Family Travel Guide: Sámara, Costa Rica — Beaches, Surf & Relaxed Pura Vida Itinerary
Sámara is the barefoot, boho side of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula — long, swimmable beaches, gentle beginner-friendly waves, howler monkeys in the trees, and smoothie bowls on repeat. This family guide is designed as an ultimate planning hub in a family-friendly wrapper: where to stay, what to do, what to eat, and how to string it into an easy, low-stress itinerary.
Quick Links
Open these in new tabs so you can bounce back to this guide while you plan.
- Flights & Car Rentals: Compare flights into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), then grab a family-sized rental car for the Nicoya Peninsula drive.
- Where to Stay in Sámara: Browse family-friendly hotels, villas, and beachfront apartments in Sámara on Booking.com (filter for “family rooms” and “beachfront”).
- Tours & Activities: Reserve Sámara adventures such as the Ora River wildlife kayak tours, snorkeling, and dolphin cruises on Viator.
- Travel Insurance: Cover your family with flexible, long-stay-friendly SafetyWing travel medical insurance.
- Official Tourism Info: Check entry requirements, road rules, and nationwide ideas via Visit Costa Rica (Official Tourism Board).
Why Sámara Works So Well for Families
Safe, Swimmable Bay
Playa Sámara sits in a wide crescent bay, protected by an offshore reef. Waves are usually mellow enough for boogie boards, splashy toddlers, and first-time surfers. You’ll still want to watch for rip currents on bigger swell days, but most of the time this is one of Costa Rica’s gentler Pacific beaches.
Add palm shade, beachside breakfast spots, and calm sunrise walks, and you get a beach that works from stroller age through teens.
Low-Key Vibes, Big Nature
Sámara is lively enough to have great food and fun surf schools, but still chill compared with bigger resort hubs. Howler monkeys and iguanas share the trees with boutique hotels, and dirt roads remind you you’re still in the jungle.
Combine that relaxed energy with nearby mangroves, turtle beaches, horseback rides, and hidden coves, and you have endless “wow” moments without crowds.
Where to Stay in Sámara
Use these as inspiration while you search on Booking.com — filter by your budget and number of beds, then save your favorites into a planning list.
1. Beachfront Hotels & Condos
- Beachfront family hotels: On Booking.com, search for properties along “Playa Sámara” and look for pools, breakfast included, and air-conditioning. Many have small kitchenettes, cribs on request, and quick sandy-foot access.
- Condos & apartments: If you want more space and a full kitchen, filter for “apartments” or “condos” and check reviews for Wi-Fi speed and walkability to town.
2. Jungle-Set Eco Lodges
Prefer birdsong and monkeys over nightlife? Use filters like “eco-friendly,” “garden view,” or “mountain view” and look inland a few minutes from the beach. You’ll trade instant sand access for quiet nights, hammocks, and star-filled skies.
3. Airbnb-Style Villas & Houses
For multi-generational trips, search for “entire place” options with at least three bedrooms, a pool, and secure parking. Many villas near Sámara come with fully equipped kitchens and outdoor dining areas, perfect for grilling fresh fish while kids float in the pool.
Things to Do in & Around Sámara
Surf, SUP & Water Time
- Beginner surf lessons: Do a family surf class with one of the beachfront schools on Playa Sámara; many offer soft-top boards, rash guards, and group or private sessions for kids and adults.
- Stand-up paddle boarding: Try a calm-morning SUP session inside the bay, or a guided paddle to nearby coves if your teens are confident swimmers.
- Boogie boarding & tide pools: On small-swell days you can spend hours just catching little waves and exploring the rocky edges of the beach at low tide.
Wildlife & Nature
- Ora River Mangrove Kayak Tour: Join a guided wildlife paddle like the Ora River mangrove kayaking excursions on Viator for birds, monkeys, and a different angle on the coastline.
- Horseback riding on the beach: Many local outfits offer sunset rides for beginners along Playa Sámara or neighboring Playa Carrillo — ask your hotel for a trusted operator.
- Turtle nesting (seasonal): In season, ask about guided trips to nearby nesting beaches, where conservation-focused tours keep lights low and distances respectful.
Easy Day Trips
- Playa Carrillo: Five to ten minutes away, this palm-framed, undeveloped beach is beloved by locals. Pack snacks, plenty of water, and enjoy a quieter, more wild-feeling shoreline.
- Nicoya town: Drive inland to explore a traditional Costa Rican town, stock up on groceries, and sample local sodas (small restaurants) for classic casados and empanadas.
- Waterfalls & countryside: Depending on road conditions, local guides can take you to hidden waterfalls and swimming holes in the hills; book these through your hotel or trusted tour offices in town.
Family-Friendly Places to Eat
Open hours change seasonally, so double-check details with each spot before you walk or drive over.
Beachfront Bites
- Beach clubs & cafés along the sand: Walk the main beach and you’ll find a line of casual restaurants, smoothie stands, and cafés with toes-in-the-sand seating. Look for spots with kids menus, shaded tables, and card payment options.
- Sunset snacks: Arrive an hour before sunset, order shareable plates, and let the kids play at the shoreline while you watch the sky change colors.
In-Town Favorites
- Pizza & pasta joints: When surfer-hungry kids want comfort food, there are several Italian and pizza places just off the beach. Most will happily split dishes or adapt toppings for picky eaters.
- Smoothie bowls & healthy cafés: Sámara’s wellness vibe shows up in fresh juice bars, smoothie bowls, plant-based lunches, and good coffee — great for fueling up between swims.
DIY Kitchen Nights
If you’re in a villa or apartment, stock up at local supermarkets and small produce stands. Make a simple dinner of rice, beans, grilled fish, and tropical fruit, then end with ice cream from a nearby heladería.
Suggested 4-Day Family Itinerary for Sámara
Day 1 — Arrival & First Sunset
- Land in San José or Liberia, pick up your rental car, and drive to Sámara.
- Check into your hotel or villa, walk the beach to get oriented, and dip your toes in the water.
- Early dinner at a beach café while you watch your first Pacific sunset.
Day 2 — Surf & Sand
- Start with a family surf lesson or boogie boarding in the gentle morning waves.
- Afternoon pool time or naps, then a stroll through town for smoothies, souvenirs, and a relaxed dinner.
Day 3 — Mangroves & Playa Carrillo
- Take a morning mangrove kayak or wildlife boat tour along the Ora River.
- Pack a cooler and head to Playa Carrillo for palm-framed beach time and fewer crowds.
- Back in Sámara, enjoy a low-key night in with takeout and board games.
Day 4 — Free Day & Departure
- Leave this day flexible: repeat your favorite beach, book a horseback ride, or fit in one more surf lesson.
- Drive back toward Liberia or San José, stopping at viewpoints or markets along the way.
Practical Tips for Sámara with Kids
- Best season: Dry season (roughly December–April) brings long sunny days. Green season has lush hillsides and fewer crowds but more rain showers.
- Roads: Routes to Sámara are mostly paved but can include potholes and short rough sections. A higher-clearance vehicle is helpful in heavy rain.
- Money: Most big places take cards, but keep some colones and small USD bills for taxis, tips, and roadside stands.
- Sun & heat: The Pacific sun is intense. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, hats, long-sleeve rash guards, and refillable water bottles.
- Safety: Standard Costa Rica advice applies — don’t leave valuables in cars or on the sand, lock doors, and swim where others are around.
More Family Guides to Pair with Sámara
Build a bigger Costa Rica loop with these connected destinations.
- Family Travel Guide: Jacó — Beaches, Surf & Nightlife
- Family Travel Guide: Drake Bay & Corcovado — Rainforest Wildlife & Ocean Adventures
- Family Travel Guide: Dominical & Uvita — Whales, Waterfalls & Jungle Beaches
- Family Travel Guide: Santa Teresa & Nicoya Peninsula — Beaches, Surf & Yoga
- Family Travel Guide: Puerto Viejo — Afro-Caribbean Beaches & Wildlife
- Family Travel Guide: San José — Museums, Coffee & Day Trips
- Family Travel Guide: Nosara — Surf, Yoga & Jungle Vibes
- Family Travel Guide: Manuel Antonio — Beaches, Monkeys & Rainforest
- Family Travel Guide: Guanacaste — Luxury Resorts & Golden Beaches
- Family Travel Guide: Tamarindo — Beaches, Surf Lessons & Sunsets
- Family Travel Guide: Monteverde — Cloud Forest Eco Adventures
- Family Travel Guide: Arenal & La Fortuna — Hot Springs & Waterfalls
Are You a Sámara Host or Local Business?
This guide currently uses general Booking.com and tour links to help families start planning. If you’d like your specific hotel, villa, tour, café, or surf school featured here instead, reach out and let’s talk about replacing those spots with your property or experience.
Email: stayheredothat@gmail.com with the subject line “Sámara feature request” and include:
- Your business name and website or booking link
- A short description of what makes you family-friendly
- High-quality photos and any special offers for readers
I only recommend places that genuinely fit the “Stay Here, Do That” vibe: welcoming, family-friendly, and clearly aligned with Pura Vida energy.
Save & Share This Guide
If this helped you plan your Sámara trip, the best way to say thank you is to share it. It keeps this free guide library growing for other families.
Have a favorite Sámara tip — a secret smoothie bar, a surf school your kids loved, or a rainy-day backup plan? Drop it in the comments on the blog so future families can borrow your genius.
