Follow Costa Rican Locals To This Underrated Beach Town
By Hillary Louise Johnson
VACATIONS
If you're seeking an authentic Costa Rican experience away from the popular hubs, consider following the locals to the charming beach town of Samara in the Guanacaste province.
Just 30 minutes from Nosara, Samara offers a more intimate taste of the "pura vida'' lifestyle, known for its relaxed and happy ambiance where people often live to be 100.
This small hamlet is beloved by Costa Rican families for its sandy beaches, protected by a coral reef that creates safe, calm waters perfect for swimming and beginner surfing.
Unlike the sprawling expat hub of Nosara, shops, hotels, and restaurants in Samara are conveniently clustered along the beachfront, making it easy to explore on foot.
Samara also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking and snorkeling tours to Isla Chora, an uninhabited island with private beaches and abundant marine life.
Accommodation options are plentiful, from private Airbnb villas to the whimsical Tree House Inn, where you can sleep in suites perched on stilts overlooking the ocean.