Playa Sámara
Playa Sámara is a small beach town on Costa Rica's Guanacaste coast, on a bay about 4 km long with calm water and Isla Chora just offshore.
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Playa Sámara is a beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste province, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The town sits on a bay about 4 km long, where the water is calm. Isla Chora lies offshore and is the island you see from the sand. The road is the main planning issue: the town is reached through Nicoya, so plan the drive into your first day rather than squeezing it into a short arrival. Restaurants and tour offices sit a short walk from the sand, so most days need little planning.
The town suits families with young children and first-time surfers who want soft, forgiving waves. It is a quiet beach stay, with little nightlife. December to April is the drier season and the most predictable time to visit. Two to three nights gives you time for the beach, a slow day and the drive back out.
Playa Sámara in five
- Plan the road in through NicoyaICT names Nicoya as the commercial center of the southern coast, with Sámara as its tourism hub. Stock up on cash and supplies there, or cross the gulf from Puntarenas to Playa Naranjo by ferry.Puntarenas ferries
- Use the bay for a calm first swimICT describes a 4 km bay with clear sand and gentle waves, and calls it one of the safest beaches in the country. Rip currents still occur along Costa Rican coasts, so ask locally before swimming past the shallows.
- Paddle or boat out to Isla ChoraICT places Isla Chora in front of Punta Indio, with coral near the point. Ask local operators whether boat or kayak trips run on your dates, and choose a calm morning, a licensed operator and a life vest.
- Treat Nosara as a separate stopICT describes Nosara and Guiones as strong-wave surf beaches with a yoga scene. SANSA lists a Nosara airstrip, but by road it is another base, so add it only with spare nights.
- Time the visit for the dry monthsMarch is the driest and hottest month on ICT's Pacific calendar, with the rains from May to October and April and November in between. December to March is the window for beach days.Best time to visit Costa Rica
Need to know
- Airport
- Liberia (LIR) is the usual gate; SANSA also lists Nosara (NOB)
- Getting there
- By road through Nicoya; transfers and rental cars
- Getting around
- Walkable town; car or taxi for beaches beyond the bay
- Best base
- The town behind the bay for a first visit
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, breezyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Dry, sunnyFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Driest monthMarchClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest month
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, transitionAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, transition
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rains beginMayRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 331 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Green seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 522 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Veranillo lullJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Veranillo lull
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Veranillo lullAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 417 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Veranillo lull
- SeptemberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Very wetSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 403 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very wet
- OctoberRain31 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Very wetOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 633 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very wet
- NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Rains easeNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, busyDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
Average daily high and low in Sámara, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Playa Sámara
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Playa Sámara
05:32 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°22°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue27°22°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed24°22°99%Wednesday: Rain. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu24°22°96%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Fri24°21°99%Friday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sat24°22°100%Saturday: Rain. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun28°21°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 02:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Isla Chorahalf-day boat or kayak tripA rock island off Punta Indio, with coral near the point for snorkelers.
- Nosara and Playa Guioneslong drive northStrong waves and a yoga scene; ICT describes both beaches as surf-led.
- Barra Honda cavesinland drive near NicoyaA vertical-ladder cave system; ICT says only one cave is open to the public.Read the guide
Before you go to Playa Sámara
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Rules for Playa Sámara, checked
- Many nationalities can enter Costa Rica without a visa for a limited stay. Check entry rules with Migración y Extranjería before you book.Source
- Declare food, plants, seeds and animal products on arrival. Fresh fruit and meat can be confiscated.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Costa Rica.
- Turtles nest on Nicoya beaches. Do not use flash or torches on the sand at night, and keep your distance from nests.
- Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. Check the bill before you leave a tip.
Plan around Playa Sámara
Surf, nightlife and access compared for two beach towns
Read the guidePlaya TamarindoThe busier surf town on the northern Guanacaste coast
Read the guideGuanacasteLiberia airport, Rincón de la Vieja and the dry coast
Read the guideRenting a car abroadInsurance traps to check before you collect the keys
Read the guidePuntarenasFerry to Playa Naranjo, then the road to Nicoya.
Read the guideAll of Costa RicaHow Sámara fits a loop of volcanoes and beaches
Read the guidePlaya Sámara FAQ
Is Playa Sámara good for families?
Yes. ICT describes a 4 km bay with gentle waves and calls it one of the safest beaches in Costa Rica. Rip currents still occur on Costa Rican coasts, so keep children in sight and ask locally about the day's conditions.
How many days do you need in Sámara?
Three or four days cover the bay, a kayak or snorkel trip to Isla Chora and a rest day. The long drive in means a single night rarely feels worth it, while a week suits surf lessons and slow mornings.
How do you get to Playa Sámara?
By road through Nicoya, which ICT names as the commercial center of the southern coast. Most visitors rent a car or book a transfer from Liberia airport. Confirm the route and the daylight margin with your hotel before you set off.
Is Sámara better for beginners than Tamarindo?
Often, because the bay's waves are gentler according to ICT and the town is smaller. Tamarindo has the bigger surf scene, more restaurants and more crowds. The comparison post sets the two side by side.
What is the best month for Playa Sámara?
ICT puts the dry season at December to March, with March the driest and hottest month. May to October is green season, with the heaviest rain in September and October, so aim for the dry months if beach days matter most.