5 BEST Things to do in Sámara, Costa Rica
Taking a trip to the beautiful coastal town of Sámara and looking for the best things to do? You’re in the right place!
Samara is one of our favorite places in Costa Rica because there are just so many adventures on offer! While living in Costa Rica, we came to Samara all the time to take advantage of the beaches, jungle, and of course the wildlife.
From ripping through the jungle on an ATV, seeing nesting turtles, or heading out on a boat to spot dolphins, we promise you won’t be bored in Sámara. But with so much to do it can be hard to choose, so we’ve listed our top 5 favorite activities to help you make the most of your time here. Happy exploring!
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do in Sámara is this horseback riding tour! Explore the beach and jungle on horseback, taking those beautiful views as you go.
Tip: This tour is popular – book it in advance here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Samara Beach
- Our Top Choice
- 1. Half-Day Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling in Sámara
- Reserve this tour here and get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
- 2. Evening Turtle Nesting and Hatching Tour
- Don't miss out—reserve this unique tour in advance here!
- 3. Horseback Riding through the Jungle and Beach
- Book this 5-star review here, before it sells out!
- 4. Ocean Kayaking to Chora Island and Snorkeling
- Secure this tour here before spots fill up!
- 5. 3-Hour ATV Mountain and Beach Tour
- Check availability and book this top-rated ATV tour here!
- Where to Stay in Sámara, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
1. Half-Day Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling in Sámara
Tour Details
Dolphin watching and snorkeling? Sign us up!
Seriously, this half-day dolphin watching tour is an amazing opportunity to spot bottlenose and spotted dolphins off the coast of Sámara! Better still, between August and October, or December and March, you’re also likely to spot humpback whales as they migrate. For us, that really makes this tour unmissable!
Besides, we didn’t just get to spot dolphins from the boat, either. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the boat visits a fantastic snorkeling spot to check out even more marine life. We also loved the guides on this tour, as their passion for nature and conservation really shone through, and they taught us a lot about the area.
At the end of the tour, we also got a huge platter of fresh fruit and even a cold beer each to wash it down with, which definitely didn’t hurt. This is also a small group tour so there will only be about 20 people on board, which we always much prefer over big boat experiences.
Basically, if you love wildlife as much as we do, you’re in for a real treat with this one. This experience is suitable for all ages, and we think it’s a fantastic thing for families to do together in Sámara.
2. Evening Turtle Nesting and Hatching Tour
Tour Details
I think it’s safe to say that most people would put seeing turtles pretty high up on their Costa Rica bucket list. But with this 3.5-hour tour, you actually get to see them nesting and hatching on the beach, which is just incredible!
From our experience, this is so much better with a guide because they’ll know where to look and take you to the best spots. We got to see baby turtles crawling towards the sea which was so cute, and we learned so much about turtle behaviors and life cycles.
Another amazing thing about this tour is that if an arribada is happening while you’re in Costa Rica, your guide will take you to see it! But what is an arribada, I hear you ask?
Well, basically, it’s a phenomenon when all of the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs at once. It happens about once a month on Ostional Beach but for those traveling through, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event to witness!
The best months of the year for nesting are September and October. There are nesting turtles on the beach year-round, so don’t worry too much, but we strongly recommend you book the tour in advance during this time.
This tour regularly visits a few different beaches but your guide will decide which is the best choice for your group on the day, according to the conditions. This takes all the guesswork out of it on your part and maximizes your chances of seeing as many turtles (and baby turtles) as possible.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
3. Horseback Riding through the Jungle and Beach
Tour Details
Saddle up, because horseback riding is one of the best things to do in Sámara. We think this horseback riding tour is an ideal activity for couples on a romantic trip – or even a honeymoon – but to be honest anyone who’s a little adventurous will enjoy this tour.
Costa Rica has a long and proud equestrian tradition, so we think that a horseback ride is a great way to take in the scenery while connecting with local culture. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to ride up to a gorgeous mountain viewpoint that looks out over the coast, and spot monkeys snacking on mangoes in the jungle?
Many horseback tours only permit walking, but not this one! We love this tour because it allows you to gallop along a gorgeous beach at the end of the tour. The beach is always empty, so you get to go as fast as you want! Our tip would be to book your tour for 3 pm, that way you’ll get to enjoy a gorgeous sunset on the beach, too.
We also love that this is a small group tour with a maximum of eight people, so it feels really personal. And the fact that the guides take so many fantastic photos and videos for you is a huge bonus – these Insta-worthy snaps will definitely make everybody back home super jealous!
4. Ocean Kayaking to Chora Island and Snorkeling
Tour Details
We had a great time on this 3-hour kayaking tour out to Isla Chora! First, we paddled out to the island, while our guide, Luis, helped us to spot marine life and told us a little about the history and ecology of the area. He was so friendly and really passionate about Sámara, so we were really glad that we had him as our guide.
Sámara is an ideal place to go kayaking in Costa Rica because the Isla Chora protects Sámara’s coast. This means that the swells here are much gentler than in many other coastal towns, so the paddling was pretty easy. However, I strongly advise you to wear a long-sleeved shirt and hat to protect yourself from the sun (I made the mistake of not), or to book this tour for 6 or 7 am before the day gets too hot. In fact, I think that kayaking out to the island first thing in the morning would be absolutely beautiful!
After we got to Isla Chora, we had time to chill on the pristine beach – we had it all to ourselves, which was incredible! We also went snorkeling and got to see so much amazing marine life, including pufferfish, lots of colorful reef fish, and best of all, a sea turtle!
This tour is absolutely perfect for active travelers! It’s a real adventure and we would definitely do it again. Plus, who would turn down the chance to visit the stunning and secluded Isla Chora?
5. 3-Hour ATV Mountain and Beach Tour
Tour Details
ATV rides are so thrilling, and Sámara is the perfect place to climb aboard a quad bike and zoom around the hills and jungles. This 3-hour ATV tour is a true adventure, and definitely one for the thrill seekers among us. You can choose to either share an ATV or ride solo, although the shared option definitely brings down the price for budget-conscious travelers.
However you choose to ride, you’ll get to zoom up and down the area’s hills which I can assure you is a TON of fun. It’s a great way to explore a pretty rural part of Costa Rica and get off the tourist track. We also loved driving through the jungle and we saw quite a few monkeys up in the trees!
And as if all that weren’t enough, the tour usually visits a few gorgeous local beaches, too! The tour ends with either a swim at the stunning Playa Buena Vista or a local waterfall.
One thing that might surprise you is that this tour is family-friendly! Kids as young as 5 are welcome to join in on the fun although, of course, they’re not allowed to drive themselves. You will need a valid driver’s license to participate in this tour, so bear that in mind, but if you have a keen sense of adventure then we can’t recommend this enough.
Related Read: If you’re traveling more before or after Sámara, check out our 15 favorite things to do across the country!
Where to Stay in Sámara, Costa Rica
Sámara is one of those towns with a huge variety of places to stay. From budget backpacker hostels to luxury hotels, there are great accommodations in Sámara for all budgets. To help you narrow it down, we’ve included our favorites below.
Luxury – $$$
For luxury travelers or families, I love Leyenda Boutique Hotel & Spa. This place is spectacular and offers a fitness center, swimming pool, spa, and restaurant. On top of that, it’s located right just over a mile from the beach. From standard double rooms to family suites to suites with a whirlpool, there is an option for couples and groups alike.
Guests seem to love the property’s landscapes and service the most! Prices start at $180 USD, which is amazing for a high-end option – so check prices and reserve a luxury room or suite here!
Mid-Range – $$
Hotel Giada is a friendly, good-value pick right in the center of Sámara, just a short walk from the beach. This mid-range hotel keeps things simple with comfortable air-conditioned rooms, balconies or patios, and two small outdoor pools surrounded by tropical greenery. There’s also an on-site Italian restaurant, which guests love for its convenience after a day in the sun.
At around $130 USD per night, it’s a solid choice if you want an affordable, well-located stay with a relaxed, beach-town vibe. Check availability here on Booking.com!
Budget – $
The Spirit of Jungle Lodge is a laid-back, no-frills budget stay just outside central Sámara, offering simple but clean rooms with all the basics you need. The property has a relaxed, rustic feel, plus a small outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and beautiful gardens. It’s a quiet spot that still puts you a short drive from the beach — a solid pick for budget travellers who want an affordable, low-key base near Sámara’s coastal highlights!
Private rooms start as low as $90 USD per night, and can be reserved online in advance here.
For more info, read our detailed guide about deciding where to stay in Samara with the best hotels and areas!
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
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Pura Vida!
There really is so much more to do in Samara, but these are our five favorite activities! If you’re an adventure traveler like we are, I know you’ll love Samara. It’s one of those places that we just keep coming back to!
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out the rest of our Costa Rica blogs. We’ve explored all over the country and love sharing our favorite places, activities, and travel tips. I’ll list a few related posts below to assist in your travel planning!
8 BEST Tours in Samara, Costa Rica
