Last Updated: July 2, 2025
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, Costa Rica.
Samara is one of our family’s favorite destinations in the Guanacaste region. These recommendations are based on our many visits to this charming beach town over the years.
Things to Do in Samara, Costa Rica
1. Samara Beach
At the top of everyone’s list is Playa Samara (Samara Beach), and for good reason.
This stunning crescent-shaped beach sits nestled in a protected cove, with an offshore island and reef that keep the waters fairly calm compared to many of Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches. The southern end offers gentle waters perfect for families with young children, while the middle section has just the right-sized waves for beginner surfers and body surfing.
What makes Playa Samara special, though, is its perfect blend of natural beauty and convenience. This is what we love most about the town.
The palm-fringed shoreline stretches for nearly two kilometers (1.25 miles), giving you plenty of space to find your perfect spot. Several beachfront restaurants dot the sand, making it easy to grab a cold Imperial beer, enjoy fresh ceviche with your toes in the sand, or watch the sunset with a cocktail.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful morning walk, an afternoon of beach volleyball, or a lively night out, Samara Beach has it all.
2. 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.
Tip: The humpback migration seasons in Samara are January to March and July to October so visit then for the best chance of spotting these amazing creatures.
Our family loved this experience. Although we weren’t able to spot any whales, we saw tons of dolphins. They were playing right under our boat so our kids could see them up close! 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.
Traveling with kids? Be sure to check out our post on things to do in Costa Rica with kids. We cover the best activities all around the country by age group.
3. 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 at 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, even with younger kids.
4. Horseback Riding
Another popular activity in Samara is horseback riding.
A few companies in town offer this adventure, but the ride is usually a combination of rainforest and beach. Along forested trails near town, you’ll get to enjoy some nice views and have the chance to spot wildlife like monkeys and birds.
After, you might visit some lesser known beaches like the palm-tree-lined Playa Carrillo or the secluded Playa Barrigona.
5. 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 (then age 8), have taken 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.
6. 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 even 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.
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, use the link below and we will reach out to the guide.
7. 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 peaceful and 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.
8. 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. When we visited recently, a local expat family with younger kids was the band.
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. Arrive early for the best selection.
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 the best things to do in Samara, Costa Rica 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.
Visiting other parts of Costa Rica? Be sure to check out our full Things to Do category for lots more adventures!
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:
Best Restaurants in Samara: Tips on the best eats in Samara. Local restaurants, pizza, food trucks, where to go for oceanside dining, and lots more.
Costa Rica with Kids: Samara is one of our top picks for families visiting Costa Rica. Check out our family travel hub for lots of information on family-friendly hotels and things to do.
Activity Guides: We have activity guides for other popular destinations in Costa Rica like La Fortuna/Arenal, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, and Uvita.
Samara Tours: View all the tours we can help you book in Samara.
