THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Playa Samara, Costa Rica (2025)


Places to Visit in Playa Samara
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Samara Beach, Samara-Carrillo Info Center, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Beaches. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Samara Beach, Samara-Carrillo Info Center, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Beaches. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Explore popular experiences
See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Playa Samara.
- On the Waterfromper adult₹6,223
- 4WD Toursfromper adult₹11,023
- Horseback Ridingfromper adult₹5,156
- Walking Toursfromper adult₹5,334
- On the Waterfromper adult₹5,601
- Cooking Classesfromper adult₹5,689
- fromper adult₹20,890
- fromper adult₹4,178
- Wildlife Encountersfromper adult₹3,378
- 4WD Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)₹13,445
Beaches
Gentle waves grace this beach, ideal for novice surfers and family outings. Enjoy horseback riding, snorkeling, and beachfront dining amidst a relaxed, Tico town ambience.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Visitor Centres
Guided tours through lush landscapes, with activities like zip lining, horseback riding, and kayaking. Features marine life encounters and sunset cruises, paired with convenient transportation.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Beaches
Visitor Centres
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Beaches
Other Top Attractions around Playa Samara
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- marebear-7Sudbury, Canada117 contributionsLovely seaside town with beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and nice people.
Quaint shops. Everything is walkable.Written 3 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - matt tDuxbury, MA105 contributionsBrenda was extremely helpful and responsive when booking our ATV tour and rental this week. We have worked with her on past trips and she never misses a beat. I recommend working through her to book all of your excursions and experiences while in the Sámara area.Written 29 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John SNeenah, WI44 contributionsAn amazing exploration into another world! Our guide, Caarlos, was kind, helpful, and so very knowledgeable. Our two hour walk was beautiful and incredible. We are so please we came. The park is clean, organized, with a safe, well designed path system. We hughky recommend making the trip!Written 6 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michele L6 contributionsWent solo, then with family, then with friends.
No facilities, very raw and natural - extremely peaceful.
Again, no amenities besides the beach itself. If you need restaurants or cold drinks or toilet facilities to feel comfortable, it’s not the spot for you. But it is gorgeous.Written 27 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ivy K8 contributionsI cannot recommend Maria highly enough! She provided true concierge level service for our vacation. We did a turtle nesting, zip lining, day trip to La Fortuna, and horseback riding and they were all perfect. Each experience was so fun and really exceeded my expectations. We had a private family experience with each one making it even better as we were not being herded in large tour groups and were able to go at our own pace and truly enjoy it all! Additionally, she arranged private transportation to and from the airport and met us at the AirBNB on arrival. She attended to every question and request quickly prior to the trip as well as during our vacation. Maria arranged private excursions and we received total white glove service. Her communication was always so efficient and she is truly a Costa Rica expert! Book with her and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!Written 11 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sue M-D2 contributionsOur guide was Alex and he was terrific! He led us on a beautiful walk through the Reserve, and pointed out many different plants and trees and told us about their history. The hike up was a bit strenuous, but we got to sit and rest at the top. The view up there was spectacular! We could see Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo. We didn't see many birds or animals during the hike, but as were taking pictures, a male Howler monkey came through the trees about 20 feet from our heads!
As we loaded into our transport to head back to Samara, the skies opened up and it rained quite hard. That is very atypical for dry season, but we did get a bit wet. It was a warm tropical rain, so we didn't mind.Written 12 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - May_EXLWinnipeg, Canada1,028 contributionsSecluded, wide & long beach in the Samara area. We explored it during low tide. There’s a sign about dangerous rip currents. The current was gentle the day we went so we had a good time playing in the waves. From the parking lot you can walk along the edge at low tide and cross the river to get to the beach. Be careful crossing the river & watch out for the rocks…water shoes are ideal. Beware of crocodiles! The rock formations at the end are good for photo opportunities and if you’re up for a hike, it leads to Playa Izquierda. I suggest 3 things; low tide, good footwear & water.
Playa Buena Vista is popular for the sunsets. If you decide to stay for post sunset keep in mind that there are mosquitoes. We went several times and saw a different sunset canvas each time. Don’t forget your camera! The river is seems to be a popular fishing spot for the locals? It’s everyone’s responsibility to treat this beach with respect and remember “no basura”!Written 15 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Meg260Beresford, SD10 contributionsFishing with Kingfisher was AMAZING! Captain Rick and Orlando were excellent hosts. We caught mahi and sailfish and our 7 yr old even reeled in tuna and some smaller fish that he could manage. I HIGHLY recommend Kingfisher!Written 26 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- May_EXLWinnipeg, Canada1,028 contributionsIt was easy to find using GPS… 22 km from Samara off route 150. 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 a 2 km drive thru idyllic countryside to the entrance. 1,000 crc fee pp & free for under 7 yrs old. Quick hike to the waterfall…big rocks to hop around on. We went in Feb, 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. No restaurants or public facilities there. Please take your trash with you, there’s a big garbage can in the parking lot.Written 2 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- fallsda53Indianapolis, IN177 contributionsMy wife and I were fortunate to visit for the third time last month both Samara and the wonderful Koss Art Gallery there. We always enjoy viewing the most recent paintings displayed and talking with Jaime, the artist. Once, we found him working in his studio, which is outside the gallery. Every visit we have purchased at least one of the beautiful works that are for sale - although it is difficult for us to choose among the many that engage and appeal to us! We are enriched by each experience.
It is possible to drive to the gallery, and enter from the road, but we always walk to it and enter from the beach: it’s between the Locanda and the Bahia hotels; look for the gallery signs.Written 22 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Peter W4 contributionsHad a great morning. Easy kayak out to the reef where we snorkeled. Saw plenty of fish, an eel and an octopus. Ravi gave us a very good account of the ecology of the area - both the bay and the forest overlooking it.Written 19 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- amelierondeau22Playa Samara, Costa Rica3 contributionsThe markets is good, fruits, veggies, bulk food, and other products. There is more choices of fruits and veggies on tuesday.Written 1 April 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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