Playa Samara
Samara is a long horseshoe shaped beach located in Guanacaste, 35kms South of Nicoya, and 245kms away from San Jose. You may also fly to Samara, via playa Carrillo, and this would only take about 45 minutes of your time. Another alternative is to fly direct to Liberia International Airport and take the two-hour drive via Nicoya to Samara.
An Island as well as many offshore rocks protect this long tropical beach, making it one of the safest beaches in Guanacaste for swimming. There are many water-sports and activities practiced there too; Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, deep sea fishing, paragliding, horseback riding, or simply going for a day trip by boat and visit the little Isla Chora. Talking long walks on the shore is a favorite in Samara; it is 5 kms long and is perfect for this. Samara is popular as a family destination, and has an amazing variety of places to stay and places to eat. There are also numerous bars and some discos.
As you arrive in the little town, you will immediately see the sea as it is just there in front of you, at the end of the road. Turning left will take you to an assortment of affordable hotels and cabinas and places to eat. There is a good supermarket where you will find everything you need. As you carry on that road, you will eventually reach Playa Carrillo, a wonder of nature and definitely a must if you are in the area. There is no town there, just the beach and the sea, coconut trees, the sky and the sun, and it is one of the most rated of the country. Carrillo is the place to be for a quiet day and for keeping in touch with Nature. Its white sand and quiet waters are very soothing and it is almost always deserted. There is a beautiful luxurious hotel between Samara and Carrillo, the Hotel Punta Islita, which is worth checking out, even if it is just for a sunset drink at the bar. Carillo is no more than twenty minutes away from Samara, and a taxi can take you there for about $6.
Samara, although attracting a reasonable amount of tourism, with its beautiful long beach, its bars and good restaurants, cabinas and luxurious hotels, has something to offer for everybody, and for every taste. Because the beach is so long, it is easy to enjoy the nightlife while staying away from it.
There are two other beaches to visit while you are in the area, Playa Buena Vista and Playa Barrigona, North of Samara, and about 30 minutes away. If you are not driving, a taxi can take you there for about $10.
Other hotels worth checking out include Brisas del Pacifico, Casa del Mar, Casa de Valeria, Hotel Giada.
Las Brasas is a very good restaurant serving Portuguese food, and best hotel there have great restaurants. There is also a variety of pizzeria in town that are definitely above average, Terra Nostra offers good Italian Cuisine, and try El Lagarto, on the North End of the Beach.
La Gondola is where everything is happening at night, and the sports fishermen’s new stylish club, the Fandango’s club Max, always attracts a good crowd.
by Mireille Darras.
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