond the bay. Most tours last around four hours or more, and what you see can depend a lot on the season, the ocean conditions, and, honestly, a little bit of luck.

Many tours include dolphin watching, usually bottlenose or spotted dolphins, along with snorkeling stops and time to learn more about the marine life around Samara and Carrillo.

And if you visit during whale season, you might get an even better surprise. Humpback whales can sometimes be seen from July to November, when they migrate from Antarctica, and again from December to March, when northern populations come through the area. It’s never guaranteed, of course, but when it happens, it’s pretty unforgettable.

Dolphins in Samara

Whales in Samara

Visit Playa Carrillo

Playa Carrillo is about 8 km from Samara Beach, around a 10-minute drive, and it’s honestly one of my favorite beaches in the area.

The waves are usually calm, so it’s a great place to swim, especially if you’re visiting with little kids. The water is clear and bright blue, the sand is clean, and the tall coconut palms along the beach give it that classic Costa Rica postcard look. It still feels peaceful too, because the shoreline has not been overdeveloped.

When my family comes to visit, this is one of our go-to weekend spots. We usually pack the BBQ grill, find a nice place under the palms, and spend the day cooking, swimming, and just enjoying the beach.

One important tip: bring a cooler with snacks, drinks, and plenty of water. There are not many places nearby to buy things once you’re there, so it’s better to come prepared.

Playa Carrillo Drone Photo

Photo of Playa Carrillo

Go horseback riding near the beach or hills

Horseback riding is one of those classic Samara activities that still feels special. In one tour, you can get a little bit of everything: beach views, quiet rural roads, open fields, and those beautiful hillside landscapes that make this area so nice to explore.

It’s also a good option if you want to do something active, but not something too exhausting. You’re outside, moving around, enjoying the scenery, but without needing to hike for hours under the sun.

I recommend taking the tour with Melissa. One of the reasons I feel comfortable recommending her is because I’ve seen how active she is in the local community groups, and you can tell she really cares about her horses. Not just as part of a business, but in a more genuine way. There seems to be a real connection there, and honestly, that matters with an activity like this.

This is a great experience for families, couples, or anyone who wants to see places like Buena Vista Beach and Barrigona in a different way. Plus, you get to do it while riding one of the most beautiful animals out there. Horses really are something else.

Horseback riding near the beach

Horseback riding in the beach

Explore local restaurants

After a day at the beach, on a tour, or just walking around town, finding a good place to eat is part of the Samara experience.

Samara has casual beachfront restaurants, small cafes, seafood spots, international food, and those easygoing places where dinner slowly turns into sunset drinks without anyone really planning it.

My favorite place depends a lot on my mood. If I’m craving pizza, I usually think of Mar & Fuego. For steak, El Lagarto is a great option. If I want seafood, Pelicano is one of my picks. And when I want something more local, simple, and budget-friendly, La Perla reminds me a little of my mom’s cooking, which is always a good thing.

Honestly, food is a big part of traveling for me. Whenever I visit somewhere new, one of the first things I ask is, “Where should I eat?” So I made a separate guide with more details about my favorite restaurants here: Best Places to Eat in Samara Beach, Costa Rica.

Sheriff Restaurant

Gusto

Party in the Sunset Catamaran

Recently, for New Year’s Eve, my brother and my dad came to visit, and we decided to book a sunset catamaran tour. Honestly, we had a blast.

There was great music, an open bar with cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, plus fruit and snacks while we sailed along the coast. We also stopped near the island, where we had time to snorkel, swim, and use the catamaran slide, which ended up being one of the most fun parts of the day.

The whole experience had a really nice energy. We met people from different parts of the world, enjoyed the ocean, laughed a lot, and finished the tour with an amazing sunset over the water.

I definitely recommend Samara Adventures for this tour too. It’s a fun one, especially if you’re traveling with family, friends, or anyone who enjoys a more social beach day.

Party in the Sunset Catamaran

Party in the Catamaran

Plan your stay around what you want nearby

Where you stay can really change the kind of trip you have in Samara.

If being close to the beach, restaurants, and town is the most important thing, then staying near the bay is probably the best choice. But if you prefer quiet mornings, more privacy, and a little extra space, a home or villa just a short drive away might fit you better.

At Samara Booking, we can help you find a vacation rental that matches the trip you actually want. Send us a message, tell us what your perfect stay looks like, and we’ll help you plan a beautiful time in Samara.