In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Sámara
Spend 2–3 days: beach, surf, kayak and short bird‑watching trips; easy day‑trip to Playa Carrillo 6 km south.
Sámara is a small beach town in Guanacaste with a protected reef, surf‑board rentals and easy access to nearby nature spots. One full day covers the main beach and water sports; add another day for a relaxed pace or a visit to Playa Carrillo.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (more rain)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡3,500–5,500 excl. bed · Mid ₡5,500–8,500 excl. bed · High ₡8,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at a local restaurant | ₡3000–6000 |
| Beer (local bar) | ₡1500–2500 |
| Bike rental (full day) | ₡2500–4000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIR · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia)
- 13 km (8.1 mi) west; bus 06:00‑18:00 to town13 km (8.1 mi) west; bus 6:00 AM‑6:00 PM to town8.1 mi (13 km) west; bus 06:00‑18:00 to town8.1 mi (13 km) west; bus 6:00 AM‑6:00 PM to town
Typical fares
- Liberia Airport → Sámara bus
- about ₡1300, 30–45 min (check schedule)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or rent a bicycle for most sites; public bus connects Liberia and Nicoya (≈₡1300, hourly).
See and do
Known for
- Protected reef beach
- Surfboard and kayak rentals
- Malanoche Estuary birdwatching
- Nearby rock‑pools at Cangrejal
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Carrillo | Bus or taxi along paved road, 6 km (3.7 mi) southBus or taxi along paved road, 3.7 mi (6 km) south | ≈15 min |
Sleep
- Flying Crocodile Lodge
- Spacious rooms, pool, on‑site restaurant; central town
- Sámara Palm Lodge
- Quiet area, 5‑min walk to beach; pool, free Wi‑Fi; US$60/night
- Bar Aloha Camping
- Beachfront camping; US$5 per person
- Hostel Las Mariposas
- Hostel 100 m from beach; US$15 dorm; breakfast available
- Hotel Giada
- Carbon‑neutral, two pools; rooms US$75+
- Hotel Entre Dos Aguas
- Near town centre; pool; US$58
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where is the beach? | ¿Dónde está la playa? |
| I need a taxi | Necesito un taxi |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Wear shoes on the reef beach for safety.
- Bus from Liberia arrives at a different terminal; allow a 10‑min walk to the Samara‑bound stop.
- Check boat tour schedules in high season; they can fill quickly.
Generally safe; watch for strong surf on the reef beach and keep valuables hidden in beach lockers.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sámara yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Protected reef beach
- Surfboard and kayak rentals
- Malanoche Estuary birdwatching
- Nearby rock‑pools at Cangrejal
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Sámara: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Sámara, revision 5211791 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5211791
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Sámara
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US consulate in Liberia; other embassies in San José.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/samara). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.